Thanksgiving in Placerville and geocaching

This Thanksgiving you can find more than turkey and stuffing in Placerville. The Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast is offering a “How to Geocache” over the holiday weekend. .Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt, where you use a GPS to locate a cache that has been “logged” into Geocaching.com. Fun for all ages, there are plenty of caches in the gold rush town of Placerville to keep you busy all weekend.

The $150 package includes: special check-in reception, introduction to geocaching and hands-on experience, hunting for caches, tips for successful “finds”, Geomate.jr. for guests to use and take home (one per room), and supplies to make your first “hide”. ** 3 nights lodging at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville (AAA rated and number 1 on Tripadvisor) not included in package – rates will vary depending on your room choice.

The festivities will begin on Thursday at 6 pm with wine and nibbles at check-in. Learn how to cache after breakfast on Friday, then head downtown with the innkeepers to find your first cache of the weekend. Saturday after a delicious breakfast, we will create your first hide (materials provided), be shown how to create a free account on geocaching.com, and look up hints and tips for finding more caches.

For still more reasons to visit, Placerville will be starting the holidays off with a tree lighting on Friday, November 27th from 5:30-8:00 pm which closes Historic Main Street to cars and offers music, entertainment, Santa, stagecoach rides and shopping for that special gift. Saturday, November 28th the shops on Main will welcome you with coffee, cider and seasonal goodies to tempt you…and maybe you can find the cache at the Historic Bell Tower too!

SCA Feast near our Placerville B&B this weekend

The local chapter of the SCA is holding the second annual Emeritus Feast at the Shakespeare Hall just down the streeet from the Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast in Placerville this Saturday, February 28. The hall will be decorated to suit the period and there will be belly dancers, a wandering lute player, choral performances, recorder music, song and poetry. In addition to the costumes and entertainment, dinner promises to be a special event as well with several mouth-watering coursed to work through.

-Tickets are $20 for SCA members , $25 for the general public, and $15 for those 6-15 yrs. old.
-Available on-line right here by selecting “Purchase Now” and at mountainsgateshire.org
-Voicemail: (530) 663-8428 for a call back to place an order.
-If you need further information: (530) 622-0784, or (530) 306-9585 before 10pm.
-Autocrat – Geoffrey of Clan Fergus, (530)306-9585. gatekeeper@mountainsgate.com

Placerville’s Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating

For more information contact: Stephanie Carlson, Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast 2942 Coloma Street, Placerville, CA 95667 530-642-2776 ***

Placerville’s Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating

Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast has earned a 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating this week by completing a 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey administered by iStayGreen.org – the online social network of environmentally friendly travel.

Placerville, CA January 07, 2009 – Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast becomes one of the 1st lodging properties in Placerville, CA to receive the Green Eco-Leaf Rating. Currently Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast is first of the hotels in Placerville (http://www.istaygreen.org/getcityus.cfm/city/Placerville …) to complete the comprehensive environmental audit administered by iStayGreen.org. The property earned 2 Green Eco-Leafs, which is a “Good” rating.

All Green Eco-Leaf Rated properties are committed to environmentally friendly initiatives. Richard Varner, founder of iStayGreen.org states: “Simple changes helped Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast earn their 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating and become one of 1st lodging properties rated. It’s great to see they’re intent on insuring a more sustainable future in travel.”

To insure a more sustainable future some of the eco-initiatives put in-place at the property include: an on-site Green Team has been created – low energy lighting initiatives are in-place – energy efficient lighting is installed when replacing old lighting – sheets reuse option for multiple night stays – towels reuse option for multiple night stays – water conservation initiatives are in-place – recycle containers are located inside guestrooms – recycle containers are located around the property common areas – reusable food & beverage service is used in lieu of disposable service items – compostable disposable service items are utilized – environmentally friendly chemicals are used in cleaning – environmentally friendly detergents are used for laundry – the entire property is non-smoking – cotton bedding and towels (non-synthetic) are utilized – plus much more. The complete audit can be viewed at Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast Environmental Self-Audit (http://www.istaygreen.org/ecoaudit.cfm/hid/11339376).

The lodging industry recognizes the need to create a sustainable future for travel. While the Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast is one of 1st Placerville lodging properties to achieve the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, it is anticipated that many other properties in the area that are promoting eco-friendly initiatives also will seek to be rated. This eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions.

For additional information about Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast contact them at 530-642-2776 or visit http://www.shafsky.com. To find out how a property can earn the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, contact Richard Varner at 602-864-5553 or visit http://www.iStayGreen.org.

About Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast:
Take a step back in time as you explore the beautifully restored landmark property, The Albert Shafsky House. In the heart of California Gold Country, Historic Placerville, CA, this lovely Queen Ann Victorian Bed and Breakfast is the perfect setting for your El Dorado County escape.

Contact: Albert Shafsky House Bed And Breakfast
530-642-2776
Stay@shafsky.com

About iStayGreen.org:
With iStayGreen’s rapidly growing searchable directory of 100,000 lodging properties and over 3,000 already Green Eco-Leaf Rated, it’s easy for anyone to quickly locate and compare “Green” lodging worldwide. To earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating, hotels must complete a thorough self-audit, and then are rated based on their eco-initiatives. The site also provides an effective way for hotel owners and operators to promote all of the good “Green” things they are doing. Visitors to the site can create their own profiles, add friends, recommend properties, upload photos, form groups, create and respond to forum threads, make reservations, and add comments and reviews to hotel profiles.

Contact: Richard Varner
602-864-5553
rvarner@istaygreen.org

Red Hawk Casino opens near our Placerville bed and breakfast

Just about 5 miles from our Placerville bed and breakfast lies a new draw to El Dorado County’s Western Slope.  The Red Hawk Casino opened yesterday to the public and we will be visiting the facilities to tell you about the experience and the food for your next visit with us.

Here is a bit of the SacBee article that ran….

Red Hawk Casino draws 10,000 on first day

By Diana Lambert and Loretta Kalb 
dlambert@sacbee.com

Published: Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | Page 16A

The Red Hawk Casino drew a full house Wednesday night as thousands braved the cold, fought traffic and opened tight pocketbooks to check out the state’s newest Indian gambling site.

Casino officials estimated that 10,000 people arrived by 6 p.m. The Shingle Springs facility allowed guests in hours earlier than its scheduled 7 p.m. opening in hopes of avoiding traffic backing up on Highway 50 near the casino’s offramp. But by 8:30 p.m., eastbound traffic on Highway 50 was backed up about one mile.

Inside, guests queued up at the 2,000 slot machines, squeezed into seats at 75 gambling tables and sampled fare at the casino’s six restaurants.

“I think it’s marvelous, absolutely gorgeous,” said Sue Ball of Shingle Springs as she watched gamblers put coins into the slots. “It’s a shorter trip than Tahoe or Jackson.

 

Watch for our upcoming posting on our experience with this facility.

Murder Mystery Weekend Jan. 2009

magine spending a quiet weekend in Beautiful Historic Placerville “Hangtown” located in California’s Gold Country.

All of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a murder!!! It’s up to you to solve the crime before any else!

Who was the victim? Who wanted them dead? What is the history behind the brutal murder? What are the facts that will solve this case? It’s up to you to find out!!!!

Are you up for the challenge?

Murder Mystery Weekend Placerville, Ca
A Weekend of Mystery in California’s Gold Country.
The Murder Mystery Weekend starts January 24, 2009. Your ticket will include the Friday nights “Murder Mystery Dinner”, Saturday nights dinner, ice cream social on Sunday where the murder is solved and the best sleuth of the murder mystery weekend is announced. And two nights stay at either the Albert Shafsky House B and B or another of the local B and B’s or hotel is also included. This package is $395.00 and covers 2 people.

For Reservations, call our pals at “What’s The Scoop?” Ice Cream & More 530 – 621 – 4400

A great winery, near the inn: Boeger

 

We are lucky to have so many great wineries just minutes from ourPlacerville bed and breakfast. Beoger is a great place to spend the afternoon as they have lovely grounds, and a wonderful group of staff in the tasting room. In the three decades since Boeger Winery was founded, they have been committed to only one standard: quality. They have built on their education and experience to produce exceptional wines. They are able to control the quality of our wines because they grow over 90% of our grapes. They are small enough to allow full attention to detail.

Boeger is committed not only to making the highest quality wines, but to pushing the boundaries of winemaking as well. Greg Boeger was one of the state’s first producers of a varietal Merlot when it was virtually unheard of in California. Today he is a pioneer of innovative blends, drawing from over twenty-five varieties of grapes grown at the estate. Boeger is quickly becoming known for bringing new and uncommon varietals to the market place. They look forward to your visits!

Open for wine tasting 10AM-5PM, daily

Tell them the “Shafsky House” gals sent you!

Sample breakfast at the Placerville Bed and Breakfast

THe reason people stay at B&B’s is partly breakfast, always a special treat at the Albert Shafsky House in Placerville.

Placerville makes a great one-tank trip this Summer or Fall

From a recent article I posted…. Placerville is a great destination for California or NV travelers seeking a getaway that fulfills a long distance desire. Here you can find great wines, shops, restaurants, & starting in September, Apple Hill orchards just minutes away in Camino. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 05, 2008 – Placerville, Calif. — Placerville is a great destination for California or Nevada travelers seeking a quick getaway that fulfills a long distance desire. Here you can find great wines, unique shops, mouth-watering restaurants, and starting in September, Apple Hill orchards just minutes away in Camino. Placerville is well-known for having a colorful Gold Rush past. It started in Coloma in 1848 when James Marshall discovered gold flecks in a sawmill and carries on through today as Hangtown remains the hub of the Mother Lode. Named after the Placer Gold deposits found in its river beds and hills in the late 1840’s, Placerville’s rich mining history and lore includes the infamous Hangman’s Tree. The historic downtown area of Placerville is filled with antique stores, tasty restaurants and specialty shops to tempt you. And since you do not have to drive a long distance, you can spend more time enjoying your vacation, than worrying about the high cost of gas. Fall in Northern California is not truly fall until it is Apple Hill season in Camino. A bounty of privately-owned farms, set among the rolling foothills, showcase old family recipes of homemade fritters, ciders, apple wines, and hand-crafts. Sample apple cider donuts at Rainbow Orchards, the crisp cider at High Hill Ranch, and the late-summer peach pie at Hooverville Orchards. Making your home base Placerville will allow you to also experience the beauty of South Lake Tahoe, just an hour away. Or you could spend some time in historic Sacramento, exploring the waterfront shops and Railroad Museum. Many of the historic homes in Placerville have been converted into lovely bed and breakfasts. For instance, the Albert Shafsky House is a stunning Queen Anne Victorian, known for hearty breakfasts and great innkeepers located just a block from Main Street. You may be treated to Apple Hill pancake, or their “gold nugget” eggs when you stay, along with yummy banana bread and juice. A traveler from Redwood City had this to say about the Albert Shafsky House “The weekend was the best ever. The inn is very well maintained and the innkeepers do everything to make you feel at home. The food is out of this world. The rooms are comfortable and inviting. Had the best time ever. We enjoyed everything abot the inn and enjoyed walking around Placerville”. Research shows consumer interest in wine and food travel is growing, with more people seeking unique wine and food experiences. Current news outets confirm the trend for one-tank trips as travelers try shorter, close-to-home, and more frequent vacation experiences because of current economics and higher gas prices. # # # Take a step back in time as you explore the beautifully restored property. In the heart of California Gold Country, Historic Placerville, CA, this lovely Queen Ann Victorian Bed and Breakfast is the perfect setting for your El Dorado County escape.

Upcoming events in Placerville, near our bed and breakfast

Need and reason to get away?

AUGUST 10th, Craft Faire, 8AM – 3PM. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.

AUGUST 16th, Girls’ Night Out, 6PM to 9PM. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.

SEPTEMBER 28th, Antique Street Faire, – 8AM to 3PM. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.

OCTOBER 5th, Hangtown Jazz Jubilee, 11AM – 5PM. For info call (530) 622-8186.

OCTOBER 18th, Art & Wine Festival, 6PM – 9PM. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association. For info call (530) 672-3436.

OCTOBER 31st, Trick or Treat on Main Street, 4PM to 6PM. For info call (530) 672-3436.

NOVEMBER 28th, Festival of Lights, 5:30PM – 8PM. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association.For info call (530) 672-3436.

NOVEMBER 28th & 29th, Merchants Open House, Extended Hours. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association.For info call (530) 672-3436.

DECEMBER 7th, 31st Annual Christmas Parade, 1PM. on Historic Main Street.Sponsored by Jim & Cathy McIntire.For info call (530) 621-5885.

Of course you can contact us at the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville to arrange a room at the inn.