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E X P L O R E

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exploresonora.com

Pinecrest Lake

Sonora Shop & Stroll

Indigeny Reserve Sonora

E X P L O R ESonoraM A G A Z I N E

BIG DOUBLE ISSUE

E X P L O R E M A G A Z I N ES P E C I A L S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 E D I T I O NSonora

Artist Keith Impink

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The Groveland Hotel at Yosemite National Park18767 Main Street, Groveland, CA 95321209.962.4000 • 800.273.3314 www.groveland.com

The Cellar Door RESTAURANT

California Fresh Cuisine

APRIL 19 TO MAY 19Stage 3 Theater Company“Other Desert Cities” APRIL 19 TO MAY 19Sierra Repertory Theatre “Church Basement Ladies” APRIL 20 Railtown 1897Wildflower Train

APRIL 20 Columbia CollegeLatin Jazz Big Band APRIL 21 Columbia State Park 37th Annual Wine Tasting APRIL 27 Spring Festival Historic Downtown Sonora MAY 11 Railtown 1897National Train Day MAY 11 TO MAY 12Mother Lode Round-up Parade & Rodeo MAY 11 The Flora and Fauna of Natural Bridges MAY 16 TO MAY 19Calaveras Fair & Frog Jumping Jubilee MAY 18 Black Oak Casino Indian Market MAY 23 TO MAY 27Strawberry Music Festival

MAY 25 TO MAY 27Railtown 1897Memorial Day Weekend MAY 27 Columbia’SHPMemorial Day Salute MAY 30 TO JUNE 2Columbia Diggins 1852 MAY 31 TO JUNE 23Sierra Repertory Theatre “6 Dance Lessons in 6 Weeks” JUNE 1 The Groveland HotelVintage Day (see page 9 Dis-cover Groveland Magazine)) JUNE 6 TO JUNE 9Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee JUNE 8 Farms of Tuolumne County Annual Farm Tour JUNE 8 Columbia SHPSarsaparilla Roundup JUNE 15 TO JUNE 16Father’s Day Fly-In Columbia Airport

JUNE 16 Railtown 1897 Father’s Day JUNE 21 TO JULY 28Stage 3 “The Diviners” JULY 4 Fireworks at Ironstone Vineyards JULY 4 TO JULY 7Railtown 1897 4th of July JULY 11 TO JULY 1476th Annual Mother Lode Fair

Satellite Office385 So. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370 800.446.1333209.533.4420yosemitegoldcountry.com

TUOLUMNE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

VACATION STATION

YOUR VACATION STARTS HERE!OPENING IN EARLY MAY 2013

18767 Main Street • Groveland, CA 95321 • 209-962-4000 • 800-273-3314 • www.groveland.comTuolumne County Sing & Summer Events

Vacation Station OpensIn early May, a satellite Visitors

Center, a.k.a. Vacation Station, will open at 367 South Washing-ton Street, opposite the Inns of California, in Historic Downtown Sonora. The TUOLUMNE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU will be opening up the new Visitors Center at the Day-O Plaza in downtown Sonora. This visible, downtown location adjcent to high-traffic hotels, res-taurants and merchants will great-ly appeal to visitors traveling north or south. along Washington Street between Highways 49 & 108.

This location will give Visitors Bureau staff more opportunities to tell travelers about all there is to see and do in Tuolumne County. The Visitors Center will also be an outlet for ticket sales for various events throughout the County. There will be Vacationland branded merchandise, children’s travel games and other items of interest to visitors, like books, t-shirts, magnets and postcards. Ad-ditionally, the Visitors Center will have regional and statewide travel information, making it a great stop for local residents planning trips outside Tuolumne County.

The TCVB business office on Stockton Rd.,(Highway 49) will re-main in their current location.yosemitegoldcountry.com

TGIFSonora

Friday, June 28 & Friday, September 27

Sonora invites you to the Historic Downtown and enjoy

the music of some terrific bands and an Outdoor Movie Theatre. Enjoy dining up and down Wash-

ington St. and Stewart St. Shop & Stroll all afternoon

into the evening discovering all the uniques shops in the historic downtown. Visit exploresonora.com

or sonorachamber.org for all event details.

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E X P L O R E Downtown Sonora172 West Stockton Road(209) 694-8400Junction Shopping Center13769-C Mono Way(209) 532-9400

MOTHER LODE BANK“We’re Local and....Simply A Better Bank”

www.motherlodebank.com

event calendar highlights Sonora’s AnnualSpring Festival

The sidewalks of Sonora come alive in Sonora’s 18th

Annual Spring Festival! Stroll the downtown streets amongst live music, arts and crafts, games, food, and fun for all ages includ-ing puppet shows, face painting, belly dancers, jugglers, and in-store specials at several mer-chants. This event is free to the public, and takes place in the historic section of downtown Sonora along Washington St.

The City of Sonora’sSpring Festival11:00 am - 4 p.m.

Historic Downtown Sonora209.532.7725

2nd Saturday Art WalkHistoric Downtown SonoraEvery 2nd Saturday of the

month, 5pm-9pm, Historic Downtown Sonora comes alive with Art & Music! Expe-rience Sonora’s magic every month when retail stores, art galleries are all open and fea-ture great local art and the best Sonora musicians.

209.532.7697sonoranightout.com

Columbia Diggins 1852

May 30 to June 2Columbia State Historic Park

Step back in time to the year 1852 and discover what life was like in a gold diggins encampment! Volunteers help recreate this time in history by living the life of a miner, mer-chant, actor/actress and more. School tours are available.

209.588.9128visitcolumbiacalifornia.com

Mother Lode Roundup Parade & Rodeo

May 11 to May 12

Break out your boots & Stet-sons to celebrate Mother’s

Day Weekend, Round-up style! One of the largest parades in California. More than 350 pro rodeo cowboys & cowgirls compete in Saturday and Sun-day rodeo events. Western dance, BBQ, Mother’s Day Breakfast and Queen Contest.Historic Downtown Sonora

Mother Lode Fairgrounds209.928.9318

motherloderoundup.com209.532.7428

Farmer’s MarketThe Sonora Certified Farm-

ers’ Market is open every Saturday, from May 18 through October 19, 2013.

The Farmer’s Market is open to the public every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

The Sonora Farmer’s Market is located on Theall and Stew-art Street and is one block off of Washington St/HWY 49.farmsoftuolumnecounty.org

76th AnnualMother Lode Fair

July 11 to July 14

Featured events include car-nival, live entertainment,

music, destruction derby, agri-cultural displays and more!

Mother Lode Fairgroundsmotherlodefair.org

209.532.7428

Historic 49 Trolley ServiceThe Historic 49 Trolley

Service begins immedi-ately after the Mother Lode Round-Up Parade. It offers locals and tourists the oppor-tunity to travel from Sonora to Columbia and Jamestown on weekends through Labor Day weekend.

The Trolleys run hourly into the evening on Saturdays until 9 pm and on Sundays until 4 pm. Trolleys are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bicycle racks.

209.532.0404historic49trolleyservice.com

YARTS to Yosemite

Service from Sonora through Groveland to Yosemite Na-

tional Park will begin in May-continlng thru the summer. yosemite.tuolumnecountytransit.com

209.532.0404

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Sierra Repertory Theatre Co. Sierra Rep (or SRT) presents nine main-stage shows per year at two locations – the original East Sonora Theater and the Historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park. Sierra Rep plays to an audience coming from both the Mother Lode area and from an hour or more away.

2013 SeasonChurch Basement Ladies

April 19 - May 19, 2013Fallon House Theatre

A musical celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, Church Basement Ladies features four distinct characters as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church about to undergo changes in 1965.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

May 31 - June 23, 2013East Sonora Theatre

A touching and human comedy about a for-midable retired woman who hires an acerbic dance instructor to give her private dance lessons.

Oklahoma!June 28 - August 18, 2013

Fallon House TheatreRodgers and Hammerstein’s first glorious col-laboration created a new standard for musical

Built in 1850 ‘Gunny’ Our Famous Hotel Bear

Gunn House HotelIn the Heart of Historic Downtown Sonora

Don’t miss our famous Innkeeper’s Breakfast–Waffles made to order!

Rooms $79-$125

The Historic

286 S. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 Reservations (209) 532-3421 www.gunnhousehotel.com

Live Theatre theater. Set in the Western Territory the high-spirited rivalry between the farmers and the cowboys provides a colorful backdrop for the love story of handsome cowboy Curly and win-some farmgirl Laurey.

RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women

July 26 - September 1, 2013This international hit musical tells the excit-ing story of women through popular music and the real adventures of women realizing dreams, lost loves, relationships and careers. “It’s one heck of a fun ride...a must-see and must-hear musical that you will want to see more than once!”

(BroadwayWorld)

SRT VenuesEast Sonora Theatre

13891 Mono Way, SonoraFallon House

11175 Washington St. Columbiawww.sierrarep.com

Tickets & Information209.532.3120

Stage 3 Theatre Co.Stage 3 is a ‘black box’ theater with an in-timate 85 seats surrounding the stage on 3 sides. Productions range from very simple staging to very complex sets. The Company has eared a reputation for producing out-standing plays in their 20 year history.

Other Desert CitiesApril 19 - May 19

Secluded in the great desert of California, the once powerful Wyeths are enjoying the kind of retirement most people dream about. Concealed in their golden world there is a tiny crack, buried so deep that it has almost slipped from memory

The DivinersJune 21 - July 28

In the heat-scorched Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, young Buddy Layman has become something of a legend in Zion, the Indiana town where he lives. Having barely escaped drowning when he was four, he is now mentally scarred and irrationally terrified of water. Somehow, Buddy has developed a miraculous gift: he can find precious water.

Stage 3 Theatre Company208 S Green St, Sonora ,Ca 95370

stage3.orgTickets & Information

209.536.1778

685 South Washington St., Sonora • 209.536.1400 • groceryoutlet.com/Sonora-CA

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CONCEPT, DESIGN & PRODUCTIONPaul Bell

ADVERTISING SALESSonora Chamber of Commerce • Paul Bell

REGIONAL SALESPaul Pieretti, 209.962.4143

EDITORIAL & PHOTOGRAPH CONTRIBUTORSPaul Bell

SUNBEAMS Baby & KidsKeith Impink

Indigeny ReserveThe Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau

Sierra Repertory Theatre John DeGrazio, yexplore.com

California State Historic ParksTuolumne County Transit/YARTS

EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION INTERNSMeg Werlhof and Rebecca Cone

E X P L O R E

EXPLORE SONORA is a joint publication of The Sonora Chamber of Commerce and Paul Bell l Marketing Solutions. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate at the time of publication, but neither entity assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions and changes.

THE SONORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEThe Voice of Commerce, Culture & Community

Mailing AddressP.O. Box 3084 Sonora, CA 95370

Vox/Fax: 209.694.4405 WEBSITE

sonorachamber.org or sonorachamber.comE-MAIL: info@sonorachamber.org

The Sonora Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization representing the community of Sonora. As the Sonora Chamber of Commerce, we concentrate our marketing efforts within the Greater Sonora area. The Sonora Chamber of Commerce is also dedicated to raising the awareness of Tuolumne County through tourism, and markets the area as a tourism destination.

PAUL BELL l MARKETING SOLUTIONSP.O. Box 5572, Sonora, CA 95370Telephone: 209.352.8551paulbell.biz l info@paulbell.biz759050850

SonoraM A G A Z I N E

Voted ‘Best Chinese Restaurant’2009, 2010 & 2011!

Our Community Partner

Live Well. Be Well.

This Edition of Explore Sonora pays special attention to Railtown 1897, one of the area’s most popular attractions. We encourage both visitors and locals alike to discover a bit of our Western History and

Heritage this spring, through summer, fall and winter.2 TUOLUMNE COUNTY EVENTSDiscover the small towns of Tuolumne County and experience the many events awaiting you and your family this holiday season.3 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTSThings to look forward to this Spring & Summer.6 LIVE THEATRESierra Rep and Stage 3 Theatre offer an outstanding season this Spring. Don’t miss anything!6-9 & 14 THE GOOD LIFEYour shopping guide chock full of unique stores and small town experiences.9 LOCAL DINING GUIDEThe foothills offer a wide selection of dining choices.10 - 11 MILD ADVENTURES: PINECREST LAKEJohn DeGrazio, yexplore.com, takes you on a vaca-tion in his backyard. A place a world away and only a short trip up Highway 108.12-13 KEITH IMPINK ARTIST POFILEA local artist, with roots in Sonora and Copperopolis, is a commercial artist whose talents have extended his work into the realm of those like Andy Warhol or Norman Rockwell.14 AN APPLE A DAYIndigeny Reserve is makings its mark in Tuolumne County as a producer of organic apples, hard cider, brandy, cattle feed and preserving the delicate ecological balance in the process.15 SPRING COMES TO RAILTOWNA jam-packed calendar of events for the whole family through Spring and all Summer long.16 CAVE & MINE ADVENTURESHave the BEST Birthday ever!17 - 20 DISCOVER GROVELAND MAGAZINETuolumne County Transit and the Yosemite Area Regional Transit

System (YARTS) are partnering to provide service to Yosemite Nation-al Park from May to September. Please see the supplement in the centerfold of this magazine. The Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau invites you to Discover Yosemite Gold Country this year!

We are proud to be a acknowl-edge the Yosemite Conservancy and its celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant. Please suppurt their effort to preserve this Natural Wonder and its legacy for generations to come. Over the next 18 months, in this and future issues of both Discover Groveland and Explore Sonora Magazines, we will offer articles of interest and celebration of Yosemite National Park. Look for their Commeorative Logo adjacent to related articles.

SUNBEAMS Baby & Kids

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the good life fashion, home & garden

Joan’s Boutique

Exploring Downtown Sonora will likely reveal a pleasant surprise that you might not be expecting to find in such

a small town. Joan’s Boutique at 52 S. Washing-ton St. is owned and personally attended to by Joan Richardson, who’s been a retail mer-chant for more than two decades.

Joan’s store has been a fixture of the community for years and it’s difficult to find women of any age who don’t shop there for that special discovery, whether it’s clothing and accessories, or just her pleasant com-pany during any hour of her very long retail day, which never seems to deter her from her positive, friendly and out-going demean-or.

What is quickly revealed is Joan’s and her staff ’s readiness to please every custom-er. Everyone is made to feel comfortable, which is exactly what Small Town Cheer is all about.

Joan’s Boutique has been voted ‘The Best Woman’s Boutique/Clothing Store’ for six years in a row in the Union Democrat’s annual reader’s poll. She and her staff were recent-

ly voted Best Overall Cus-tomer Service.

Joan’s Boutique52 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 533-1550joansboutique.com

Let ‘er Buck! Don’t just be part of the herd— start

a stampede by visiting Let ‘er Buck a few doors down from the Four Cor-

ners intersection of Bradford & Washington streets. There’s a wide selection of new and

quality consignment Western wear including belts, boots and hats.

Let ‘er Buck also offers Selix Formal Wear, uniforms (EMS, FIRE, CHP, CDCR), as well as children’s clothing. Because they wear what they sell, you are getting first-hand knowledge of what works! They can outfit the able ranch hand as well as the next Ro-deo Queen. They take exceptional care of their customers, striving to provide the best value, selection, and service in the business. Let ‘er Buck has something for everyone.

Let ‘er Buck Western WearNEW LOCATION68 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 533-1144

Sonora’s Favorite Kitchen StoreIf you’re looking for anything unique and

useful for the kitchen, bath or garden, stop here first— and you’re likely to find

it among their stock of kitchen gadgets, tools and accessories. They carry Nordic Ware, Chantal, BIA Cordon Bleu, Microplane, and more. Decorate a beautiful table with ac-cent brands: TAG, Root Candles, April Cornell, and IHR paper napkins.

Their indoor Market under the Awning of-fers a selection of gourmet jams, preserves, olive oils, baking mixes, spices, loose and bagged teas and seasonal treats to tempt you. Find your favorite fragrance from their complete line of Crabtree and Evelyn or the Home Thymes collection. Search their Garden section for the perfect accent for your en-try, patio, or table. Sonora’s Favorite Kitchen Store also features a selection of Mt. Brow Wine and a selection of wine related prod-ucts, gifts and gadgets.

Customer Service is their specialty, with free gift-wrap on every purchase. They even offer a selection of greeting cards to make your gift

complete. Now that’s one-stop shopping! Sonora’s Favorite Kitchen Store

98 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 588-1400

Tradewinds It’s always an adventure shopping at

Tradewinds. Their main focus is women’s clothing: better and designer labels (no

more than two years old, or classic, time-less styles) in new or like-new condition. They carry all accessories: belts, footwear, hats, scarves and jewelry. They also have a small consignment section for men, with an emphasis on Hawaiian and silk shirts.

Nearly all the home decor items you will see in the store are for sale on consign-ment. While not a vintage store, you will find a smattering of vintage couture pieces and traditional Hawaiian attire. Since they average over 100 new pieces to the floor daily, you just never know what you’ll find!

Some favorite brands that you’ll find at Tradewinds are: Ann Taylor, Armani, Banana Re-public, Brighton, Cache, Chicos, Liz Claiborne, Coach, Gucci, Anne Klein, and Ralph Lauren, to name a few!

Tradewinds 63 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 588-8810tradewindsconsignment.com

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E X P L O R E Insuring our community since 1987Business • Home • Auto

Life • Health • Bonds(209) 533-0234

Mountain Home Gifts

This unique gift store in Historic Down-town Sonora carries a wide selection of gifts, art, books and clothing that

celebrate life in Sonora, the mountains and the surrounding small towns and foothill communities.

If you’re walking, hiking, camping or ex-ploring, there’s a collection of guidebooks related to the foothills, the Sierras, Yosemite National Park and the region. You can find reproductions of vintage signs

posters, postcards and other memorabilia related to life in the foothills, mountains and Yosemite National Park. There is also a se-lection of books by local authors. Mountain Home Gifts also specializes in

Sonora branded clothing and merchandise. They also have furniture that can be cus-tomized to reflect favorite memories of your visit, your cabin or home.

Mountain Home Gifts87 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 533-5319

Addictions Spray Tanning & Fashion Sonora’s first and only spray tanning sa-

lon uses vegan-certified, organic spray tanning ingredients. At Addictions, ev-

ery customer is important, so they make sure that you look your best and that the color compliments your natural skin tone and is perfect after every session. No mat-

ter if you want to be bronzed for a special event, vacation or just because you want that tan, now! Addictions Spray Tanning will get it right each and every time without the harmful effects of UV tanning.

Addictions Fashion features contempo-rary clothing, shoes, handbags and accesso-ries for women and girls. They carry reason-ably priced limited edition collections with new themes launched every week. Featured lines include Naked Zebra, H&G, Miss Chic, Color Story, BLVD, Nine Bird and Lush among many more favorites. Addictions is one of Sonora’s newest, trend-setting boutiques catering to your favorite addictions.

Addictions Spray Tanning & Fashion128 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 617-3689sunlessaddictiontanning.com

Sun B.E.A.M.S.Baby & Kids Boutique

Sun B.E.A.M.’s is your one-stop shop for stylish clothing, shoes and accessories for baby (up to size 12), diaper bags,

baby skin care, and one of a kind gift items. This is the perfect place to shop and reg-

ister for any occasion.

The owners (all moms) feature B.O.B. Strollers, Citizens of Humanity Maternity Jeans, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Charlie Rock-et and Mud Pie, plus many more brands. For the expectant mom, Sun Beams carries ma-ternity clothing as well.

Sun Beam’s Baby & Kids Boutique136 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 532-5800sunbeamsboutique.com

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the good life dining & specialty

A & M Custom Framing

A great frame does more than protect the artwork it surrounds. It enhanc-es and adds a personal touch to an

entire room. A&M strives to work with our customers to create a design that is unique to their own personal decorating style.

We offer a large selection of custom frames, ready-made frames, and quality matting in a wide variety of colors with experience in all aspects of custom fram-ing including canvas stretching, needlework, pastel, photography, prints, sports memo-rabilia and shadow boxes.

Visit us at 228 North Washington Street, just past the Red Church. We look forward to helping you creatively preserve all your precious memories and fine art.

A&M Custom Framing228 North Washington Street

Sonora, California 95370209-532-7411

aandmcustomframing@gmail.comHours:

Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pmTuesdays & evenings by appointment.

If the shoe fits

Downtown Shoes is a foot-weary welcome to Historic Downtown Sonora as a new full service shoe

store. Downtown Shoes specializes in comfortable and stylish shoes, boots and sandals for both men and women, along with a fun selection of socks and hand-bags. They pride themselves on the quality of their product lines.

Close to Yosemite National Park, they offer you an opportunity to get yourself a quality pair of hiking, tramping, stomping or plain walking shoes for your exhilarat-ing excursion into our wilderness, or just in and around town.

The owners, Rick and Melody, pride themselves on providing exceptional ser-vice and making sure all of their custom-ers are properly fit in comfortable, yet stylish footwear. They also cater to the working men of the area with Red Wing and Wesco work boots, and if you don’t see what you need, they will be a hap-py to special order them for you. If you don’t live in the area, just give them a call or send an email, as they also offer free shipping within the continental Unit-ed States.

Downtown Shoes4 S. Washington St.

(209) 532-25004downtownshoes.com

4downtownshoes@gmail.com

The shop is lovely. It’s filled with

one -o f - a - k i nd pieces made by lo-cal artists as well as clothing, art and accessories that have a defini-tive feel. The first thing you’ll notice when walking in, is the atmosphere

that Lauren Hurley and Lissa Anderson, the owners, have created. The space is warm and inviting, offering

an unparalleled experience for its shop-pers. You’ve reached their promise and are now part of their vision of the shop; a retail retreat. Along with vintage fur-nishings, local art, accessories and jewelry, you’ll be sure to find clothing suitable to

your tastes. The front part of the store is a boutique, while the back half of the store is a dedicated consignment shop, with something to fit every budget, every taste and aspiration.

As you wander through the shop, fa-vorite things might happen to catch your eye. Certainly some of the unique jewelry that is offered, and many pieces that you’ll realize couldn’t be gotten elsewhere, and you’d best get them now, because you’ll never find them again.

From the art lining the historic stone walls, to the beautiful display of clothing suit-ed for a high-end boutique in San Francisco, Lauren and Lissa have made their shop into something that any woman is sure to enjoy. And it’s in Sonora of all places.

According to the owners of Backspace, “We created it with love...and passion for a beautiful 1880’s gold rush building, and filled it with lovelies. Soft, timeless, ver-satile, wear-in-any-season pieces for your wardrobe. Along with vintage furnish-ings, local art, accessories, artisan jew-elry (including a Jewelry Bar, where you can custom design your own pieces), or have something extra special made by us! Come in. You won’t be sorry...”

Backspace: A Retail Retreat67 South Washington St.

Sonora, CA 95370(209) 532-4894

continued on page 14

• APPAREL • SHOES

• ACCESSORIES• MANICURES • PEDICURES

• FACIALS • WAXING • BEAUTY

PRODUCTS

OPEN 7 DAYS108 South Washington St.

Downtown Sonora209.588.8899

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Artisan PizzaPrice Range: $$83 S. Stewart St.(209) 533-0773

Be Wok & Sushi Japanese/ChinesePrice Range: $$ Beer & Wine764 E. Mono Way (209) 532-2638

Carl’s Jr.Burgers/Salad BarPrice Range: $1075 Mono Way (209) 533-8857

Christopher’s RistorantePrice Range: $$ Beer & Wine160 S. Washington St. (209) 533-2600Diamondback Grill Price Range: $$ Full Bar/Wine Bar93 S. Washington St. (209) 532-6661

EmberzWood-fired PizzaFull Bar/WinePrice Range: $$177 S Washington St.(209) 532-2272Europa Deli & GrillCalifornia Grill(209) 402-3371(see article this page)Groveland Hotel’sCellar Door California Fine DiningPrice Range: $$$Full Bar/Wine Cellar18767 Main St. Groveland (209) 962-4000

It’s Yo-Good Yogurt Salads/SandwichesPrice Range: $$11 S. Washington St. (209) 785-1188 Legends Historic Soda FountainPrice Range: $131 S. Washington St. (209) 532-8120Lighthouse Deli Soup, Salads, Sandwiches28 S. Washington St. Price Range: $$Dine In/Take OutDelivery(209) 532-1631

National Hotel & Restaurant California Fine DiningPrice Range: $$$Full BarJamestown(209) 984-3446

Sonora Joe’sCoffee HouseLight FarePrice Range: $140 S. Washington St. (209) 840-4408

Seven Sisters California Fine DiningPrice Range: $$$ Full BarBlack Oak Casino 19400 Tuolumne Rd. Tuolumne(209) 928-9314

Talulah’s Upscale Comfort FoodPrice Range: $$Beer & Wine13 S. Washington St.(209) 532-7278

Dining Guide

All menus subject to change without notice.

The story of the Europa as an iconic downtown Sonora

restaurant begins nearly a cen-tury ago, yet the newest chap-ter of this famous eatery begins now, after months of painstaking renovations with the return of the new, ‘old’ Europa under what is now the 3rd and 4th genera-tions of Bezaitis family opera-tion. Owner’s Larry and Brenda have taken the restaurant to its highest level of perfection with

a refreshing ambiance and relaxed atmo-sphere, coupled with an extensive menu that includes most all of the famous home cooked favorites along with a wide mix of modern, heart healthy menu items.

While many of the old ‘com-fort’ foods the Europa is famous for have already generated legions of repeat business with the locals, so have the many added items

such as the generous selection of dazzling salads, old fashioned deli sandwiches, Gyros, soups, and veg-etarian and vegan selections.

the good life

Evan Ethan Harrington enjoys a Europa favorite. Inset pnoto:1/4lb. bacon cheeseburger & home-made fries, $6.99

The Europa uses nothing but the finest in-gredients and strives to also feature many of Tuolumne County’s locally grown and crafted produce, olive oils, seasonings, wines and sauc-es, and pies.

From the return of the famous Europa quar-ter-pound hamburger with homemade fries, or the hand-cut and always fresh chicken fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes and homemade gravies, along with some of Sono-ra’s finest steaks to the heart=healthy items also now available, there is now a great selec-tion for every appetite.

Clean, refreshing and comforting atmo-sphere, friendly wait staff, quality foods and low prices. Welcome back to the Europa! Come in and enjoy your choice of a retro-modern diner era dining room or our cozy sports bar with 65” LED TV and a great selection of appetiz-ers. Don’t have time to sit? Try a picnic bas-ket for your next outdoor adventure with our deli sandwiches or a mix of our fine meats and cheeses. The Europa also offer off-sale beer and wine to fully compliment your day!

Europa Deli, Sports Bar & GrillCalifornia Grill/Full Bar/Wine Bar

Price Range: $$ /Dine In/Take Out 273 S. Washington St., Sonora

(209) 402-3371

Sweet Spinach Salad with tossed

baby greens, shredded green

apples, sliced red pears, dried

cranberries, toasted pecans,

gorgonzola crumbles with a special balsamic

vinigrette, french bread $8.25

Wine paring, Twisted Oak

2009 Tempranillo

Half DomeWedge: A generous chunck of iceberg lettuce, Blue Cheese Dressing, topped with crumbled bacon, avacado, grape tomatoes, with a drizzle of balsamic vinagrette. $8.50Photographed in natural light, an homage to Ansel Adams.

Europa Deli, Sports Bar & Grill

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A Vacation in Our Own BackyardBy John P. DeGrazio, Yexplore.com

We were looking for a mild adventure in the Stanislaus

National Forest on a balmy mid-winter day. Having moved from the East Coast, we were not accustomed to bright skies and temperatures that could reach into the sixties so early in the year. We packed a picnic lunch, loaded up the Jeep, and made a thirty mile trip east on Highway 108 from Sonora to Pinecrest.

The forty-five minute drive was incredibly scenic and passed

through some charming towns we have since discovered as several fun places to stop for food along the way, including two family favorites, Alicia’s Sugar Shack and Pie in the Sky Pizzeria.

We arrived at lunchtime and set up our blanket

full of tasty treats on the beach of Pinecrest Lake. We followed our satisfying meal with a stroll along the shoreline trail with our dog. Yes, Pinecrest is dog-friendly and your pooch may accompany you in the day use area from September 15 to May 15. It was a remarkable setting; a pristine, sandy beach nestled in the pines. We were practically all alone and only ran into a few other hikers who were also taking advantage of the unexpected warm weather. As we made our way down the trail, we were greeted by some of the locals,

including two bald eagles who like to nest in the area when the summer crowds dissipate. It was a majestic sight to see this pair soaring above us in the clear blue sky. We had seen eagles before on vacations in Yellowstone National Park and Alaska, but we felt extremely grateful that we could find them here so close to home. It was a magical moment for all of us, including our young daughter who had never seen eagles and was mesmerized by

their flight.

Since that day, we have returned to Pinecrest many times in every season.

throughout the years. At 5,679 feet above sea level, it has become a great escape from Sonora’s summer heat, and we have taken advantage of so many wonderful activities that provide fun for the entire family. The four-mile-hike is perfect for our daughter, who is now eight, to share

this world of nature with her two-year-old sister. She was inspired so much that she developed an annual summer program to explore the area’s rich natural history with a pair of binoculars, a field guide, and some of her classmates who spend time identifying birds, wildflowers, and other critters we encounter along the way. This pleasant stroll around the lake is often followed by a refreshing swim.

On special nights, we make the journey to watch movies

under the stars at the Pinecrest Theater. Many popular films are selected for screening in this open-air amphitheater. It’s a good idea to grab some dinner and your favorite blankets as the temperatures cool in the summer evenings, creating a cozy atmosphere full of wide-eyed children of all ages. It’s such a pleasant experience, and the theater sells popcorn and other refreshments to the delight of many.

There is an abundance of other activities to try as well.

At the marina there are boating opportunities for sailing and fishing. Pinecrest is famous for rainbow trout as the lake is stocked each year. Kayaking and paddle boarding have also become attractive options for those looking for a self-powered excursion.

The hiking trails around the lake extend into other neighboring

areas for a more rugged adventure with many variations of trails. Backpackers have the ability to make a trip to Kennedy Meadows or

Pinecrest Lake mild adventures

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even Yosemite with the option of using an outfitter to make it a pack trip. Horseback riding is another popular activity for one or multiple days in the high country. Visitors of Pinecrest are also encouraged to bring their bicycles because there are many nearby mountain bike trails that range from gentle family rides to hard-core downhill runs.

A resort operates at Pinecrest Lake throughout the summer

months. Facilities include lodging and campgrounds, along with a restaurant and general store. The resort also offers bicycle and boating rentals. Other amenities include snack stands, restrooms, and good parking access.

We moved to Sonora for its proximity to Yosemite but

have been pleasantly surprised by many other discoveries we have made along the way. We consider Pinecrest one of the crown jewels of the Sierra and consider every visit to be a vacation in our own back yard.

A Different Perspectivewww.yexplore.com

John DeGrazio is the founder and lead naturalist guided for

Yexplore Yosemite Adventures. They of-fer professionally gded hiking tours and photography workshops in Yosemite Na-tional Park while encouraging park visi-tors to connect with the natural world of Yosemite through outdoor experiences that deliver unique photographic oppor-tunities and lasting memories.

Visit John online at yexplore.com or call him at (800) 886-8009 for

additional information.

Photographs in this article were provided by John DeGrazio.

Email: tours@yexplore.com

Frozen Yogurt • Salad Bar• Sandwich Bar

11 So. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm • Sun 11 am - 7 pm

(209) 532-6403www.itsyogood.com

Self Serve

Senior Discounts

For more Wild & Mild Adventures in Tuolumne County please visit

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keith impink artist profileFor more than 30

years, California Bay Area native Keith Impink has provided professional art, sig-nage and design ser-vices wherever need-ed. Currently, Impink serves as Rock ‘N Roll Imports creative director, overseeing all day-to-day graph-ics projects, including

logos and company image continuity, promo-tional materials, designing bottles and labels, web presence and assisting with events such as the Rock ‘N Roll Tequila Bus Tours.

In school, Keith Impink studied film pro-duction and the arts, and throughout

the years has studied under several ac-complished artists. When asked, Impink commented, “I learned the most about art from an artist who had worked daily with Walt Disney going back to the late 1930’s— Joe Nunez taught me for years. He was the best artist I’ve ever met.” Dur-ing those years Impink owned and oper-ated a video arcade in a shopping center that doubled as an art studio, offering screen printing, art and signs.

“I remember in college how much I wanted to build sets and do matte paintings,” says Impink. “But eventu-ally I burned-out on that, so I began painting signs and murals, old barn roofs and even started traveling around illustrating those cartoon town maps.”

In the late eighties, Impink began collabo-ration with renowned rock-poster art-

ist Randy Tuten on concert posters, album covers and band projects for the music in-dustry, including for the famous promoter Bill Graham. “He would have us screening stuff and hand painting leather jackets for band members... It was sad when he died,” says Keith, “He was buried in the Lynyrd Skynyrd jacket I hand-painted for him.”

Impink has since worked with many promoters and venues creating posters

and designs for some of the greatest leg-ends in Rock and Roll including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Steve Miller, Doobie Brothers, Goo Goo Dolls, Jackson Browne, Buffalo Spring-field, Bonnie Raitt, Nickelback, Colbie Callait, Lifehouse, Elvin Bishop, George Thorogood, The Tubes and even The Doors. “Randy and I have designed for Paul McCartney, The Black

Crows, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Stone Temple Pilots and others...,” says Impink, “sometimes the de-signs get shelved, but not often.” Keith Imp-ink is currently direct-ing the creatives for a successful nationwide roll-out of Elvis Presley

and Graceland licensed products.

Impink’s experience encompasses market-ing, branding, as well as building corporate

identities. Impink worked closely with the Syfy Channel and USA Networks on the creation of their Anime-based social network.

“It was important niche work, but not nearly as fun as designing for the NASCAR SuperTrucks lettering race cars or filming Indy races in 3D.”

Impink lives in Copperopolis, a father

of two and married for more than twenty years, has a deep passion for his varied interests such as stereoscopic photogra-phy, history and science, jamming with friends and painting. Impink has been commissioned to design logos and paint portraits and murals for many clients including en-trepreneur Tony Robbins and American car legend Carroll Shelby. Impink’s

work continues to grow in demand by na-tional magazines and featured in nationwide television campaigns and his artwork and prints are held in private collections world-wide.

Keith Impink’s brother Joe own’s Sonora Joe’s Coffee Shoppe in Historic Down-

town Sonora, and also contributed his de-signs to the branding of the coffee house. Joe Impink has committed the coffee house to art exhibitions and open mic nights for local musicians, poets and authors. Both sons have espressed the influence of their mother, Diane, on the importance of sup-porting art, in all forms, in their community. Diane Impink is responsible for coordinat-ing the arts events at Sonora Joe’s including Keith’s upcoming exhibit in June. and July.

Impink’s daughter, Andrea

Impink at work on one of his distinctive murals. below portrait of John Lennon

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This Lynyrd Skynyrd poster is significant because it was de-signed when the band finally got back together. It’s also the same design Impink hand-painted on jackets.

This Buffalo Springfield poster show marks the first time in 40 years that Neil Young played with them and their big reunion.

Lucky to get six hours of sleep?

www.HeusersFurniture.com 37 S. Stewart Street • Downtown Sonora • 209-536-9834

• 15,000 Sq. Ft. Showroom • Interior Design Services • Home Decor Accessories • 39 Years Experience • Extended Financing O.A.C. • Open 7 Days a Week

Wells Fargo & Co. was borne out of the California Gold Rush, an event that launched the greatest migration in

American history. Virtually overnight,the sleepy seaport of San Francisco, located on sand dunes overlooking the Golden Gate, exploded from a non-native popula-tion of 800 in 1848 to more than 30,000 in 1851.

As news of the gold discovery spread around the world, farmers left their crops, merchants shuttered their doors, and im-migrants abandoned their homelands to journey thousands of miles to gold fields in the Sierra Foothills. Risking dis-ease, danger and starvation, they came by clipper ship and steamer, by wagon train and on foot to seek their fortune in the gold fields.The pride of countless mining towns, the Wells Fargo agency was viewed as a link to the civilized world.

Wells Fargo Bank has been serving Tuolumne County for over 150 years.

Wells Fargo & Co. 808 E. Mono Way, CA 95370

(209) 532-3106www.wellsfargo.com

Hot & Cold DrinksCoffee 1.75 2.00 2.25

Latte 2.75 3.25 3.75Mocha 3.25 3.75 4.25Cocoa 1.75 2.25 2.75Italian Soda 1.75 2.75Frappe 3.75 4.75Smoothie 4.00Soda Pop 1.25

• Flavors, Soy, Shots .50

• Iced Coffee Drinks available

Breakfast All DayBagelw/topping 2.00Toast w/topping 2.00Granola with milk 2.75Egg Sandwich 2.99Burrito 3.45Denver Scramble 4.25

Calif. Scramble 4.99

The BasicsSandwiches, Etc.

Served 11 to closeJoe’s Sandwiches* 7.99Veggie Sandwich* 7.99Half Sandwich* 5.99

*Comes with a side

ChickenWraps 4.99Garden Salad 5.99Chef Salad 7.99Taco Salad 7.99 Artisan Bread Fresh Daily

Local Delivery Available

Open Most Every Day Call for Daily Hours

We Can Host or Cater Your Special Event

209.533.4455140 So. Washington St.

Historic Sonora, CA

Wi-Fi • Premium Coffee

Keith ImpinkArt Show

June 22-July 30

Sonora Joe’s PresentsArtist Keith Impink

Exhibition: June 22nd thru July 30th

140 So. Washington St., Historic SonoraCall 209.533.4455 for details.

The public is invited to stop in and meet Keith at Sonora Joe’s on June 28th, 2013 during TGIF Sonora. Posters and artwork will be for sale dur-ing the exhibit. You can view Keith’s portfolio on-line at www.impink.com.

All artwork is protected by copyright and trademark and appears here courtesy of the artist, Keith Impink.

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The Candy Vault

L ocated in the historic Na-tional Bank Building on

the corner of Washington and Bradford, the Candy Vault takes customers back a half-century, offering a feeling reminiscent of walking into a Norman Rock-well painting on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.

A visit leaves one with a warm and comforting glow, re-assuring you that enjoying a bit of ice cream and candy might be a good thing after all.

The new owners, John and Brandi Ogle, share their enthu-siasm for their business with every customer saying, ‘Have a sweet day,’ as they leave with a bag full of treats. The Candy Vault offers hard-to-find hand-made chocolates and specialty brands. They also now feature organic and even sugar-free deli-

cacies. Be sure to stop by espe-cially during the Holiday Season, as they will continue the tradi-tion of Santa Stories through Christmas.

Visit the Candy Vault and you’ll feel like a kid again.

The Candy Vault 42 S. Washington St.Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 532-2388

Emberz Great fast, fun food can be

found at one of the best locations in historic Down-town Sonora. Emberz is now the hottest spot in town and probably the coolest place to be seen. The menu includes sal-ads, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and entrees from Chef Andrew. Old is new again in the full bar, featuring classic cocktails that are made fresh with a delicious Emberz twist that you’ll have to discover for yourself.

Emberz sparkles with enthu-siasm and just beams food, drink and an evening of fun and good company. The wood-fired pizza oven just beyond the bar has not escaped the attention of the own-ers and is decorated with bits of colored glass and ceramic tiles by the entirety of the Emberz staff, which speaks to the commit-ment of everyone involved in a great dining experience.

The restaurant is within a short walk to shopping and art galleries and is ideal for a pre-show dinner or after-show cock-tail, just two blocks from Stage 3 Theatre Company.

Emberz177 S Washington Street

Sonora, CA 95370(209) 532-2272

An Apple A Day

A trip to Indigeny is the perfect respite for the urban or out-

door explorer, intrepid eco-trav-elers, hard cider and brandy fans, families, groups, regional neighbors and international visitors. Indigeny is close to Yosemite, Twain Harte, Mammoth Hot Springs, and on the way to Kennedy Meadows and Pinecrest Lake. It’s only a few min-utes uphill from historic downtown Sonora along Lyons Bald Mountain Road. In fact, it’s only three hours from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Indigeny is devoted to creating the best hard ciders and spirits, bold and intensely flavorful. And they don’t forget that ‘an apple a day’ is still the best medicine. Indig-

eny Reserve’s estate-crafted apple brandy is organic and sustainably-produced. They use artisan double copper-pot distillation and use the traditional aging methods of Nor-mandy, produced in small batches, which creates a uniquely elegant and mellow taste. It’s a deeply sat-isfying experience for both new-comer and connoisseur.

Indigeny Reserve is nestled in the eastern foothills at 2,419 feet,

600 feet higher than his-toric downtown Sonora, noticeably cooler in the summer and refreshing-ly lush year-round. There are 160 acres circled by pine and fir trees. More than 20,000 apple trees blossom within the first few weeks of spring, and provide a spectac-ular sight equally as re-markable as Daffodil Hill at about the same time every year in Ama-

dor County. To witness this burst of brightness among thousands of apple trees is a breathtaking sight to behold in early April. Although it doesn’t last long, cherishing this moment is a warming experience. Especially in anticipation of fall when tens of thousands of apples will ripen for hand-picking.

The Indigeny Reserve orchard and grounds reveal the tender and devoted care of the Watson family and their staff of caretakers. Apple trees have grown on the hill since 1909. More than 53 varieties, like Granny Smith and Golden Delicious are familiar. However, there are uncommon varieties like Arkansas Black as well as the rare and sought-after Honey Crisp, the most desired apple on the market. What compels even greater interest in this endeavor is that Jay and Judy Watson and

their son, Joe have committed themselves to organically grown apples in an ecologically thoughtful environment. Indigeny shares the land with western kingbirds, great heron; acorn woodpeckers; raccoons; mountain lions; red-breasted sapsuckers; live springs; a wetlands pond; verdant meadows; abundant pine; cedar; oak; dogwood; native

ferns; and bear clover.Indigeny follows the tradition of

our Colonial American ancestors of 300 years ago, when the most popular drink and spirits were derived from apples, A walk on the preserve reveals their success with an indelible sense of well-be-ing one receives after a short time. It’s a utopia of sorts replete with pathways along a babbling stream, a covered wooden bridge, and only

the good life explorethe sounds of birds.

The Indigeny Reserve mission is literal to their name and brand; “Indigeny,” indigenous, as “oc-curring naturally in a region or environment.” “Reserve” mean-ing “consecrated, to set aside or retain for a future time or place.” They want to celebrate, share, and renew nature’s bounty for gen-erations to come. Experience this firsthand with a visit.

The public is invited to visit Indigeny’s 26,000 sq. foot cider-works and distillery.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Sundays 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm14679 Summers LnSonora, CA 95370

(209) 533-9463www.indigenyreserve.com

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WILDFLOWER TRAINS APRIL 20Special afternoon Wildflower Train departs at 4:30 p.m. from the Railtown 1897 Depot on these two Saturdays only. Prior to boarding the train, passen-gers will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with wildflowers of the Sierra Ne-vada Foothills. Once aboard the train, Naturalists from New Melones Reservoir will answer questions and point out wild-

flower groupings along the way. Guests take away wildflower seeds to spread at home. Train capacity is limited, and reser-vations are suggested. Regu-lar steam-powered excursion trains also depart on-the-hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this day. NATIONAL TRAIN DAYMAY 11Join us to celebrate National Train Day- an annual celebra-

tion of all things trains. We’ll have lots going on in and around the roundhouse, includ-ing speeder demonstrations, equipment that is seldom seen, and the belt-driven machine shop in operation. MOTHER’S DAY MAY 12Bring a picnic, and enjoy a re-laxing Mother’s Day at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Spe-cial treats for moms aboard regular steam-powered excur-sion trains when accompanied by a child. Trains depart on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKENDMAY 25, 26 & 27 Regular excursion trains de-part Saturday, Sunday, and Mon-day over the holiday weekend, on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. all three days. Special demonstrations, motor cars and other activities are offered. FATHER’S DAY JUNE 16Father’s Day at Railtown! Bring a picnic, and enjoy a relaxing Father’s Day at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Special treats for dads aboard regular excursion trains when accom-panied by a child. Trains depart on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4TH OF JULY Trains Running Thursday-Sun-

day (July 4th-7th)Spend time with family and friends at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park while you ride, tour, and experience steam trains, authentic railroad facili-ties, live music, and Hollywood film and television heritage.Things that are uniquely Ameri-can!

SPOTLIGHT ON RAILTOWN FUNDRAISER, JULY 20Behind the Scenes at Railtown with local wineries serv-ing amongst the locomotives, speeder rides, live music and lots of other surprises, followed by a special excursion train.

RODS TO RAILSJULY 27Join us for the 2nd Annual Rods to Rails Car Show as Hot Rods take over the streets of Jamestown, and classic cars are on display on our shaded lawn.

SINGING RAILS RAILROAD MUSIC EVENTAUGUST 3With Sourdough Slim & Red Dog AshAs long as there have been trains, there have been train songs to sing.

An important part of the American Railroad experience, this type of folk music was cre-ated and performed by railroad workers, and the communities they lived in. Join us at Railtown for this unique event, which brings together the best of Cal-ifornia folk musicians.

R A I L T O W NCALIFORNIA STATE HISTORIC PARK

1897THE ‘MOVIE STAR’ RAILROAD FEATURING ENGINE NO. 3

museum l bookstore l excursions l events l family fun l 209.984.3953 l www.railtown1897.org

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