Mystery Meat Monday: Black Bear Diner

Alright, this place is cool looking, if you like the Sequoias. They really took the bear/camping thing to the extreme, There are wood bear sculptures everywhere and even though every wall is packed with decorations it isn't as bad as one would imagine. They have signs, and cast iron (my only protest, cause I only cook with cast iron) posted everywhere. So it is my hope that the food is just as clever.

It was busy so the coffee refills came fast, the coffee was okay, not to weak as some has gotten in these hard economic times. I went for the cobb salad, my hubby got the Bob's Big Bear Burger, hmmm that sounds odly familiar. I was really hungry and went for the large salad and when I got it, it was more like a vegetable stand on a platter. This thing was pretty big. The lettuce was cold and crisp, no weird pink or red to be found anywhere... good attention to detail. it was yummy, the bacon was tasty. All in all it was good, my only thing would be that all the ingredients were sectioned around the plate and I almost missed the blue cheese. Personally I like everything layered on top spread out everywhere, no what I mean.

My husbands burger on the other hand was so good, it was pretty big, seasoned perfectly, and super juicy even though it was cooked all the way through ( my husband doesn't like pink and red meat... mmm!) The fries were even yummy... I bet you are wondering how I know this, okay okay I was stealing bites from it you caught me. It was covered in "secret sauce" and grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, pickle.

This is definitely worth many visits.

quick note

I am heading out the door... and needed to vent.  Is anyone else fighting the urge to stand on a scale.  I am like nearly obsessive about it.  But its like. if I do and what I am hoping for isn't there then I am all depressed... you know!

really!

If it seems like all I am blogging about lately is working out... is because that is all that my body will allow me to think about.  This morning I tried to mimic yesterday's workout I realize now I forgot the lunge thingy, but I am excited... I retained it.  I did it!  Also he taught me some things to do using those exercise band thingys.  I forgot to mention that yesterday.

It wasn't bad, well okay it hurt, but not bad but I did add 15 minutes more cardio...

We are also going to move my precious and beautiful Abby (my car) outside... deep breaths, relax, it will be okay.  A while ago we bought one of the total gym things from sports chalet it was only like $200 but it has been collecting dust for a while... a long while.  Now I am starting to think, oh I can get in another little work out at home without driving across town.  So we will set it up in the garage.  

Art Happenings

Art in the Alley at the Farmers Market, Downtown Visalia, Church and Main Street and the Garden Street Plaza. 5-8 p.m. the first Thursday in April, May and June. This Cultural Experience features local artists from throughout Visalia, live music, and kids activities. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Art Council of Tulare County and the Visalia Farmers Market. Interested artists call 625-1520.

The Courthouse Gallery of the Arts in Exeter, will exhibit “Portraits and Pastorals in Oil” from through March 31, featuring the work of Glen Hill of Three Rivers and Ernie Weerasinghe of Visalia. For more information call 592-1143 or 592-3882.

The Creative Center’s Jon Ginsburg Gallery presents “Meandering Through the Mediums” a multi-media exhibit featuring art by The Creative Center student artists. Featured artist is Michael Malloy. The exhibit will show through March 9 at the gallery located at 410 E. Race St., Visalia. Public invited, no cost for admission. For information call 733-9329.

The Creative Center presents “The Wonder Within,” a two-dimensional art exhibit, at the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia, Visalia. The exhibit will be held through April 6 during business hours. Also showing are pictures from The Sequoia Valley Photo Contest 2008, from the Visalia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Public invited, no cost for admission. Call 733-9329 for more information.

The Mason House Museum and Gallery presents “Out of Many We Are One” American Black History; 1619-2009, a mixed media art exhibit by Alex Schooler. The exhibit runs through Feb. 27. The gallery is located at 1476 N. Gale Hill Ave. in Lindsay. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information call 562-7168.

The California Arts Council in partnership with the Tulare County Arts Council will present an informational workshop for organizations who may be interested in applying for grants supporting the Artist in Schools Residency programs. This will be a free workshop held at Arts Visalia on Friday, Feb. 6 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 625 -1520

Arts Visalia will showcase recent works in painting, drawing and mixed media by Fresno State University professor of art Stephanie Ryan. In Arts Visalia’s Gallery II, Tyler Ferreira will present a new series of lithographs and sculptural works. This will be Ferreira’s first major solo exhibition in Visalia. Both exhibitions will run through Feb. 27 with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 6. Arts Visalia is located at 214 E. Oak Ave., in downtown Visalia. For more information call 739-0905.

The Kings Art Center is celebrating Black History Month by featuring the work of three established West Coast artists in a sculpture, photography and mixed-media exhibit titled “Moving Forward Reflecting Back.” The exhibit will run through March 28 at the Gallery located at 605 N. Douty St., Hanford. Gallery hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information call 584-1065.

Porterville Historical Museum will have an exhibition featuring Angels and Archangels. The icon show opens Feb. 5 and runs through March 28th. A reception will be held on Feb. 7. The Museum is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and is located at 257 N. D St., Porterville.

Martzen Studio located at 115 S. L St., Dinuba has the Martzen Exhibit featuring original photos from the 40s through the 90s of the Sierra Nevadas, as well as historical prints of the area. Negatives dating from the 30s, portraiture and scenics of Dinuba, Orosi, Orange Cove and Reedley area. Hours: Monday 12 - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Friday 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Occasionally later hours by appointment. Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information call 591-3890.


The Art Stand Gallery, located on the Blossom Trail, at Frankwood Ave. and Highway 180 near Sanger, will hold its Blossom Trail Show beginning Feb. 7 through April 18. Come meet the artists at an open house reception on March 7. The Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information call 967-8635.

WHAT THE!!!

Can't move fingers... hurts everywhere... must eat fruit pie.... ooh wait.  Did anybody else here see the twinkle in Micah's eye whenever you groaned in pain.  Yep he really likes his job!  

No, really though he is a motivator, it must be the Drill Instructor in him.  I want to die right now, and I fear that tomorrow will only be worse.  Usually I do about 15 min of cardio then the  circuit, then 15 min cardio... but today we did some different stuff, and I got more of a workout in less time...

on the treadmill he had the speed and a brisk walk then he increased the incline periodically, on the circuit he took away some and added a few but also had me do them different.  ho! man! it was intensely better than what I was doing.  Personal Trainers make all the difference...

I have  a sneaking suspicion that he was going easy...

Day 4 no Pepsi

Day 4... no pepsi, I am still having a problem with my vision cause I still have trouble seeing past my belly button(its there right)... having trouble breathing, and I'm sweating alot. The shock of it all is taking toll on my body, I feel pain everywhere... and there are people all around me... running. Where am I!

oh yeah the gym again, I got to tell you I never would have imagined I would be stomping my feet in front of the dryer at 4:30 in the morning waiting for my clothes to get dry... so I can get to the gym. My team was there, that was awesome! I am not doing as well as I would like to with my diet as far as healthy eating, my weakness' call me to the dark side... But I think I did okay yesterday.

Another accomplishment, last night after my meeting I was thirsty and instead of making more coffee, I drank almost an entire bottle, you know those reuseble sport bottles... I think there is like 24 or more ounces in it, of water (not pepsi)! ha ha!

Free Talk Tuesday: thus far

Well I know its early, but man this year is starting out great... I mean really great. Problems having getting fixed without a hitch at all. Its a nice change, last year was filled with some downer stuff, but I made it.

Things for the art center are blasting off with force. broken things are getting repaired for free (add a tv and steamer to my list), and relationships are mending. man, wow this is great start for the year!

Post your shout outs and exciting things here... we would love to hear them.

Mystery Meat: Main Street Cafe

Well Main Street Cafe is right across from the Fox theatre. When you walk in its kind of 50's but not in your face 50's. They have a jukebox and various Marilyn, Elvis, and other fun little metal signs everywhere. There is a counter as well as really nice seats. But lets get down to business here.

I tried there California Fresh Omelette... Wow! the eggs are perfectly cooked soft texture no browness... It was filled with smoked bacon, swiss cheese, spinach, avcado, and mushrooms, it was so good I would have never thought to put that together. Seemed very California, very yummy. My dear hubby got the biscuits which were really airy and fluffy, very nice. I got the bagel, now I forgot to ask, but I had heard they make their own bagels... It was super good, I have never had a bagel before that was not only tasty, but it wasn't hard/chewy.

It was a good treat, and now I have a delima... a new favorite place to eat. I will be definitely going back for a lunch visit to check them out further.

#3

So I am thinking, my hind side hurts, no more bikes. the day was good, I ran into Lisha... she kept me going. I also have this little fear of working out by myself, I need to work on that...

I don't know why I think everyone is staring at me, am I so important, or am I so insecure... I am proud I made it through the morning, and was able to also motivate myself into finishing the workout.

Looking forward to my meeting/workout with Micah.

#2

Okay so I spent Sunday morning at the gym... yes you read it right... the gym. So I met with Lisha and Kim. And we spent some time on the bikes again (why aren't those seats bigger... I mean really) and then the elliptical runner thing, and my thighs were on fire... like bring the extinguisher. wooo. Then we went to the 29 minute re-shape circuit place thingy (if you look real close that is a technical term on the sign (you just need special spy-glasses).

All in all it wasn't bad... no really I mean it. Even through my "uncomfortable state" I felt energized a little. Now I know that sounds nutso, I used to think that people were nuts for saying that. But I am here to tell you that is true.

I think that having a trainer has been the key here, just from talking with him already I feel a little more "gym savvy"