Orland fruit growers are back this weekend, eat glorious peaches!

And don’t miss the Westport Fire Dept. Barbecue and these other events and yard sales

Fort Bragg’s favorite Orlanders are back for probably the last weekend of selling the bounty of their farm in Fort Bragg, a local culinary favorite. Many people get the peaches, grapefruit and other stuff intending to take it home to the family but it ends up being eaten in the car.

Dale and Judy Rash of Orland love two things a lot- Fort Bragg and their small farm, which has a big yield. So 20 years ago they made their beloved vacation spot their portable fruit stand, in the field right next to Century 21 just before the last traffic light on the north end of Fort Bragg.

Turn west at the light, and one can find the treasures of Glass Beach. Stop and see the pleasant Mr. and Mrs. Rash and you will get a bounty just as colorful and juicy enough to soak your shirt.

The Rashes were all set up Friday night and ready to sell you their juicy peaches and other produce from their farm. 

For even more awesome local music, art, vendors, and a full, delicious dinner, come to the biggest event of the year in Wesport and one that supports the Westport Volunteer Fire Department. The annual BBQ is not be missed! Check it out here!

There is the Fort Bragg High all alumni annual barbecue on the McGuire Ranch grounds on Saturday. If you don’t know where the McGuire Ranch is, you didnt go to high school here so you would be an impostor.  Ok

Back to the farm fun, the sheepdog trials are being held at the fairgrounds in Boonville this weekend. My mom and many friends always said this was one of the best events of the year but I have never been. They dont allow dogs at any event there and my dog is always with me when im out. I give him an hour walk or more every day. He needs it. He would lose his day if I went and watched other dogs. Id like to have my new GSD/Great Pyrenees see sheep and sheepdogs someday. 

There is nothing more fun for kids than learning to be a Junior Ranger. Saturday at 3 p.m at Big River Beach in Mendocino kids 7-12 can learn how to become a junior ranger. The program lasts 30 minutes. At Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens south of town, horticulturist, Phoebe Hanson, offers a Build A Bouquet Workshop.  You’ll learn flower arrangement techniques and how you can create a cut flower garden at home.

For the politically minded, there is the weekly protest in front of Town Hall by Mendocino Indivisible.

I got most of these from the Coast’s best calendar at KOZT.com.  Go there for stuff over the hill too. But here is one I can tell you you won’t want to miss if you are a stuff hound

One of the best and biggest yard sales from super honest people who find the stuff all over is in the gigantic machine shop Saturday 8/16 & Sunday 8/17 8-4…It’s at 19300 Noyo Acres Drive off Hwy 20.  I generally dislike semi-irregular yard sales but these folks dont have one until they have some very cool stuff and a lot of it.

On the north end of town is a sale at 20760  Huckleberry Lane, which I believe one accesses off the north end of Cedar Street. They dont give directions.

Continuing north, this Saturday from 9-3 there is also a Yard Sale at 32001 Forest Lane. Forest Lane is  located up Odom Lane, which is roughly across from Green Acres Campground north of town.  

But just before you get there, about 3 miles north is the fabulous and permanent Nye Ranch farmstand, with a scrumptious range of veggies they grow just a few feet from the ocean! Wow! Producing crisp and big purple cauliflower in the fog takes talent. To the south of Fort Bragg is the equally fabulous Fortunate Farmstand.

Fruitstands were once one of the best things about living in Gridley or Yubaworld or Chico or Colusa. But during the 80s and 90s all the 4 corners fruit and many farm-front produce and fruit stands pretty much disappeared. Remember how many places left all their freshly grown fruits and veggies with a box you were expected to put your money in, all on the honor system? But then came the Farmers Markets, a tradition lost after WWII but which came roaring back. Fort Bragg has one of the best Farmers’ Markets in California, despite locals being unable to grow most of the farmers’ market staples.

Supply chains for grocery store chains became closed systems offering mostly fruit that was picked hard, and does not compare to fresh farm offerings like the Rash family sells. Grocery stores have improved a lot. Fruitstands have also made a comeback in the Central Valley, but the thing is, we are not in the Central Valley.  Fruit ends up being not too juicy if grown in the Westport to Gualala corridor. The Coast has beauty beyond inland but the tomatoes often stay green and the wheat won’t grow either. So the Rashes became Fort Bragg’s favorite Central Valley fruitstand they love when people enjoy their farm fruits, veggies and produce. Tens of thousands of people from the Central Valley have loved Fort Bragg more than anywhere else for nearly a century. Fort Bragg is the place the country folks, the outdoorswomen, and the sportsmen come to relax. Mendocino is a bigger draw for people from Palo Alto and Berkeley. Fort Bragg answers with Live Oak and Durham.

The Rashes have just 400 fruit trees, but they get a very nice harvest by paying attention to each tree. Another thing I like about the Rashes is they aren’t really found on the phone or computer. You have to meet them and hear about their farm. There is a map and photo of their small, but productive place. She is a long time secretary of a Chico school and they seem to be involved in the ministry.  

So come out and enjoy these down-home delicacies, barbecue, and even stuff you just can’t live without!