Bear Valley Music Festival Returns for 51st Year July 19 - August 4! Bear Valley, CA...Celebrating the start of its second half-century in the High Sierra, the Bear Valley Music Festival begins on Friday, July 19 and runs through Sunday, August 4, 2019 with a total of 14 concerts including a special free family matinee on Saturday, July 27. The festival showcases a wide selection of artists and genres including rock, classical, Broadway and jazz.
A mere 3.5-hour drive from San Francisco, Bear Valley is known primarily as a ski resort. Now in his seventh summer as music director, internationally recognized conductor Michael Morgan has put Bear Valley and the Highway 4 corridor on the map as a summer destination as well, drawing an audience of thousands.
Highlights of this year's festival include tributes to Carole King & James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton and Billy Joel, a concert by the legendary Mimi Fox and the Mimi Fox Jazz Trio, the return of world-famous pianist Olga Kern this time with her son Vladik Kern in Mozart's Double Piano Concerto, the world-premiere of a new commission by composer Michael Taylor, and three concert pieces for violin and orchestra featuring soloist Kelly Hall-Tompkins. The classical lineup includes Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony and Fourth Piano Concerto with soloist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner. The Motherlode Chorale (featured last summer in Beethoven’s Ninth) will return, this time with a concert version of a hilarious Broadway musical by George and Ira Gershwin titled "Of Thee I Sing" about a US presidential candidate running on a creative and unusual platform. Michael Morgan will also conduct a special concert dedicated to symphonic movie themes, including Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter, The Godfather and more.
"This is the most significant cultural event of the year in our scenic part of the Sierra," says executive director Eman Isadiar. "We always strive to present the widest possible variety of artists and musical styles to appeal to every taste and every generation."
Tickets and information are available online at www.bearvalleymusic.org or by calling 209-813-0554. Lodging is available in Bear Valley and in nearby Tamarack and Arnold. A round trip shuttle ride may be reserved in advance from Murphys, Forest Meadows, Arnold and Dorrington.
All Day
Ride The Rails Into History at Railtown 1897 Jamestown, CA...Ride behind a historic steam or diesel locomotive on a train trip through California’s scenic Gold Country. Your 6-mile, 45-minute roundtrip train ride will take you past the water tower from Petticoat Junction, and transport you from the backyards of Jamestown to the rugged hillsides of California’s Mother Lode country. At the end of the line (Rock Spur), your train will pause as the locomotive uncouples, runs around your car on a side track, then re-couples to the train’s opposite end for the return trip to Railtown.
Train Ride Days: Saturdays & Sundays, April-October (weather permitting)
Departure Times: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Prices: Adults $15, Youth (ages 6-17) $10, Children (5 and under) Free
Members ride free
All prices include park admission
Departure Location: Depot platform at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Tickets: During the operating season, weekends April-October, tickets for excursion train rides are available to purchase online during the week or on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket office on the day of the train ride.
09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Murphys Farmers Market is Every Sunday From 9am - 1pm Murphys, CA...The Murphys Farmers Market Sponsored by Calaveras Grown and supported by the Murphys Community Club. “Murphys has needed a community farmers market for a long time and this is just another reason to come into Murphys on a Sunday morning and enjoy the park and town” stated Sue Friedman of the Murphys Community Club.
The market runs from 9am to 1pm every Sunday. The farmers participating in the market offer a myriad of fresh produce grown within Calaveras County. All producers are free from artificial pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers and naturally grown. Most incorporate permaculture and regenerative practices in their farming. Popular food vendors at the market included Pure Mountain Smoothies, a newly formed business in Calaveras and the baked goods by Butter and Cream out of Arnold who brought 80 loaves of bread, dozens of baked goods, muffins and cookies and was sold out within the first hour of the market.
Although the park is full of vendors selling locally produced goods, produce and crafts, there is still plenty of areas to enjoy the parks picnic tables, grass and creek. “We listened to the community who wanted to make sure the park was not overrun with vendors and not accessible to families and visitors so we made sure to keep the creek and gazebo accessible so kids could still play and people could still enjoy a picnic in the park or set up blankets on the grass. We heard from a lot of visitors that the extra activities and opportunities to shop the market was an extra perk to visiting Murphys park” said Freya Borean, event coordinator of the market.
Although a small market by comparison to others in the neighboring counties, the Murphys Farmers Market was made up of many small farms and producers and all were local to Calaveras County. “We are delighted with all these new farms and new members to Calaveras Grown and pleased to have another farmers market in the county that offers them an opportunity to connect to their community and build their businesses” stated Billie Hammer, president of Calaveras Grown. “And we have our long term members attending like John's Natural Food Products selling grass fed beef and free range chicken. Now there is something for everyone to source food from our local Calaveras producers.”
The Murphys Farmers Market is being co-managed by Micalah Frey and Freya Borean, who both grew up in Calaveras County. Because the park can only hold a limited number of vendors, they had to be selective when extending applications to vendors to join the market. “Our number one goal for this market, stated Micalah Frey, is to create a community hub for a localized food system. We will be adding a few more vendors including olive oil and vinegar, local honey and farm fresh eggs and we have a full list of workshops that we will be hosting every week including workshops on fermenting, seed saving, permaculture, and beekeeping from local agricultural experts. We also will be hosting yoga, live music, a farm to kitchen walk of the market with a local chef, art lessons, indigo dying and music play for kids.”
The Murphys Farmers Market runs weekly on Sundays mornings starting at 9am thru 1pm with the exception of July 21st where the park will be hosting a previously scheduled event for the Murphys School of Music. Visitors are encouraged to come early for best selection and to take part in one of the weekly activities. For more info email murphysfarmersmarket@gmail.com or follow on Murphys Farmers Market on Facebook.
09:30 AM
New Presbyterian Church Launching in Calaveras County Angels Camp, CA...A new Presbyterian church is being established in Angels Camp, with weekly worship services beginning July 28 in Greenhorn Creek. The new Calaveras Presbyterian Church is a developing sister ministry of Oak Hill Presbyterian Church in Sonora. Both churches are affiliated with the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination, a church body which was established in 1936 and includes congregations throughout the United States and other countries. Calaveras Presbyterian Church will initially be meeting at the Fireside Conference Center, 711 McCauley Ranch Rd. in Greenhorn Creek, adjacent to the golf shop and Camps Restaurant.
The weekly schedule will begin with Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday, followed by a half hour of fellowship beginning at 10:15 a.m. The morning worship service will begin at 10:45, and an evening service of worship and informal family Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m.
The Calaveras church was envisioned by the membership and leadership of Oak Hill Presbyterian Church to address growth in the Sonora congregation putting space pressure on its existing church facilities located at Mono Way and Peaceful Valley Road. The Oak Hill congregation decided earlier this year that launching a sister church in Calaveras County would be the best solution to the growth issue in Sonora. Roughly half of the membership of Oak Hill lives in Calaveras County and has been commuting from as far away as Valley Springs, Mountain Ranch and San Andreas for many years. The Calaveras members will form the core group of Calaveras Presbyterian Church, although the church leadership says it has already received indications of substantial interest in the new church from within the local community.
Calaveras Presbyterian Church will initially be governed by the board of elders at Oak Hill, which is known as the “Session” in Presbyterian government parlance. Both churches are within the Orthodox Presbyterian Church’s regional district, the Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada. As the Calaveras Church develops, it will eventually become a self-governing local congregation.
Oak Hill Elder Brook Moes of Angels Camp, who is beginning Master of Divinity distance studies with Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina, will serve as interim lay pastor for Calaveras Presbyterian Church. Oak Hill Elders Garry Moes of Murphys and Dr. John Keiter of Sonora are the other members of the Session, along with Oak Hill Pastor Dave Bush. Oak Hill Deacons James Toy of San Andreas, Dave Duggan of Murphys, Pierre Joubert of Mountain Ranch, Kris Jack of San Andreas, and Joel Benning of Oakdale round out the leadership of the Calaveras church.
“What we are so excited about is the creation here in Calaveras County of an institutional church with an evangelical heart — a church with deep and abiding roots in the ancient Christian faith where discipleship is fundamentally a willing act of loving obedience rather than mere theological test-passing,” said Brook Moes.
“Our heartfelt desire is to bring glory to God by training the Christians in Calaveras County and beyond to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus in a world so desperately in need of redemption. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we aim to make robust theology, family discipleship, unapologetic obedience to the Word of God, and commitment to the Lordship of Christ in all things the hallmarks of Calaveras Presbyterian Church,” he said, adding, “If these are your goals as well, we covet your prayers and invite you to be part of our loving family.”
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church as a theologically conservative denomination holding to the 17th century Westminster Confession of Faith and Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms as its doctrinal standards.
OPC churches consider the preaching of the Word of God to be their highest and central priority. The confessions of the church emphasize the sovereignty of God in all things, the grace of God in salvation, and the Bible as the final authority on all matters of life and doctrine.
The word “orthodox” in the denomination’s name does not imply any affiliation with the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity, but simply means “straight thinking” on historic Christian doctrines, according to Garry Moes. The church endorses the Protestant Reformation’s famous principles: Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, all for the Glory of God Alone.
The Calaveras church’s web site address is calaveraspresbyterian.weebly.com. Its Facebook page address is facebook.com/CalaverasPresbyterian. Elder Brook Moes may be reached by email at koorb1@yahoo.com.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Town Tours of Columbia State Historic Park Every Weekend! Columbia, CA...Enjoy an hour-long walking tour of town led by a park staff member or docent. See the actual gold discovery site, learn about the buildings and early merchants of Columbia. Sponsored by The Friends Of Columbia SHP. Visit their website here for more information. Town Tours are every Saturday & Sunday starting at 11 am. Meet at the office on Main Street & State St Columbia, CA 95310
01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Stevenot Music on the Patio is Every Sunday All Summer Long Vallecito, CA...Stevenot Music on the Patio is Every Sunday All Summer Long. Come join us July 28th we are open 11-5 music by Greg Sutton from 1-4. Mimosas for purchase Bring a picnic and your friends.
On January 16, 2019 the Oliveto Family purchased the former location of Irish Vineyards in Vallecito, CA. This is the now the location of the Stevenot Winery production facility as well as a second Tasting Room currently opened every Saturday and Sunday. “We are excited to have this opportunity to move the production facility back to Calaveras County and to be close to Murphys.” stated Jon Oliveto, President and Production Manager for Stevenot Winery. With everyone in the company living in Murphys it made sense to pursue the opportunity. Over the past few months the Oliveto family has started on the complete remodeling to include the winery and tasting room as well as the historic Batten House. “We have so many plans including more parties and bringing live music to this venue. On weekends we will have winery and vineyard tours including barrel tastings.” said Lorraine Oliveto, Tasting Room Manager for both locations. Stevenot will be doing their crush in the new location and then begin production shortly after that working with Stevenot’s Winemaker, Nancy Steel. Stay tuned and look for more information on events and the Grand Opening!
More about the history of Stevenot Winery and the Oliveto Family . . . . .
Wine, gold, history, and heritage are all part of the rich and colorful tradition that is Stevenot Winery. With a new Winery Property and Tasting Room located in Vallecito and the Tasting Room on Main Street located in downtown Murphys, in the heart of the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County, Stevenot’s beginnings hark back long before their first release of wine in 1979.
The first Stevenots came to the area during the great Gold Rush of the mid 1800’s. During that time vineyards began cropping up throughout the region as miners from France, Germany, and Italy were creating a demand for wine on an unprecedented scale. At one time the Sierra Foothills rivaled the areas of Napa and Sonoma combined in vineyard acreage with over 100 wineries established.
Although the industry eventually declined with the advent of prohibition, it wasn’t long before a fifth generation member of the Stevenot family took up where his family had left off and established the winery in the late 1970’s. Recognized as one of the pioneers of the rebirth of wine production in the Sierra Foothills, Stevenot Winery quickly secured its reputation for producing world class wines and for their innovative and award winning style.
A New Generation
On February 10, 2010 Oliveto Distributing, Inc. became the proud new owner of Stevenot Wines, operating the Stevenot Tasting Room on Murphys’ Main Street, as well as the Stevenot Wine Club. Brothers Jon Oliveto and David Oliveto are the Owners of the well-respected and long-standing distribution company previously based out of Sutter Creek and now located in Vallecito. “We are very honored and excited to have this opportunity!” exclaims David Oliveto, Vice President of Stevenot Winery. “We want to carry on the tradition of Barden Stevenot and grow the business. Stevenot has always been a quality brand, well respected in the community and has always sold very well. This compliments the wine in the bottle.” The Oliveto family has distributed Stevenot wines since the early 1980’s, when White Zinfandel was their best seller. “It’s all about quality.” adds Jon. “We have been in the distribution business our whole lives and will continue to focus on wine making.”
Oliveto Family History
Born and raised in Jackson, Jon and David began working at very early ages, with their father Ross Oliveto’s milk distributing business which opened in the late 1960’s. With close to 50 years in the industry serving the region, the Oliveto family knows the business and the community well.
In 1979 the milk distribution company was sold and the Oliveto family went into the beer and soft drink distribution business serving Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne counties. In the early 1980’s a wine division was added. The company was honored with the Miller Masters award in the early 1990’s, placing them in the top seven distributors in the United States. They were also awarded the High Life Achievement by Miller Brewing Company in 2002 and 2003, given to the top 40 distributors out of a roster of 450 companies.
The community has embraced Jon and David with open arms. “It surprises us how excited people are about our new venture.” Jon said. “We are receiving overwhelming support.”
Jon and his wife Lori now live in Murphys. David has lived in Calaveras County for 20 years and resides in Murphys with his wife, Lorraine. Daughters Elizabeth and Brooke (with her husband Robert and newborn son Cashton) are also residents of Murphys.
The Oliveto family welcomes and encourages your comments, suggestions and input.
Event occurs on 07/21/2019 from 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
01:00 PM
Spend the Summer at Big Trees State Park. Guided Hikes Every Weekend Arnold, CA...Calaveras became a State Park in 1931 to preserve the North Grove of giant sequoias. This grove includes the "Discovery Tree", also known as the "Big Stump", the first Sierra redwood noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. This area has been a major tourist attraction ever since, and is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California.
Over the years, other parcels of mixed conifer forests have been added to the park. This amazing park has a huge variety of habitats and recreational opportunities to explore. Click Below for Latest Activity Guide
