Author Archive: Writers Workshop

History of the Sierra Reparatory

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The five founders of Sierra Rep are David and Kathryn Kahn, Doug Brennan, and Sara and Dennis Jones, met at the Fallon House Theatre. As the five worked on sets, and costumes and sat together talking late into the night, the idea of Sierra Rep was planted and nurtured. Their dream was to establish a professional performing arts center in this rural setting, and to draw both professional artists and audiences by the level of art created here.

They first theater was a converted tin warehouse into a rustic 99-seats in East Sonora. Over 30 years later, their shoestring venture has blossomed into a professional arts organization impressive for a rural area.

Sierra Rep was selected as the resident theater company at the Historic Fallon House in June of 1997, and the company’s first production on the Historic Fallon House stage was Something’s Afoot, which opened in October of that year.

Sierra Rep now presents Main Stage shows, Cabarets and student workshop productions in two locations – the original East Sonora Theatre and the Historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park.  They offer free professional touring productions to schools in our county, a thriving education program, and hold benefit previews and special events that raise thousands of dollars for community and educational groups.

Explore Passport Weekend in the El Dorado wine country

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Explore Passport Weekend in the El Dorado wine country.

The El Dorado County Wine Association will hold its annual Passport Weekend on April 26-27, 2025 11 am - 5 pm. Discover offerings and special events from each predicating winery during this two-day weekend..  Explore the unrivaled beauty of El Dorado County and visit your favorite winery.  Sip wine at over 20 wineries. Each shares its innovative spirit by providing incredible wine and food, Each winery will provide unique food and wine pairings and engage you in an experience that captures the essence of their unique story.

Whether it’s live music, art demonstrations, historical tours, or winemaking insights, your journey will create treasured memories of wine, food, and fun. El Dorado’s mountain vineyards are on steep hillsides with warm summer days and cool nights. It’s an environment that gives wines luscious fruit, an alluring balance, refreshing vibrancy, and well-structured balance as one of California’s oldest wine regions.

 

 

 

RV Parks in the Sierra

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Is an RV Park right for you?

If you want to be close to the city without being stuck in the city, an RV site may be the perfect place for you. An RV park provides a natural getaway experience. Depending on the decor, some RV parks will help you feel like you are in a resort or great outdoors.

Here are some of the amenities that may be found at an RV park; a pool, hot tub, or a community BBQ grill, shower facility, and onsite laundry, making the RV Park a perfect destination.

Please check out the RV parks in the Sierra.

Culinary Adventures in the Sierra

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Culinary Adventure in the Sierra

At Sierra-Publishing.Com we report on fine dining restaurants. Plus we cover "Restaurant Week" in January. We tell the story of fine dining just waiting to be discovered. 

 

Brewers in the Sierra

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FiftyFifty Brewing


Craft Beer Brewing in the Sierra
Brewing in the Sierra typically refers to the process of making beer in the Sierra Nevada mountain region in the western United States. The Sierra Nevada is known for its stunning landscapes, outdoor recreation, and diverse ecosystems. If you're interested in tasting craft beer in this region.

 

  1. Water Quality: Water plays a crucial role in brewing, and the Sierra Nevada region is known for its clean and mineral-rich water. Many breweries in this area take advantage of the natural water sources to create unique and high-quality beers.
  2. Local Ingredients: Embrace the local flavors by incorporating regional ingredients into your beer. Whether it's using locally sourced hops, barley, or even adding unique elements inspired by the flora of the Sierra, local ingredients can give your brew a distinct character.
  3. Altitude Considerations: Brewing at higher altitudes can affect the brewing process. Lower atmospheric pressure at higher elevations can lead to lower boiling points, affecting hop utilization and the overall brewing process. Brewers may need to make adjustments to their recipes and processes to account for these differences.
  4. Community Engagement: Engage with the local community, which likely has a strong appreciation for outdoor activities and craft beer. Consider participating in local events, collaborating with other businesses, or even organizing beer-related activities that align with the interests of the Sierra Nevada community.
  5. Environmental Consciousness: The Sierra Nevada region is known for its environmental beauty, and there's a strong emphasis on sustainability. Consider implementing environmentally friendly practices in your brewery, such as recycling, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
  6. Seasonal Variations: The Sierra Nevada experiences distinct seasons, and this can influence beer preferences. Consider brewing seasonal or weather-appropriate beers to cater to the changing tastes of your customers throughout the year.

Whether you're look for a craft beer or starting a brewery or just brewing for personal enjoyment, incorporating the unique aspects of the Sierra Nevada region into your brewing process can create a special connection between your beer and the local community.

Featured Brewers

Rick Wise | Photographer

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Rick Wise

 

Rick Wise spent over 50 years as a Bay Area cinematographer before moving to his current home in Amador City.  Since relocating, he has turned to fine art photography as his medium.  Wise, however, has created his own variation, using multiple images to produce a new artwork.  He will be featured at Sutter Creek Gallery in November, with an opening reception on Saturday, November 4, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Each piece most frequently begins as a group of related photographs taken by the artist.  With a blank canvas in Photoshop, Wise brings in individual shots to play with.  He moves them around, excludes some elements, distorts others, and adjusts the scale until the parts combine into a new whole piece.  He then plays with filters and additional masking to bring new life to the image.  “At some point,” he explains, “a kind of shock goes through me, telling me this image is now complete.”  The process for one piece might take from 5 to 50 hours.

Currently Wise is working on a series based on spheres, such as Sweet Potato Window.  Visitors enjoy trying to parse some of his images, as in the case of Tamale Dreams, which may require a bit of study.  The artist also offers his unique take on self-portraits or portraits of a loved one, calling them “Uncommon Portraits,” which can be ordered from the artist.  Rick Wise is one of twenty-two local artists exhibiting at the gallery located in the heart of Sutter Creek at 40 Main Street.  Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers affordable prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, scarves, and glass art, as well as framing services. The gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For additional information, call 209-267-0228.

Tamale Dreams

Sweet Potato Window

Hard Wired

Big Crush | Amador County Wine Association

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Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival

Wine - Food - Music - October 6th - 8th, 2023

The Big Crush Harvest Festival is the perfect time to see the harvest in action. It takes place amongst the rolling hills of Amador County. At each participating winery that you visit, you can expect to see the crush of the grapes.

Each year, Amador County celebrates the grape harvest by inviting frends and to join them in the festival. Each winery that you visit, you will be welcomed to the scenic foothills of Amador County.

For more information, contact the Amador Wine Association.

 

 

Jadon Kulling | Featured at Sutter Creek Gallery

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Golden Gate Bridge

 

Jodon Killing featured at Sutter Creek Gallery
Saturday, September 2nd from 2:00 to 5:00 PM

Jadon Kulling was introduced to the visual arts and music early in life. His grandmother, Ilona Novaky, was an oil painter and a poet, and she encouraged him to excel in art and music alike. As his parents were musicians, art and music have become entwined and embedded in his life. Kulling will be the featured artist at Sutter Creek Gallery during September, with an opening reception on Saturday, September 2, from 2 to 5 in the afternoon.

Kulling is currently studying biology at Folsom Lake College and works with colored pencils. One of the reasons he chose this medium is its affordability as a college student. His artwork aims for high degrees of realism, saturation, and detail. “As an aspiring biology teacher, one of my favorite subjects is nature, though I dabble in architecture, still life, and portraiture.” He was introduced to pencil art in elementary school and began entering his artwork at the Amador County Fair in 2nd grade. Awards such as the Spinetta Wildlife Award and Best of Show encouraged Kulling to press on creating as a child. One of his goals with his art “is to inspire other young artists to share their work and develop their talents as it is never too early to start marketing yourself and making a difference in the world.”  

Sutter Creek Gallery invites you to meet Jadon Kulling at the September 2 reception to view his work. He is one of twenty-three local artists exhibiting at the gallery located at 40 Main Street located in the heart of Sutter Creek. 

Besides original paintings and photography, the gallery offers affordable prints, cards, jewelry, pottery, glass and fiber arts, gourds, and framing services. The gallery is open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For additional information, call 209-267-0228, 

Passion Flowers

Other Works

CA Capitol View

Best Birds