Wednesday, June 15, 2016

ALBERT SHAFSKY HOUSE B&B EARNS 2016 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Placerville, CA USA – 1 June 2016Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast, a 1902 Queen Anne Victorian in the heart of Placerville today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.  

“We are delighted to receive this award again this year”, said Rita Timewell, Owner and Innkeeper.  “Creating tasty breakfast dishes, and having guests enjoy them enough to take time to comment is such a rewarding experience”.  A recent guest had this to say “Love this place. Great rest, and it's located close enough to Sacramento and San Francisco without being "too close". Great food, wine in the parlor, nearby wineries to visit on Saturday - what's not to like?”

"With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers,” said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions.” 

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.


-Ends-

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

Upcoming fun in town!

JUNE 4 – OCTOBER 12, 2016: Banners on Parade
This community art project features artistically decorated banners on light poles along Main Street in Placerville. This is an annual collaborative effort of artists, businesses, organizations, individuals and city government that promotes the arts in historic downtown Placerville. These beautiful banners are displayed on Main Street and sold at a Silent Auction at the October, 2016, Art & Wine Festival. For more info contact (530) 672-3436. 
Find out how you can help with this effort! Read more information about this project here!
JUNE 11, 2016: Wagon Train & Street Dance
3PM – 8PM Historic Main Street will welcome the Highway 50 Association's 67th Annual Wagon Train around 3:30 pm on Saturday, June 11th. The train will stay for a few minutes for the community to view and photograph. Placerville is the end of the trail for the week long trek that begins in Nevada earlier in the week. Following the Wagon Train, Shauna Lea & the Hired Guns will perform during the Wagon Train Street Dance from 5PM to 8PM. Food, beer and more will be available for purchase on Main Street during the evening. Line dancing instruction will be featured during band breaks, too. Admission is free. For more information on all the activities please call to (530) 672-3436.
MID-JUNE through MID-OCTOBER 2016
Wednesday Main Street Farmers Market
4PM – Dusk. This event features fresh produce, flowers and other items from local farmers. For updated info, please call (415) 250-5337. .
JUNE 25, 2016: Bell Tower Brewfest
6PM – 9PM on Historic Main St. This popular Placerville event is hosted by downtown merchants and includes a street closure for the enjoyment and safety for all patrons. Entertainment features live music during the festival. See more information about the Bell Tower Brewfest here. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info contact (530) 672-3436. Purchase tickets online here.
July 16, 2016: Dancin' in the Street
3PM – 8:30PM at the Bell Tower. The El Dorado Arts Council hosts the biggest dance event of the year!  A free community festival promoting dance, health, fitness, and fun. Dance demonstrations and live entertainment. Food and beer will be available for purchase. For more information contact the El Dorado Arts Council at (530)295-3496.
AUGUST 14, 2016: Craft Faire
8AM – 3PM in Historic Downtown Placerville.
The 20th Annual Craft Faire features artisans and their pottery, jewelry, woodwork, quilted and decorating items, dolls, garden items, soaps, candles, food, and much, much more. Download the Craft Faire application form here. Admission and parking are free. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info contact (530) 672-3436.
AUGUST 25, 2016: Hangtown Car Show
5PM – 8PM.
This Thursday Night car show is sponsored by Placerville Lions Club. Participation is limited by the number of spaces available. Admission and parking is free for spectators. For info and pre-registration please call Mike at (530) 622-1731.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2016: Kacie's Ride for Hope
8AM – 11AMMain Street is closed to host this important Motorcycle Run that raises awareness and funds for the fight against domestic violence. Funds raised help support The Center for Violence Free Relationships. For info, seekaciesrideforhope.com or contactkaciesrideforhope@sbcglobal.net.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016: World Gold Panning Championship Parade of Nations & Opening Ceremonies
6PM – 7PM. Nations participating in the World Gold Panning Championship from 9/11/16-9/18/16 will be marching in this Parade of Nations and the opening ceremonies will take place on Main Street at the Bell Tower in Placerville as the kickoff event for the Championship and El Dorado County Gold Week. Sponsored by Placerville Downtown Association. Admission is free. For complete event info, see the World Gold Panning Championship website or call (530) 672-3436.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2016: Placerville Oktoberfest
3PM – 8PMThis fun event features German music (complete with Chicken Dances!), Wiener Dog Races, Children's Games, Adult/Beer-related Games, Bavarian Dance Demos, a Scarecrow Contest (new this year) and bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, strudel, beer, etc.! Come in costume to fit the theme! Sponsored by Placerville Downtown Association. Admission is free. For complete event info (530) 672-3436.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2016: Antique Street Faire
The 28th Annual Antique Street Faire closes Main Street to host antiques & collectibles peddlers for this popular event. Food, refreshments, and more. Admission and parking is free. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.
OCTOBER 1 – 31, 2016: Pink in the Night
To recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink lights are featured in the windows on Historic Main Street and on the Bell Tower during the month of October. This project is sponsored byImages of Hope and Marshall Medical Center, and is also featured at the Placerville Downtown Association's Art & Wine Festival on Oct. 15th on Main St. For more info please contact (530) 672-7050.
OCTOBER 15, 2016: Art & Wine Festival
6PM – 9PMOver 30 foothill wineries offer samples of their wines inside merchant locations on Historic Main Street in Placerville. In addition, the works of many local artists are featured in the galleries, the Banners On Parade community art project is displayed and the banners are sold during the silent auction that evening, and the Images of Hope Project is featured too. There is music at the Bell Tower, art demonstrations & hors d’oeuvres. You can sample award-winning wines in one convenient location without driving to all the wineries! Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info contact (530) 672-3436.
OCTOBER 31, 2016: Trick or Treat on Main Street
4PM – 6PM in Historic downtown Placerville. Main Street merchants hand out candy (while supplies last) to trick-or-treaters for this great family event. There is a DJ at the Bell Tower and a Costume Contest (sponsored by the 20-30 Club) at 6PM. Town Hall will also host a Carnival for children 10 and under (sponsored by The Placerville Lions Club).  For info call (530 672-3436).
NOVEMBER 25, 2016: Festival of Lights
5:30PM – 8PM on Historic Main Street in Placerville. The old-fashioned festivities close Historic Main Street and begin around 5:30pm at various locations up and down Main Street with music, entertainment, visits with Santa, and the tree-lighting at 6PM at the Courthouse. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.
NOVEMBER & December: Stagecoach Rides
Stagecoach rides are available throughout the season on most weekends in Historic Downtown Placerville. For info call (530) 672-3436.
NOVEMBER 25 & 262016: 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, and more. For more information call (530) 672-3436.
DECEMBER 2016: Visits with Santa
1PM - 4PMSanta arrives in Historic Downtown Placerville at the Candystrike to listen to those special wishes from 1-4pm. Photos will be available for purchase, but are not required to visit with Santa. For more info call (530) 672-3436.
DECEMBER 2016: Stagecoach Rides
Stagecoach rides are available throughout December on most weekends before Christmas (in good weather) in Historic Downtown Placerville. For more info call (530) 672-3436.
DECEMBER 4, 2016: 38th Annual Christmas Parade
This big parade starts on Broadway in Placerville and continues down Main Street. This year's theme will be announced at a later date. This event is a McIntire Family Tradition and is presented by The Mountain Democrat and City of Placerville. For info, call (530) 344-5070.

Friday, June 03, 2016

If you like to plan ahead, this is going to be a HUGE event for Placerville.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016: World Gold Panning Championship Parade of Nations & Opening Ceremonies
6PM – 7PM. Nations participating in the World Gold Panning Championship from 9/11/16-9/18/16 will be marching in this Parade of Nations and the opening ceremonies will take place on Main Street at the Bell Tower in Placerville as the kickoff event for the Championship and El Dorado County Gold Week. Sponsored by Placerville Downtown Association. Admission is free. For complete event info, see the World Gold Panning Championship website or call (530) 672-3436.

Wednesday, June 01, 2016

If you have not been in town or gone downtown in a bit, there is a fairly new restaurant worth checking out...Farm Table.   And there were just featured on TV, check it out here.  Very tasty food!

Monday, May 30, 2016

Memorial Day

Yes that means we are busy with guests at the inn, but also we are taking time to reflect on what Memorial Day is all about. While it is nice that we associate the day with the beginning of summer fun and BBQ's, etc. the day is really about remembering that freedom is not free.
During my time in the US Navy, which changed my life, I had the honor to serve my Country. I am still proud of my service and believe that everyone should "give back" at some point in their life - whether military, church, Kiwanis, Big Brothers Big Sisters or the Peace Corp. Just give back -
While I will remember all service members on Monday, one that will hold a special place in my thoughts will be my friend Angela Santos aka "Ace". She was a wonderful, caring young lady who died much too soon. Please take a minute today out of your day to think about our service men and women, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
1988 - On April 14 at 8 p.m., a car bomb exploded in front of the USO Club in Naples, Italy. Five people died and fifteen were injured, including four U.S. servicemen who were injured and US Navy Petty Officer Angela Santos, 21, was killed. Junzo Okudaira, a Japanese Red Army (JRA) member, was indicted in the United States on April 9, 1993 for the Naples bombing. Okudaira is also a suspect in the June 1987 car bombing and mortar attack against the U.S. Embassy in Rome.
Angela Santos: Love Lives On
April 23, 1988|By Sandy Coleman of The Sentinel Staff
OCALA — Outside the church, the sun shone brightly Friday. Inside, a cloud of sadness filled the room as friends and family mourned Angela Simons Santos, who joined the Navy to see the world and returned home its casualty.
Santos, 21, a Navy petty officer third class, was killed April 14 in a terrorist bomb blast in Naples, Italy.
Her military funeral at the Presbyterian Church at Marion Oaks began at 1 p.m. with her favorite thing -- music. A recording of her soft soprano voice drifted from speakers as she sang a song honoring her dead grandmother.
Santos' mother, Ellie Cruz, brother Jimmy Santos, 18, and father James Santos sat near her casket. Her brother Tony Cruz, 8, sister Jennifer Cruz, 5, and about 20 friends sat nearby.
Other mourners included Navy personnel, Gov. Bob Martinez and U.S. Rep. Buddy MacKay, D-Ocala.
''As we sit here today,'' the Rev. David Omerod began, ''there is a certain feeling of unreality . . . It is hard to imagine that something that happened all the way around the world brought us here.''
More than 350 mourners, many of whom who knew Santos as a beautiful, shy girl, listened closely to the minister's words and searched for comfort.
''Angela did not want to die. God did not want her to die. She died at the hands of unforgiving men. And now we mourn her death hoping for one more smile, one more touch, one more hug that cannot be ours.''
The church choir Santos was a member of for more than a year sang one of her favorites, ''I Will Not Be Afraid.''
Virgina Robb, a choir member and close friend of Santos, had said Thursday that singing the song would be one of the most difficult things she has ever done.
''The words are so appropriate for her,'' said Robb, 68, who was flattered that someone as young as Santos would start a friendship with a woman her age. Santos was at a party at the Naples USO club when a car bomb exploded on the narrow street outside. Four Italians also died and 17 people were injured, including four U.S. sailors.
But the bomb's impact was much wider, said Rear Adm. John Koening as mourners waited outside the church for the funeral to begin.
''It's a sad day for our entire world for a young man or young woman to give up their life in such a senseless manner,'' he said. ''The sadness is compounded by the fact that at any moment, an act of terrorism can take place. No one is safe. We are all affected.''