Stepping out: Some yummy fruitcakes from some very nice people

“Trying to open things wrapped in cellophane is going to be the death of me.”

— Grandma, Bell McNeill Noble (1878-1957)

A few notes from 2010

Remember when I asked for ways to open those jars that seemed to have their lids welded on? Well a nice lady named Reed sent me a note saying that she simply drives a nail through the lid and then it easily turns off. I have done that, but you have to make sure that you have another lid to seal the jar or a different container into which you can transfer the contents of the jar. But, it is fun to drive a nail through the lid and, at the same time, curse the folks that put them on so tight.
My good friends Betty and Bernie Beller again brought me a home-made fruitcake and, this year something even different, oatmeal fruitcake cookies that were almost as good. And, after a dozen years of sort of promising, Davey “Doc” Weiser brought me a sample of his fruitcake made with dark molasses. It was different from the ones Betty Beller makes, with more cake and a different selection of fruit, but it too, was great.

I also discovered that each year there are more people that like fruitcake. There are now three of us at the “Mountain Democrat” who get a slice of what arrives, along with a friend of mine with whom I walk in the morning. He likes fruitcake and and loved the cookies. He is 90. I think there is a connection there.

El Dorado Epicurean

The El Dorado County Visitor’s Authority is honoring "January, California Restaurant Month" with “The El Dorado Epicurean” — a week long celebration of our local cuisine from Sunday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 30. And, they are planning a grand finale of an extraordinary, county-wide progressive dinner “Culinary Adventure” on Jan. 30.

The goal is to have at least 20 restaurants participate in the progressive dinner, restaurants located all across the county from South Lake Tahoe to El Dorado Hills.
The process is simple. You choose from more than 20 different venues in seven different villages throughout the county. Give them your top three preferences for entrée and they will do the rest.

The schedule is: 4 to 5:30 p.m. — appetizers, 5 to  6:30 p.m. — salads/soup, 6 to 7:30 p.m. — entrée and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. — dessert.

The cost for the Culinary Adventure is $55 per person or $90 per couple until Jan. 10, after which the price increases to $55 per person. Beverages and gratuity are not included in the price.

If you wish to combine this event with the El Dorado Winery Association's “Bring out the Barrel” event, which takes place at 25 local wineries on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29 and 30, you will get a 10 percent discount on both tickets.

Reservations for this culinary adventure can be made by visiting visit-eldorado.com or by calling 800-457-6279.

Feeling lucky? Visit the Webpage and enter the sweepstakes to win tickets to the El Dorado Epicurean Event.

Celebrate Coloma weddings

A unique, one-of-a-kind wedding showcase is planned for Sunday, Jan. 15. Visit the wedding venues in the beautiful and historic Coloma Valley, tour the facilities, taste food from the preferred caterers and meet the wedding vendors, all for free.

The event runs from 1 until 5 p.m., and since all the venues are within one and a half miles of each other, you will have plenty of time to visit them all.

The Coloma Valley has outstanding venues, beautiful scenery, and fabulous vendors. No matter your budget, theme, or unique vision, they have a venue to meet your wedding needs and planners to help.

Each venue will have vendors on site so appointments can be set up. Each of the venues will also be providing prizes so register at each of the venues to be in the running for any prizes given out.

Ladies, if you're bringing your groom along, you might want to drop him off at the Sierra Nevada House, at the corner of Highway 49 and Lotus Road, for some “Guy Time.” The Sierra Nevada House will have sports on the big screen, brews and snacks on hand all day.

Venues include American River Resort, 6019 New River Road, Coloma, 530-622-6700; Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast Inc., 581 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, 530-622-3456; Coloma Country Inn, 345 High St., Coloma, 530-622-6919; David Girard Vineyards, 741 Cold Springs Road, Placerville, 530-295-1833; Gold Hill Vineyard, 5660 Vineyard Lane, Placerville , 530-626.6522 and Sierra Nevada House, 835 Lotus Road, Coloma, 530-626-8096.

Cell phone reception and GPS services can be an issue in the Coloma area, so map out your route in advance.

Celebrate the day

Birthdays to celebrate today: the prolific cartoonist with a macabre sense of humor Charles Addams (1912); 13th president of the U.S. Millard Fillmore (1800); stage, screen and television performer, Vincent Gardenia (born Vincent Scognamiglio in 1922); one of the most important African-American writers of the 20th century, Zora Neale Hurston (1891); French merchant and inventor of the hot air balloon Jacques Etienne Montgolfier (1745); screenwriter, novelist William Blatty (1928); actors Nicholas Cage (1964), David Caruso (1956), Dustin Diamond (1977), Erin Gray (1952) and Terry Moore (1929); journalists Douglas Kiker (1930) and Jan Wenner (1947); singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins (1948); singer and pianist Paul Revere (1938) and musician Jean-Pierre Ramapl (1922). It is also the anniversary of the first crossing through the Panama Canal in 1914 and the first balloon flight across the English Channel in 1785. To keep from landing in the icy waters of the channel, the two men suspended from the balloon had to toss overboard all ballast, equipment and most of their clothing.