Still looking for a perfect gift....

There are plenty of unique finds on Main Street in Historic Placerville, CA, but if you can't get up here, how about a personalized gift certificate in any amount you choose at our Albert Shafsky House B&B.  It is always a perfect fit, does not expire and they can meet Lily the wonder dachshund!

If you don't think they will be visiting Placerville, we also offer BedandBreakfast.com gift cards that are accepted at thousands of inns around the world.

Happy Holidays!

Snow in the Foothills...

I have to say I feel like we lost a whole week of December rather than just a day....have the power go out on us a week ago today and waking up to green flashes in the sky from the transformers erupting all over town was very exciting....then seeing the foot of snow at the inn was exciting....Not so exciting once we realized how cold it was getting without power.  Lucky for us, we were one of the first ones back on (24 hours later) and we could get on with things...only there was still a foot of snow everywhere and much of Placerville remained closed as they could not get out of their homes due to trees being down.  One of the days I went to work last week it was just 18 degrees out at 7:30 - not sure I want to know what at was a 2 a.m. but our pipes held up.  The Albert Shafsky House B&B did just fine.

Happy to say that with the recent rain, most of the snow in town has now melted and is but a photo memory.  But I am sure we will all be talking about the "Storm of 09" for some time to come--Placerville had not seen this much snow in twenty years....

The Rubicon Trail Episode Sunday at 5 pm on News 10

Seeing as both Rita and I have Jeeps, and we live in El Dorado County, this show is a perfect fit.  We will be glued to the set Sunday night here at the Bed and Breakfast.

From the Experience El Dorado website-

Where the paved road ends, the adventure begins. This Sunday, December 6, we dedicate our entire episode to the historic Rubicon Trail located in the El Dorado National Forest. Come ride with us through the rocky crags and remote canyons of this twenty-two mile off-road trail, climbing from 5400 to 7000 feet in elevation. It didn’t take a whole lot of those miles for our crew to discover why the historic Rubicon Trail is known as one of the most rugged 4-wheel drive trails in the world.

Georgetown is the jump-off point for Experience El Dorado as the crew embarks on a harrowing dirt road journey through the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. For three days they record the fun and thrills that 4-wheeling offers here in the foothills. Field Correspondent, Cory Tapia joins Jeep® Jamboree USA on a wild ride that many 4-wheelers deem pure rock-crawling pleasure.

Not only will armchair trekkers enjoy the adventure, the episode will showcase another amazing recreational opportunity right in our own backyard.

ABC NEWS10 Sacramento Sunday December 6th 5:00PM

RSN Tahoe/Truckee/Reno Sunday December 6th 5:00PM

ABC30 Fresno Sunday December 6th 4:30PM

Check local listings. Miss it? Watch full episodes online 24/7

We will be watching in Placerville....

Imagination Theater proudly presents Beauty and the Beast

Just minutes from our Placerville Bed and Breakfast "Beauty and the Beast" is playing at the Fairgrounds.  Great show, sure to sell out!


Belle dreams of adventure and romance but only finds conceited Gaston in her small provincial town.  The Beast is a Prince who was transformed because he had no love in his heart.  When the Beast takes Belle's father Maurice prisoner she agrees to stay in the enchanted castle instead.  Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and many more strange characters guide the Beast and Belle toward a blossoming friendship.  As they fall in love, they learn that it's the beauty inside that counts. 

Join Belle in the enchanted castle as she meets Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Babette, Madame de la Grande Bouche and many more fun characters!  Boo Gaston and Lefou as they attack the castle!  Fun for the whole family.  

The show runs December 4-27, 2009.  Tickets make a great Holiday gift!

Tickets are on sale now!  Call (530) 642-0404 for your show reservation!

Repeal of Prohibition Party

December 5: Repeal of Prohibition Party David Girard Vineyards will be hosting the 3rd Annual Repeal of Prohibition Party! Join David Girard Vineyards, Boeger Winery, Gold Hill Winery and Wofford Acres Vineyards from 3-9PM. Vintage cars & costumes encouraged. Travel back in time as you visit these rebellious wineries. Enjoy "soup kitchen snacks" at each winery and also a poker run. Tickets are $15.00 per person or $20.00 per couple. $5.00 designated drivers. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprise of Placerville 

Weekends in Placerville for the holidays

The downtown area is just a block from our Placerville bed and breafast, and is all aflutter, prepping for the tree lighting and fun that will be happening starting on Friday, Nov 27th.  Historic Main Street transforms itself with decoration, and lights, and there are even about 50 decorated trees lining Hwy 50 again now that the road construction is completed.

NOVEMBER 27th
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, Santa, stagecoach rides, Holly Jolly Trolley rides (to outlying parking lots), and the tree-lighting at 6PM at the Courthouse.  Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association.  For info call (530) 672-3436.

NOVEMBER 27th & 28th
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.  Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association.  For info call (530) 672-3436.

DECEMBER 6th
32nd Annual Christmas Parade 1PM.
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.  Sponsored by Jim & Cathy  McIntire.  For info call (530) 621-5885

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Musical directed by Peter Wolfe

December 4 to December 27, 2009

IT! Box Office

(530) 642-0404

El Dorado County Fairgrounds

Still need more reasons to stay?  Winery are open and so are most places at Apple Hill thru Christmas Eve.

It's time for the 6th Annual Wofford Acres Vineyards Aldanza and Port Party!

Stock up for the holidays and
meals with those you love... Pick up your release of 2008 Aldanza Late Harvest Viognier and 2006 Amador Port, have a glass of wine and some munchies, and get into the holiday spirit! Bring your cigars for the smoking lounge...

The fun starts at 5:30pm on Saturday, November 21.

Barbara Sederquist, WAVer, Certified Wine Professional, and Good Friend, will be the Celebrity-Author-in-Residence, signing copies of her book Sierra Wines- a fabulous idea for the wine lover on your gift list...
Ship-to Members:
If you can't make the event Ann will ship your wine on Monday, November 23.
The cost of the wine is $48.00 plus $3.96 tax, and any applicable shipping charges...
AND we still have a room at the Albert Shafsky House!

Bonus gift certificates for Placerville B&B

Leaves off the tress and the scent of apples in the air....Apple Hill runs through the end of this month and we have been enjoying mouthwatering treats from our favorite spots. Need a gift that always fits? We are offering to add 10% to all gift certificates sold between now and Feb. 28, 2010.

Art and Wine in Placerville

We have been busy with fall in the foothills. Leaves turnings, apples, apples, apples. Heading to Apple Hill in the morning for some (more) donuts....

Art and Wine on Main Street is next weekend and we have Alberta's Attic if you would like to attend. This fantastic event has over 35 foothill wineries offering samples of their wines inside merchant locations on Historic Main Street in Placerville. In addition, the works of many local artists will be featured and the “Banners on Parade” community art project will be displayed with the banners to be auctioned for sale that evening. Music at The Bell Tower, art demonstrations & hors d’oeuvres, too. Why not come for a visit?

Fun & Games in Placerville

This Thanksgiving you can find more than turkey and stuffing in Placerville. The Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast is offering a "How to Geocache" over the holiday weekend with the innkeepers. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt using a GPS. Fun for all ages, there are plenty of caches in the gold rush town of Placerville to keep you busy all weekend!

Some recent reviews

We are so lucky to have the best guests in the world....Apple Hill is happening so we have been staying fairly busy in Placerville.

"Shafsky B&B is clean & comfortable, great food and very helpful owners”

Aug 19, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
They accomodated our late arrival, recommended a perfect restaurant and made the reservations, and served a great breakfast.

“Like Staying with Friends”

Aug 18, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
Beautifully restored home steeped in history, short walk over a foot bridge to Old Town, comfortable rooms that take you back to yesteryear, but mostly hosts that instantly make you feel like long-time friends. Add entertainment by a darling dashund named Lilly, a fantastic gourmet breakfast the next morning, interesting/friendly other guests, and you know you have picked the perfect b&b.

“Very charming B&B”

Jun 17, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
Really fantastic B&B, perfect in every way. Rita and Stephanie were wonderful hosts and made us feel like friends rather than guests. The room was large and very charming, and the attentions to detail was incredible. It was clear that a lot of heart and effort went into this 1902 house. Having the privilege of spending two summer days at such a place is one of the things that make life so wonderful.
The B&B was very easy to get to, and very close to downtown Placerville. We ended up walking to and from Main Street, which was very pleasant. In summary, the best B&B we've ever stayed at, and would recommend it to anyone

Thanksgiving and geocaching in Placerville

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albert Shafsky House B&B

Find more than Thanksgiving leftovers by geocaching in Placerville! You will never look at the world outside the same way.

PLACERVILLE, CA, August 14, 2009 -- Albert Shafsky House B&B to offer geocaching with the innkeepers this Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving you can find more than turkey and stuffing in Placerville. The Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast is offering a "How to Geocache" over the holiday weekend with the innkeepers. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt, where you use a GPS to locate a cache that has been "logged" into Geocaching.com. Fun for all ages, there are plenty of caches in the gold rush town of Placerville to keep you busy all weekend.

The $150 package includes:

special check-in reception
introduction to geocaching and hands-on experience hunting for caches
tips for successful "finds"
Geomate.jr. for guests to use and take home (one per room)
supplies to make your first "hide"
** 3 nights lodging at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville (AAA rated and number 1 on Tripadvisor) not included in package - rates will vary depending on your room choice
The Geomate.jr. is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations in all 50 U.S. states and is a great way to get started in the world of geocaching. The festivities will begin on Thursday at 6 pm with wine and nibbles at check-in. Learn how to cache after breakfast on Friday, then head downtown with the innkeepers to find your first cache of the weekend. Saturday after a delicious breakfast, we will create your first hide (materials provided), be shown how to create a free account on geocaching.com, and look up hints and tips for finding more caches. “Geocaching is not only great fun for kids and adults alike but an excellent way to explore any neighborhood” said Warren Hewerdine, Senior Director of Marketing at Apisphere and co-inventor of the Geomate.jr, “By offering a geocaching program like this, the Albert Shafsky House B & B is not just offering a great way for their guests to explore the local area, but introducing them to an activity that they can enjoy long after their visit.”

For still more reasons to visit, Placerville will be starting the holidays off with a tree lighting on Friday, November 27th from 5:30-8:00 pm which closes Historic Main Street to cars and offers music, entertainment, Santa, stagecoach rides and shopping for that special gift. Saturday, November 28th the shops on Main will welcome you with coffee, cider and seasonal goodies to tempt you...and maybe you can find the cache at the Historic Bell Tower too!

The innkeepers of the Albert Shafsky House (Rita Timewell and Stephanie Carlson) have been hunting for caches for over a year and have over a hundred "finds", large and small, near their award winning bed and breakfast. "It gets us out of the inn, and let's us see the world (and our neighborhood) in a new way" said Carlson. The inn has three guest rooms, each with private bath, offers wine, wireless and of course a delightful breakfast during your stay.

SOURCE: Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast

CONTACT:
Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast
Email: stay@shafsky.com
URL: http://www.shafsky.com

For more information about the Geomate.jr: email warren@apishere.com or to to www.mygeomate.com

Apple Hill and Labor Day

Ahh, the hot days of August are winding down---only supposed to be 85 next week.  Time for apple season to start!  Yes, Apple Hill begins next weekend and we are looking forward to all sorts of delicious treats (ciders, strudels, tarts, pies, and of course the crafts items that are on display).  We are going to get apple donuts on Labor Day!  I can hardly wait!

The El Dorado County Artists at holding their Annual Studio Tour Sept 18-20 and we still have one room available for you art lovers (or you can come for Apple Hill donuts!).  91 artists, 30 locations, 3 days--how can you go wrong?

Make the Albert Shafsky House B&B your home base for exploring all that El Dorado County has to offer.

Don't let the Gold Discovery Park be closed...

So, we went to the Gold Discovery Park today and had a great time....just one thing...it is on the list to be CLOSED....

If you can help, we would love it...we have had a number of friends and family, and guests go to the the park and we all love it.  At just minutes from the Albert Shafsky House B&B, this is a one the treasures that we really don't want to lose.

So, here is the page from the website with donation information and places to write letters...and there is a meeting in the park Thursday, August 27 @ 6:00pm in the park by the museum - BRING A FRIEND

-----
Help Stop the Closure of the State Park Where Gold Was Discovered!
Written by Administrator
Saturday, 22 August 2009 08:17
Latest Updates

Next Meeting: Thursday, August 27 @ 6:00pm in the park by the museum - BRING A FRIEND
Flyers and posters will be available for download Saturday evening or Sunday. Feel free to copy and hand them out.

What's Going On...
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is on the closure list. Not much information is available from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and we are told a decision on the final list of closures will not be available until after Labor Day. This is the most significant historic park in the state and probably west of the Missouri river. Over 70,000 school children visit every spring to see the living history Coloma brings to life with docents, tours, and demonstrations of the Gold Rush era. It is the number one destination in the Sacramento area.

The closure will not stop people from coming to the park. Highway 49 runs right through the park and fencing it off is impossible. People will not stop coming and if the State closes it the historic buildings and sites are in danger of vandalism and deterioration. The public safety during closure is of high concern to DPR. Artifacts now in the museum will have to be moved to Sacramento for safe keeping. People will not stop coming to the park. We are determined to stop the closure and keep the staff and volunteer programs.

How you can help:
Write letters, pass out flyers,etc. (Flyers will be posted for download soon.)
Let us know your ideas (contact gdpa@marshallgold.org )

Talking Points for letter writing campaign:
The park won't really close, it will just deteriorate without oversight and upkeep
No security for historic treasures - they will be lost
Thousands of visitors every year will find no parking or public restrooms
Over 70,000 school children visit every year and would be turned away
Living history with historic buildings and docents interpreting the Gold Rush era
Twenty plus years of building a volunteer base will be lost
Public safety, health & welfare must be maintained by keeping it staffed and serviced
It has immense historic and educational value - in California history, and as the nucleus of the CA State Park system
It is a wonderful recreational resource for many types of people and families
It is an important economic engine that many local and CA businesses depend upon
It will be more expensive to try to keep people out than to keep it open & running

How to Help...
Write Letters:
Governor Schwarzenegger - http://gov.ca.gov/interact , State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814
Director of California State Parks Ruth Coleman - rcoleman@parks.ca.gov , Director of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296
Legislators in the area and outside the area...
WE NEED STATEWIDE SUPPORT FOR THE PARK.
Find your legislator at assembly.ca.gov and senate.ca.gov and gov.ca.gov

Distribute Flyers
Download and Print
Flyers (3 on a 8.5x11 sheet) Available soon
Poster (for business windows, mailboxes, etc.) Available soon

Join March on the Capitol
Planning stage - volunteer to help
Needs to happen in next 7 to 10 days

What is being done:
Ron Briggs, 4th district county Supervisor bosfour@co.el-dorado.ca.us
Working on a request to meet with the Governor
Pursuing political avenues
Holding community meetings
Has put together a resolution to keep the park open
Is putting together a "Red Team" like they did with the Camino Mill closure
Is working to help coordinate local efforts to keep the park open

Community Action Committees being formed
Letter Writing Campaign - contact Lois Fortress, gdpa@marshallgold.org
Contact schools that have visited the park and request they send letters to the Governor or legislatures (teachers, kids, districts, etc)
Create flyers to hand out in community, to teachers, to school children, post in businesses, etc
March on the Capitol - contact Lois Fortress, gdpa@marshallgold.org
Organize children and docents in period dress, if possible, to gather at the capitol on a certain date
Ron Briggs is working on the best date and arrangements
Coordinated by Ron Briggs and Lois Fortress for now, need a chairperson
Impact on Community, contact Marjorie, info@colomacountryinn.com
The Lotus/Coloma Chamber of Commerce is taking the lead on this one. Info will be posted on www.coloma.com
Links will be provided here when available

Albert Shafsky House B&B Receives 2009 Best of Placerville Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albert Shafsky House B&B Receives 2009 Best of Placerville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Albert Shafsky House B&B has been selected for the 2009 Best of Placerville Award in the Bed & Breakfasts category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

August Pig Roast this weekend

This Saturday and Sunday our favorite place for Placerville peaches is having their annual pig roast at the orchard. We always try and make it out for pork, salad, music and peach cobbler! It is always a great time and just minutes from the bed and breakfast.

Hooverville Orchards

1100 Wallace Rd
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-2155

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Been a while since I have had a chance to update the blog for Placerville

We are winding down the summer here at our Placerville bed and breakfast and have been keeping busy....rafting, geocaching, visiting new and old places on Historic Main Street. In fact in the morning, will be the Annual Craft Faire so Main will be closed for all the goodies to be out.

We have a new ice cream, actually gelato, store open on Main Street so if you are in Placerville, be sure to give them a taste. Zia's artisan gelatos are made fresh daily and they offer twelve flavors of gelato from pistachio to passion fruit. They also have espresso drinks, distinctive desserts and pastries. Zia's is Located at 312 Main Street.

Hours:

Monday CLOSED

Tues - Thursday 10 - 7

Friday, Saturday 9 - 9

Sunday 12 - 6

August 15th once again brings Saturday Night Art Walk to Historic Main Street in Placerville. Come and enjoy gelato, shopping and fine dining for the day.

And just for fun....

Albert Shafsky House B&B Receives 2009 Best of Placerville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Albert Shafsky House B&B has been selected for the 2009 Best of Placerville Award in the Bed & Breakfasts category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Placerville, CA

Scenes around Placerville....or inside the bed and breakfast...

Weekend in Placerville!!!!

Looking for something to do on this rather warm El Dorado County weekend....On Saturday June 27th and Sunday June 28th Colibri Ridge Winery & Vineyard will be celebrating it's 5th year anniversary. They will also be celebrating the latest release of award winning wines, 2005 Fair Play Mourvedre (Gold & Best of Class at the Amador County Fair), and the 2005 El Dorado Petite Sirah (Silver at the 2009 Amador County Fair). Enjoy live entertainment with the talented local artist Johnny Mojo, and gourmet barbequed hamburgers & cheeseburgers will be available for $5.00 each (no charge for Club Colibri wine club members). During the celebration there will be special discounts on wines. On Saturday they will be celebrating from 12:00 to 5:00 and on Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00. Come and enjoy good food, good entertainment and of course good wine.

And of course, for those of you keeping track...this is our 7th anniversary here at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville...Hard to believe, thank you to all who have stayed and made us better innkeepers over the years...we consider you friends.

Friday nights in Placerville....

It is that time of year...rafting, the El Dorado County Fair and Friday nights at Boeger Winery for sunsets, music and wine. What better way to start the weekend of festivities than with us at the Albert Shafsky House B&B and a visit to Boeger.  Join us this Friday, June 19th and enjoy the smooth sounds of Tamra Godey from 5-8pm. Of course the winery will have wine, pack a snack or get one there.

BedandBreakfast.com reviews of our Placerville bed and breakfast

Travelers' Reviews for Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast Inn on BedandBreakfast.com

Geocache near the Placerville Bed and Breakfast

June is here! Time for a bunch of events

Aw where to begin. Somehow it got to be June, not too sure where May went. Our friend finished her dissertation and became Dr. Carolyn, the kids are out of school in El Dorado County, rafting is here and it has been warm enough to go already and we have several events coming up that might be of interest/or you may find us there.

June 13th --- Wagon Train and Placerville Founders Day. Celebrate Placerville's 155th birthday on Historic Main Street all afternoon with us. Placerville was founded 155 years ago, just a few miles from where gold was first discovered in California. To celebrate, Historic Main Street in Placerville closes to welcome the Highway 50 Wagon Train and host the Founders Day Street Faire with living history exhibits and re-enactments, gem-panning, fire engine displays, pony rides, costume contests, music, a decorated banners display and more from 1PM to 5PM. Free to the public.

June 18th-21 - The El Dorado County Fair comes back to town! This year's theme is "Hooves to Horsepower" and promises as much fun as always.

June 27th
Bell Tower Brewfest, 6PM to 9PM
This popular Placerville event will be hosted again by downtown merchants and will include a street closure for added enjoyment and safety for all patrons. Entertainment will feature the Bill Magee Blues Band, the Mark St. Mary Zydeco Band, and Trac 7 in different locations on Main Street. If you are interested in sampling over 40 different micro-brews, tickets will need to be purchased for patrons over 21 years of age. Tickets are limited and expected to sellout before that evening, so plan on getting them early. They will go on sale in late May for $30 at River City Bank, Tony Matthews The Wine Smith and Placerville Brewing in Placerville. Or, tickets can be purchased onl-ine with a credit card. For more info on this big fundraiser, please contact the Placerville Downtown Association at (530) 672-3436.

More fun at the Fairgrounds.....
July 4
Family Blast
Main Lawn Area – Gates Open at 4:00 pm
Live Music by Bad Iron
Fireworks, Kids Activities. Food and Beverage available for purchase.
For more information, call 530-621-5860

July 4
Placerville Speedway
Pits open @ 3:30 pm, Gates Open @ 5:00 pm, Qualifying @ 6:30 pm.
Admission - Adults $ 15.00, Juniors $ 10.00, Children $ 5.00
Parking is $ 5.00 per vehicle.
For more information http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com/placerville/

July 5
Flea Market
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
For more information, call the Fair Office at (530) 621-5860 or eldoradocountyfair.org/flea.html

July 5
Placerville Speedway
Pits open @ 3:30 pm, Gates Open @ 5:00 pm, Qualifying @ 6:30 pm.
Admission - Adults $ 15.00, Juniors $ 10.00, Children $ 5.00
Parking is $ 5.00 per vehicle.
For more information http://www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com/placerville/


All this to do and the summer is just beginning! Hope to see you soon!

Review us on Bedandbreakfast.com

Travelers' Reviews for Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast Inn on BedandBreakfast.com

Memorial Day weekend

Ahh, summer officially starts for El Dorado County on Saturday--the high schools all graduate and that always seems like summer to us.  Besides, this is a great time to try out one of our favorite things--rafting on the American River or wandering thru the Gold Discovery Park in Coloma.  Maybe you will even come visit and find a geocache or two.

Best part is....we still have a room at the inn for you this weekend if you would like to get away from it all...Lily would love to see you.

Geocache near the Placerville Bed and Breakfast

Recently there have been more people staying at the inn who know what geocaching is about. For those of you who are not familiar with this sport here is some background from Geocaching.com

"Getting Started with Geocaching
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache.

Easy Steps to Geocaching

Register for a free membership.
Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
Enter your postal code and click "search."
Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
Share your geocaching stories and photos online."

We (okay, mostly Steph) have been out several times to enjoy the local area in a different way--and have discover some interesting bits of history we did not know were so close and in some case nearly right under our noses! There is also a site where you can post waymarks, "Waymarking is a way to mark unique locations on the planet and give them a voice. While GPS technology allows us to pinpoint any location on the planet, mark the location, and share it with others, Waymarking is the toolset for categorizing and adding unique information for that location" called waymarking.com where the Albert Shafsky House B&B is listed.  Try it next time you visit a new place or just want to see things in a different way in your own home town.

Beauty and the Beast at Imagination Theater in December 2009

Many of you know that the bed and breakfast is a big fan of our local theater. The December show this year will be Beauty and the Beast at Imagination Theater in December 2009. I know some folks, some are even related, who really like to plan and are booked for things month in advance, so here a a helpful list of dates.

Wednesday, December 2 – 7:00 p.m. (Family Night - Cast Only)
Friday, December 4 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 – 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 9 – (Sponsor Night - no public tickets)
Thursday, December 10 – Student Night – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 17 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, December 21 – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 26 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 27 - 2:00 p.m.

This is the current listing of the dates and times. Check with the box office to verify should you have any questions. 530-642-0404...and don't forget you can make a long weekend of it and stay at the Albert Shafsky House B&B with us.

Placerville, CA in El Dorado County

Located in the Historic District of Placerville, the Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast is just a short stroll from Main Street. Find art galleries, antique shops, historic buildings, specialty stores and several excellent dining establishments as you meander through this town so rich in Old West History.

Visit Placerville Hardware, the Bell Tower, Pearson’s Soda Works, the old Court House, the Ziesz Brewery Ruins and the Fountain Tallman Soda Works which is now a Museum.

Placerville is well-known for having a colorful Gold Rush past. It started in Coloma in 1848 when James Marshall discovered gold flecks in a sawmill and carries on through today as Hangtown remains the hub of the Mother Lode. Named after the Placer Gold deposits found in its river beds and hills in the late 1840’s, Placerville’s rich mining history and lore includes the infamous Hangman’s Tree.

Visit us this spring/summer for whitewater rafting and vineyard tasting!

Springtime at our Placerville bed and breakfast

Was a lovely, if a bit unseasonably warm, Spring day yesterday in El Dorado County. Just a short drive from our bed and breakfast are many foothill wineries to sample, so we decided to zip up to Camino and see our friends at Wofford Acres Wines and enjoy their view and the afternoon.

A little Geocaching in Coloma, El Dorado County

Some of you may know that I have been geocaching near our Placerville bed and breakfast for a while now. I blame my Aunt and Uncle who recently innsat for us for getting me started.....in fact, I found one in Florence while they were innsitting the B&B! So, our pals at the American River Conservancy (great group) are holding a class this Sunday for more information.

Geo Caching-Add Adventure to your Hike
Because of rain, this program was rescheduled to...
Sunday, April 5th 9 am - 12 pm

If you were unable to attend this in March, you'll be happy to know it's been re-scheduled due to rain.

The class will start with about a 20-minute lecture and then off to find your first cache. You will learn about how a GPS works, what kind of caches there are, and some techniques on how to find them. At each cache you will stop for few minutes to learn something new. Walter Cullop, ARC volunteer and GPS enthusiast, will be teaching this informative program. This is a 3-mile moderate hike for ages 12+. Please call to sign up and for meeting location (Pilot Hill area) 530-621-1224 or contact julie@arconservancy.org.

FREE/Members, $5/non-members.

Passport event this weekend in Placerville, CA - El Dorado County

Spring has sprung in Placerville CA, though you might not have known it on Sunday when we had sunshine, snow, hail and sleet all within just a few hours! Nevertheless this is the start to the El Dorado County wine growers big weekends: Passport at our El Dorado County wineries. For the first time in over a decade they have not yet sold all the tickets to this wonderful weekend (next weekend too).

We feel very lucky to have so many wonderful wineries in our Placerville "backyard" - Boeger, Wofford Acres, Madrona, Mount Aukum, Venezio and Gold Hill to name just a few....

And since we just returned from Italy--spot the real Venice!

Some reviews from Trip Advisor about our Placerville bed and breakfast

A BIG "Thank you" to all who have written recently about our Placerville bed and breakfast in El Dorado County, California.  We  try to do our very best with each and every guest who stays with us.

"We were able to walk into the main area of Placerville and enjoy a fine dinner at a restaurant recommended by Rita, who arranged a reservation for us. This B&B is lovely, well maintained with a wonderful breakfast. We stayed in the Vineyard Room--spacious with a nice bath and comfortable bed. Lots of amenities and very welcoming hosts."

"We couldn't have found a better place to stay than the Albert Shafsky House. The Victorian house is quite charming. We were treated like royalty. Rita and Stephanie were incredible hosts. The breakfasts were out of this world. Rita is an outstanding cook. We felt like we were in a 5 star hotel yet with a very homey feeling. The house is in walking distance of downtown Placerville which was very nice. They have some great places for dinner. We will certainly be back for another very relaxing weekend. We will be recommending this B & B to anyone looking for that special place to go."

"Rita and Stephanie make you feel like a member of their family. They greet you at the door when you arrive, have a glass of fine wine ready for you so you can sit and relax in front of the fireplace and offer to make those last minute dinner reservations. What more could you ask for!

"We stayed at this amazing B&B for our wedding night (1/5/08) and then we came back for our first anniversary.
The vineyard room has the MOST amazing bed we have ever slept it--it's heaven. It's a king size bed with a memory foam mattress, topped with a feather mattress, and then is has luxurious sheets and two comforters. You literally sink into it! Not to mention that all of the decor is wine related and done in shades of burgundy and pink--very calming and romantic.
They provide nice robes and slipper socks, perfect for cuddling up next to the fire in the living room and reading one of their many books.
The breakfasts are gourmet and so yummy. We had fruit, apple muffins or mango nut bread, sausage and a Shafsky benedict (poached egg on grilled veggies and an English muffin) or dutch babies (an egg pancake topped with cinnamon apples and whipped cream).
To top it all off, Rita and Stephanie are so warm and friendly you feel like you are staying with friends. They have lots of information about the area, and even made reservations for us. They also got us hooked on geocaching--lots of fun!
They also have a very cute little dachshund named Lilly, who rules the castle, so to speak (she's very well behaved and adorable).
It's the best place to go to relax, reconnect with each other and recharge your batteries."

Thank you to all who wrote, we look forward to having you stay with us again. If you have yet to try us out when you are wine tasting in El Dorado County, visiting Placerville, or our nearby gold rush locations, please consider staying with us. If you have never tried and bed and breakfast, we promise to make it a comfortable experience!

Facebook is not just for kids anymore

Oh the irony....I spoke at the California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns (CABBI) about Facebook and social networking and how it was starting to be used by people older than college students and in today's Sacramento Bee there was a great article about the same thing.  Of course we have had an account for the Placerville bed and breakfast for some time now...and I will say it has been great fun to add various Shafsky family members as "friends" of the El Dorado County Bed and Breakfast that we love so much.

Facebook is pulling in – gasp – your parents. - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Posted using ShareThis

SCA Feast in Placerville near the B&B this weekend

The local chapter of the SCA is holding the second annual Emeritus Feast at the Shakespeare Hall just down the streeet from the Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast in Placerville this Saturday, February 28. The hall will be decorated to suit the period and there will be belly dancers, a wandering lute player, choral performances, recorder music, song and poetry. In addition to the costumes and entertainment, dinner promises to be a special event as well with several mouth-watering coursed to work through.

-Tickets are $20 for SCA members , $25 for the general public, and $15 for those 6-15 yrs. old.
-Available on-line right here by selecting "Purchase Now" and at mountainsgateshire.org
-Voicemail: (530) 663-8428 for a call back to place an order.
-If you need further information: (530) 622-0784, or (530) 306-9585 before 10pm.
-Autocrat - Geoffrey of Clan Fergus, (530)306-9585. gatekeeper@mountainsgate.com

Snow in the Foothills...

So much for Placerville being "above the fog and below the snow"...last night and today defy the Chamber's slogan with a blanket of white making conditions exciting for residents and visitors alike in El Dorado County....Here is a few scenes from our B&B last night and now...at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville.

Calling all innkeepers

Fantastic, fun, fabulous, exhausting, wonderful and innspiring...that is how we felt last night when we returned to the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville after our INNSPIRE CABBI weekend. We saw old friends, made some new ones (the guys at B&B Team for one) and spent a lot of time networking with other innkeepers and learning new tips. We got our batteries recharged and have some great ideas to help us work on the bed and breakfast and in the B&B for the rest of the year.

We also spent some time at the Trade Show with our pals from Branching Out Pottery, who provided us the very cool name tags we wore at the conference...Thank you Karen! Some of our innkeeping buddies from Casa Tropicana and the McCaffery House got them too.

All in all it was a great time, will plenty to learn and do...we hope if you are an aspiring innkeeper or are running a bed and breakfast now, that you will join us for the 18th CABBI Conference in Napa January 31-February 2, 2010, as it promises to be just as Innspiring!

InnSpire is this weekend in Monterey

It is not too late to join Rita and I in Monterey for the 2009 INNSPIRE CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW. As usual the Albert Shafsky House will be attending to network with other innkeepers, attend the trade show to seek out new goodies for the rooms and guests to enjoy put on by the State Bed and Breakfast Association. This year the 2009 InnSpire Conference and Trade Show will be in beautiful Monterey, California where the famous 17-Mile Drive meets 17 years of CABBI's dedication to educating innkeepers.

The 2009 InnSpire Conference and Trade Show will take place February 1-3, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa, located at One Old Golf Course Road, Monterey, CA 93940.

Innkeepers will share ideas with each other, aspiring innkeepers will get to find out if they have what it takes to make their dream a reality and all will have a great time at the trade show and getting to know one another better. We look forward to the CABBI conference all year!

Rooms available for Passport Weekend in March

We won't be able to provide tickets but we are here if you need a place to use as "home base". We have the Gandy and Alberta's Attic Suite open and ready for you to enjoy at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville as you taste the best of El Dorado County wines.

Sweets for your sweetie at Boeger

This just in from our friends at Boeger Winery just minutes from our Placerville bed and breakfast.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Snuggle up to your sweetie with a glass of wine in our 1872 Historic Wine Cellar at Boeger Winery. Impress your Sweetie with this romantic Valentine's Day wine tasting. Enjoy scrumptious handmade chocolates from Fudge Factory Farms paired with a selection of our fantastic wines including our extremely limited and highly sought after Barbera Reserve and Sangiovese Reserve in our one of a kind "lovers" logo glass. Be one of the first to try the new release of our 2008 Rose -- A delightfully dry Barbera & Mourvedre blend.

$20.00/ per person (includes glass)
$15.00/ club members (includes glass)

Sweetie Sampler Packs of Boeger Wines...will be available at a special price this day only!

*RSVP to Tara tara@boegerwinery.com or call 800/655-2634 ext. 18

A few American River events

Always a great group, the American River Conservancy has a couple of great events. Both are just a few minutes from our Placerville bed and breakfast.

Using Your Spice Rack as a Medicine Cabinet

Saturday, Jan. 10th 10:30 am - 1 pm
Many people don't know they have an amazing medicine chest for colds, flu, upset stomach and other acute ailments right in their spice rack. Candice Cantin will show you how to use the common spices you know and love for home-made medicines. FREE TO MEMBERS/ $5 non-members

Please call (530) 621-1224

AND

Join BLM Botanist, Al Franklin and ARC Staff as we plant Oak Seedling at Cronan Ranch
Monday, Jan. 12th, 2009
9 am to 12 noon (ish)
Pedro Hill staging area.
Event happens light rain or shine. Recommended dress is long pants and long sleeve shirts, sturdy shoes, eye and sun protection, and gloves. Bring water and any snacks you'll want. Tools will be provided.

RSVP is kindly requested so we know how many tools to bring. Gail at (530) 621-1224 or gail@arconservancy.org

CABBI Conference for bed and breakfast owners and aspiring innkeepers

Yes, it is that time of year when we put away the decorations at the Albert Shafsky House and think about heading to the California Bed and Breakfast (CABBI) which will be held in Monterey later this month...This year it happens to fall on Super Bowl weekend and we are so looking forward to wearing our favorite team jerseys to the event.  Go Niners!

This year the conference will be combining the aspiring innkeepers with the "old hands" (like us I suppose now).  Rita is going to be speaking this year about what it is like to live where you work, a topic we are intimately familiar with and I will we hosting a workshop on Blogs and Social Networking.

If you are interested in attending this great, informative, networking, trade show event, please click here.

FACTS:
17th Annual CABBI InnSpire Conference
Date: February 1-3, 2009
Where: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Website: www.innspireconference.com
Direct them here where they can register, look at the schedule & workshop descriptions, Hyatt info etc.
Or this link is right to the schedule and workshop descriptions:
http://www.innspireconference.com/conference-schedule.php

Some reviews recently posted on Yelp.com

Below are some new reviews from Yelp.com and pretty cool site that lists "real reviews by real people" and our Placerville Bed and breakfast is on their list...a bit far down, but on the list.


Gloria H.
San Jose, CA
5 star rating12/29/2008
I am a long time FAN.

This is the place to stay! Whether you are on your way to Tahoe and beyond or just spending some time in the foothills of California, Shafsky House is like home, but without the work. The Inn Keepers Rita and Stephanie are friendly, and make you feel welcome. The food is GREAT, and better than any restaurant. They are willing to accommodate special dietary needs,too. Just tell them what you need and Rita will work out a special breakfast just for you.
The location is central to all kinds of activities. It is a great place to stay when skiing. It is central to Apple Hill, White water rafting, & exploring the gold country. It is also a good place to just relax, read and stroll the local shops.
The rooms are comfortable, the beds Heavenly. It is one of the few B&B's that has a bedroom downstairs for those individuals who don't navigate stairs easily.
We love this place and it has become the only place we stay when visiting the area. We recommend Shafsky House to anyone who wants a friendly, clean, and comfortable place to stay.


Dele P.
Sunnyvale, CA
5 star rating12/22/2008
Yep, that's right, I'm a fan. Correction, I'm a FAN. : )
Where to start?
The house is beautiful, historic, and comfortable. The beds are HEAVENLY. The rooms are well-appointed with whatever amanities you would need.
Breakfast is always delicious and thoughtfully prepared. Fresh fruits, great coffee, blueberry pancakes last time we were there, oooh, I wish I were there NOW!!!
Great location--- walking distance to many fun shops downtown Placerville and not far from Apple Hill.
The innkkeepers have become good friends to us over the years and our several visits. Also, we love this place so much that we gave gift certificates to our bridal party as a thank you gift for their participation in our wedding.
You truly feel like you've gone to visit with friends when you stay at Shafsky House.


Carolyn Z.
Des Plaines, IL
5 star rating12/22/2008
What a wonderful place to stay in Placerville. The inn is within walking distance of downtown and within driving distance of fantastic wineries and historic sites.
The rooms are lovely, individually decorated, and comfortable. The Inn Keepers, Rita and Stephanie make you feel welcome.
In the morning, you are greeted with the aroma of breakfast and coffee. Breakfast is made by Rita and is always a special treat. The Shafsky House recently won an award for having the best breakfast! Well Deserved!

Marilyn A.
San Jose, CA
5 star rating12/18/2008
I love to visit this charming old Victorian. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated. The food is great and the beds are comfy. This is a great location. Lots of things to do in the area and you can walk to town.