Friday, December 09, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Downtown tree lighting...check.  Trees decorated and lit along Highway 50...check.  Albert Shafsky House B&B decorated...check.  Doc Wiser out giving stagecoach rides...check.   All the merchants on Main Street decorated...check.  White Christmas at Imagination Theater...check.  We seem to be all set for a very Merry Christmas in Placerville!  Are you ready?  If you need some gift ideas, why not stay, shop Main Street or call us for sheets, mugs, robes or how about a gift certificate!  PS our awesome sheets are still on sale for $110.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

So much to do...so much to see

Ah, yes....the holidays are upon us....Turkey and tree lighting this week and of course all the goodies to get on Black Friday.  A stay in Placerville is always the perfect gift, and we are happy to provide gift certificates in any denomination for you.  We also have robes and mugs for sale, and for a special treat our super comfy sheets.

Some of what is happening in our neck of the woods....

NOVEMBER 25th, Festival of Lights
Festival of Lights 5:30PM – 8PM on Historic Main Street in Placerville. The old-fashioned festivities will close Historic Main Street and begin around 5:30PM at various locations up and down Main Street with music, entertainment, visits with Santa, stagecoach rides and the tree-lighting at 6PM at the Courthouse. 

NOVEMBER 25th & 26th, Merchants Open House
Merchants Open House, Extended Hours. Historic Main Street merchants welcome visitors with coffee, cider and seasonal goodies. Enjoy hometown holiday shopping and hospitality in one convenient setting. Free parking, entertainment, stagecoach rides and visits with Santa.

DECEMBER, WEEKENDS, Stagecoach Rides
On Historic Main Street, Placerville, Davey "Doc" Wiser and his crew will be providing FREE rides (in good weather) at the Bell Tower on these dates: November 25th (4-6:30PM); November 26th (12-4PM); December 10th & 11th (12-4PM); December 17th & 18th (12-4PM).

DECEMBER 4th, 34th Annual Christmas Parade
1PM on Historic Main Street. This big parade takes place rain or shine and starts at the Mountain Democrat parking lot on upper Broadway in Placerville and continues down Main Street. This year's theme is "There is Magic in Believing."

DECEMBER 5th-16th, The Twelve Days of Christmas
Shoppers will have a chance to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of 12 Main Street gift baskets valued at $100 each and one Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner will receive a large, beautiful Benton Studios photograph of Main Street, mounted on canvas. Drawing tickets will be given for purchases over $15 at participating merchants between November 25th and December 15th. Get your shopping done early and win a great gift basket from Historic Main Street.

White Christmas Tickets – Available Now
Fun costumes, wonderful music, and a delightful theatrical experience await your family at Imagination Theater this December.  The holiday favorite, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas opens December 2.  Make your reservation now for the best seats. Ticket prices are adult ($17), senior ($14), and children ($10).  Tickets can be purchased at www.it-tickets.org or by calling 530-642-0404.    

Friday, December 2, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3, 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 8, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 9, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday December 10, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11, 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 15. 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 20, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 22, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 23, 7:00 p.m.


Monday, November 14, 2011

Apple Hill Continues and some specials for the rest of Fall



Happy Thanksgiving!









November/December Special: Second night mid-week is just $99
Book a room this month and the second consecutive night will be just $99 to celebrate our 10th year.

It's not too early to start thinking about the holidays... gift certificates are always a perfect fit.  And we have our signature mugs, cuddly robes and super soft sheets too!










We are happy to let you know that there is another great restaurant in town just minutes from us, the Independent.  Brought to you by the folks at Heyday, we love the food and the ambience already.  Next time you are visiting be sure to stay enough nights to eat at one or the other and of course we have our pals at Sequoia and Cafe Luna too.













Some of our favorite wineries - all in different parts of El Dorado County.
Boeger Winery - Friendly, knowledgeable tasting room staff, divine outdoor areas for picnics or events, beautiful visitor center, gift shop and the historic old cellar.  They have complimentary and reserve wine tasting daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

David Girard- The beautiful 85 acre vineyard property bears mature fruit native to the great Rhone Valley. With these extraordinary grapes and winemaking expertise, David Girard Vineyards produces finely balanced wines reminiscent of those found in Southern France.
Wofford Acres Vineyards is a family-owned vineyard and winery producing just 1200 cases a year. Our doors have been open since 2003, drawing on Paul’s over 30 years of professional wine-making skill and Mike and Ann’s passion for the wines Paul creates.

If you happen to make it out to any of these, tell them the Albert Shafsky House sent you!











Let's eat!












Apple time continues at Apple Hill!
It is still Apple Hill season (til Turkey Day) with lots of tasty treats and of course the big draw is apples: Apple donuts, cider, fritters, juice, pie, whatever you crave, you can find at our local (Camino) Apple Hill neighbors.

The Apple Hill® Growers Associationlocated in Camino, Placerville and Pollock Pines, CA, was once a fledgling association comprised of 16 original ranches. Today it boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, a micro-brewery, Spa and vineyards.

Don't forget you can cut a Christmas tree at one of the great vendors too.











Bookings/Availability:
Click here to visit our website to learn more about us or book your stay.








Planning Ahead:

Plus...just a few of the fun things to do near our Placerville B&B

Nov. 25 Festival of Lights
Dec. 4 Christmas Parade

 

We hope you can join us for something soon.











Have you stayed with us recently?  Please write a review at one of the places (or several) listed below. 
For Tripadvisor, click here.
BedandBreakfast.com, write a review on their site by following this link
To post to ILoveInns.comclick here
And if you want to Yelp us out....click here
With so many people looking at reviews for the best places to stay, you are really helping us out!

THANK YOU!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Apple Hill time still and we have rooms

Looking for a great Fall Getaway?  We have rooms during Apple Hill (which goes on til Thanksgiving).  Why not come to El Dorado County and stay in Placerville?  Apple donuts - we can tell you the best ones, apple cider, apple pies, etc.  And of course don't forget all the craft items available.  Visit us during the week or stay the first weekend in Nov.  We would love to have you stay at the Albert Shafsky House.  Who knows, Rita might even make you her famous Apple Pancake!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Don't Miss this show!!!!

Don't miss the final three shows of Father of the Bride--Thursday and Friday, September 22 and 23 at 7:00 p.m. or our final show on Saturday September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Yep, Inns are better than hotels, resorts, etc.

Love this write up...it is stuff we have been saying for years about our inn and others....we really are a "better way to stay"...  Great!


Posted: 20 Sep 2011 07:25 AM PDT
BetterWayToStay.com | The more you pay for a hotel the less you get
I was amazed to read recently in an article on CNN.com entitled Internet Fee Irritates Hotel Guests, that three quarters of the “luxury” or upper scale hotel chains charge for Internet access, a fee that rubs travelers the wrong way.  “It’s something that drives me and a lot of my clients relatively insane,” said Janice Hough, a travel agent who writes for the blog Consumer Traveler.  According to the CNN story, Janice says “They feel nickled and dimed. They feel frustrated. If you’re paying $500 for a hotel room, you can probably afford $15 or $20 a day for the Internet. But it leaves a bad taste in people’s mouth.”  Studies by BedandBreakfast.com and Professional Association of Innkeepers International have shown that more than 92% of inns and B&Bs in the United States offer free wi-fi access to guests.  In fact, when coupled with complimentary breakfasts (often gourmet), free afternoon or evening refreshments, beverages, and parking, the amenities add up to as much as $150 per day savings at properties equivalent to the luxury hotels.
The CNN.com article goes on to explain that most travelers — business or otherwise — view Internet access in their room as essential to their stay as a comfortable bed to sleep in and a hot shower in the morning.  In fact wireless Internet access is one of the top five “must-have” amenities for hotel guests, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, also outlined on CNN.com
Ironically, breakfast is in the same category as free wi-fi.  The more you pay for the hotel room, the less likely you are to find breakfast included in your room rate.  According to a secondCNN.com story entitled Appetite Grows for Free Hotel Breakfast, only 4 percent of the properties in the higher end hotel category offer a complimentary breakfast. “They have a restaurant, and they want you to pay for your breakfast,” said Daniel Mount, associate professor at Pennsylvania State University’s School of Hospitality Management to CNN. “And at places like that, I don’t think free breakfast is necessarily important.” Yet travelers who’ve heard from their Mom that breakfast is the most important meal of the day want that free breakfast and are willing to choose a lodging property that’ll offer it.  When asked what they like most about inns and B&Bs in BedandBreakfast.com surveys, inngoers have consistently answered that the complimentary breakfast is among the top reasons they choose to stay at a B&B.
Recently, when staying in a boutique hotel (which will go unnamed) which did not offer a complimentary breakfast, the waitress asked if we’d prefer REAL maple syrup to imitation. Of course we answered we’d like the real maple syrup, only to find an additional $2 charge on the breakfast bill.  This inngoer, accustomed to enjoying real maple syrup on my complimentary breakfast at every inn and B&B she travels to felt particularly nickeled and dimed there.
Yet it’s these added fees that have travelers rubbed the wrong way, and which have the same travelers looking to discover a better way to stay.  According to a recent study by Peter Yesawich of the Y-Partnership, 79 percent of travelers are interested in visiting an inn or B&B in the upcoming year.  They are looking for a better way to stay and they’re finding it when they visit inns or B&Bs.
We know we’re preaching the B&B advantages to the choir here.  Help us to spread the word.  Pass this on to your hotel-going friends and family who are looking for distinctive hospitality, delicious breakfasts and complimentary wi-fi, snacks and beverages when they travel.  Show them the better way to stay is also the value way to stay.
Thanks.
BetterWayToStay.com - Experience Today's Inns and B&Bs

Thursday, September 15, 2011

We have the best guests....some recent comments on Bedandbreakfast.com

We must confess, one of the first things we do when guests leave is read the journal in the room to see if they wrote any comments (good or bad).  It is always a treat for us to find a note from someone, and it is just as fun to wake up to comments posted online like theses two that were left on Bedandbreakfast.com


"A delightful find in the heart of Placerville. It is within a block from town and the Gandy Dancer dancer room was delightful seeing that appealed to the railroader in myself." 


"We had a lovely stay here. Walked to downtown Placerville for shopping. Walked to Sequoia for a wonderful dinner. Walked to Gold Bug Mine and did some GEO Caching. We also drove to Para Vi for wine tasting, band & dinner. Took off to Ice House Resevouir for another wonderful hike. Great location with lots to do around it. Food & Inn Keepers were awesome!"


Thank you for the comments, they really make our day!!!!

Friday, September 02, 2011

Placerville Oktoberfest



Saturday, September 17 · 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Main Street Placerville


Come down and enjoy some good old fashioned fun with your friends and neighbors on Main Street in historic downtown Placerville. There will be authentic German food (sausage's and Strudel), a Doxie Race and of course plenty of delicious beer. Please visit http://www.placerville-downtown.org/events_info/Oktoberfest.html for more information on contests and attractions. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Wofford Acres Vineyards 8th year Anniversary Party

Join us at Wofford Acres Wines for their 8th Anniversary Party (WHERE did the time go?) on Saturday, September 3,  noon to 4pm.  They will have  MORE’s sausage cart, the 2011 LaMancha, and the good time you expect from a WAV  event. Should be a good time!  They are about 15 minutes from our Placerville Bed and Breakfast.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

It begins this weekend...Apple Hill

Apple Hill starts this weekend!!!  Most apple barns and craft open Labor Day weekend so why not make a trip to Placerville, zip to Camino and grab some apple donuts, apple cider, apple fritters, apple pie, etc.  Should be great weather here in El Dorado County for a great way to kick off FALL, while it still feels summery.  Camino is just a 10 minute drive from our Placerville B&B and you will pass bunches of wineries too!

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Another great El Dorado County Winery

 Not too far from our Placerville Bed and Breakfast is where you will find this one.  David Girard Vineyards is nestled in the Sierra foothills near where the south fork of the American River gave up its gold in 1849. The rolling hills of the 85-acre estate vineyards provide unique micro climates for producing exceptional Rhone varietals. Focusing on Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne and Viognier, wine lovers can immediately get a sense of these great vineyards. The wines have an intensity and balance that seem to be special from grapes at our elevation with our soils. Nearly all the wines are estate-grown and small-lot productions, making the tasting room a focus of the winery.  

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

WIne and music at dkCellars this Saturday

FYI some great music this weekend at dkCellars....Track 7 and Ollie's Lament will be playing from around 1:30 til 7 pm in Fairplay, off Slug Gulch Road for dkCellars anniversary party.  Good wine and good music to sip too!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Free stage rides today on Main St.

Riding the stage today on historic Main Street!  Thanks Doc!!

Whitewater rafting on the American River

Stay with us and raft for half off with this deal....from Travelzoo.

************************************************************
TRAVELZOO LOCAL DEAL FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY - JULY 15, 2011
************************************************************

On behalf of our subscribers in the Central Valley, we have
negotiated this Travelzoo Local Deal:

$50 - HALF-DAY WHITE-WATER RAFTING TRIP, REG. $100
http://www.travelzoo.com/l/75532572-1067203/
Source: Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting

For $50, experience the thrill of the South Fork of the
American River's class III rapids while taking in the
stunning scenery of a state park. Regularly $100, this
half-day whitewater rafting adventure on Lower Gorge Run
includes all your gear.

The trip begins at 8 a.m., when you'll make your way 11
miles upstream by bus. After a brief orientation and safety
training, hop aboard a six-person raft and head into intense
class III rapids, some of the biggest and most exciting on
this river. Then let your heartbeat return to normal with a
peaceful float through Marshall Gold Discovery State Park
with numerous class II rapids.

This adventure is suitable for beginner and intermediate
rafters.

To get this deal, purchase a voucher directly from
Travelzoo, and call Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting to make a
reservation.

Important:
*Buy the voucher before 8 p.m. Friday, July 22.
*The voucher can be redeemed starting Monday, July 25,
through Sept. 26, 2011.

For more information on the deal from Gold Rush Whitewater
Rafting, click here:
http://www.travelzoo.com/l/75532572-1067203/

--------------------------

Saturday, July 09, 2011

Wakamatsu Historical Tour- American River Conservancy

This is so cool....if you have not been up to the Wakamatsu property, here is a great chance to see it.

Join ARC trained docents for a firsthand look at the property recently acquired by ARC. This ranch is an interesting mosaic of springs, streams, wetlands, blue and live oak forest, sweeping vistas and prime agricultural soil. Ranch ponds and the small lake is a draw for wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl during the winter and early spring. Along with its beauty, learn about the rich history of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm, the 1st Japanese Colony site established in America in 1869. Contact ARC to sign up and for meeting location (Gold Hill area). Register now.
Donations towards the Wakamatsu project encouraged.
 
 Please call to sign up at 530-621-1224, or contact julie@arconservancy.org.
 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Nice article about B&Bs

We thought this was a wonderful article promoting B&Bs and wanted to share....


To B or not to B&B? Advice to first-time B&B goers
Posted: 21 Jun 2011 03:17 AM PDT
by Marti Mayne with travel expert Eileen Ogintz

Where should we go?

With so many options the decision can send enlightened travelers either into a quandary or an adventure. From resorts and hotels to campgrounds and hostels, travelers have a myriad of accommodations options. Value is the buzz word in travel today, and when it comes to finding plenty of value, a B&B or country inn makes a lot of sense for some, but not all travelers.

When to B&B?

“If you thought B&Bs weren’t for you, think again,” says syndicated travel columnist Eileen Ogintz.

 Of course you’ll find everything you need to celebrate romance at inns and B&Bs from king and queen beds with luxurious linens to deep double whirlpool tubs, double showers and ensuite fireplaces.

But they can also be a terrific place to visit with kids. Some inn owners welcome children with special dress up corners, children’s books and more. And they are a lot more homey than staying in a big hotel.

You’ll get a lot of bang for your vacation dollar too since  homemade multi-course breakfasts, afternoon refreshments and evening innkeepers’ receptions at many inns are part of the deal. The extras  can add up to more than $100 in value over the course of your stay. Add in fee-free wi-fi, parking, bottled water, DVDs and movies, and much more, and savings add up. “You won’t find those annoying resort fees,” said Ogintz.

If you’re a traveler who loves to meet others and seeks an insiders’ knowledge of the region, inns and B&Bs work well as the choice accommodations. “I’ve  found B&B owners a terrific resource when college touring,” added Ogintz, the mom of three. “They would give us a local’s perspective on the community and the school.”

The intimate nature of an inn or B&B lends itself to meeting other guests easily over breakfast or afternoon refreshments. Innkeepers have often gotten into the business because they love to share their knowledge of the region and have gone so far as to arrange discounts and preferred times for their guests.

Next time you are traveling solo on business, try an inn instead of an anonymous hotel. “You won’t be as lonely,”  Ogintz suggests. And many inns and B&Bs offer corporate rates to business travelers. Even if you have to leave early, the innkeeper can arrange a to-go breakfast.  There’s also the comfort in knowing you’d be missed if you didn’t return at night.

 When NOT to B&B?

While there are plenty of inns and B&Bs that cater to families, not all do. “Make sure the inn isn’t one catering to couples on a romantic getaway,” suggests Ogintz.  “You don’t want to worry that little voices are bothering other guests or that little hands can damage antiques.”

 Seek out farmstays and inns and B&Bs offering family cottages and cabins, suggests Ogintz, who  is a nationally known family travel expert and  creator of the website TakingtheKids.

“But don’t expect innkeepers to entertain  or babysit the kids,” Ogintz warned. If that’s what you want, opt for a resort or a cruise line with  organized children’s programming.

You likely wouldn’t be happy at an inn if you plan to stay up late partying unless, of course, you are taking over the whole place for your wedding or family reunion.

Can’t decide?

Ask the innkeeper!   Call or email and tell the innkeeper about your travel companions (friends, lover, kids, pets…) and see if  their inn is a good fit. “If not, they can suggest elsewhere,” Ogintz said. Research the amenities. If you’re a business traveler for example, be sure to choose a B&B with a strong cell signal for your cell carrier, and ask about desks and free wi-fi to insure the setting works for you. If you are traveling with young children, make sure there are rooms or cottages that can accommodate three or four. Will the innkeeper provide a kid-friendly breakfast? Do they have cribs?

“Remember that each inn and B&B is different,” Ogintz said. “Some travelers love that while others prefer the familiarity of a hotel chain they know.”

Most important,  go elsewhere if you don’t enjoy trading stories and travel tips with people you’ve just met over breakfast or afternoon drinks. “To appreciate what an intimate inn can offer, you need to be the kind of traveler who enjoys meeting new people along the way,” says Ogintz. “That can be the most memorable part of your trip!”

Eileen Ogintz is a leading family travel expert often asked to share travel tips in the national media. Her family travel guides to the Western United States  have just been reissued for  the NOOK and Kindle and you can purchase excerpts for as little as  99 cents.

Marti Mayne is a B&B aficionado, visiting hundreds of inns and B&Bs either by armchair or in person each year. As a coordinator for the Better Way To Stay campaign, Marti is committed to helping travelers discover today’s inns and B&B experience. For more information, visit www.BetterwaytoStay.com.

Monday, May 30, 2011

With school out, you might want to visit this site...

The Okei Memorial was placed to honor the first Japanese woman to die in America.  This lovely spot in the corner of Gold Trail School's parking lot is a peaceful place to rest and reflect for a moment.  Okei Ito was just 19 when she passed away in 1871 and was buried on the Verrkamp ranch.  She was a part of a group of 20 Japanese who migrated to Gold Hill from Wakamatsu, Japan after being on the losing side of their civil war.  Here they planet mulberry trees and began the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony.

The site is about a 10 minute drive from our Placerville Bed and Breakfast in El Dorado County.

There is also a geocache placed near the site.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Hangtown Car Show on Main Street today 9-3pm

Look what is happening now downtown....going to be a lovely day...


Come join us on Historic Main Street to see a beautiful collection of cars, great shops and good fun as we remember the cars of the past. And remember to bring your sunglasses to block the shine from the cars!
Main Street will be closed during the car show which will feature 200 pre-1972 cars parked by the curbs. The show is free for spectators and begins at 9 am and goes through 3 pm. There will be music, a food booth with hot dogs, soda and water and a booth with T-shirts and memorabilia. Stroll through the cars on Main Street and explore the food and shopping that is available at the wonderful Historic Main Street restaurants and shops

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Coloma Blues Live is back! June 4th, 2011


Welcome Blues Fans!
The 6th Annual Coloma Blues Live!
Music Festival is on June 4, 2011 at Henningsen-Lotus Park, Lotus, CA!

This a general admission event, festival-goers are asked to bring blankets and low-profile chairs (up to 30” with a seat height of no more than 10”). Handicap/high-back chairs have designated area; umbrellas are OK only in this area and only on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring personal bottled water, sunscreen, hat, and spray bottles.

Parking

Parking near Lotus Park is limited. Shuttles will be available; follow parking signs. Festival parking is $5 (cash please) — with free shuttles available; follow parking signs. Parking is also available at Marshall Gold State Historic Park at their normal rates; a shuttle will run between the concert and the State Park. Gates open at 10 AM, music starts at 11 AM. We reserve the right to refuse entry. No refunds, no exchanges, rain or shine. Artists subject to change. Handicap accessible — call (530) 295-3496 for information.
Please do not bring food, alcohol, cans, bottles, containers, coolers, cameras with removable lenses, recording devices, or digital video cameras into the event. Still cameras are OK We reserve the right to not allow any cameras into the park whether they have removable lenses or not. No pets, except service animals.
Handicap parking is available at the main Henningsen-Lotus Park parking lot — all other festival goers will be directed to alternate parking area(s). Please follow the signs on Lotus Road and Hwy 49.

Friday, May 06, 2011

The Albert Shafsky House B&B and iLoveInns.com are Giving Away 2,500 Bed and Breakfast Nights for Mother's Day


American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com created a Mother’s Day Flower Hunt on their Web site and will be giving away $375,000 in free nights at participating bed and breakfasts and country inns throughout the United States, Canada and U.S. territories. The hunt has already begun and continues through Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, 2011. You don’t have to be a mother or even a woman to win a free night at a bed and breakfast or country inn. Just search the individual inn listings at iloveinns.com to find an icon with a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers. Click on the bouquet and fill out the information to be eligible to receive a Free-Night Certificate.

The Free-Night Certificate normally retails for $19.95 on their Web site  ...  and entitles the bearer to a free second night at a participating B&B when a first night is purchased. There are 1400 inns currently participating in giving away the free night which is valued at $60 to $650 depending on the accommodations selected. Detailed listings of participating inns in the United States, Canada and U.S. territories can be found by browsing the iLoveInns.com Web site. The online directory has inn descriptions written by travel writers and offers articles and in-depth travel features. Finding the flower bouquet on the Web site provides the opportunity to win a Free-Night Certificate. To find out more and to learn about other special promotions be sure to like iLoveInns.com on facebook.

This Free-Night program was started more than 22 years ago and has been featured in
Amazon’s bestselling bed and breakfast directory, Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns, 22nd Edition. The book includes the Free-Night Certificate that is good for any inn listed in the guide and also those designated on the Web site as a participating inn. The directory is an easy-to-use reference and state maps locate each inn. There are more than 300 illustrations and an index with Inns of Interest, listing lodging in lighthouses, former schools, castles and rail cars as well as many other inns with special significance.
 
This program continues to be fondly embraced by more than 2 million guests who have received a copy of the bed and breakfast book with the Free-Night Certificate. It is a popular gift for most any occasion or holiday, and a perfect Mother’s Day present. Take advantage of this thoughtful way to show appreciation and pamper the mother in your life.

Want a getaway? The Free-Night offer makes it very affordable and stress-free. Playing and winning the Mother’s Day Flower Hunt is an added bonus. Browse the inn descriptions on the iLoveInns.com Web site to see where you might like to stay. Find the Mother’s Day Bouquet and win a free night! Not feeling lucky? Then buy a Free-Night Certificate and pamper yourself at a bed and breakfast. Need a gift for Father’s Day, college graduations and summer weddings? Buy a Free-Night Certificate and give more than a present, give a memorable getaway that will be fondly remembered long after the holiday or special occasion has past.

How to Play The $375,000 Mother's Day Flower Hunt

1. Like iloveinns.com on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/iLoveInnscom/152249455592
2. Search for inns on iloveinns.com and find a bouquet
3. Click the bouquet and complete the form
4. Print your free-night certificate

PS: Mother's Day Hunt will be up till May 15!!

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Ahh Spring!

So nice to finally be having awesome weather again!  Looks like this weekend will be a great one to go out and taste wine, enjoy a picnic in a vineyard, explore Marshall Gold Discovery Park, go geocaching, walk the dog, work in the yard, or a combination of all of the above!

How will you spend your weekend?

Friday, April 15, 2011

ARC hike on Sunday, April 17th 9am-1 pm


KNICKERBOCKER - HIKE
Sunday, April 17th 9am-1pm

Tom Petersen, hiker & author of several hiking books, will take you on this fast-paced 8 mile hike in the Auburn State Rec. Area, part of the Olmstead Loop trails in Cool, CA. This trail is moderately steep in places but lots of flat terrain with great views of the North fork American river, Knickerbocker Falls, and China Bar. These trails are a bit primitive so don't expect state park type walking, (you may have to dodge some poison oak along the way). Rain or shine. Contact ARC to sign up and for meeting location (Cool area). Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/non-members.
 
 Please call to sign up at 530-621-1224, or contact julie@arconservancy.org by 3pm Wednesday.

Monday, April 04, 2011

Very proud of our nephew, Michael!!!

From the SLO paper...

You are here: Sports 

Published: Sunday, Apr. 03, 2011

Clemmensen moves on to finals at wrestling nationals

By Tribune staff report
Atascadero High senior Michael Clemmensen won two wrestling matches on Saturday and advanced to the 103-pound final of the Senior Nationals at Virginia Beach, Va.
In the quarterfinals, Clemmensen defeated Andrew Chase, a state champion from Connecticut, 10-0. He then got a third-period fall to defeat three-time state champ Justin Riggs of West Virginia.
Clemmensen faces Josh Smith of North Carolina in today’s final. By reaching the top eight, Clemmensen is Atascadero’s first All-American since Nate Willard in 2006, and the first Greyhounds wrestler to reach the finals at this event, Atascadero coach Jeff Spiller said.
Greyhounds senior Elijah Jackson lost to four-time state champion Jeremy Davenport of Oklahoma 6-4 in his quarterfinal bout at 152 pounds. He then lost to Illinois state champion Oshea Traylor 4-3 in the wrestlebacks.
To qualify for the national event, wrestlers have to be a senior, a California state placewinner or, for other states, a state champion or runner-up finisher in their weight class.