Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Take A Walk Through Fort Bragg History: Learn How A Military Post Became The City’s Business District, Visit Our Pioneer Cemetery, And More
—Posted Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 10:16 pm—
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One of the things we enjoy when on vacation, is learning something about the history of our vacation destination. It adds so much when we understand the events that shaped the areas we visit. It’s fun to read historical markers, and even better when we can join in a tour led by a local historian. If you’re like us, and you’ve planned to stay with us during the next few months, then you’re in for a real treat.

This month the Mendocino Coast Historical Society begins a program of docent led walks through Fort Bragg’s historical business district (we’re just a few blocks away), and pioneer cemetery. This is a fun way to learn about Fort Bragg’s interesting past and and the pioneer families that helped develop the area.

Historic Downtown: On Saturday May 19, you’ll hear how Fort Bragg’s business district is actually located where the Fort Bragg military post was built; how the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake destroyed much of the business district (ironically triggering an economic boom); and learn about later events that shaped the Fort Bragg we know today. Meet at the Guest House Museum, 343 N. Main Street, for a 10 am departure. A donation to the Historical Society of $5.00 is requested.

Pioneer Cemetery: On Sunday May 20, listen to stories of some of the pioneers and early settlers of Fort Bragg  and the Mendocino Coast, as you gaze at weathered tombstones. You’ll learn about  tombstone symbols and what they tell us about area and family history. Meet at Rose Memorial Park, located at Franklin and Spruce Streets. The walk, led by David Foucheaux, starts at 2 pm.  A donation to the Historical Society of $5.00 is requested

Here are some walk dates after May:

Historic Downtown Fort Bragg Walks: 6/16, 7/21, 8/18

Cemetery Walks: 6/17, 7/22, 8/19

 

Mother’s Day Weekend At The Atrium: An Afternoon In The Botanical Gardens, A Fashion Show And Tea, A Mother’s Day Brunch On The Skunk Train — Can It Get Any Better!
—Posted Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 9:41 pm—
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Mothers deserve special treatment everyday, but we all know how that goes. It’s a good bet though, that all will be forgiven if she spends a leisurely, comfy Mother’s Day weekend at the Atrium. Our friendly local town folk have arranged some special activities sure to make this a Mother’s Day weekend to remember. Here’s the line up:

•Friday, May 11: National Public Garden Day, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 9 am–5 pm. This day of national recognition honors public gardens and their contributions in education, conservation, and ecology. In honor of all of our nation’s gardens and the people who support them, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is providing free admission for all visitors. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens,18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org

•Saturday, May 12: “Hoity Toity” Fashion Show and Tea,1-3 pm (doors open at noon), at the Eagle’s Hall, 210 N Corry St., Fort Bragg. Advance tickets $20; $25 at the door. A fun event and a great fundraiser for Parent’s and Friends, Inc. Dust off your tea hat and join in for tiny sandwiches (with the crust trimmed off, of course) pots of tea, and a fashion show featuring the crème de la crème of the Paul Bunyan Thrift Shop. Bid on apparel worn by models; shop in the show boutique. 707-964-8542.

•Sunday, May 13: Skunk Train Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 am (4-hour round trip). Treat Mom to a relaxing morning riding the train and sipping Mimosas (juice for the kids), then enjoy a special brunch in the redwoods. Adults $70; children $40. Board at the Skunk Depot, Foot of Laurel St. 707-964-6371; www.skunktrain.com

If Mom wants to stay tucked in on her day, no problem — we’re serving up a special breakfast just for her!

Stay With Us And Paddle Into The Spectacular World Of Coast And River Kayaking
—Posted Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at 10:43 pm—
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There’s so much we love about owning a B&B here on the Mendocino coast. One of them is being able to share the spectacular beauty and exciting activities that abound. We’re literally at the center of an amazing world of unforgettable memories — just waiting to be made!

Take, for instance, the exciting world of kayaking. Just minutes from our doors, nestled on the Noyo River, is Liquid Fusion Kayaking, a family friendly outfitter that introduces kayaking to beginners, and offers challenging outings to seasoned paddlers.

Here’s a look at some of the activities they’ve got planned through June. Pick an activity, stay with us, and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Kayaking With Kids On The Noyo River

Kayaking With Kids On The Noyo River

An Afternoon on the River: May 6 from 2-5pm. Celebrate Spring with an afternoon on the tranquil Noyo river. Liquid Fusion Kayaking is hosting a benefit to support early literacy.  Kayak rentals are $10/person and the ladies of Delta Kappa Gamma will be having a bake sale.  All proceeds go to Books for Babies and Kits for Kindergarteners.

BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment: Saturday May 19.  This assessment is a great way to determine which skills you have mastered and which you need to work on to be a well-rounded, competent member of a paddling group.  Like many outfitters, Liquid Fusion wants paddlers to have this skill rating so they are prepared for intermediate level sea kayak trips.

Tracks to Kayaks – Liquid Fusion’s first Tracks to Kayaks trips with the Skunk Train are May 21 and 22.  They’re offering about 20 tracks to kayaks trips this summer.  It is a one of a kind way to see the Noyo River Canyon.

•Brent Reitz will be teaching his Forward Stroke Clinic on June 2. His clinics include video analysis and 1:1 feedback.  This instruction is highly recommended to any paddler looking to become more efficient on the water.

Mendocino Waves n Caves Weekends — There are still a few spaces remaining on Liquid Fusion’s Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend Trips.  These weekends are super high on the fun-meter and include camping and food.

Sunday Paddles —Sunday Paddles are a great way to explore the waters of the Mendocino Coast.  Each month, Liquid Fusion tours a different waterway or stretch of the coastline.  First Sundays are Estuary Paddles, Second Sundays Coastal Exploration, and Third Sundays Rock Garden Exploration and Play.  Sunday Paddles are $40/person ($60/person if you need to use one of Liquid Fusion’s kayaks).

April Getaway At The Atrium: Learn Pioneer Gardening, Take In A Symphony, Find A Rummage Sale Treasure, And More
—Posted Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 at 4:57 pm—
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When Easter’s over and you need a break, we’ve got the perfect remedy — take a relaxing drive through the redwoods to the Atrium for a laid back weekend on the spectacular Mendocino coast. We’ll provide all the cozy comforts we’re famous for, while you unwind and live like a local. Here’s a sampling of April activities to choose from:

•April 14: 2nd Annual Fort Bragg Grange Rummage Sale and Brunch n’ Lunch, 26500 N Highway 1. 916-266-1142; http://fortbragggrange@yahoo.com
 
• April 14: Vegetable Gardening Demonstration, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens 18220 N Hwy One, two Miles South of Fort Bragg; 10 am – noon. Located in the historical section of the Gardens between an historic farmhouse and a pioneer cemetery, this garden demonstrates techniques that were used to supply early families of the Mendocino Coast area.
 
•April 14 & 15: Symphony of the Redwoods: Musical Grand Tour Spring Concert, featuring “Hall of the Mountain King”, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite #1, Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto #2 with featured guest pianist, Carolyn Steinbuck, Schumann’s Symphony #2. April 14 at 8 pm; April 15 at 2 pm. Cotton Auditorium, 500 N Harold St, Fort Bragg. $20 General, $18 Seniors (65+), youth free. 707-964-0898; http://www.SymphonyoftheRedwoods.org
 
• April 14: Pre-Symphony Dinner, 5 pm, Redwood Coast Senior Center 490 N Harold St. 707-964-0443
 
•April 15: VFW Breakfast, 3rd Sunday each month, 8-11:30 a.m. Veterans Hall, Laurel & North Harrison, Fort Bragg. 
 
•April 21: Noyo Food Forest 6th Annual Earth Day Festival. Live music and entertainment, a Culinary Showcase featuring local chefs, spring plant sale, hands-on workshops and inspiring speakers, kids’ activities, local food, pedal powered smoothies, and more! Free. Supports the Organic garden and Farm to School program at Fort Bragg High School. Noon-6 pm. Takes place at The Learning Garden, Fort Bragg High School. 707-964-0218; http://www.noyofoodforest.org
 
•April 21 & 22: Spring Plant Sale, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens 18220 N Hwy One, 2 Miles South of Fort Bragg, 9 am-5 pm. 707-964-4352; http://www.gardenbythesea.org 

Our Glass Beaches … Where Mounds of Trash Turned to Treasure
—Posted Monday, March 26th, 2012 at 7:36 pm—
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Sea Glass from Fort Bragg's Glass Beach 2

Sea Glass from Fort Bragg's Glass Beach 2

We talk about Glass Beach, singular, but there are actually three. Each operated as a trash dump for the city during a different time: Glass Beach 1 – 1906-1946, Glass Beach 2 – 1946-49, and Glass Beach 3 in the state park – 1949-1967.

Just a few blocks north of the Atrium is the sign for just plain Glass Beach (actually Glass Beach 3), which is now part of MacKerricher State Park. A few years ago, all the old cars, batteries and other items were removed. Only beautiful sea glass and pristine tide pools were left behind.

Guests often ask if there is any glass left? There is … plenty.  However, because so many people visit Glass Beach 3 and remove buckets of glass, it is no longer ankle-deep like it once was.

So, first off we want to encourage you to hunt glass until your heart’s desire, but leave it behind for others to find. Actually, because it is considered a “cultural resource” by State Parks, it is against park regulations to remove it.

Just south, a couple of coves over from the State Park is Glass Beach 2. Because is hasn’t been plundered and fewer people visit (mostly accessible during low tides or by climbing down a steep cliff), your can literally swim in sea glass.

What To Do: Search for rare ruby reds (from pre-1967 auto trail lights) or sapphire gems from apothecary bottles. Snap a photo, but leave the glass behind for others to discover. Instead, go see all the great glass treasures assembled by Capt. Cass Forington’s Sea Glass Museum, on Highway 1, about a mile south of the Fort Bragg City Limits. Capt. Cass has created wonderful displays of sea glass and sells jewelry made mostly from discoveries he made at Glass Beach 1, which is accessible by kayak.

The Guest House Museum in downtown Fort Bragg is also working on a sea glass exhibit to capture this piece of Fort Bragg heritage.

Run With The Whales, Then Relax With Us During Fort Bragg’s 28th Annual Whale Run & Walk Saturday March 17
—Posted Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 7:19 pm—
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Fort Bragg Whale Run and Walk

There are lots of fun reasons to visit the City of Fort Bragg during the Whale Festival, March 17 & 18. If you’re a runner, or simply enjoy walking in a spectacular setting, sign up now for the 28th Annual Whale Run and Walk on March 17 — and make the Atrium Bed & Breakfast Inn your home base. We’ll power you up with a hearty complimentary breakfast before you take off, and at the end of the day you can relax with us at our evening social hour with refreshments and freshly baked cookies. When it’s time to turn in, you’ll sleep like a baby in one of our quiet, comfy rooms.

The run/walk takes place on Fort Bragg’s scenic Haul Road along the beautiful Mendocino Coast. Here are the basics:

What:
10K Run
5K Run
5K Competitive Walk
5K Fun Walk
Kiddies Race (Ages 4-5: ¼-mile run & ages 6-10: ½-mile run)

When: Saturday, March 17

Where: Skunk Train parking lot, west end of Laurel Street, Fort Bragg

Start Times: Competitive Race Starts at 8:00 am.  Kiddies Race starts at 7:40 am

Registration/More Information: To register on line, click here.

Stay At The Atrium And Witness History
—Posted Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 3:37 am—
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On Friday, January 27 there will be a ceremony officially recognizing the City of Fort Bragg as the “Fort Bragg-Mendocino Gateway” for the Mendocino Coast Section of the California Coastal National Monument.

This important occasion takes place at 10 am at the Guest House Museum, 343 N. Main in Fort Bragg, a California Point of Historical Interest — just a few blocks away from the Atrium Bed & Breakfast Inn. Start your morning with our gourmet breakfast, and then join us as we witness a history-making event that helps protect the beautiful coast we all love.

A National Treasure At Your Doorstep
In 2000, President Clinton proclaimed most of our state’s exposed reefs, offshore rocks, pinnacles and islands (more than 20,000 in all) “The California Coastal National Monument”.

Staying at the Atrium, you’ll be right in the heart of the newly designated Gateway, minutes away (by foot, bicycle, car, kayak, even horseback) from this national coastal treasure.

Book now, witness history, and start exploring!

Crab and Wine Days Approach
—Posted Monday, January 2nd, 2012 at 8:11 pm—
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Crab season is here and there is plenty for everyone.

In Fort Bragg this month you can enjoy three major crab feeds. All are fundraisers and all promise lots of food — in addition to crab. Best of all, they will take place within a few blocks — easy walking distance — from the Atrium Bed and Breakfast. Here are the details:

January 20, 2012: Cioppino Dinner — A Benefit For Mendocino Coast Clinic

Tomatoes, onions, garlic & seasonings are blended during a long simmer. Fresh Dungeness crab caught off the North coast fills the pot. T

he Cioppino Dinner is served family-style with Café Beaujolais’ artisan bread for dipping, tossed salad, plenty of bibs & extra napkins. Dessert & locally roasted Thanksgiving Coffee are included. Treat yourself to North Coast Brewing Company beer & Mendocino County wines in the Crabby Bar.

Silent auction and raffle prizes. Three seatings: 4:30, 6:00 & 8:00 p.m. $35/adult; $15 kids 12-6; under 6 – on us.

Pentecost Hall at the corners of Stewart & Spruce Streets, Fort Bragg. 707-961-3463

January 21, 2012: Crab Cake Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition — A Benefit For Mendocino Coast Clinics Succulent Crab Cakes and select wines from America’s greenest wine region — a winning combination.

Taste handcrafted crab cakes prepared by Mendocino chefs while sipping Mendocino wines. Participants in the competition compete for the Professional Judges’ Awards bestowed by renowned food, wine and travel writers, while vying for your vote for the Peoples’ Choice Awards.

Bid on specialty wines, lodging, artwork, spa packages, and more in the silent auction. Raffle prizes, too. 12:00pm – 3:00pm.

Under the big white tent, corner Main and Spruce, Fort Bragg. 707-961-3463

January 28, 2012: Crab Feed By Fort Bragg Rotary And Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation Fresh locally caught cracked crab is brought to your table along with salad, salad dressing, French bread, coffee or tea.

Beer (some local brewed medal winners), wine from local area wineries and soft drinks are also available for additional charge. There are also hot dogs for the kids.

All proceeds go to local Rotary projects and the Timberwolf Stadium project.

Advance Tickets can be purchased locally at Sport Dodge, Pyorre Insurance Agency, Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, Harvest Market or Curves of Fort Bragg. 12 – 6 pm. $40 per person advance, $45 at the door.

Fort Bragg Firehouse, 141 Main Street. Call 707-964-2402 for reservations.

 

Our Atrium In The Heart Of The New Coastal Monument “Fort Bragg-Mendocino Gateway”
—Posted Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 at 5:14 pm—
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Todd's Point - Fort Bragg Gateway to California Coastal National Monument

Todd Point Gateway to California Coastal National Monument

It’s official, and we’re excited! The Bureau of Land Management has designated the City of Fort Bragg as the “Fort Bragg-Mendocino Gateway” for the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM).

We’ve always known this section of the breathtaking California coast is unique, and the Gateway designation is further proof. Redwoods, rivers, spectacular coastal vistas, great restaurants, shopping and more — we’re located right in the heart of it all, here in Fort Bragg!

Come make us your own cozy, comfy home for a “Gateway Get-Away”. And don’t forget to book soon for the 2012 Whale Festival in March. Our inn books early for this fun filled event.

 

November is All About Mushrooms in Fort Bragg Ca
—Posted Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 at 4:40 pm—
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Mushroom Merchant Eric Schramm Smoothered in Candy Cap Mushrooms

We have been enjoying a wondering string of beautiful, sunny days here on the coast, which, of course, visitors and locals enjoy.

But we also look forward to a little rain, which causes the mushrooms to breakthrough in abundance this time of year. The forests near Fort Bragg are home to more than 3,000 types of mushrooms, 500 of which are edible.

Along with a new crop of mushrooms comes the  Mendocino County’s annual 10-day Wine & Mushroom Festival, Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 13. It’s not to late to book a room.

Here a few planned events:

Mushroom Hunt Horseback Rides:  Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers a private four-hour horseback riding experience into the magnificent Redwood Forests. No previous horseback experience required. Children aged six and older are welcome to join us. $175.00. 707-964-7669; Toll Free: 888-873-5777.

Mushroom Madness Foray and Cooking Class: Assaggiare Mendocino presents mushrooms with a local perspective. Start with wild mushroom identification, followed by a cooking class and lunch with Julia Conway, local chef and owner. November 5, 2011 – 10:00am – 3:00pm. $40.00/person or $70.00/couple, reservations required. 707-961-9787.

Liquid Fusion Kayak Mushroom Paddles: Explore the Noyo River and discover the magic of fall on a three hour mushroom paddle. Learn the basics of mushroom identification with a hands-on, pre-paddle mushroom lesson and then tour the calm waters of the Noyo River. Reservations are required.  Rain or shine. November 5 at 10 am; November 6 at 11 am; November 12 at 11 am. $75/person; 707-962-1623.