Redding, CA: Shape Up In Shasta Cascade

The breathtaking Shasta Cascade region offers world-class rivers, lakes and trails making it the perfect location to shape up with a plethora of outdoor activities....

Long Beach CA: Hotel Maya

Paying homage to this mysterious culture stands the Hotel Maya along the harbor in Long Beach. Complete with the unique and spectacular architectural style of the stepped pyramids, Hotel Maya welcomes guests into their "village" of modern structures assembled to create this luxurious seaside resort.

Murphys, CA: Murphys Haunted Hotel

When you arrive in the authentic town of Murphys, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the locals will ask about where you are staying. If your response is Murphys Historic Hotel, expect the response to be, Haunted! That hotel is haunted!

San Diego, CA: The Keating Hotel

Southern California. Italian design. Ferrari. Stainless steel. Maserati. Bang and Olufsen. Rain showerheads. Just one of these by itself is damn sexy. Put them all together, add a king-sized bed, and you have the uber sexy Keating Hotel.

Arrowhead, CA: Mountain Swimming Hole

Nothing beckons the old days of hiking up the mountains to a nearby waterfall and jumping into the water feet first. Local photographer Sam Katz brings us back to those old memories with a look back.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum -Simi Valley, CA


In a storied career that spanned more than five decades, Ronald Reagan inspired Americans to act and achieve even more than they imagined. His legacy thrives at The Reagan Library where events and exhibits rediscover his values, actions and spirit of determination.
The Reagan Library rests on a majestic hill overlooking the breath-taking topography of Southern California in the Simi Valley.  The 100-acre campus, with picturesque views reaching out to the Pacific Ocean, lush gardens, and a serene setting, pays tribute to one of the nation’s most beloved leaders.
While at the Reagan Library, enjoy the fresh air as you stroll through the Library’s replicas of the White House’s Rose Garden and White House South Lawn.  Or come in the early evening and witness the spectacular sunsets from the Library’s hilltop, and see for yourself why President Reagan felt so at home on the Library’s grounds. 
The renovated Museum experience integrates hundreds of artifacts, over 50% never before seen, and dozens of interactive displays.  These 18 galleries pay tribute to America’s 40th president and his accomplishments by capturing his patriotic spirit, his respect for individual liberty, his belief in global democracy and his support of economic opportunity.
When you visit the Reagan Library, you have to visit the Air Force One Pavilion. There you will step aboard this same Air Force One that flew President Reagan over 660,000 miles – to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S.states – and you will learn how he changed the face of global diplomacy. But the Air Force One Pavilion is about more than just his plane. View one of his presidential limousines and secret service suburbans as part of an exhibit on presidential motorcades. Experience the actual Irish pub from Ballyporeen, Ireland he visited on a diplomatic trip in 1984 which now sits within the Pavilion and serves as the Library’s snack shop. Explore a 120’ mural which represents all 22 aircraft that has ever flown a U.S. president. Walk around an actual Marine One helicopter that flew President Johnson
Another attraction at the Library is the Berlin Wall. On April 12, 1990, President Ronald Reagan stood next to a 6,338 pound, 9 ½ foot tall piece of the Berlin Wall that had just arrived for display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. With colorful graffiti featuring a large butterfly on its “West” side and the stark grey concrete showing on its “East” side, President Reagan remarked, “Let our children and grandchildren come here and see this wall and reflect on what it meant to history. Let them understand that only vigilance and strength will deter tyranny.”
Since receiving the Wall, President Reagan’s wish has come true – millions of visitors, including hundreds of thousands of school children, have visited the Wall at the Reagan Library and learned its lesson of freedom and democracy for all.
Following his passing on June 5, 2004, President Ronald Reag
an was laid to rest at the Reagan Library in a Memorial Site made of granite on June 11, 2004.
And starting on April 4th, 2014, just in time for the opening week of Major League Baseball, “Baseball! The Exhibition” opens at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Running through September 4, 2014, “Baseball” is a 12,000 square foot exhibition featuring over 700 artifacts, including some of the rarest, historic and iconic baseball memorabilia from the largest known private collector in the United States. The exhibit displays extraordinary artifacts from Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and scores of other historically important players and organizations. This exhibition will be fun for the entire family.
Come and see these and all our other great exhibits at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065 or visit our website at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. Tickets are available online.


Monday, March 17, 2014

Sonoma County, CA: Battle of the Brews


sonoma-battle-of-the-brews
Saturday, March 29th at the Grace Pavilion in the Sonoma County Fairgrounds marks the 18th year of the Battle of the Brews fundraiser held by the Active 20-30 club of Santa Rosa. This event has raised nearly $1,000,000 dollars, the proceeds of which have been distributed by our Youth Benevolent Fund to help change the lives of needy children.

The Battle of the Brews includes the People's Choice Main Event along with the return of two phenomenal additions to the lineup -- The Craft Cup, a judged specialty craft brew competition featuring a variety of premier micro-breweries from around the country, and The 'Wich Hunt, highlighting the most delicious sandwiches from local chefs. Plus, all proceeds go directly to helping children in need in Sonoma County.

This year the Battle of the Brews will continue the tradition of the Craft Cup, Sonoma County's largest and newest craft brew competition. Modeled after great beer and microbrew competitions from around the world the Craft Cup is bringing in over dozens of renowned breweries and brewmasters to compete head to head in a juried competition. Industry leading judges will set out to name the true winner of the Battle of the Brews, the Craft Cup Best of Show, along category favorites and winners.
The third annual 'Wich Hunt at Battle of the Brews is an iron-fisted sandwich brawl in which local chefs compete to construct the ultimate carbohydrate-protein-carbohydrate creation. This ain't no pansy cook-off.

From Dagwoods to sliders, artisan BLT's, heroes, hoagies, banh mi, and beyond, the only constraint is being able to fit into the eager maws of our judges and fans. Oh, and taste incredible, because there will be no awards just for showing up. We're looking for off-the-charts, taste-bud exploding, meat-tastic (or alternative proteins), brain-bending creations that really showcase local talent.
During the tasting event, we will also have the inaugural Craft Cup Raffle, live music by Pat Jordan, brewing demonstrations and much more. This exclusive event is open only to sponsors and 500 ticket holders.

Tickets to the 'Wich Hunt event are included in the Craft Cup tasting, and guests will be able to meet the competing chefs and taste their creations for themselves. Tickets for the Craft Cup are $95 and includes the Main Event.

Kicking off at 4pm, the Main Event will host over 50 drafts and food vendors fighting for your vote, while Cover Me Badd takes the main stage. Now in its 18th year, the People's Choice beer competition has become a local favorite celebrating beer, food, and music, all while raising money for at risk children in Sonoma County.

 Main Event tickets are available for $40 online (www.battleofthebrews.com). Check their websites for locations to also buy tickets.

Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Grace Pavillion
1350 Bennett Valley Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(www.battleofthebrews.com)