Ironstone Vineyards Tasting Room will be hosting the Writers Unlimited and Manzanita Writers Press Group of Authors. Great opportunity to meet the authors first hand, discuss their inspirations and purchase your very own signed copy! Come say hello!
Jim Lanier--A Murphys area resident, Jim is a member of Writers Unlimited of San Andreas and his first book, The Bizzare Bazzar, is full of stories that you might find... well, a bit bizarre, but very entertaining nonetheless. A singer, song writer and guitarist, he also hosts Open Mic every Saturday night at the Mercantile in Angels Camp.
Kimberly Norton--I live in Columbia and will be promoting my book The Crystal Princess at Ironstone. The Crystal Princess is the first fictional book in a series of new books I'm writing. The book age range of 13 and up. The story is full of twists and turns. It's about a witch named Kelly who meets up with a Mi Wuk Indian named Max( White Bear). It's got love suspense and so on.
Ted Laskin--An attorney from Arnold with a law office in Angels Camp, Ted has lived in the area for years. This, his first book, was published by our Manzanita Writers Press and is full of some amusing, some serious, stories about Custer, horse racing, Jessie Owens, Mules, and lawyers, although somewhat incomplete. It's a 'must read'.
Stephen Holmes--Another member of Writers Unlimited, Steve's Zook is an adventure tale from the future. There has been a cataclysm that has destroyed civilization. Zook is a descendant of some survivors who live in what was the area of Los Angeles. He sets out to explore, and travels to the area where San Francisco once thrived. Fascinating!
Kathy Boyd Fellure -- a resident of Ione, has founded a very successful writing group there. She is the author of several wonderful, beautifully illustrated children's books, which she will present at Ironstone. Kathy also has a novel based on her fond memories of summers at Lake Tahoe which is ready for publication.
Monika Rose -- founder of Writers Unlimited (1984) and Manzanita Writers Press, lives in Mountain Ranch. In addition to creating a venue where authors can meet to discuss writing and critique each other's work, she teaches High School English in Lodi. Monika has shepherded six volumes of Manzanita: Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra into print, and has recently completed her first book of poetry, River by the Glass, which will be out this summer.
Glenn Wasson -- A retired Air Force Pilot who served in Viet Nam, Glenn is a master speaker and storyteller. He is well known in this area for his impersonations of the doggerel-writing bank robber Black Bart, and Glenn has written volumes of doggerel of his own, some of which you'll find along with some short stories in his hilarious book, Stories Mark Twain Would Have Loved to Steal, a new, expanded version of which has just been published and will be available this weekend at Ironstone.
Antoinette May -- member of Writers Unlimited, is a columnist, travel writer and historical novelist who has been on the New York Times Best Seller List. She is currently working on her third novel, the story of Mary Shelley, the woman who created Frankenstein. She will be presenting her first two novels, Pilate's Wife and The Sacred Well, at Ironstone this weekend.
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Saturday, Feb. 19: Author Book Title
- 10:00 to 1:00 Jim Lanier The Bizarre Bazaar
- 10:00 to 1:00 Kimberly Norton The Crystal Princess
- 1:00 to 5:00 Ted Laskin George A. Custer, Please Come to the White Courtesy Phone
- 1:00 to 5:00 Stephen Holmes Zook
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Sunday, Feb. 20:
- 10:00 to 12:00 Kathy Boyd Fellure Children's Books: When the Birdies Came to Tea, and others.
- 10:00 to 1:00 Jim Lanier The Bizarre Bazaar
- 10:00 to 3:00 Monika Rose Manzanita Volume 6: Wild Edges
- 10:00 to 3:00 Glenn Wasson Tales Mark Twain Would Have Loved to Steal
- 1:00 to 3:00 Antoinette May Pilate’s Wife and The Sacred Well
YES! That is our Livia! Congratulations Livia!
And, another award for her adorable vegetable garden entry!
This exhibit is a must see! The arrangements are exciting, individual and so creative! This is a very talented group of ladies! The exhibit will be here Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine! 
Come in to purchase your raffle ticket to win this stunning quilt! Full of daffodils and soft colors. You don't need to be present to win either! 
Despite the threat of wind rain and possibly snow, the Calaveras County Garden Club is here today in full force getting ready for their "March Melody", A Flower Show, that is on display this Saturday and Sunday along with the Northern California Daffodil Society Show & Competition. Competition is always tough but full of fun, friendships and creativity to boot. These gals are having way too much fun out there! 
Here are just a couple of buckets on their way to artistic & creative arrangements.
This beauty is on display in the Museum.
Good luck Olivia! Olivia has the her entry done, "Tapestry". First one ready for judging! Go Girl! Olivia is also one of Ironstone's favorite Volunteers, with us for ever!
Judges Merit Awards were issued to 
And Yes, Chef James, we can't wait to see what you are cooking up for your Free Cooking Demos on Saturday! Yummm Yummm!!!!! It's Ironstone's 14th Annual Spring Obsession! Art Exhibit, Art Seminars, Art in Action, Cooking Demos and Garden Tours this weekend! Great Get Away to Murphys!
"It's all in the hat..." 
It's official! The 2011 Theme Division of Ironstone's 14th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show is spectacular! The entries are in and originals beginning to arrive. I love this time of year! Love the art, love the artists and love the excitment building for the big weekend March 5 & 6. If you have not participated or come out to see this event, you really must give it a shot! The artists are here with art in action, presentations and so much more... Watercolorist Carolyn Macpherson will be giving a presentation on "pouring a watercolor background" at 10:30 AM on Sunday, March 6th. . For those of you not familiar with watercolors, this is a difficult but beautiful effect to achieve with this tempermental medium. Carolyn is a master. I will have a slide show of the entries for you to browse in the next day or two. Take a look and try to guess which one will be unveiled as the 2011, Series #14 Ironstone Obsession Poster on Saturday, March 5th at the Reception! By the way, this event is open to the public for only $20.00. With food & wine pairing stations around the Alhambra Music Room, live music and artists, it is an event not to miss. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out here for updates on the artists and the art. 
