Can you think of any better way to start your day?  Outside Inn guest Melony lounging in the pool, book and coffee in hand.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City

Nevada County Concert Band’s Pioneer Park Picnic & Pops concert.  If you missed today’s event, check out their website for the date and time for their next free concert, a great family friendly activity.    The Along For The Ride Concert tonight was special because not only did the 60 member local band play, but they invited along 90 guest musicians.

Have you been to The Willo Steakhouse?  It’s a one-of-a kind Nevada County experience.  For information on the history and name click here.  Or, stop by in person and check it out for yourself, open from 5-9pm daily at the corner of Highway 49 and Newtown Road in Nevada City.  I think their website sums it up pretty well when they state, “We’re not pretentious, we’re not a bistro. We’re The Willo – A traditional California roadhouse with just plain, good, hearty American food.”  What’s your favorite Willo item?

Looking for a fun family friendly water activity?  While the rest of the county is down at the South Yuba River try taking a trip out to Lower Scotts Flat Lake.  The smaller (and slightly cooler) lake is just downstream from Scotts Flat Lake.  Take Highway 20 up to the Five Mile House and turn right on Scotts Flat Dam Rd, before you get to Scotts Flat Lake.  (Click here for last year’s blog post with a photo of the street sign).  The dirt road is a bit bumpy towards the bottom, but the quiet and peaceful lake is a nice spot to enjoy some wildlife, take a paddle or do some fishing.  If you don’t own a kayak or stand up paddle board, consider renting one from either Mountain Recreation or a Hobie kayak from Hills … Read More »

The Outside Inn’s veggie cart has made its 2102 season debut, for those of you who have been wondering when it would reappear.  The original antique cart didn’t weather the winter and we’ve been trying to come up with an alternative option to house our free neighbors vegetable baskets, so we apologize for the delay in the opening of our free fruit and veggie stand.  For those of you unfamiliar with our cart please check out this blog post about the 2011 Neighbors Vegetables season.  Lots of great pictures from last year’s bounty, click here to see more.  The Outside Inn loves watching the flow of traffic, from the generous people sharing their extra homegrown fruits and vegetables, to the folks who enjoy collecting a goodie or two to the Outside Inn guests who don’t understand … Read More »

Diego’s Restaurant in downtown Grass Valley is a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a meal out.  We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed chilled peach soup, calamari, anticucho with steak, chicken tacos, panqueque and finished with a divine slice of key lime pie.  Diego’s is now open seven days a week, 11am- 9pm, so plenty of time to stop by and try something new.  And the winners from last week’s posts, the winner of the Elevensies crepe is Kathryn Boswell and the winner of the Sierra Storytelling Festival passes is Addie Harris.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City

Have you been for a dip in the South Yuba River yet?  I took the top right photo last night in an after work dip, such a fabulous way to end the day.  There are so many amazing swimming holes out our back door.  Stop by the Outside Inn if you need some directions and recommendations.  I have really been enjoying looking through Instragram’s photos of the South Yuba River, so today we have photos compliments of Amber Hill and Sandy Rigg, thanks for sharing ladies.  If you’ve got a fun South Yuba River photo you’d like to share, please email me (see side bar) and I’ll post on the InnSide Nevada City blog next month.  And if you missed some of our giveaways posts, there’s still time to win an Elevensies sweet crepe and two … Read More »

If you’re looking to sample some amazing food from the comforts of your own home, think about trying out a CSK (Community Supported Kitchen).  Jessica Flannigan has put her food magic to work with Lemon Star Larder  and is about to join forces with Wendy Van Wagner from the In the Kitchen to expand into Nevada City CSK.  Subscribe for a 3 week share and every week collect between 5 and 6 items.  Last week’s Lemon Star Larder included: Granola, Vanilla Crème Fraiche, Broccoli Basil Coup, Fareekah, Roasted Garbanzo Beans and Polenta Ricotta Rosemary Cakes.  Local ingredients from Riverhill Farm, Dinner Bell Farm, Grass Valley Grains and Chaffin Family Orhcard Olive Oil.  If the $55 a week is out of your budget, consider checking out Jessica’s Nevada City Food Swap, click here for information and here to be … Read More »

Maiden Lane in downtown Nevada City has just become the authorized dealers of TOMS Shoes, if you’re not familiar with their comfortable and stylish shoes you should check out their shoe giving movement.  And when I poped in to Maiden Lane to check out the new line of shoes, Bo & Stu said, “Oh and check out the Civic Duty shoes, they’re vegan.”  The shoes are made out of recycled Tyvek® bags.  So, if you’re looking for a new pair of shoes and you want to give back, stop by Maiden Lane.  And the winners from the Fixing the Future film screening, Giveaway #1 goes to Erika and Giveaway #2 goes to Florence Arafiles, congrats!

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City

Elevensies Crepes is back open, after a brief hiatus, and they’ve just announced new longer hours. Tuesday through Thursday 8am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-2am, Sunday 9am-10pm.  Cole has offered a special giveaway to one Innside Nevada City blog reader, buy one savoury crepe and the sweet one is free.  Please post a comment on this blog post about your favorite type of sweet crepe and I’ll post the winner on Sunday, July 22nd.  My favorite was the Belgian chocolate with Riverhill Farm strawberries.  If you’ve missed some of my other giveaways this week, scroll back through some of the blog posts, free coffee, tickets to the Sierra Storytelling Festival, a night out with tickets to the Fixing the Future film screening, comment on the respective posts for your chance to win.