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Deadliest Catch

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

The best part of my favorite show is during the opening credits. It happens as Bon Jovi sings, “I drive all night, just to get back home.” During the first line, the bow of a crab boat plunges down, cleaving a wave in half. Spray explodes. Over the next line, that image fades into a tight side shot of Skipper Sig Hansen’s head, and for a moment, the spray – which is being raked by a fierce gale – aligns perfectly with Hansen’s blonde swept-back hair, as though one is becoming the other. As the fade-in continues, Hansen slowly turns and glares into the camera with eyes as hollow as sea caves. He looks like a Viking ghost.“Lucky edit!” says Todd Stanley, when asked about the scene later. For some reason, I don’t believe him. Todd and his brother Doug are the Emmy-award-winning creative forces behind Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch. Not bad for a couple of dropouts from Roseville High School who were lured away by the temptation of being river guides. In fact, it was on the Colorado where they met a fellow guide who shot video in his spare time;  he taught the brothers, and they began their adventure. Long story very short, a decade later they’re in L.A. freelancing for tabloid shows like Extra! when Discovery called. Alaska was on the line.The brothers agree that being raised among the rolling hills of Roseville and Rocklin prepared them in a way for the rolling nothern seas. “It was the Wild West back then,” says Todd. “Just wide open fields and motorcycles, having a good time, learning about being outside and being on your own.” Doug adds that living so close to world class skiing, rivers and climbing has nurtured their sense of adventure. It also made it impossible to forget where they came from, which is why they both live here now; Doug in Roseville, Todd in Lotus.On the show, Phil Harris (the Chewbacca look-alike) is one of the captains featured. It wasn’t easy adapting to a camera crew on board his boat, the Cornelia Marie. Harris says plainly, “If you don’t like a guy, it can be a real pain in the [butt].” But Todd, a producer/cameraman, and Doug, a producer and director of photography, earned his respect. “Doug is amazing...he can bring things out of people that they just don’t want to talk about.” And Todd...? “He’s completely different, but every bit as good. And he helped me when things were looking really bad,” says Harris. He’s referring to last season, when he became dangerously ill while still at sea. It became the show’s main storyline. Todd stayed by his side as Harris navigated through bone-jarring seas to get emergency medical attention for what turned out to be a potentially fatal blood clot in his lung. The captain is grateful. “It wasn’t in his job description to stay with me. He did it because he’s a great guy, and he cared.”Though, normally neither brother would be found holed up in the relative comfort of a warm wheelhouse, an example not lost on their crew. “They’re good mentors,” says Ben Zupo, a Sacramento native who’s worked two seasons as a cameraman. Has he ever seen them do something to make him question their sanity? “...All the time!” Probably not something their parents want to hear.I asked the guys if they’re ever concerned for their safety.  Todd said he gets too involved with his work to worry. Doug simply announced that he’s yet to see a wave big enough to scare him. Another nugget their parents could likely do without.So, what about the folks? “In the early days they couldn’t really figure us out,” says Doug. “And they are still quite worried whenever we go to sea because one storm could take out the whole family lineage!” The brothers chuckle at that one. But with the boys hauling in Emmys like the Cornelia Marie hauls in crab, at least the folks are proud. “We’ve finally became bona fide to them!” says Doug. More chuckles.It’s a long way from the comfort of my couch in Roseville to the bitter cold of the Bering Sea, but thanks to Todd, Doug and my cable provider, I’ll be making the trip again this year. The sixth season of Deadliest Catch starts next month and I can’t wait for Captain Sig’s glare! <hr>Catch Tom on the Pat and Tom Morning Show on New Country 105.1.

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A Quest for Clues

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

We crested the hill and paused under the old black walnut tree. I passed the water bottle to my wife for a drink and accepted it back for a deep draught of my own. While she reviewed the clues, I surveyed the horizon. We were looking for “a grandfather and four little maidens” – a big old tree with four young saplings nearby. I saw a copse at the base of the valley that I thought fit the description, so onward we pressed. After my brave wife, my stalwart beagle/dachshund (or “Doxle”) and I searched for several minutes; we decided this was not the place, so back we went to the instructions. We followed the fence-line around the hill for another quarter mile and came upon another small grove of trees – this time obviously the one. My wife, a.k.a. “The Finder of Things,” walked directly to the base of the second sapling, found a stack of medium sized rocks behind it, and, lo and behold, there was our bounty! This time a small five-by-five-inch Tupperware box, disguised with camouflage duct tape. Within the box were a hand-carved rubber stamp and a logbook that held impressions of about 60 stamps with dates and notes.The Letterboxing LegacyOur treasure hunt was one that hundreds of local adventurers pursue every weekend. It is called letterboxing and it is a burgeoning outdoor activity in California’s Gold Country. The game originated in England in the Dartmoor National Park over 150 years ago. The activity stayed quietly in its homeland with an exclusive group…until a 1998 Smithsonian article, which immediately and vigorously transplanted it to US shores.And therein lies the conflict with writing an article about it; much like in Fight Club, the first rule of letterboxing is “You don’t talk about letterboxing.” There is a sort of quiet secretiveness about it. We do not want non-letterboxers disturbing our treasures. We go to a secluded place to put our stamp into the letterbox’s logbook and to put the letterbox’s stamp in our own. The etiquette of letterboxing is quite strict about not letting others, outsiders, see what you are up to. You do not want “them” disturbing the letterbox just to see what is there. It is a private treasure that you have discovered and that you are replacing for the next brave adventurer. To me, letterboxing is an excuse to take a hike in the country, though not all letterboxes are located in wilderness. “Bookboxes” are stowed among the collections of cooperative libraries in hollowed-out books. Other letterboxes are cleverly hidden in the inner city, and some are travelers – tiny letterboxes hidden within other letterboxes that travel with letterboxers to their next destination.Getting StartedTo begin the adventure, it is economical and easy. Pick out your trail name – this is your identity in the logbooks you visit and online. It is something that identifies you and your interests in common, though I know a long-time letterboxer who just goes by his first name. You will need a logbook, usually pocket-size, for the stamps from the letterboxes you visit, a personal stamp, usually hand carved but not always, to leave in the boxes you visit, a stamp pad, a writing implement and a simple base-plate compass. Additionally, basic outdoor supplies are useful, including, but not limited to, a canteen, a first-aid kit, a pair of stout gloves, a hiking staff and a flashlight. Letterboxes that require special equipment will include a listing of that equipment in the clues.The CluesThis leads us to the most important requirement in letterboxing: the clues. Letterbox clues range from simple directions to the box, taking you for a tour of the countryside, to complex riddles or mathematical formulae. The variety is limited only by the imagination of the box placer. These clues may be found various places, but the best place to start in our area is at the Letterboxing North America Web site: letterboxing.org. On that site you will find thousands of clues. In addition, you may find clues in published books, hidden on other Web sites, and in letterboxing newsletters.We found a relatively flat boulder and prepared for the stamping ritual. We spread out our materials and the contents of the box, carefully placing impressions of our vined and monogrammed stamp, and the paw-print for our Doxle in the letterbox’s log; we then placed the hand-carved waterfall from the letterbox in our own log. We noted our experience in both logs and packed everything carefully away for the next letterboxer to find. We re-hid the box carefully in its cubby and placed the rock pile, mussing the leaves so it looked as it had before we arrived. It was a beautiful spring day’s adventure and another letterbox for our ever-growing collection!

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Indoor Herb Gardens

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. These savories might call to mind that old song by Simon and Garfunkle, but have you ever considered growing these herbs yourself? This year, many of us are looking for ways to shave the dollars off our grocery bill. By growing your own herbs, you can do just that, without having to sacrifice freshness, quality or taste. An indoor herb garden is just the project for spring. Getting StartedVery few things are needed once you decide to grow an indoor herb garden – just pots, seeds or plants, a little soil, and a sunny window. Don’t feel like you have to stay with the traditional terra cotta, either. If you plan to keep your garden in the kitchen, choosing fashionable planters to complement your décor can add to the fun. Home and garden stores like Wild Plum in Grass Valley offer an assortment of containers to suit your tastes. Proper Conditions for CultivationEven though growing herbs inside is fairly simple, there are a few conditions that need to be in place to cultivate your harvest. According to Renee Towan, horticulture manager at Smith and Hawken in Roseville, “Most herbs need a lot of light – at least five to eight hours of sun, per day.” She recommends putting the pots in front of a south or southwest facing window, which allows the most light into the house. If your garden is not receiving enough light, you’ll find long stems and fading leaves on your plants, as well as leaves that fall off unexpectedly. However, even if your home doesn’t receive enough natural light, Towan says, “You can supplement it with a grow light.” Grow lights differ from standard light bulbs in that they shine the full spectrum of light required for plants to grow. They are sometimes sold already attached to pots; or, buy them separately and set them up directly above the garden.While the plants will need plenty of light, it is important to keep them away from places where they’ll experience temperature extremes, such as too close to the stove or directly beneath a heater vent. Also, be sure not to over water, which will rot the roots of the plants. It is advisable to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Towan also adds, “If you have the room, a six-inch pot would give the plant optimal room to grow.” In no time you’ll be ready to harvest your herbs and season your favorite dishes to tantalize the taste buds of your guests. For more about maintaining Indoor Herb Gardens, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email  [email protected], or call 916-988-9888.

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Jason Harper

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

It’s rather humbling to talk with the man who ran 100 miles to raise money for children without healthcare, but Jason Harper says he’s the one who’s humbled. Exuding serious passion for his work, Harper says he is simply having fun for a cause. In case you haven’t heard Harper’s story yet, he proudly shares: “Last May, [after] learning of the lack of healthcare for kids, I committed to running 100 miles around Sacramento to raise awareness and funding for the plight of healthcare for uninsured children.”Harper ran for students at Oak Ridge Elementary School in Oak Park, and after 29 hours and 35 minutes of running, he raised enough money to secure healthcare for every child at the inner-city school. Harper makes it clear, however, that his work is not finished. Although his vocation is working as the community outreach director for Capital Christian Center, his life’s cause is the Extra Mile Run, which is a continuation of the 100-mile run...on a larger scale. “The goal for Extra Mile Run is to take it up a notch. I’m trying to get 400 people wanting to run for a reason, so that we can sponsor every child at Oak Ridge to keep healthcare, tutoring and after school programs going,” he says. “You know that old saying ‘find what you love and never work a day of your life’? That’s where I’m at,” says Harper.For more information about Jason Harper, and other local happenings and information, be sure to pick up this month's copy of Style – Folsom, El Dorado Hills edition. Check out the Distribution tab on this Web site for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email  [email protected], or call 916-988-9888.

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Cary House Hotel

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

The historic Cary House Hotel on Main Street in Placerville is more than just another place for an overnight stay. It is known as the “Jewel of Placerville.” Standing with its original brickwork, the Cary House’s interior includes antique furnishings, such as an 1876 Chickering Square Grand piano with its original strings, and a stained glass piece representing the seasons of the Gold Country, crafted by local artist Wendy Wythe at age 17. In a cabinet nestled between the winter and fall stained glass piece is an old radio, which guests may explore and travel back in time. The Cary House’s 40 rooms, many of which include kitchenettes, are each uniquely decorated and have an original theme complete with historic memorabilia and vintage décor.William Cary founded the Cary House in 1857. The hotel originally had 77 guest rooms with luxuries of its time like a bathroom on each floor, hot and cold running water, and a brick exterior which was the safest due to its fireproof quality. During the historic building’s early years, the Cary House served as a stage stop for the Wells Fargo Lines and welcomed pioneers traveling through old Placerville. During the Washoe silver excitement, $90,000,000 in bullion allegedly passed through the doors, and $600 worth of gold was discovered in the basement in the early 1900s. The blue crystal displayed behind the front desk is actually locked, as it is poisonous and for decoration only. The original logbook for the hotel hides money from the Civil War underneath and includes Mark Twain’s signature. Other famous past guests include President Grant, Betty Davis, John Studebaker, and politician Horace Greeley whom reportedly addressed the miners in Old Hangtown from the Cary House iron balcony in 1859. Brooke Shields and Lou Diamond Phillips are more recent famous visitors.The Cary House saw many different owners and in 1915 the original building was completely rebuilt and renamed Hotel Placerville. In 1926, it became the Raffles Hotel and it was not until the late 1970s when Doug and Peggy Milton began a restoration process that the name was changed back to the original Cary House.Visitors can ride the famous old elevator, the second oldest operating elevator west of the Mississippi, built in 1926. There is also a mysterious safe in one of the hallways with a missing combination. Even the hotel owners do not know what hides within it.The hotel has two meeting facilities that are able to accommodate about 60 guests each; one of which is an elegant outdoor courtyard called The Fountain Plaza, which is draped with 90-year-old ivy. The Cary House Hotel sits at the end of the now busy and narrow Main Street, and is a hop, skip and a jump away from many specialty boutiques, cafés, beer and wine tasting rooms, books, and ice cream. For more information on the Cary House Hotel, visit caryhousehotel.com.

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Indoor Herb Gardens

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. These savories might call to mind that old song by Simon and Garfunkle, but have you ever considered growing these herbs yourself? This year, many of us are looking for ways to shave the dollars off our grocery bill. By growing your own herbs, you can do just that, without having to sacrifice freshness, quality or taste. An indoor herb garden is just the project for spring. Getting StartedVery few things are needed once you decide to grow an indoor herb garden – just pots, seeds or plants, a little soil, and a sunny window. Don’t feel like you have to stay with the traditional terra cotta, either. If you plan to keep your garden in the kitchen, choosing fashionable planters to complement your décor can add to the fun. Home and garden stores like Wild Plum in Grass Valley offer an assortment of containers to suit your tastes. Proper Conditions for CultivationEven though growing herbs inside is fairly simple, there are a few conditions that need to be in place to cultivate your harvest. According to Renee Towan, horticulture manager at Smith and Hawken in Roseville, “Most herbs need a lot of light – at least five to eight hours of sun, per day.” She recommends putting the pots in front of a south or southwest facing window, which allows the most light into the house. If your garden is not receiving enough light, you’ll find long stems and fading leaves on your plants, as well as leaves that fall off unexpectedly. However, even if your home doesn’t receive enough natural light, Towan says, “You can supplement it with a grow light.” Grow lights differ from standard light bulbs in that they shine the full spectrum of light required for plants to grow. They are sometimes sold already attached to pots; or, buy them separately and set them up directly above the garden.While the plants will need plenty of light, it is important to keep them away from places where they’ll experience temperature extremes, such as too close to the stove or directly beneath a heater vent. Also, be sure not to over water, which will rot the roots of the plants. It is advisable to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Towan also adds, “If you have the room, a six-inch pot would give the plant optimal room to grow.” In no time you’ll be ready to harvest your herbs and season your favorite dishes to tantalize the taste buds of your guests. For more about maintaining Indoor Herb Gardens, be sure to pick up this month's copy of Style-Folsom El Dorado Hills edition. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email  [email protected], or call 916-988-9888.

Read More »
A Quest for Clues

Mar 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

We crested the hill and paused under the old black walnut tree. I passed the water bottle to my wife for a drink and accepted it back for a deep draught of my own. While she reviewed the clues, I surveyed the horizon. We were looking for “a grandfather and four little maidens” – a big old tree with four young saplings nearby. I saw a copse at the base of the valley that I thought fit the description, so onward we pressed. After my brave wife, my stalwart beagle/dachshund (or “Doxle”) and I searched for several minutes; we decided this was not the place, so back we went to the instructions. We followed the fence-line around the hill for another quarter mile and came upon another small grove of trees – this time obviously the one. My wife, a.k.a. “The Finder of Things,” walked directly to the base of the second sapling, found a stack of medium sized rocks behind it, and, lo and behold, there was our bounty! This time a small five-by-five-inch Tupperware box, disguised with camouflage duct tape. Within the box were a hand-carved rubber stamp and a logbook that held impressions of about 60 stamps with dates and notes.The Letterboxing LegacyOur treasure hunt was one that hundreds of local adventurers pursue every weekend. It is called letterboxing and it is a burgeoning outdoor activity in California’s Gold Country. The game originated in England in the Dartmoor National Park over 150 years ago. The activity stayed quietly in its homeland with an exclusive group…until a 1998 Smithsonian article, which immediately and vigorously transplanted it to US shores.And therein lies the conflict with writing an article about it; much like in Fight Club, the first rule of letterboxing is “You don’t talk about letterboxing.” There is a sort of quiet secretiveness about it. We do not want non-letterboxers disturbing our treasures. We go to a secluded place to put our stamp into the letterbox’s logbook and to put the letterbox’s stamp in our own. The etiquette of letterboxing is quite strict about not letting others, outsiders, see what you are up to. You do not want “them” disturbing the letterbox just to see what is there. It is a private treasure that you have discovered and that you are replacing for the next brave adventurer. To me, letterboxing is an excuse to take a hike in the country, though not all letterboxes are located in wilderness. “Bookboxes” are stowed among the collections of cooperative libraries in hollowed-out books. Other letterboxes are cleverly hidden in the inner city, and some are travelers – tiny letterboxes hidden within other letterboxes that travel with letterboxers to their next destination.Getting StartedTo begin the adventure, it is economical and easy. Pick out your trail name – this is your identity in the logbooks you visit and online. It is something that identifies you and your interests in common, though I know a long-time letterboxer who just goes by his first name. You will need a logbook, usually pocket-size, for the stamps from the letterboxes you visit, a personal stamp, usually hand carved but not always, to leave in the boxes you visit, a stamp pad, a writing implement and a simple base-plate compass. Additionally, basic outdoor supplies are useful, including, but not limited to, a canteen, a first-aid kit, a pair of stout gloves, a hiking staff and a flashlight. Letterboxes that require special equipment will include a listing of that equipment in the clues.The CluesThis leads us to the most important requirement in letterboxing: the clues. Letterbox clues range from simple directions to the box, taking you for a tour of the countryside, to complex riddles or mathematical formulae. The variety is limited only by the imagination of the box placer. These clues may be found various places, but the best place to start in our area is at the Letterboxing North America Web site: letterboxing.org. On that site you will find thousands of clues. In addition, you may find clues in published books, hidden on other Web sites, and in letterboxing newsletters.We found a relatively flat boulder and prepared for the stamping ritual. We spread out our materials and the contents of the box, carefully placing impressions of our vined and monogrammed stamp, and the paw-print for our Doxle in the letterbox’s log; we then placed the hand-carved waterfall from the letterbox in our own log. We noted our experience in both logs and packed everything carefully away for the next letterboxer to find. We re-hid the box carefully in its cubby and placed the rock pile, mussing the leaves so it looked as it had before we arrived. It was a beautiful spring day’s adventure and another letterbox for our ever-growing collection!

Read More »
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