Your Stories
Margaret Niven, Artist from Santa Cruz, CA
Our restaurant’s hostess Anita Starr is our star. Throughout her lifetime she was a star to many people, people who are well known to people all over the world. She worked for Walt Disney in the 40-50’s.
She’s been with our company 20 years. She is the Icon of our restaurants. Our guests must take pictures of her with them and she receives photos, and thank you’s from all over the world. She loves to dance and dances almost every Friday at the Embassy Suites live music happy hour affair. And, she can dance anyone I know under the table. She is from the UK, and has enjoyed California for over 60 years!
You should consider her story, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. With Anita you get a little bit of over half the categories you listed for your project. And you surely be inspired by the time your visit with her is over!
Karen Clarkson Clay
You should come to Auburn, experience the Western States, 100 miles in one day. A foot race from Squaw Valley to Auburn.. One year the temp was over 100, the first runner, lagged 2 hours behind normal. When he came up, out of the canyon, he was covered in mud, from efforts to cool off in the American River, he was losing steam, when buddies, began to pace him. He collapsed 6 yards from winning. VERY inspiring..amazing.
Debi Mabry
It’s a shame you are waiting till May! This weekend is RED BLUFF ROUND-UP rodeos- 4 days of California History. One of the biggest oldest Rodeos in the west. The W.B. IDE adobe is in town- a state park- Great,Great Grandpa x3 was the first president of the Bear Flag republic-California was a COUNTRY for 6 weeks! Classic car shows with thousands of cars in Redding too!- lots of material.
Laura Denktash
Hi! thanks for your friend request. I am a native San Franciscan now living in the Sierra Foothills. Please come to the “gold country” and I would love to share my feelings and experiences of Cali. My mother’s parents came from Mexico and settled SF. Cali is my home!
Molly LittleBird
Are you going to visit up here in northern California? Come see Mt.Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Burney Falls! The places that are almost Paradise. I say almost Paradise as that is where I live- Paradise California!
Sherry Warnock-Brown
Well…the census person told me I live in the next best place to Hawaii…..lol without the beach…just a lake…but a lot of history here…gold rush…indian artifacts….and the early hippy community called Finegold….old conmunne still stands with structures….tables still set with dishes on table etc…..looks like they left in a hurry….have hd camera and major production experience….scripting….connections….etc…if interested and if you have funding for great story…was thinking of doing it myself!!!!
Diane Goedecke Gordon
Thank you for the friend request! I am inspired by the diversity and beauty of our great state! From the beaches to the Redwoods to Shasta. From the Cypress trees of Monterey to the Ferns in Fern Canyon it is awe inspiring!
Sandra Larsen
is inspired by my daily walks on the beaches of Santa Cruz with my dog. There is also wonderful organic produce from the Farmers Markets and of course, the interesting people that Santa Cruz has always attracted. Big Sur is only and hour away, so I camp there as often as possible. Where else can you see condors sitting…
Andrea Robinson
LOVE the logo, colors & design. I am inspired by the beauty, soul and culture of California every day in every way and feel so fortunate to call this my home. The poppies are in full bloom! My love affair continues…..
Michelle Frias
As a native of Watsonville make sure to stop by our beautiful town.There is much history there and stories that date back to the 1800’s.There is a small town in Watsontille called Freedom,oh how “I love living in Freedom”!Inbox me if you would like as I was a freelance for our local newspaper the Register Pajaronian and have some wonderful leads,welcome to fb and its sounds like a cool journey you have planned.~
Michelle Nicely
FUN… one of my dearest friends lives in the ever so secret “coolest place on the coast” Caycucos, CA… she owns Beachsiderentals.com
Check it out and I know she will give you a special rate… she is an amazing artist/icon herself… Toni LeGras… y’all will have to hook up for a drink
in the local saloon…
Michelle Millis Chappel
Great idea! Lemme know if you need a theme song.
Jeff Luke Titcomb from Greenville, on Inspired by California
March 13 at 4:31pm Living in Greenville, CA and so close to the Lake Almanor basin I find the beauty of the mountains of Northern California to be awe inspiring and the rarity of Mt. Lassen as the most inspiring part of Plumas County!
David Castro from Visalia on Inspired by California
March 13 at 3:48pm Kirby this is what inspires me What inspires me about California is its diversity. I enjoy the creative history of this great State. I enjoy my connection to its history. My father’s family came to this state at the time of the Spanish colonization, way before the Bear Flag. …
Carol Johnson
Don’t forget Beautiful Boulder Creek! I am continually inspired by the quaint, historic ‘lumber’ town, the volunteer fire station that hosts pancake breakfasts and the 4th of July parade. We have award-wining wineries, a local brewery, fine dining, tie-dyed hippies and harmless old red-necks, all tucked into the surrounding hills and gulches. C’mon up and stay a spell. Joe’s Bar has the 5th longest bar in the State of California and a classic juke box full o’ tunes.
Norm Galyean
99% of the people in this world think that all we do in Calif. is party and sun bath. I got news for them all, there are some of the hardest working people on the planet live here and some times that is what it takes to stay, especially lately. Your welcome Norm
Theresa White
are you guys going to be hitting Lodi, Ca? If not, i think you guys should!!!
Cv Vine
Just wanted to say we love what you’re doing and we’ll be keeping track of you as you travel through the Central Valley region of our great state.
Gold Leaf SpiceandTeas
Every person who enters my Tea & Spice shop has a story to tell. People have such a wealth of knowledge, information and wisdom that we all can learn and be inspired from IF we just take the time to hear their words. And in turn, the story we have may inspire others. Take the time to listen.
Dianne Allen from Boston on what inspires her about California – March 4th
Well my story is that I grew up in Redlands, CA then San Diego, CA. I lived in SD until 2003 then I moved out here to the Boston area. Talk about a culture shock! The fabric and texture of life is completely different here…as I’m sure you know. As an artist, I continue to be inspired by California landscapes, cityscapes, flora and fauna, and people in my painting work. You can see some of my images on my “California Muse Gallery” page. In January of this year I decided to open an art gallery in South Natick and named it “California Muse”. The premise is that I choose work to be shown in the gallery based on my sense of aesthetic, which was shaped by my upbringing in California. Even though I am showing New England artists, I can still find California inspiration in their work. So far I am having a great time bringing a little California flavor to the Boston burbs. Thanks for listening to my story. Best wishes with your project.
Adele Gardner
What a great idea Kirby. I have been enjoying your radio art interviews as well
Mita Barter
Hope to see you here in the Mojave Desert! The Morongo Basin Welcomes you!
Paula Sullivan Silver
They say that people have the best chance of evolving into a high thinking and caring person in california and especially in northern california and in my case this has been true…transplant from Mass. I am so happy and honored to be part of this state and call it home and place my babies will call home.
Lagrapevine
Mary Alice DonahueBesides the most fabulous wine country in the world? The people, the beauty, and the diversity of the region. The juxtaposition between the mountains and desert, Malibu and Napa, LA, and tiny towns like Monterey or Ventura is amazing! I think that although the economy has taken a real hit, the opportunities for building a business are very good if you have tenacity and drive. I am partial to the Central Coast because that is where I live.
Marybeth Hillard
Really good Mexican food. And Mangoes! All year round. That are actually ripe and not rotten! The fact that even my daughter’s History teacher up here thinks that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence day. Carnival, 3 blocks from my house. Oooh, homesick for the Mission again!
Erin Lee Gafill
I live in Big Sur and I’m inspired by living on the edge. The edge of land and sea, the edge of the continent. With Esalen 10 miles south, it’s also the “cutting” edge of the human potential movement. I’m an artist and being an artist is like skating on the edge, keeping the portal open between inspiration and application. So Big Sur, Ca. is the perfect place for me to be and I am daily ignited with a desire to explore what this place is and how it affects us.
Stagnaro Charter Boats
What inspires us at Santa Cruz Whale Watching is the wildlife. The Monterey Bay is its own melting pot of diversity with other 27 different types of marine mammals. There is only three places in the world that you have that so close to shore, and Monterey Bay is one of them!
Ron Lampi
A most inspiring project itself. Getting in touch with place, even if the place is as large as a state–a most amazing State at that.
Marybeth Hillard
Really good Mexican food. And Mangoes! All year round. That are actually ripe and not rotten! The fact that even my daughter’s History teacher up here thinks that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence day. Carnival, 3 blocks from my house. Oooh, homesick for the Mission again!
Paula Sullivan Silver
They say that people have the best chance of evolving into a high thinking and caring person in california and especially in northern california and in my case this has been true…transplant from Mass. I am so happy and honored to be part of this state and call it home and place my babies will call home.
Tai Miller
I just read A Gardener Touched With Genius- The life of Luther Burbank. By Peter Dreyer. Great find at the library sale. A true Californian, inspite of the fact that he came from back east. If you ever go to Santa Rosa, I believe one of his gardens is still active and public. If you’re interested in the agricultural history of California….read this book.
You make me proud to be a Californian!! And an artist, a California artist. I love you guys and I really, really love California!!
