Raven Jake Dawes

Rock Corral

Y'all Jane and I were off having adventures with Barb and Rob Harris over the weekend, and we ended up at Rock Corral in Johnson Valley, a box canyon the cattlemen used to use when they drove herds down from Big Bear. The Rock Corral is believed to have been built by two brothers named Swett in the 1880s or maybe it wasn't til 1905, according to a reference in The Sun Runner. Willie Boy had a sip from the spring further on up the hill, in the course of the famous manhunt. At any rate, it's a mighty historical place to take a bath, and if somethin' isn't done about it, the whole area's gonna be covered in windmills, ruining this pristine desert forever.

The Santa Cruz Cat

First off, I didn't take this picture. That honor belongs to my friend Barry Blanchard, who has taken his interest in photography to a whole new level while rehabilitating an injured ear. Barry lives near Santa Cruz and most of his pics are seascapes and seals and anemones and that kind of thing, but he's been getting into portraits too, which brings us to this kid and his cat. Or maybe it's this cat and his kid. Either way, this picture made me laugh 'cause the last time Jane and I were up in Santa Cruz, which is getting to be a while back now - probably upwards of five years - this kid was walking down the sidewalk wearing a cape and the cat. (both of them were skinnier then, if you can believe it).

We were having some difficulty finding the Bigfoot Museum in Felton and had ducked into the Santa Cruz Visitor Information Center to see if we could get it sorted out. Let me tell you, Santa Cruz has the most "on it" volunteers I've ever seen behind the desk at a welcome center anywhere. They booked us on a free sea elephant tour with the ranger they deemed to lead the best visits (they were right), gave us directions to the Bigfoot Museum bypassing freeway construction along with friendly advice regarding the management (as in; "this is a research facility not a corny roadside stand, so please respect what they're offering) and when it seemed like their was nothing about Santa Cruz they didn't know, we said "well, what about Darth Vader and his cat." They knew all about them too. So of course we took their advice about a cheap place to stay and a good place to eat and had a fantastic weekend.

So Barry - keep taking pictures, these are awesome. Cat - see if you can get your kid to eat and brush his teeth. It's an uphill battle, I know, but it seems you've managed to keep him alive these last years and I'm sure you're up to the challenge. And if any of you readers find yourself up in the bay area drop by the Santa Cruz Visitor Information Center - they'll steer you right. Above all, keep Santa Cruz weird.

Michael White Adobe in the Titan Shield

Shout out to Camille Wang, student editor-in-chief of the Titan Shield (San Marino High) for her coverage of the Michael White Adobe open house:

Michael White Adobe Open House

Last night, we held the second annual Michael White Adobe Open House at the adobe on the grounds of San Marino High School during their homecoming game against Monrovia.

Over to the right is Jane, cleverly disguised as Maria de Rosario Guillen de Blanco. No family members turned up this time around, but we did have a bunch of folks from the community come by and take a gander, and we also had a PTA chair, a school board member, and reps from the Old Spanish Trail Association, the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America, the San Marino Historical Society and the Ramona Museum.

We also screened a 14-minute movie that I produced with Abby Shamray. She wrote and directed the piece for her Girl Scout Gold Award, I shot some and edited, and I've gotta say, she did a terrific job of telling the story of the adobe and ways to integrate it into the school curriculum. So way to go, Abby! More on that later when we iron out a couple of sound issues and get it posted to Youtube.

Don't forget to keep checking the official Michael White Adobe website, as more things develop.

The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch

Back in June, we were off at the Old Spanish Trail conference and got cut off from the supply wagon. Starvation was setting in and morale was low. Fortunately, that wasn't the end of the story.

The hospitality management students at Cal Poly Pomona have a restaurant - an exceptionally terrific restaurant with great food, superb service, and a gorgeous view. Even on the last week the restaurant was open before they close down for the summer, even though the place was packed, and even though we didn't have reservations, young Natasha and her crew managed to get us seated, get us fed, and even have a tour of the wine cellar after dinner. Special shout out to her supervisor, Barbara Jean Bruin, who somehow manages to keep all these plates in the air without missing a one of 'em. 

The students rotate through various staff positions in the course of their studies, and most of the food is grown right there at the college. Then its prepared by students in the culinary classes and the Viticulture department even has its own wine label.

So when this came accross my digital desk, I had to give an enthusiastic endorsement of my new fave restaurant. It's a prix fixe sort of arrangement where you pick from a limited menu - but all the choices are great, and you won't regret the apple cobbler.

Here's the official notice:

Enjoy a hearty meal at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch!  We are now open Tuesday - Friday from 11:30am - 1:00pm for lunch and Wednesday - Friday from 6:00 - 7:30pm for dinner until Friday, December 2nd.
 
Reserve your table at www.rkr.csupomona.edu or call 909.869.4700.
 
Check out our map, http://g.co/maps/fh8rd, for directions.
 
We look forward to serving you!
The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch is located at:

3801 W. Temple Ave., Bldg 79
Pomona, CA 91768
Phone: 909.869.4700
Fax: 909.869.3772

Get more information about The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch
Make a reservation at The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch

Have a Homebrew!

Y'all know from previous posts that Jane and I've been known to brew some mead. Most of it's come from our own hive too. Beer? Well, not so much. Did a batch for our wedding and that was the end of that. Seemed pretty complicated Besides that, our closest homebrew supplier, the Home, Wine, Beer and Cheesemaking Shop is an hour away. We love the Maltose Falcons, but it isn't exactly around the corner.

So we got pretty excited to find out that Culver City Home Brewing Supply had opened a new satelite in Eagle Rock. Decided to take a class. 

Here's the next one:

Eagle Rock, September 25th, 5pm-8pm - Beginning Home Brewing Class
Our next beginner's brew class will be on the 4th Sunday of the month, September 25th, from 5pm-8pm. Enrollment will open September 12th. Once you've signed up, be sure to get here by 5:00. You can see just what is involved in the process before you commit to purchasing your own brewing equipment. If you want to learn more, feel free to check out our How to Brew section for resources and tips on home brewing. Class participationcosts $10, $5 of which you can apply towards the purchase of one of our beginner's equipment kits later that night.

Thomas really just lays it out there - here's a regular guy with regular equipment and regular ingredients making a batch of beer in three hours (pretty much right on the dot.) In the meantime, he's telling stories, passing out some of his homebrew, and showin' folks how it's done. I think I'm goin' to the next one too. Thomas says he's doin' a dark batch for Christmas - our class got Pumpkin Ale (which smelled like liquid Thanksgiving).

So, we bought a bunch of beer fixin's (Jane's Uncle Doug gifted us with a bunch of equipment) and we're going to try a porter in the next few days. More on that comin' up. By the way, you can legally brew 100 gallons per adult in your household. More than that and you've gotta pay taxes. 'Course more than that and you might consider checking into a treatment program.

 

Big Plans for L.A.'s 230th Birthday

Folks, it's L.A.'s 230th and the San Gabriel Mission's 240th this weekend. We got over to the mission last night just in time for the bell ringing, but there is a full-blown fiesta in effect with food and carnival rides and the whole works.

The San Gabriel Historical Association Museum will be open on Saturday, Sept. 3rd. 1:00-4:00. They just received a copy of an oral history of Eulalia Perez de Guillen Marine, and Helen Salazar let us take a sneak peak at it last night. It's a copy of the 1957 typed English translation, and it's in Eulalia's section of the museum. This one's got a little extra info in it, maybe things that other people don't think are as important - a little anecdote about buried treasure, and some funny little songs she sang to Thomas Savage when he interviewed her. If you ask me, that's the best part. Here's the address of the museum - I'm fixing to meet up with some of the Old Spanish Trail Association Rancho Chapter around 1, then headin' out to the mission.
546 W. Broadway, San Gabriel, Ca. 91776, Museum phone (626) 308-3223 

The mission website is down with a virus, but they've got a jam-packed schedule over the weekend. I'm hoping to catch the blessing of the kids and animals at 1:45. If y'all have a particularly cute llama or offspring, or just one that's in dire need of being blessed, you ought to haul it on down there today. The mission staff is very accommodating and can handle a blessing in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, and they've got support staff that can bless in Chinese, if that's the language your Pekingese understands the best. They even have a super-tall priest, if you're bringin' a giraffe. (Sadly, that ain't me - this year. But it's on my list)

I heard that there's a Tongva tour of the mission grounds at 2, and John Fantz, docent extrordinare, is telling a mission story at 5. So there's something for everybody. After 5 we've got to clear out, 'cause Capt. Tim Ream is heading back up to Oregon and we'll need to swing by Lucky Baldwin's to see him off. There's a bunch of stuff goin' on in the Pueblo too, if that's where you'd rather celebrate. Come by and say "hi!"  - I'm wearin' my red Scully gambler shirt, so you can't miss me!

LA County Fair Coming Up Sept 3 - Oct 2, 2011

In keeping with my resolution to try to promote some events before they actually happen, LA County Fair's coming up. Now I've got to admit, I haven't really been over the moon about the fair for a while, so we'll see how this one goes. I like the animals and the more "country" aspects - the 4H kids etc. Don't much care for the "as seen on tv" product demonstrations, shows featuring the bands of the '70s, and spin-til-you-barf carnival rides. Now I know for a fact that Los Angeles County still has some agricultural soul left, but can we still hold a decent fair? I'm ready to be impressed, LA...

Bat Boy at the Alex Theater

Here's one I hope they repeat. Now you might not know this, but I've been a big fan of the Bat Boy ever since the Weekly World News discovered him in a deep cave or coal mine or somethin' in the early '90s. So of course I was delighted when Laurence O’Keefe, Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming worked up a musical based on his adventures. I defy anyone to not tear up a little bit during "A Home for You." I practically have to get Jane a towel every time that number comes up.

So far we've seen it performed at La Canada High School (the best), Glendale Community College, and now by the Musical Theater Guild at the historic Alex Theater in Glendale. This was a special "musical in a weekend" sorts of things where the actors have a very limited amount of time for rehearsal, and the "set" is basically a few chairs.

It was fantastic. 

Unfortunately, it was a one-off event on June 13, but I hope they add it to next year's season - one of my favorite musicals sung by some very, very talented people. Great tunes, great message.

The entire cast was wonderful so I can't pick out a favorite, but I'll keep watching Scott Harlan and Kevin Symons was outstanding in what can be a thankless role - the evil veterinarian, Dr. Parker. Boo! All the principals were well chosen and brought something fresh to the performance. And truly, a mountain's no place to raise cows.

Ron Taylor, Maggie, Clem		Dina Bennett
Shelley Parker		Melissa Lyons Caldretti
Meredith Parker		Cynthia Ferrer
Rick Taylor, Lorraine, Mr. Dillon		Chris Warren Gilbert
Mrs. Taylor, Roy, Reverend Billy Hightower, Institute Man		Scott Harlan
Sheriff Reynolds		Roy Leake, Jr.
Ruthie Taylor, Ned		Shauna Markey
Daisy, Bud, Pan, Doctor		Erik McEwen
Dr. Thomas Parker		Kevin Symons
Bat Boy		Jeffrey Christopher Todd

 

GCC's Insider Magazine

Jane's been workin' overtime editing and producing Glendale Community College's latest issue of the Insider. Ain't a whole lot for desert rats in this one, but the cover photo is young Chris Caplan in Tecopa Tom's ride. You get more about that inside, plus a zombie walk and street art and some other stuff that might peak yer interest.

Open publication - Free publishing - More brown beret