Sierra Mountain Times

Cultural exchange is a good thing. In that spirit, I invite all my Calaveras readers to cross the river to this side and check out a few things here in Tuolumne County! Why drive hundreds of miles for your summer get-away, when there are so many fascinating areas, right here in your own backyard!

Come over to Twain Harte sometime! We’re really not that far away. And, for being such a small town, Twain Harte has a lot of action! There are four full-service bars, Ed’s Lounge, Villa D’ Oro, the Twain Harte Golf Course Lounge and the world-class Courtside Sports Bar and Grill. And the town really comes to life on Friday and Saturday nights!

Even the second Thursday of the month (through September) is a lot of fun in TH. It’s called “Twain Harte Nights” (THN). I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent THN, indulging in free wine tasting and complimentary hors d’ oeuvres; checking out the beautiful vintage custom cars, listening to great music by local musicians and meeting local artists! One artist, Mark Bonella of Cedar Ridge chatted with me and showed me one of his creations: an cast iron iguana, clinging to a tree branch. His masterpiece he called “Keeper of The Garden” is totally awesome and would look stunning in any living room. Yours for only $7,500.00.And, if you saw it, you’d agree that it’s worth every penny! Mark also showed me a metal Harley Davidson he also crafted by hand – and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Only $350.00, out the door! When I’m not meeting the artists, I’ll mosey from place to place, enjoying the free music! This night, Tom Drinnon was performing some solid classic rock and blues in front of All That Matters, the art, framing and gift shop; while over at the Rock, the Rose Creek Ramblers strummed and plucked, enthusiastically, some pretty fine bluegrass! You have got to check out Twain Harte Nights! The next one is Thursday, August 14th.

Friday morning. I stop into the Little Cottage Café with their batch of SMT’s. The owner, Marcie Little welcomes me in her usual friendly manner. I sit down to rest my feet and she starts describing her lunch specials. “Diestle turkey (free range, hormone free) with caramelized onions on whole wheat toast with charmoula sauce…” “Say no more, Marcie! I’ll have that!” I say. Marcie is in the mood to reminisce. “I opened on a Memorial Day weekend, six years ago. My sister, Sarah Little, she had worked with me for two months trying to help me get this place open, and when we did, we had a $1,000 weekend!

Marcie is a very charming person. But, at the same time, she has attained a reputation as the “cell phone Nazi”. “It’s a very big rule here.” She explains. “I don’t care if they ring, but I don’t want you speaking on it. My thing is ‘get a life.’ Enjoy the people you’re eating with. And nobody wants to hear your sh–!” Yes, Marcie can be outspoken at times!

Usually assisted by chef extraordinaire, Liz, Marcie does all the cooking and serving herself, a couple days a week, in the winter-time. “ And it’s kind of known, now: If you walk in here and I’m busy, customers are, you know, bussing tables, serving people, doing drinks – and they love it! They really do! Everybody pitches together! They don’t have a choice if they want to eat! And, a lot of times, they get free meals for that!” Marcie points out. Now that’s what I call an inter-active café!

Marcie is also proud of her recently installed planter boxes, on her deck. While dining under shady umbrellas, one may enjoy the aesthetics of all her petunias, snapdragons, daisies, pansies and zinnias. Inside diners can relax to the soothing sounds of smooth jazz. When you’re in Twain Harte, stop in for breakfast or lunch, Wednesday through Sunday. You’ll agree Marcie and her Little Cottage Cafe are truly unique!

License plate seen in TH: “NO CRYEN”. I’m sorry, but with the price of gas, I can’t help but cry. And, to add insult to injury, I heard on the John Tesh Show (mornings on Star 92.7) that when you put the nozzle in your gas tank, you’re not even getting a full gallon of gas in the summer time; since the heat causes the gas to expand! What a major bummer!

My apologies to the owner of last week’s featured license plate: “( ) 4MOTHR”. The ( ) was left out .We at SMT don’t want to seem ( )-less, ‘cause we’re not.

It’s now Saturday, and I’m in Angels Camp, delivering SMT’s to Good Stuff (GS). And, of course, when I’m in there, I can not resist the urge to shop! And, it’s my lucky day! I find a couple of Rolling Stones albums, for 25 cents each! “Out of Our Heads”, with the hit “Satisfaction”, and “December’s Children” featuring “Get Off of My Cloud”! Both LPs were released in 1965, and you’d don’t very often find Stones records in a thrift shop! Then, I found the grooviest throw pillow I’ve ever seen! It has kind of a shag rug-type covering, with a swirly, tie-dye pattern! Only 99 cents! I’m a happy camper/happy hippie!

Truckin’ up Hwy 4, into Murphys…and as I drive up Ironstone Vineyard’s road, I am reminded that George Thorogood and The Destroyers will be performing at the amphitheatre, Sunday, July 27. George played there last year, opening for Bryan Adams. This year, he’ll be headlining an incredible blues/rock triple-bill, which also includes the legendary Buddy Guy – who has a new CD out, called “Skin Deep”, with all new material! Opening the show is a blues master, Charlie Musslewhite. It’s gonna be an awesome night, I’m telling you!

There’s a lot happening, the weekend of July 26-27! Twain Harte has its 31st Annual Arts and Wine Festival. For more information, log on: www.fireonthemountain.com. Oh, oh. A possible conflict that weekend: Thorogood – and the Arts and Wine Festival. So, I consulted with my personal guru and concert/festival advisor, Mahat. “Worry not, my needlessly conflicted one, “ Mahat assured. “The Arts and Wine Festival wraps up around 5pm on Sunday; leaving you more than enough time to drive to Ironstone to see Thorogood!” “Thank you, Mahat!” I told him. “Now I know why I keep you!’

LAST MINUTE REMINDER: Mountain Ranch Music Festival: Mountain Ranch Park, Saturday, July 19th. Seven bands! Only $5 admission! Children under 10, free! This festival is destined to become one of the great Mother Lode festivals!

Twain Harte’s “Concert in The Pines” series is now in full swing! Every Saturday night, starting at 6pm, a band plays in the famed Eproson Park. On July 12th, the Merced-based group, Rock Haven played for two hours. A solid five-member ensemble, Haven is led by singer Jacqui Dyer, who is like a cross between Pat Benatar and Joan Jett. She’s a powerful vocalist with personality and attitude. One moment she’s rotating her head like a head banger; next she’s prancing about the stage like Mick Jagger. The park was packed with concertgoers, and Haven had many in the audience up and dancing: little children, boogie-in’ side-by-side with seniors! It was quite a sight! Playing inspired renditions of songs by Loverboy, Bryan Adams, ZZ Top, ACDC, Meliissa Ethridge, Pink Floyd, Journey and others, Haven nearly blew all the pine needles off all the trees! “We play classic rock, funk and uptempo country,” Jacqui explained. “Everything that people would recognize, dance to and sing along with. We used to play Eproson House. We’ve been up here several times. We love Twain Harte. We come up here for some fresh air, and fun!” Rock Haven: go see ‘em when you get the chance! For more information on the band, log on: rockhaven1@comcast.net, or www.my space.com/rockha vengang.

Next week, check out SMT: We’ll present an exclusive interview with Richard Burleigh, of Fire On The Mountain Festivals. Richard is perhaps Tuolumne County’s premier promoter, and brings us the Twain Harte Art and Wine Festival, the Sonora Blues Festival – and a lot more!

Till then, keep your incense burning, but don’t forget the deet!