History is Alive in Coloma

Coloma's characters from the past come to life this summer! On the 3rd Saturday of each month, May through September, come into the historic past through the new Summer Performance Series at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. Meet some of the colorful and diverse people who set the stage for the powerful and tumultuous history of California. 

On May 16th, Rex Ruth portrays Captain John Charles Fremont. He takes you through his military career with passionate stories of the man who organized the first California Volunteer Militia, became one of the State's first Senators, and was appointed Major General in the Union Army during the Civil War. The Cemetery Players bring to life the stories of those who lived, died, and are buried in the cemeteries of Coloma on June 20th. John Sutter, Sam Brannan, and James Marshall share stories on July 18th around an evening bonfire. Kimberly ShiningStar will be at the Grinding Stone on August 15 with Native American history and storytelling. A grand finale September 19 brings characters from the previous performances together for visitors enjoyment. Signs will be posted in the park for the exact location of each performance.

Each event is from 7:30 to 9:00 pm with free parking beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased the evening of the performance or in advance at the Gold Rush Mercantile in the park. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Please provide your own seating—bring a blanket or lawn chair and pick your spot.

The Gold Discovery Park Association sponsors this event series and all money raised goes to support the educational and interpretive programs in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. For more information visit the GDPA website, call (530) 622-6198, or email gdpa@marshallgold.org. Come join us in the park, have fun, and help keep Coloma's Gold Rush history alive.

Christmas in Coloma all Weekend, Dec. 13 & 14!

Come celebrate the Christmas season in an old-fashioned, hands-on, playful way! Both Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14, children and adults can enjoy playing games, making holiday wreaths and candles, and buying high quality home-made crafts and products from local and area artisans. This is the place to get your children's photo with Santa!

Food and beverage are available in our lovely historic park in Coloma, and plenty of historically costumed and knowledgeable volunteers will help bring history to life. They even bring snow to the valley for fun! The event runs from 10am - 4pm both days. Parking is $7 for an entire carload. For more information see our Christmas in Coloma Article.

This weekend, a highlight in the park, is run by the Gold Discovery Park Association, the "cooperating association" of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. GDPA supports a variety of programs for children and adults — as well as projects that help preserve historic buildings and maintain park facilities. All revenue generated by the Gold Discovery Park Association — including those raised at this fun weekend — stays right here to fund the Park's programs and opportunities for visitors. Thanks for your support! You and your friends and family are welcome to come back and enjoy Coloma all year round!

To volunteer at Christmas in Coloma, call John Clagett at (530) 621-2170. For more information about the event, contact the Marshall Gold Discovery Park Association at (530) 622-6198 or e-mail ChristmasInColoma@MarshallGold.org.

Thanks to Betty Sederquist for the photo!

Fall and Winter Delights in the Valley

Below the Snow & Above the Fog: A Year-Round Playground

Shhh! Maybe the great year-round climate should be kept a secret, but the news about the fine weather is too good not to pass on. Now that the summer whitewater rafting & kayaking season has peaked, the equipment is tucked into storage and guides head back to college, Costa Rica or other destinations, locals relish what many consider the finest times of the year.

As temperatures cool, the lucky Coloma-Lotus valley residents who remain here, along with savvy campers and RVers, find plenty to do. Hiking, bicycling and other land activities become more attractive. Fall colors peak in October and November, when black oak forests and riverside cottonwoods blaze with orange and yellow. Savvy visitors love this time, often fitting in a visit to the valley with a trip to Apple Hill, local ranches, and wineries — all of which beckon with great savory attractions.

Winter, with its gentle, life-giving rains, is a time for indoor holiday activities, such as Christmas in Coloma, winter winery events, and local business open houses. In January, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park celebrates the anniversary of the first California gold discovery. See our calendar for more local events.

Any long-time resident of the valley has heard this question from outsiders: "How much snow did you get this year?" and that local resident will give the usual answer: None. Very occasionally the valley will receive several inches of snow, to the delight of local children. However, we're at a surprisingly low elevation — the river is at about 700 to 750 feet above sea level. Even that slight elevation, however, is enough to protect the valley from the dreary tule fog that plagues the Central Valley. So winters here are delightful, typically characterized by winter rains, frosty mornings and localized river mists that dissipate as the sun rises. For more information, forecasts, and links to road conditions, visit our Weather page.

Do come to Coloma-Lotus year-round for gorgeous natural beauty, delectable agricultural and culinary offerings, as well as our arts, history, and culture. Many restaurants, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and other lodgings are available year-round and generally are uncrowded. The B&Bs are beautifully decorated for the holidays. You're welcome to visit, and enjoy, any time!

Adapted from an article by Betty Sederquist. Photos (top to bottom) copyright © Mark Leder-Adams, Donna McMaster, and Betty Sederquist.

Coloma Gold Rush Live October 11, 12 & 13

Come to Coloma — come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 a.m., "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.

In the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park under graceful trees, "Tent Town" will be the site of much of the action. Near the main museum (where there will be food vendors), volunteers in period dress and tents will cook over open fires and demonstrate trades such as spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Wagon rides will be available for hire. And an extra-special feature is free mail service in Tent Town! Folks can write letters (the old-fashioned way) in a General Delivery tent, and mail will be delivered by horse. Experience some of the many cultures that were here at this important time in history through Mexican and Spanish/Californio tents, the Miwok Village, and the Chinese Store museum.

There will be even more fun activity across the street. See a blacksmith at work! John Clagett, Volunteer Coordinator and event organizer, is especially excited about the participation of expert blacksmith and farrier Eron Simmons. Simmons will be demonstrating period blacksmith techniques at the still-functioning Monroe Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Even better, he will be doing so in the character of Pearley Monroe himself! Pearley was a member of the Monroe-Gooch African American family who worked their way out of slavery to become successful and respected in the area. They eventually owned the land that is now the State Park where all these festivities will occur. See "Pearley" on Saturday only!

Also in the park, the historic Thomas and Capini Houses will be open Saturday and Sunday for a special inside look. And for more fun, activity, and history, volunteers all three days will be in the area of Sutter's Mill interpreting the building of the mill, the discovery of gold, and a carpenters' cabin. Even more — right there along the river will be a re-creation of a 1849 mining camp. See it live!

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking and entry fee is only $8 per carload, covering everyone in the car. Times are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday. For more information call (530) 295-2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.

Visit the Gold Discovery Park Association website for photographs from previous Gold Rush Live celebrations. All photographs are ©copyright 2004-2008 by Betty Sederquist, and may not be reprinted without her permission. We are grateful to Betty for her generous support of Marshall Park and the Coloma-Lotus community.

Open Studio on the River in Coloma 9/27 & 9/28

Four talented local Coloma-Lotus Valley artists invite the public to their art show and sale at Kelly Ahola's studio on the South Fork of the American River on Saturday and Sunday, September 27 and 28, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. They will be showing and selling paintings, glass mosaics, note cards, jewelry, painted porcelain and ceramics, stained glass kaleidoscopes & mobiles. This is one of many weekend offerings of the annual El Dorado Artists Studio Tour. Bring a friend, come have some refreshments and meet your local artists.

Kelly Ahola - Glass Mosaics, Note Cards, and Jewelry

Kelly has always loved to make mosaics, paint, embroider, and quilt. She started making mosaics with a vengeance after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake supplied her with many broken dishes to incorporate into pieces of art. Kelly now teaches mosaic classes in her studio on the river in Coloma. She and her family have lived in the Coloma Valley since the 1970’s, with some of those years spent in Santa Cruz.

Mary Ann Young Broddrick - Pastel, China Painting, Watercolor, Mixed Medium

Mary Ann started painting porcelain in 1969 when her two sons were young, and taught porcelain painting for 15 years. She has drawn, worked in watercolor, and restored Antique Glass for many years and studied with many teachers. Mary Ann then found pastel, and now plein air painting with pastels is her favorite of all mediums. She says, “When I hike into the high country and witness the vistas that capture my breath, I just have to paint them. I want my clients to enjoy the views and places I have traveled to, plus have the feeling that I feel when I'm painting, which is an immense enjoyment of this picturesque country that we live in.”

Michelle Sage Kite - Light-catching Glass Art Mobiles and Kaleidoscopes

Local artist Michelle Sage Kite has taught art in public schools for over 20 years. She currently teaches at El Dorado High School. Glass is her new medium to explore and she finds its possibilities seem endless. Michelle enjoys the way light plays with glass and adds a new dimension to its beauty. She is delighted to have this opportunity to share art in our lovely community, and hopes for many to visit their show.

Kristina Nugent - Colorful Plein Aire Landscapes in Oil and Watercolor

Kristina is a Professor Emeritus and has received international art awards at the San Diego Museum of Art and Albuquerque Musuem for her paintings in watercolor and oil. She exhibits nationally. Kris paints and lives on the American River where she and her husband have been raft guides, hot air balloon pilots and international guides.

To get to the studio: From Highway 49 through Coloma, turn east onto Marshall Road at the stop sign. Go 1/4 mile to 6921 Marshall Road on the right -- look for the yellow "Studio Tour" signs.

If you need further directions or have any questions about the Coloma-Lotus show, call (530) 626-7823. For more information about the tour and other participating artists, contact the Placerville Arts Association.

American River Music Festival Sept. 19-21

Come enjoy the second annual American River Music Festival, whose mission is teaching, inspiring, and enjoying music. The three-day festival features various types of acoustic music from throughout North America: Cajun, classic Americana folk, rock, roots music, folk, blues, folk rock, cloggers, flute & drum, and more! Artists include The Buccaneers, John Wort Hannam, The Refugees, Ray Bonneville, the David Jacobs-Strain Trio, Keith Greeninger with Dayan Kai, Joe Craven with Sam Bevin, Steppin' In It, Gandolf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Blame Sally, and more.

The main stage is in Henningsen-Lotus Park, in Lotus, California, and many area campgrounds are participating with their own intimate musical stages. The festival is expanded this year to include a complete musical Friday. There will be 24 music performances and workshops over the 3 days, including Jammin 101 with Sid Lewis from Chico which is open to anyone staying at participating campgrounds or volunteering for the event, who are ready to learn that they too have musical ability!

There will be kids' activities in the park, a free shuttle to and from participating campgrounds, and special events such as music and rafting on the South Fork American River, naturalist-led musical hikes, and music in the schools. The Buccaneers will be visiting four local elementary schools to lead students through Canada's history and geography, intertwined with shanties and music. The band Steppin' in It will visit Golden Sierra High School and present two complete, complimentary high school performances of their educational piece that covers eight genres of music, and history.

Many local organizations, individuals, sponsors, and agencies have cooperated to make this festival so comprehensive and exciting. "The community has been fabulous about supporting the festival, top to bottom," reports festival organizer Matt Semonsen. Come on out and camp, hike, boat, and listen to great music!

Advance ticket prices are: $35 for single-day main stage tickets, $89 for three-day camping and all music, $189 for three-day camping, a river trip, and all music, and $219 for the all-inclusive package of three-day camping, river trip, all meals, and all music. Purchase tickets at the American River Music Festival website or call (530) 622-6044.

There may still be space for members of the local community to volunteer with the event. If interested, contact Alice Butler, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@americanrivermusic.org.

Think Global but Shop Local!

Many artists, stores and businesses in the Coloma Lotus Valley are ready to help with your holiday shopping. Shopping locally saves gas, time and money by staying close to home. Many businesses have extended hours to make gift-buying easier. Consider these local choices:

Gold Hill Olive Oil: Just releasing their new 2008 locally grown and crushed olive oils, many varieties available.

The River Store: Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe, kayaks, boating gear, and free cookies made by Dan Crandall's mom!

The Golden Gecko Plant Nursery: Gift cards, stocking stuffers, items for the home gardener, Golden Gecko T-shirts, sweat shirts, and aprons.

The American River Nature Center: Nature books for adults and children, or click here to purchase books through Amazon.com and donate to this non-profit organization.

Gold Rush Mercantile: Period clothing, hats, aprons, bonnets, a large selection of books on gold rush history, music, children's toys, and genuine gold nuggets.

Wine: Need wine for holiday parties or hostess gifts? Stop by and taste at Venezio, Gold Hill, or David Girard Wineries, or choose from the bottles available at the Riverside Mini-Mart.

Sierra Rizing Bakery: Gifts from the kitchen; jams, jellies, syrups, delicious dog biscuits, and a wide selection of Gold Hill Olive Oils.

Andie Thrams Art- Andie has just produced her new 2008 calendar with a nature theme.

To find out more about these and other local shopping options, click here. Shop local and save time, money and gas!

Christmas In Coloma, December 8 & 9

Step back in time with this annual old-fashioned Christmas. Period crafts, music, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th-century children's games, and wreath making. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is a colorful highlight of the day. Vendors offer hand-made crafts as well as a variety of foods. Snow Mountain guarantees kids will have fun. The Park's historic buildings will be open for visitors' enjoyment. New this year, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9. Located in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Cost is $7 per vehicle. For more information, call (530) 295-2162 or go to Marshall Gold Discovery Park Association. Photo courtesy Betty Sederquist, and may not be reprinted without her permission.

Coloma Gold Rush Live October 11, 12 & 13

Come to Coloma - come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 am "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.

In the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park under graceful trees, “Tent Town” will be the site of much of the action. Near the main museum (where there will be food vendors), volunteers in period dress and tents will cook over open fires and demonstrate trades such as spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Wagon rides will be available for hire. And an extra-special feature is free mail service in Tent Town! Folks can write letters (the old-fashioned way) in a General Delivery tent, and mail will be delivered by horse. Experience some of the many cultures that were here at this important time in history thorugh Mexican and Spanish/Californio tents, the Miwok Village, and the Chinese Store museum.

There will be even more fun activity across the street. See a blacksmith at work! John Clagett, Volunteer Coordinator and event organizer, is especially excited about the participation of expert blacksmith and ferrier Eron Simmons. Simmons will be demonstrating period blacksmith techniques at the still-functioning Monroe Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Even better, he will be doing so in the character of Pearley Monroe himself! Pearley was a member of the [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1139] Monroe-Gooch African American family that worked their way out of slavery to become successful and respected in the area. They eventually owned the land that is now the State Park where all these festivities will occur. See “Pearley” on Saturday only!

Also in the park, the historic Thomas and Capini Houses will be open Saturday and Sunday for a special inside look. And for more fun, activity, and history, volunteers all three days will be in the area of Sutter's Mill interpreting the building of the mill, the discovery of gold, and a carpenters’ cabin. Even more - right there along the river will be a re-creation of a 1849 mining camp. See it live!

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking and entry fee is only $8 per carload, covering everyone in the car. Times are 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday, and 10am-3pm on Monday. For more information call 530.295.2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.

Special note: Experienced volunteers are still needed, in the Gold Panning,
Hospitality, and Information Booth areas. If you have experience and want to help, please contact John Clagett at (530) 295-2170.

For more information; click on http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=484 . All photos courtesy Betty Sederquist, http://www.sederquist.com/

Change in El Dorado County Parks & Recreation

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is considering a proposal to dismantle the Airports, Parks and Grounds department. This is the group that manages county parks such as Henningsen-Lotus, and whitewater recreation on the South Fork of the American River. We've posted a PDF of the reorganization proposal.

If you would like to hear more about the plans and let your Supervisors know how you would like to see recreational facilities and opportunities managed in the County, come to the public meeting tomorrow, October 2, 2007, in the BOS chambers, 330 Fair Lane, Building B, in Placerville. The item is #25 on the BOS agenda. See the BOS website for details. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., which means that this item will probably be discussed sometime between 10 a.m. and noon, but could be as late as 1 or 2 p.m.

This may be the public's only opportunity to comment on this subject, but if you cannot attend the meeting, you can email your supervisor. See addresses on the BOS website.

American River Music Festival a Success

A two day musical extravaganza took place on the banks of the South Fork American River, Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23rd. The main stage was at Henningsen Lotus Park, with camping at American River Resort, Camp Lotus and Earthtrek. Those who attended said the event was very well organized, the music terrific, the artists fabulous, and the location great. Lori Norris, attending the event with her extended family from Sacramento, commented, "We had the most wonderful weekend." About 100 volunteers came together to create the event, even though they were challenged by rainy weather. For details about next year's event, go to http://www.americanrivermusic.org/.

Mt. Murphy Bridge Delays and Closures

The El Dorado County Department of Transportation will be doing emergency repairs on the one-lane bridge over the South Fork of the American River that connects Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park with Mt. Murphy. (The Highway 49 bridge over the South Fork is not affected.)

The repairs, scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 19, 2007, will require closing of the bridge for a minimum of 20 minute delays up to 6 hours at a time on Oct. 10th and 11th, 2007.

20 MINUTE DELAYS EXPECTED
ON OCTOBER 10, 11, 2007

As part of the Mt. Murphy Bridge Emergency Repair Project, Mt. Murphy Bridge will be intermittently closed for bridge deck repairs. The closure is scheduled for 20 minute delays during the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on October 10, and 11th

BRIDGE MAY BE COMPLETELY CLOSED
FROM 9 a.m. or 10am to about 3 p.m.
ON OCTOBER 10 and 11, 2007

The bridge repairs will cause the closure of the bridge for 6 hours on October 10 and 11, 2007. This closure will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day, with care taken that school buses arriving to the Coloma Outdoor Discovery School will be able to travel through close to 9am.

All river rafters and kayakers should take caution when going under the Mt. Murphy Bridge while repairs are being completed during this time period. If at all possible, stay to the southwestern side of the river when going under the bridge.

We have posted a printable PDF flyer with the above details. For more information contact Julie Duchscherer, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, at (530) 621-5922.

Movie Producer Todd Stanley Nominated for Emmy

Todd Stanley, a resident of Lotus, was recently honored with two Emmy nominations for his creation of Discovery Channel's 'Deadliest Catch,' a series about the lives of Alaska's crab fishermen on the dangerous Bering Sea. One nomination was for Todd's camera work, 'Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Series,' and the second nomination was for 'Producer of an Outstanding Nonfiction Series.

Todd Stanley and his Co-Producer/brother Doug Stanley, were interviewed recently by Capital Public Radio's Insight program. When asked in the interview, "Any (other) particularly scary moments stand out for you?" Todd replied, "You know, I think every time you're out on deck is a scary moment. I had a crab pot, one time, it broke free from the crane that was lifting it and it landed on the deck just a few feet away from me. These things weigh about a hundred pounds empty, this one was loaded with 3-4 thousand pounds of crab. Yah, ya know, everwhere you look, there's danger waiting."

You can learn more about the dangerous job of crab fishing by clicking on The Deadliest Catch. You'll find more about Todd and the work he does at Boil Line Productions.

Todd Stanley will do a Featured Presentation at the Sierra Nevada House on Wednesday, September 19th at 7:30pm, with behind-the-scenes footage and a question and answer opportunity.

Local Woman runs 100 mile Ultra Marathon

Dawn Bean runs 100 miles in under 24 hours!
Coloma-Lotus local Dawn Infurna-Bean’s goal for her third year and final year of competing in the Western States Ultramarathon was to finish in a blaze of glory. She certainly succeeded! She finished in 23 hours and 9 minutes; shaving 40 minutes off her previous record.
The Western States Endurance Run is a 100 mile long (161 km) ultramarathon that takes place on trails in California's Sierra Nevada annually on the last weekend of June. The race starts at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort and finishes at the Placer High School track in Auburn, California. Runners climb a cumulative total of 18,000 feet and descend a total of 23,000 feet on mountain trails before reaching the finish. Because of the length of the race, the race begins at 5:00 A.M. and continues through the day and into the night. Runners finishing before the 30 hour overall time limit receive a bronze belt buckle, while runners finishing in under 24 hours receive a silver belt buckle.
Dawn believes that her strong support crew, an awesome pacer, and her positive attitude all helped her complete the event in record breaking time. “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” she reported. Congratulations on the silver belt buckle Dawn!

Gold Hill Olive Oil Wins Silver

We recently learned that our local Gold Hill Olive Oil Company came home from the prestigious Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition at the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival with a Silver Certificate for their 2006 "Gold Hill Estate" blend. This specialty combines Frantoio, Leccino, Lucca and San Felice varieties—all Italian olives—for a Tuscan-style taste.

Gold Hill crushed their extra virgin olive oils for 2007 in November of 2006. Their fresh and hearty "Achille's Blend," made of five different Italian olives, is a robust extra virgin with a strong pepper finish. If you are looking for a California-grown product, consider their "Tuscan Blend," pressed from olives grown in the foothills near Jackson, California.

Gold Hill Olive Oil Company is located a few miles from Coloma at 5601 Gold Hill Road (between Cold Springs and Lotus Roads). Their historic tasting room offers a wide variety of exceptional extra virgin olive oils, including their award-winning "Gold Hill Estate" blend. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday.