I see the Sacramentopress as a great resource, that hopefully will spread beyond the boundaries of the fine city for which it is named after.  Just as I often come down to enjoy the many opportunities offered by Sacramento, conversely I hope many in the city  flatlands will take the time to head up the hill, to enjoy some of the opportunities available in the Foothills.  From time to time, I hope to shed some light on some activities, events etc. 

This weekend rain or shine would be a great time to come on up.  One event in particular has a special interest to me, as I am helping to put it on!  Saturday, The Ridge Golf Course and Bar & Grill 2020 Golf Course Way, Auburn CA 95602 (530-888-PUTT) will be hosting a great evening of great "semi" acoustic music, featuring Bob Woods and Gary Campbell.  Bob Woods is arguably one of the best guitarists in the Sacramento Region, be it going toe to toe with the legendary Albert Lee with Sticky Vikki and the Pinecones, or perhaps guitaring for the infamous Chuck Wagon (who can forget Chuck's claim to fame "Disco Sucks"!)Gary Campbell is a wonderful songwriter / singer / guitarist who has been playing Honky Tonks from Lodi to Verdi for many decades now, these 2 entertainers are guaranteed to please with theire combination of songs from the saddle and rails (Bob in his other life really is a train engineer!) The warmup act (Dufour and Prior)  will start around 7, Woods and Campbell will start around 8,  but please come early.  The Ridge is an award winning public golf course, and features a wonderful resturaunt and full bar, Saturday Happy Hour starts at !  There is a request for a $5.00 donation for this show.  The Ridge is off of Bell Rd. inbetween Highways 49 & 80 (if you come up between 4 & 7 and say you heard about the show on sacramentopress the 1st beers on me!) Gary and Bob are pictured

If that's not your bag how about some of these fun offerings:

Constable Jacks, a wonderful "Blues Club", that has been hosting great music for many years now in a funky century old roadhous in Newcastle features tonight (Fri) at 9:30 The Sun Dogs (no not the old cajun Sundogs) cover is $7.00, Saturday The Daniel Castro Band hits the stage, cover is $15.00.  To experience a show at Constable Jacks is very special.  Just take the Newcastle Exit off of 80, address is  515 Main Street, Newcastle.

I am not sure who or what the band "Juicy" is, but I do know the California Club  very well!  Juicy plays Saturday at this dive joint in Old Town Auburn.  The California Club has been a staple in Auburn probably a hundred years now.  Not only is it the home of the Auburn Yacht club, the drinks are priced right and intamacy is an understatement when it comes to listening to music.  Cover is $10.00 Music starts at 10, but again come early - there is a lot to do, see, eat and drink in Old Town Auburn, which is located off the Maple Street exit off of 80.

Another fun spot in Downtown Auburn is the Club Car.  This place is upscale funk for lack of a better description.  Offering a full bar and resturaunt with great appetizers and food, it is worth coming for that alone.  Club Car again offers a wonderful atmosphere for live music too.  Erin Gayden plays tonight (Fri) @ 8:30, with Combo Blue playing same time Saturday.  for more visit www.clubcarauburn.com, The Club Car is in Downtown Auburn, you would take the Elm Street Exit.  836 Lincoln Way, Auburn 95603

A little past Auburn heading South on Highway 49 will find a great evening of entertainment in Georgetown.  If you like Celtic music at all, Golden Bough is a must see and hear. This wonderful group will be playing Saturday at 3:00 PM in Georgetown, right on the main strip at the IOOF Hall.  I have been to a few shows here, the venue is really neat, I highly recommend it.  Call 530-622-6946 for more. Kids are only $5.00, Big Kids $10.00

If you would rather head North on Higway 49, well Grass Valley has a great evening of fun planned on Saturday night,  The wonderful Center For the Arts presents Tippy Canoe (a ukelele based band).  This fun spot is at 314 W. Main Street (at the top of the hill) in Grass Valley, stop in Auburn for dinner before heading aout there. The show starts at 8:00, $15.00 go to www.thecenterforthearts.org for more.

On a non-musical note, I would like to really recommend coming up Saturday morning, and enjoyin an interpretive hike hosted by a group called "The Canyon Keepers".  This is a really beautiful time in the American River Canyon and Auburn State Recreaton Area. The Canyon Keepers will be starting off at the Old Foresthill Bridge right at the confluence of the Middle and North Forks of the American River. Just take the Hwy 49 Exit off of 80 and head towards cool, instead of heading right at the bottom of the hill, go straight a few feet and park. The hike starts at 9:00, you can call the Keepers at 530-885-3776, the hike will focus on the Historic Bridges in the Canyon. It is FREE!

Be it after a hike, before a show or otherwise, please spend some time at enjoying some of the wonderful offerings of Auburn.  There are numerous shops, museums, galleries, eateries and other fun ways to spend your time (and money!).  Today I will focus on some of the eateries in Old Town Auburn.  I will start with the Auburn Ale House, brewery and resturaunt, Brewmaster Brian, his wife and wonderful staff have a lot to offer, from the best beer around to great food and spirits.  If you have a little wine snobbiness in yourself there is no better place to flaunt it than Carpe Vino, Gary and his son have provided a very special place, offering the best selection of local wines to be found anywhere, they also have a great kitchen cooking up some very special dinners, serving in a very unique and historic setting. Bootlegers which is a long establiched eatery , steeped in the traditional "pub" atmosphere is headed up by Ty Rowe and his great staff.  Great food is the specialty hear, from duck to steak all items are cooked to perfection, they offer both indoor and outdoor seeting, they also have the best bottled beer selection around. Next door to Bootleggers is Tio Pepe's, a family run you guessed it Mexican Resturaunt, Shelly, Eva and the rest of the gang offer the best in hospitality, not to mention the best Margarita's in Old Town!.  Marybelles harkens back to the old soda fountain days, Tom and the crew offer a home made feel and menu that is always to be enjoyed, my boys love their milk shakes!!  Awful Annies got it's start in Old Town, this award winning spot offers a great patio dining, always a wait for lunch or breakfast, but well worth it, the also serve dinner now.  Our families favorit breakfast spot though is Eidelweis, their omelets are great, a wonderful view and great price, they also have a full "diner" influenced menue.  In the back of Gold Rush Plaza is the Creekside Grille, some say this spot built around and over a bubbling creek has the best burgers in town.  Cafe Delicias is another family owned spot inbedded in Auburn Tradition, and now spreading out around the valley. Founder Rueben and family still make the Old Town spot home, where he can be seen often behind the grille, this is the favorite of many locals, check them out.  While on Friday or Saturday Eves you may have to wait a little bit, Olde Towne Pizza is worth it, the best pies for miles around, great service, cold beer and reasonable prices - the perfect combo. Just up the hill next to the Historic Courthouse, is Lattitudes which changes its menu on a monthly basis, representing different "lattitudes", be it Greece, Africa, Brazil or otherwise, the food is fresh, vegetarians always represented and below the main dining room is the ABA, which is a little more relaxed and offers a Bar Menu.  Old Town's newest addition is Tsudas New York Deli, while I have not partaken in this spot yet, rumor has it the Pastrami sandwich is a sure fire hit.  Now I am getting hungry, should have focused on the shops & galleries. 

I hope you come up, I will highlight other offerings in the future, in the mean time....

Keep Smilin'

Scott