Sierra Mountain Times

Dennis Sanfilippo, owner of the Nugget Bar and recording industry mogul.

I was stunned in Modesto recently when I chatted with a few people (fine people) there. I could not believe that they did not know what, or where, Twain Harte was! So, this column shall be dedicated to those poor souls.

Twain Harte (pop: 2,586; elev: 3,720) is a charming hamlet off Hwy 108, just 11 miles east of Sonora, in Tuolumne County. Skiers, campers, hikers, hunters, fishermen (and people who get lost) stop there to enjoy the many unique boutiques and eateries (not to mention the half dozen or so places that will serve a cold beer at a counter – including the world-class mecca for area sports fans, Courtside Sports Bar and Grill (in the Twain Harte Shopping Center). But, I’d like to focus my attention on the intersection below the famous Twain Harte Arch and Flagpole! I cannot believe that someone as close as Modesto (approx 60 miles away) has never heard of the famous Twain Harte Arch and Flagpole! O.K., when I lived in Sacramento, I’d never heard of it – but “Sacto” is 100 miles away. So cut me some slack.

Right under the arch is a large shop called Secrets of the Forest. There, owners Greg and Paulette Caron will happily guide you through their forest of incredible gifts.  From frosted pretzel balls and chocolate-covered sunflower seed kernels; to cabin/lodge-style décor; to custom log furniture – including an awesome-looking wine bar custom made in Twain Harte by “Pieces From The Pines” using local cedar! The store touts “Fun items for the entire family”. I ventured way back to the inner-most parts of the store and found a groovy gift: A board game called “Senior Moments” The package says, “You can’t remember the last time you played a game like this!” and “You’re never too young to have a senior moment, or to play Senior Moments, a memory game for anyone who needs the practice!” Right next door, there’s the Banyan Tree, another one of my SMT delivery stops. Sylvia Kincaid, boutique clerk, is always cheerful. I ask her: What’s new? And she tells me. “Lots and lots of scarves!!  And a new thing called a “ruwana”! It’s like a pancho, worn like a wrap.  Then we have a wonderful thing we call a “bubble blouse”, which fits everybody; They stretch!” “Hmm, interesting,” I tell Sylvia. “Then we have a special 99 cent table with stocking stuffers!” Indeed, I learned a lot about women’s fashions there – but now I was hungry. I walked a few more feet, to the legendary Sportsman’s Coffee Shop; dropped off a couple big bundles of SMT; then sat down and indulged in a killer omelet called the “Sportsman Omelet.”  It’s to die for! Owner Nathan Lawler also has some bragging rights. He claims to be the “Home of the tri-tip burger! “The only tri-tip burger served in the state of California!” he proclaims. (Next door, China House, serves incredible Chinese food, and has a bountiful buffet on Friday nights!)

Across the street is a groovy little gift shop called the Elegant Cottage. Sadly, it will be closing after December 24th. Gwen, the owner, would like our readers to know that ALL* her merchandise (*with just a few tiny exceptions) is 50% off! (cash or checks, only). And all the fixtures will be for sale, too. Stop in and say “Hi!” to Gwen, and get a good deal while you’re at it! There is sooo much to see in Twain Harte; also known as the “Sierra’s Original Winter Wonderland,””The Home of the 24 hour 7-11, and the land of “More Trees Than People!” There is A LOT to see in Twain Harte; so much so, I’ll have to continue your tour of the town in next week’s issue.

It’s gonna be a long day, but I gotta keep on truckin’ (in my Chevy S-10). Got to get my SMTs up Hwy 108 to Strawberry (And I’m a happy camper, ‘cause I filled up back at the Sonora Arco where gas (as of this writing) was only $1.59/gallon! Life is groovy!) As soon as I’m in Sugar Pine, I’m able to pull in my favorite Sacramento radio station: Classic Rock 96.9 FM, “The Eagle!” They’re doing something special. They’re playing their ENTIRE vault, A to Z (by song title)! I don’t want to miss much of this, so I’ve equipped myself with one of my Walkmans, with earplugs! (Remember the” Walkman” that personal, portable stereo radio with a belt clip?) I‘ve got a couple that still work! …..The D.J says, “We usually play what you want to hear, but when you play the ENTIRE vault, you’re bound to play a few ‘clunkers!’” Hey, I’m not complaining. I’m hearing things I haven’t heard on the radio, IN QUITE A LONG TIME like ”Freeway Jam” by Jeff Beck, “Happy Together” by The Turtles, “Help Me, I’m Falling” by Joni Mitchell, et.al…..And 96.9 promises “no repeats” during this 30 day special programming! Right On!!!!

So I got my deliveries done in Tuolumne. Now I gotta to get Calaveras. I stop into the “Growler” Craft Brewery (164 Hwy 4, Murphys); place my SMTs, and order an IPA (a tasty brew, indeed!). And C.J., the bartender reads me my horoscope (Taurus), in the San Francisco Chronicle (12/7/08). It says, “As 2008 reels towards the finish line, your life is a trip in more ways than one. Get out, see and be seen (I can’t help but be seen as I deliver SMT)…Test the waters while looking for a guru. (I’ve already got one)…..You’ll stretch mentally (ouch), emotionally, even spiritually through the person. Growth opportunities abound.” By the way, my personal guru, Mahat, whom I’ve now had for about a year, instructed me further in the fine art of the hippy dippy rain dance. On his advice, I boogied over to Benjamin Fig (at 129 S. Washington Street, downtown Sonora) and bought a bunch of incense sticks. They’ve got about 200 aromas, but considering our drought, I selected “Rain Forest.” I shall burn it during my hippy dippy rain dance. And we should have some SERIOUS rain by the 13th of December!!!

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST! James Werthman, manager of the “Growler” is planning a “psychedelic night” for January 31st! “Wear your psychedelic shirt (or blouse, skirt, etc), and you’ll get a free taster!” Cool!

Happy Birthday, Paul Rodgers! One of the great rock singers of our time! He belted out the vocals for the bands Free, Bad Co., The Firm; and now has joined Queen, as their lead singer! On December 12th, he turns 59, and he’s still got it! I think that next payday, I’m gonna stop at Village Tunes, (Twain Harte) and get me that new release, “Queen + Paul Rodgers: The Cosmos Rocks!” Critics are giving it good reviews.

A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Quilt (14833 Mono Way) is having a Holiday open house on December 12th. There’ll be free scones, free tea, and a drawing for a gift basket! Festivities start at 10 a.m..

There may not be any rain or snow, as of this writing, however I’ve been seeing the “Chains Required” sign!  Actually, that’s the name of a really hot 10-piece (local) band that plays classic rock, funk and R & B. They played the recent Sonora Christmas Festival – and atop a fire engine in the Sonora Chistmas Parade; They’’ll be appearing December 13th at The Lumberyard Brewery (Standard), and on December 20th at Big Daddy’s Smokin’ BarBQue (Sugar Pine!)

An up-and-coming group called ‘Them Changes” (named after the late, great drummer Buddy Mile’s hit song), will be rockin’ the Lumberyard on December 20th! Check them out!
The Black Irish Band had a CD release party at the Frog and Fiddle, (177 S. Washington), December 6th. They played for a couple hours and the audience heard the new songs for the first time! The new release, titled “California Story”, features “The Ballad of John Muir,” “In the High Sierra,” “California’s Gold,” “Sonora Farwell” and 13 other great songs! I’m gonna have to say that this, the band’s 19th album, since they formed in 1989, is their best effort yet! If you can dig some Irish/Italian acoustic music that tells the story of California, pick up your copy at Village Tunes, All That Matters (also in Twain Harte), Mountain Bookstore (Junction Shopping Center), Sonora Music, Railtown 1897, Bowl of Cherries (downtown Sonora, Aeolian Harp (Angels Camp) and Ironstone (Murphys). Would make a great Christmas gift!

Check out the photo of Dennis Sanfilippo, owner of the Nugget Bar in Murphys! He’s holding the prestigious award he recently won at the New Music Awards in Los Angeles. His record label, Big 7/Lofton Creek won for “Best Country Label of the Year” – for the second straight year! How did he do it? “We did it with artists like Tom Wurth; Christine Van Hoy; Eddie Money, who just did a new “Other Side of Money” with Vince Gill. We’ve been getting a lot of radio play on the country stations, and I guess that’s how we won it,” Dennis explained. “And one of our artists, Lance Miller, came out with a new album and did a 42-city tour – opening up for Tim McGraw.  …And, we came out with a new album with Mark Chesnutt, (on Lofton Creek), called “Rolling with the Flow” – which had a couple singles that charted! We hope to continue on with what we’re doing!” Dennis said with a big smile. I may be a hippy, but I’m really groovin’ on country music since I moved up here! So, keep those tunes comin’, Dennis! Dig it!