Mt Hood Festival of the Forest at Wildwood Park, September 10-11

Weekend of Live Music includes Cajun & Zydeco Sunday Sashay

Sunny & warm summer weekends will soon be transitioning into cooler fall days. So if you’re looking for ways to maximize your summer of fun, head up to the mountain for a great weekend of live music. Stay at a Mt Hood Vacation Rental home during Festival Weekend, and we’ll give you a little something extra… (read on to find out what!).

On Sept 10 & 11 from noon to 6 PM, bring your groove and your dancing shoes to the Mt Hood Festival of the Forest at Wildwood Park in Welches. The first annual Cajun & Zydeco Sunday Sashay of the festival will feature live music by the New Iberians, Too Loose Cajun Band and Atomic Gumbo all day on the Wildwood Stage. Other attractions include the Garcia Birthday Band, the Bob Voll Band, belly dancers, and crafts booths. When you’re not dancing among the trees, take a leisurely stroll on one of the 600 acre park’s trails, relax in the beer garden, sample a treat from one of the food vendors or take a nap by the Salmon River.

When you stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental during Festival Weekend, we’ll give you a free admission pass to attend the Mt Hood Festival of the Forest!

Make your reservation today!  877.352.4277   Email  Book Online

Koinup User of the Week: Winter Jefferson

Blogger-Fashion-Junkie-Fanged-Diva-Of-The-SL-Runway Winter Jefferson is this weeks featured Koinup user! Or as he likes to call himself: "The only Australian Vampire knight fashionisto on the grid. So far." Whether he is undead, hybrid creature,or couture prince, he is always unique. (Not to mention extremely cheeky!)

Not only is he a fan of the runway but he makes time to visit some of the most remarkable sims in SL both for the blog and for his own personal pleasure. Winter is one of those characters whether you love him or hate him make SL more entertaining.

"Yes; I wear sequinned hotpants. It's less girly when you wear them over tights. Yuh huh."

- Winter (From his fashion blog: "In Cold Blood")

Winter please don't ever change.

You can find Winter's Koinup page here: http://www.koinup.com/WinterJefferson

Or see more at his personal blog: http://incoldbloodsl.blogspot.com

Western States Blacksmith Conference and Blacksmith Wars at Mt Hood, August 18 - 21

Twenty-five years ago the first Western States Blacksmith Conference was held on Mt Hood, and this year it’s back! The Village of Government Camp will host blacksmiths and enthusiasts from all

over the US for this year’s conference and Blacksmith Wars World Championship August 18-21. Fittingly, opening ceremonies take place at Timberline Lodge, which features hand-forged iron spanning 75 years of craftsmanship. 

 

A highlight of the event is the Blacksmith Wars World Championship, a competition that gives “Iron Chef” a more literal meaning! In a contest that simulates a customer-inspired job, complete with last minute changes, teams of 4 blacksmiths will compete to win the coveted title (and prize money) of “Blacksmith Wars World Championship.” The Wars will take place each day of the conference and culminate in a final showdown on Sunday, Aug 21. These competitions are open to the public to demonstrate the talent and camaraderie in blacksmithing and give people the enjoyment of seeing the craft in process. After the final showdown, the Blacksmith Wars creations will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the teams’ respective associations. The Blacksmith Wars World Championship is open to the public; check with the Cascade Ski Club or Valian’s Ski Shop to confirm locations for the public events. 

• Thursday, Aug 18, 6 PM to 9 PM


• Friday, Aug 19, 6 PM to 9 PM


• Saturday, Aug 20, 1 PM to 5 PM


• Sunday, Aug 21, 9 AM to 1 PM: Blacksmith Wars conclusion, judging and auction 

For a complete schedule of events, go to the Western States Blacksmith Conference website. There will be many demonstrations around Government Camp, however, these are closed to the public as the registrants have paid to attend these classes, lectures and events. The Hand Forged artwork and pieces available for sale will be located in the Valian’s Ski Shop building right on main street in the center of Village of Government Camp.

 

The entire Northwest Blacksmith Association Archive Collection will be on display in The Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum during the conference. 9 AM till 5 PM daily.

Second Life Mesh Sandbox Treasures

There are many places to begin hunting for new things to see in Second Life. My current favorite spot to go check out has to be the Mesh Sandbox regions (which you can access after joining the "Mesh Volunteers" group in-world)! Pre-warning. You must be using the proper viewer in order to view Mesh items correctly.

You can download that viewer here: http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/

After you have the proper viewer installed you will want to go exploring mesh enabled regions. The Second Life wiki has a listing of Mesh enabled regions that you can go. You can find those regions by looking here: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Mesh/Mesh_regions

During my last trip to one of the Mesh Sandboxes I stumbled across some new experiments from miss Claudia222 Jewell (whom I wrote about a few months back on nwn). Her new Mesh pieces while still works in progress show how much smoother and prim friendly mesh creations have the potential for being. What I love about her style is the use of the organic textures combined with the fantastical designs. Her statues are always exotic and a bit erotic (not unlike the artist herself). Below is a short machinima clip of Claudia's surreal snail creatures and strange woman surrounded by and perched upon by birds (my new personal favorite from her).

Keep an eye out for more mesh creations to grace the grid soon!

It's Art CG Competition extends Deadline to September 30th! (over $35,000 in prizes)

Since 2005 IT'S ART is a website run and maintained by only one person, offering a free gallery for all CG Artists and an always inspiring source of news for the CG Community. IT'S ART announced a few months back about their CG Competition "Human Nature" and have since extended their deadline for entry to September 30th!

The challenge is divided in two categories :

2D & 3D Stills Pictures

Animation / VFX ( movies )

*ANY animation style is allowed!

I personally think it would be interesting to see some machinima entered...

Awarded composer Justin Lassen has provided two music tracks for the animation / VFX section

and artists will be asked to use it ( or part of it ) in their production.

To find out about how to enter you can read more here: http://www.itsartmag.com/features/chaltest/

Indie musician "Quanah" to debut this Friday!

Quanah hits the grid this Friday with his debut performance to be held at Club Graffiti in The Village at 2pm slt. As Wagner said this morning: "insiders hint that he's going to be the biggest breakout pop star to play in SL since Sean "Skye Galaxy" Ryan hit the metaverse".



Here is a glimpse of the voice that has people talking:







Quanah already has a growing fanbase in SL and he has not even hopped in world officially yet. Make sure you catch him performing in world when you can.This is a show worth stopping in for.

Quanah is one talented artist/producer who already has a strong following.

Already experienced with working with artists, video game publishers, and animation/film production companies. Not just a performer but an all around artist. Constantly pushing himself to create and explore new things. This is a musician that you will be glad you got to drop in on so do yourself a favor and stop in for a live show.

Don't forget.

Friday, August 12th

2 pm slt



Here is your SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Good%20Day%20Sunshine/141/73/21

Art Screamer: A photographic look at Glyph Graves latest installment

After the warm reception of Glyph's newest installation at Art Screamer (which I blogged about just recently here), Karro Lean dropped in to take a few pictures to share her unique window into SL with the rest of us. She shares:

"I travel again and again, carried away by the current. I am not so tired from the distance. I am probably much more well suited to the most dizzying vagaries of wind and percussion even more resistant to laughter.

All these kinds of bursts which break the monotonous litany

are scattered randomly in the wake of a gust of wind."

I arrive and once again melt. I see a pearl-like tear, so delicately constructed.

This is the work of Glyph Graves: "Sabrinaa's River"

Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Art%20Screamer/137/155/2262

Glyph Graves: Compositions in Reality

Glyph Graves invites you to explore a new installment which chooses to ignore the RL/SL boundaries and instead explores the interrelationship of the two in a whole new way.

When? Sunday, August 7 at 10 AM with Live Mixed Reality Performance Art at 10:30 AM

Where? http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Art%20Screamer/138/75/223

From sculptures using real time statistics from RL data input to live performance art using streaming data from kinect through to a hosted site and then into Second Life, this is a show to see for those interested in creations which push the boundaries of SL.

I took a quick sneak peek at the kinect end of this installment for your viewing pleasure!

Wine and Dine on Mt Hood

There’s lots to do during the day when you vacation on Mt Hood: hiking around Trillium Lake, watching your kids tear it up at snowboarding camp, golfing at the Resort at the Mountain, mountain-biking the Pioneer Bridle Trail, fishing the Salmon River and more. After a long and eventful day of playing outside, what better way to unwind than with a glass of wine or two? Whether you enjoy it along with a home-cooked meal at your Mt Hood Vacation Rental or head out to one of the area’s fantastic restaurants, this is your guide to where to find and enjoy great wines:

WINE EVENTS

Saturday, August 13
Join Sokol Blosser Winery for an absolutely stunning view and 4-course Dinner at the Resort at the Mountain. Enjoy Sokol Blosser wines paired with Chef Paul Bosch’s cuisine outside on the golf course greens and under the stars. Dinner begins at 6 pm. Call Bonnie at 503-622-2220 to make reservations or simply to learn more about the specific menu and wine pairings.

Friday, August 5 & 19

Nine & Wine at The Resort Golf Course. Greens fee, cart rental, three appetizer and wine stations on the course, prizes and awards at Mallards Cafe & Pub for only $50. 4:30 PM Shotgun Start.

Saturday, August 27

To coincide with a sunset start time, The Resort at the Mountain’s Executive Chef Paul Bosch has designed a magnificent four-course menu to be paired with delightful wines of Oak Knoll Winery. As unique as the menu is its awesome location -- on Foxglove Nine of The Courses! Call Bonnie at 503-622-2220 to make reservations or simply to learn more about the specific menu and wine pairings.

Wednesdays

Wine Down Wednesdays at The Rendezvous Grill: 2-5 PM, $2 off all wines by the glass and $8 off bottles over $20. Buy a bottle to have with dinner at the Rendezvous or a bottle to take home—they have their retail license too!

Every Night

Check out Timberline Lodge’s renowned and award-winning extensive wine library of current and past vintages of Northwest wine paired with the inspired cuisine of Chef Jason Stoller Smith at the Cascade Dining Room. Splurge on a special night out to one of his intimate Winemaker’s Dinners at Silcox Hut.

Where to Buy Wine at Mt Hood

The Villages of Mt Hood are only a one hour drive to Hood River wineries to the east and about 1 1/2 hours to the world-famous Willamette Valley wineries to the west making it easy to take a day trip and go wine tasting. Also, since we are in the epicenter of several great grape growing regions, our local stores have pretty amazing selections of wine too!

• Hoodland Thriftway, Hwy 26 & Welches Rd, Welches, OR, (503) 622-3244
• Mt Hood Food and General, 73265 E Hwy 26, Rhododendron, OR, (503) 622-4652
• Govy General, 30521 E Meldrum, Government Camp, OR, (503) 272-3107
• Rendezvous Grill & Tap Room, 67149 E Hwy 26, Welches, OR, 503-622-6837(the restaurant sells wines from their list plus a few special selections on a retail basis) 

AJB84MY65YKV

Si... SiLeNce

And even ... If my words fly away, disappear and vanish gradually as my fingers reach up into the sky grasping for them. Even as they slip from my hands, they no doubt will eventually rebound in the echo of the infinite silence ...

Karro Lean @ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/0 0 Auspicious/144/86/2

Koinup User of the Week: PrandiCapalini

The koinup community is full of explorers and sightseers. It has to be one of my favorite places to find areas to see and things to do. One of my favorite explorers on Koinup has to be PrandiCapalini.



His stream is whimsical and quiet. I like the sense of wonder in many of his shots. The photographs he shares highlight many interesting places and creations. This is one of many reasons why avid exploration photography makes for some of the nicest galleries.



What makes Koinup a nice place to share and search is the input of seasoned sim goers and sense of community that grows as it expands.

Keep an eye on Prandi's Koinup page to see what he is up to
and what sims you might have missed!



Check out Prandi's Koinup page here:
http://www.koinup.com/PrandiCapalini/

Last Minute, Late Summer Specials in Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

It’s Not Too Late to Save on Summer Travel by Reserving a Mt Hood Vacation Rental: Mt Hood Vacation Rentals Offers a Varied Selection of Last-Minute Accommodations for Less

Welches, Oregon (August 1, 2011) – For trips planned during the late summer months, savvy travelers are looking at every way they can stretch the family budget to maximize enjoyment without sacrificing comfort while building life-long memories.

The Villages of Mt Hood (Brightwood, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron and Government Camp) are within a 1-2 hour drive from the Portland metro area and just 4 hours from the Seattle area. Guests traveling from the California Bay Area can drive to Mt Hood in one day. Many area visitors are saving on the rising costs of airfare by hitting the road. Lodging is the largest vacation expenditure, and one way traveling families can save without cramping style before summer’s end is by staying in a multi-bedroom vacation rental home.

Professionally managed vacation cabins, cottages, chalets and lodges are fully equipped, and provide travelers more space, amenities, special guest services and privacy. Also the option to dine-in saves on the second largest vacation expense, meals, and guests who drive can save even more by loading up a care package with food and beverage items enjoyed at home – things like their favorite snacks, cereal, spices, coffee and libations. Vacation rental guests enjoy preparing large family-style meals in well-appointed kitchens. Many homes offer riverside alfresco dining on the back deck.



For last-minute trips to Mt Hood, Oregon this summer, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals offers a wide range of vacation homes to suit every budget and vacation desire including cozy cabins, romantic cottages, spacious lodges and beautiful chalets in a variety of settings with riverfront, secluded and golf course views providing the perfect lodging choice for Mt Hood, Oregon. Each private home has its own personality and charm and is close to Mt Hood recreational activities; guests enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golfing, fishing, skiing and snowboarding and mountain and rock climbing just minutes from their Mt Hood Vacation Rental throughout the Villages of Government Camp, Rhododendron, Zigzag, Welches and Brightwood.

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are the ideal base camp for families, friends and couples celebrating family reunions and weddings, on a romantic getaway such as a proposal, honeymoon or anniversary, participating in golf tournaments, bike races and summer ski & snowboard camps or just looking for a quiet relaxing vacation away from the city.

End of Summer Specials:

LATE SUMMER LAST MINUTE RESERVATION SPECIALS
• Stay 4 Nights & the 5th Night is Free!
• Valid on new reservations in a Featured Vacation Rental booked August 1- 14, 2011
• Arrival and Departure Dates must be August 15-31, 2011

River Dance Retreat

Salmonberry Retreat

Rapid River Retreat

Cedarwood Lodge

PREFERRED CUSTOMER DISCOUNTS AT THE RESORT AT THE MOUNTAIN
• 20% off daily greens fees, Sunday through Friday after 1 PM
• $25 greens fees on Wednesdays
• 10% off at the Altitude and mallards restaurants
• 20% off massages, facials and nail treatments Sunday through Friday
• 15% off purchases in the Golf shop and Riverstone Gift Gallery

RESERVE 7 NIGHTS & THE 7th NIGHT IS FREE

AAA, AARP or MILITARY - Take 5% off the Regular Rate

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is recommended to travelers by Discover Vacation Homes, the official public resource on vacation rental travel, operated by the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association. All of the organization’s member companies, including Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Practices to ensure guests are provided a quality lodging experience.

ABOUT MT HOOD VACATION RENTALS
Mt Hood Vacation Rentals has been the premiere professional vacation rental management company on the south side of Mt Hood since 1991. Homes managed by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals have a reputation for their cleanliness, comfort, quality and amenities. Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is proud of their reputation for excellence, which is testimony to their commitment of providing the most professional and friendly customer service in the area. Guests return to Mt Hood Vacation Rentals year after year with confidence, knowing that the accommodations and the service they receive is top notch and will make their vacation memorable.

ABOUT DISCOVER VACATION HOMES
Discover Vacation Homes is the trusted public voice on vacation rentals, providing an official resource for vacation rental travel information. As the awareness initiative of the Vacation Rental Managers Association, it represents tens of thousands of professionally managed rental homes, condos and villas from hundreds of the most well established vacation rental companies in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.



Reservations & Information:
866-761-8029   Email   Book Online   Live Chat   Push to Talk