Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Reprinted from Sierra FoodWineArt magazine: ABOUT A CENTURY AGO, IN June 1910, the first American Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington, after a resident convinced the mayor that fathers such as hers—a widowed farmer who raised his six children—deserved their own day of recognition. As with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day now is observed world-wide—often with a family outing, barbeque, or picnic in the park. The foothills and Sierra have their own Father’s Day weekend traditions.

TRUCKEE RIBFEST
Now in its third year, the annual Truckee Ribfest takes place on Sunday afternoon, June 17, at the Tri Counties Bank Plaza.

The fun, casual foodie event will provide attendees a chance to sample delicious ribs and side dishes prepared by some of the best chefs in the area, including Smokey’s Kitchen. A beer garden, bounce house and free live music round out the festivities.

Produced by Relay for Life of Truckee-Tahoe, all proceeds go to non-profits. It’s the perfect Father’s Day outing for hungry dads and their families. For more information or tickets, visit TruckeeRibfest.com.

NEVADA CITY ADULT SOAP BOX DERBY
“Get off your soap box” for the second annual Adult Soap Box Derby on Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Pioneer Park, hosted by AJA Video.

The idea is to provide a fun event that is family friendly and enjoyable for all ages. The event raises money to benefit improvements at Pioneer Park, also the site of the Civil War living history and battle reenactment during the city’s popular Constitution
Day festivities on September 8-9.

Participation is limited to 42 teams of adults. The course will run down Nimrod Street from near the crest of the hill. Teams focus on art or speed—or both. NCDerby.com.

NEVADA CITY BICYCLE CLASSIC
One of America’s top cycling events celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year, and many of the nation’s top cyclists will be on hand.

The race is on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17 in historic downtown Nevada City. Action begins at 12:30 p.m. and is usually completed by 6:30 p.m.

The Nevada City Classic is one of the premier sporting events in the Sierra foothills, the largest and oldest bike race on the West Coast, and the second-oldest in the nation. NevadaCityClassic.com

CBA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
The California Bluegrass Association’s 37th Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival is June 14- 17 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, with an exciting lineup of national headliners, impressive California talent, workshops, camping, jamming and more. FathersDayFestival.com

(Photo credit: Darrell Robinson),

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Each year, Outside Magazine scours the nation to find those dream cities that offer a balance of great culture, perfect scenery, stress-free and reasonable cost of living, and, of course, easy access to the outdoors. This year, for it’s 35th Anniversary issue October, Outside is calling on the public to help select the best one ever from a pool of ten finalists in their Best Town Ever Facebook app.

To select the finalists, Outside partnered with the non-profit American Rivers to find great places to live that have the usual dreamy quality-of-living criteria and also an active recreational engagement with nearby waterways-kayaking, fishing, boating, walking and bike paths, and riverfront parks – and a positive environment story.

The winning town will receive the official honor of Outside’s “Best Town in America” and will be featured in the October 2012 magazine cover, and on Outside online.”

The towns nominated include – Hood River, OR; Missoula, MT; Boise, ID; Nevada City, CA; Durango, CO; Ithaca, NY; Milwaukee, WI; Richmond, VA; Nashville, TN; Asheville, NC.

Voting officially begins at 12:00am EDT June 12, 2012 and ends at 11:59PM EDT July 9, 2012.

The rest of the article is here.

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