ART, MUSIC, THEATRE, EGG HUNTS AND FUN

Two great musical groups will play at Sutter Creek Theatre on Sat., April 25 at 8:00-West of Next and Faux Renwah. High energy and lots of fun.
SUTTER CREEK THEATRE has been nominated as Best Indie Theatre for the KCRA 3 "A" List!
Great community and great arts and entertainment. If you are visiting the mother lode check them out: . http://www.suttercreektheater.com/
Egg hunts and other Easter activities in Calaveras and Tuolumne County galore, but one of the largest Easter events in the foothills is the Victorian Easter Celebration Sunday in Columbia with an Easter Parade at 12:30 on Sunday. The Murphys Angels Lions Club holds their Egg Hunt at Ironstone Vineyards.

Sonora Smokepolers host a black powder shoot Friday through Sunday at Camp Six-Bits in the Red Hills near Chinese Camp.
A poultry show at Calaveras County Fairgrounds; an Art Walk in Murphys, and Pet Photographs all on Saturday. Something for everyone.

SLING SISTERS

Its not often that your next door neighbor is in a sling at the same time you are. I guess we are the "sling sisters". Suzy Hayes is the best neighbor even if she is a "copycat."
Always helpful, funny and she cooks for me when I am down. Its been so much fun having her for a neighbor, I can't imagine it any other way. The traditional saying about friends being gold is true.
I had rotator cuff surgery and Suzy had elbow surgery. She will be out of her sling soon. I still have a month and much therapy to go.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOUTH

We love the verve of youth and I found this guy on http://freeflowingtempo.blogspot.com.
Pretty cool lookin' cat, huh! Check him out. I looked at his content and realized he knows more about musical instruments than I know about raising kids. His music is stuff I never heard of and if I'm to keep up with the world and understand where its going, I'd better get with it and tune into youth. Obama is leading the way. So, I joined facebook, twitter, plax-something-or-other, but blogging has become my passion. It is an outlet for a writer like no other. It keeps me in touch with the world of senior citizens, working people, activism, social movements and youth alike.
I particularly like this guy, though. His name is Mason Matzek. I guess its no coincidence that my name is Matzek, too. I'm so proud to have a grandson that is wholesome, intelligent, interested in music, and fun to be with. He and I will be vacationing in Thailand in December. When we return, we can both share our experiences with everyone via this amazing tool.

MINING RELICS

Some years ago, an old dilapidated mining shack visible from Highway 49 between Angels Camp and San Andreas was threatening to fall over. It became habit to check it out at each passing to make sure it was still there. Eventually, the local newspaper got into the act and speculated, on behalf of its readers. how long might the old relic last? It diminished month by month, board by board and finally fell. I miss the old wooden shacks and barns that populated this rural county. It is sad to see them lose the battle with time. I've photographed a number of beautiful old barns that have since disappeared. Various artists have painted the old relics and saved them for posterity. And, I will periodically, photograph those I see and share them with you. Old mining equipment lasts longer, but, it too will lose the battle to rust some day.

THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME

California is only green for a few short months. Folks riding the steam train talked and sighed appreciatively over the beauty and coolness of the green, green hills surrounding us as we moved along Woods Creek through mining country. All too soon the heat is on and the grass turns brown.
Sometimes we forget how much the animals enjoy and count on the grass and wildflowers for forage. These fat horses engorge than lie down for a rest before getting up and eating more. I imagine the deer are snorting their appreciation as well.

JAMESTOWN STEAMTRAIN

It tickles me how much the locals love their old locomotive steam train here in Jamestown, an old gold rush conclave four miles west of Sonora. Free to locals for opening weekend, we were entertained by a fiddler and regaled with wonderful gold fever stories told by a docent conductor. The huge nugget at Kautz winery was pulled from Jamestown, or Jimtown, as it is lovingly knicknamed. The train was loaded and the locals don't care that they have to stop at crossroads for the slow moving engine. They don't mind the two long, one short and one long blast of the screaming steam whistle as it warns its approach to the crossings and wakes up the whole town. The kids on board were delighted and recognized that this ride is something different, something special. Right out of the movies, in fact. Over 200 movies and/or television episodes were filmed here in part, using the train and environs. We decided to watch "The Unforgiven" , after spending the day in Jimtown and riding this special attraction. The working steam train and round house, are the only ones that exist west of the Mississippi River. Don't miss it.

TRAVEL WITH THE AID OF TECHNOLOGY

Photographs enhance a trip, no doubt. Our memories come flooding back in detail when prompted by an old photo. But, what do you do with over 3,000 slides and 2,000 stills that sit in albums you haven't picked up in years?
Jim found a scanner for slightly over $100 designed to specifically scan slides and photos. The quality is good and the ability to post slides on the internet and use them, or transfer them to a photo frame tempted him to put in the time.
He estimates he put in 100 hours over several weeks on the slides. Photos aren't finished yet. To quote him: "The trip down memory lane was worth it."

MOTHERLODE ENTERTAINMENT

Sierra Repertory Theatre is 30 years old and repeating Dracula, their first production. This rendition is much more sophisticated since their growth and maturity. Sierra Repertory draws more than 60,000 people a season to East Sonora and Fallon House Theatres. Dracula plays through April 19th. Fiddler On The Roof finishes its run this weekend. Last night was again a full house for Fiddler. The picture above is of the set since cast pictures are not allowed. The show is everything one could desire, humor, wonderful, strong voices and pathos. Stage 3 will continue its music series with a performance by Coyote Hill, Sat. at 7P.M. Location 208 S. Green St. downtown Sonora.
This weekend, the Steam train at Jamestown opens for the season. Local residents ride free. La Grange hosts a weekend rodeo Sat. & Sun. Afternoons. Food all day, beginning at 7:00 for breakfast. Kelly Flynn plays Sat. at the Jack Douglass Saloon, Columbia Historic Park. The choices are many. Come visit.

PUBLIC ACCESS IN THE MOTHERLODE

When I first moved to the Mother Lode, people would ask me, "What do you do?" Inherent in that question was another, 'aren't you bored?' Nobody asks that anymore, and, I've never been bored. Paul Moeller is known in the area as Mr. Community Television. He started Calaveras Community Television in 1983. He went on to help nearby Amador, and Tuolumne Counties start their access programs. He taught video classes at Columbia College and at every school in the county. He promoted building a studio and it was built with the expertise of a volunteer contractor and volunteer labor. A stunning achievment. Paul is an indefatigable producer recognized everywhere he goes. He has produced 5,000 shows for Public Access in Calaveras County. At 82 years old, he is still shooting every week.
Here he is taping myself and the Ramblin Man, Jim Jaillet and interestingly, Jim has produced 95 Public Access programs for Olympia Public Access in Washington State and I've worked on over 85 programs for Public Access here in Calaveras County, mostly as an anchor. There are activities for every interest in the Motherlode. I'm probably biased but I think Calaveras County is the jewel of the Motherlode.

SPRING SHOW

As you cross into Amador County across the Mokelumne River bridge from Calaveras County, this fantastic show of California poppies makes a trip to Jackson a must each spring on Highway 49. It never fails to amaze. Take the time because the pictures cannot do it justice.