Ok, on a different note. A little out of the way, but for those of you who live or work in the Tower District of Fresno CA, there is a small coffee shop/ recording studio behind the Au Lauc cafe (once called the Tower) at 1479 N maroa.
The cafe doesn't look like much yet, but it has its own charms, the first one being that the owner will leave you alone to work, the second one being that the owner makes a mighty mean mocha, and the third one being it is a cool venue for things like Rogue festival.
Ace Steelheart and CO go there often for shows, and he has hosted such local bands as Window in the Cellar and even live venue like Elle Pepper.
Matt Bishop, the proprieter, is also at the moment, the barista, and he makes a mean mocha, but he also runs Indigo Recording out of the same building, when asked what his plans for the building are, he said he wanted 'to create narcidona records, an independant label that can compete with some of the big names, and still have the coffeshop venue to play in." The place features a small 'showcase' stage, and Matt is in the process of refurbishing the recording studio with separation rooms.
So drop by, maybe you can meet Elle pepper there.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
View through the Mirror: YMSPRR
Despite the ungainly acronym this is the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road, and I got to ride the Lil' logger. A diesel steam engine. The number ten runs on a four mile track that loops out to the picnic grounds and then back. All the while the Conductor, dressed in Train attire complete with cap and overalls, tells you about the Yosemite mountain Sugar Pine RR. And how much lumber it cut for how many years and all the specifications of the little number ten train.
The ride is fun, but I recommend the seat directly behind the engine only for the very brave and very deaf. It is loud, and hot, with as much heat as that little engine puts off as it chuggs away up the hill, I was amazed at the fact that the fireman in the cab was in long sleeves and leather gloves. While I realize that must be a requirement of the job, it must have been hot.
The area they take you though is amazing, all sorts of wildlife abound from grey squirrels and butterflies almost the size of your palms, to deer and other wildlife. You also get a lesson on the flora and fauna of the area.
Afterword you can stop at the general store, we had chili cheese dogs and rootbeer floats. A good meal, but they also have veggie sandwiches, and PBandJ for the kids. At the bottom of the hill are the museum and gift shop. Hold on to your wallets.... it's dangerous country there.
The ride is fun, but I recommend the seat directly behind the engine only for the very brave and very deaf. It is loud, and hot, with as much heat as that little engine puts off as it chuggs away up the hill, I was amazed at the fact that the fireman in the cab was in long sleeves and leather gloves. While I realize that must be a requirement of the job, it must have been hot.
The area they take you though is amazing, all sorts of wildlife abound from grey squirrels and butterflies almost the size of your palms, to deer and other wildlife. You also get a lesson on the flora and fauna of the area.
Afterword you can stop at the general store, we had chili cheese dogs and rootbeer floats. A good meal, but they also have veggie sandwiches, and PBandJ for the kids. At the bottom of the hill are the museum and gift shop. Hold on to your wallets.... it's dangerous country there.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
View Through the Mirror: Tanaya
I stepped out of the mirror in a very pretty hotel, I'd been to the Hotel before, a place called the Tanaya lodge, but this was the first time I was going to actually sleep in a place higher rated than the super six on hotel drive.
The air was a good twenty degrees colder at this elevation than down in Fresno, and the air was cleaner. I and my friend checked into our rooms and unpacked for the night. We were here to come to the Fourth Annual Yosemite Writers conference held at the Tanaya. Every year it has been better, and this year was no exception to the rule.
The first day was uneventful, since we got there late and mostly relaxed, the conference hadn't started yet. The second day, I was up early, I couldn't wait, I'm not generally a morning person but I was out of bed and out to start the day.
I started off with a continental breakfast and then went into keynote speaker, and then Sharpen your hooks. The food was very good.
Lunch was a catered affair, and the food was good, but I was not as impressed as I thought I would be by the Sirloin wrap, which I found a little bland, but the cheesecake dessert more than made up for it.
There were two more sessions, and then we were on our own. We retired to our rooms to write or to relax, and I curled up with a DVD.
Saturday I was again up early and down to hear the speaker. Once again, it was keynote, and then morning session, and then lunch, another catered affair where we got to hear some of the contest finalists entries. The pesto pasta was killer and I have to admit I ate the whole thing along with the sort of cheesecake dessert that came with.
The evening sessions were mystery sessions which I loved, I got to talk to Hallie Ephron and even got my book signed by her.
Sunday came all too soon, and the keynote started a bit early, so I missed the first part, but I found David Morrell to be not only an educated keynote, but a fun man to talk to. His ideas were simple and well-explained. And he gave us anecdotal evidence of why we should or should not follow his advice. I would recommend the conference to any writer, and the lodge to anyone looking to get away from it all.
I found the staff helpful, there when you needed, and not visible when you didn't they took special requests with gusto and made it clear that they lived to make guests happy. Over all, I would have to give the conference four mirrors out of five. Join me tomorrow when I visit the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
The air was a good twenty degrees colder at this elevation than down in Fresno, and the air was cleaner. I and my friend checked into our rooms and unpacked for the night. We were here to come to the Fourth Annual Yosemite Writers conference held at the Tanaya. Every year it has been better, and this year was no exception to the rule.
The first day was uneventful, since we got there late and mostly relaxed, the conference hadn't started yet. The second day, I was up early, I couldn't wait, I'm not generally a morning person but I was out of bed and out to start the day.
I started off with a continental breakfast and then went into keynote speaker, and then Sharpen your hooks. The food was very good.
Lunch was a catered affair, and the food was good, but I was not as impressed as I thought I would be by the Sirloin wrap, which I found a little bland, but the cheesecake dessert more than made up for it.
There were two more sessions, and then we were on our own. We retired to our rooms to write or to relax, and I curled up with a DVD.
Saturday I was again up early and down to hear the speaker. Once again, it was keynote, and then morning session, and then lunch, another catered affair where we got to hear some of the contest finalists entries. The pesto pasta was killer and I have to admit I ate the whole thing along with the sort of cheesecake dessert that came with.
The evening sessions were mystery sessions which I loved, I got to talk to Hallie Ephron and even got my book signed by her.
Sunday came all too soon, and the keynote started a bit early, so I missed the first part, but I found David Morrell to be not only an educated keynote, but a fun man to talk to. His ideas were simple and well-explained. And he gave us anecdotal evidence of why we should or should not follow his advice. I would recommend the conference to any writer, and the lodge to anyone looking to get away from it all.
I found the staff helpful, there when you needed, and not visible when you didn't they took special requests with gusto and made it clear that they lived to make guests happy. Over all, I would have to give the conference four mirrors out of five. Join me tomorrow when I visit the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
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