1st Saturday, December 7th, "Over the River and Through the Woods"

FOOD, FUN and fabulous art. Every 1st SATURDAY, the artists, restaurants and merchants of Three Rivers, California, open their doors and invite you to join in a town-wide celebration from 11 to 5 o’clock. You can pick up a map and schedule at Anne Lang's Emporium or the Historical Museum – the flier shows all participating venues, art to see, locations and times for special events. Anne Lang's Emporium serves a great breakfast sandwich, so you might grab a bite first, or try Antoinette’s Coffee and Goodies to start your day. Later on taste the amazing fare at Sierra Subs and Salads. They all offer discounts for 1st Saturday.

THERE ARE several galleries to see. Nadi Spencer has a colorful studio and gallery – showing  original paintings, along with prints, cards and gift items.  The Art Co-op features 20 artists, and offers jewelry, masks, print-making, pottery, paintings, and more.   Colors Art Gallery highlights whimsical furniture and oil paintings by Wendy McKellar, along with weaving, jewelry, quilts, pottery and metal art from 20 local artists.

A DIFFERENT theme each month flavors the paintings, decorations and edible treats. This month's theme is "Over the River and Through the Woods," words that evoke memories of family and childhood, and holiday gatherings.

IN ADDITION to shops and galleries, some artists open their studios for the day, a rare chance to see how the creative mind works and lives. Don't miss Spirit Hill Studio this month.

EVERY MONTH is different – the best way to keep informed is to visit the website. It is up-dated monthly. If you are an artist and would like to show your work at the event, the cost is only $7 to participate and the deadline to enter is always the 15th of the previous month.

Nadi's Art Gallery

NADI SPENCER has been painting full-time for 40 years. When not working on a commissioned mural she paints what she loves – Three Rivers, Sequoia, horses, dogs and food. Her colorist style can also be seen throughout Three Rivers in the murals she has painted with grades K – 8th each year.

"1ST SATURDAY has been fabulous. What can I say – good food, good people – lots of laughing.  And, sure, I make sales. But, more than money, I need to be passionate. Those who enjoy my studio and my art are all talented people in their own right- and it's that bouncing off each other's ideas that I love. It's such a rush."

JOIN NADI in her studio on December 7th. She will be serving her vegan spaghetti (FREE while it lasts), and will be showcasing her new Three Rivers Calendar 2014.
41838 Sierra Drive

Spirit Hill Studio

SHIRLEY KELLER explores nature through photography, art, ceramics and writing. Multi-media collages, drawings, and "stitching" with ink, make up what Keller calls Ink Quilts. Many of the Ink Quilts are illustrations of chapters of a memoir that is a work in progress.
FACES attract Keller so when she began to play with clay, ceramic masks became her focus. She was introduced to Clay Mono Prints at a workshop in Petaluma and, since then, set up a workshop with three of her friends, where they gather to learn more about this medium. Shirley is also co-ordinator of 1st Saturday.
THROWN AWAY OBJECTS made into art is a recent exploration. Keller takes rusty items, such as tools and machine parts, and transforms them with paint.
SPIRIT HILL STUDIO is tucked up against a hill, filled with food for the eyes and a delight to visit. Shirley opens her door every 1st Saturday, offering you a glimpse into her world. 43641 Skyline Drive.

Anne Lang's Emporium

ANNE LANG grew up in Exeter, and while in high school, fell madly in love with Dick Lang, a builder from Three Rivers. She married him the day after she graduated, and began a 42-year adventure with him. In 1979, in the smallest of the Newman building spaces on Sierra Drive, Anne opened up a bakery called "The Staff of Life", where she taught women to bake bread. She also carried 200 herbs, spices and teas. While shopping for display baskets at a gift show, Dick liked the greeting card idea, and that's how the store became a gift shop.

ANNE'S SUCCESS is partly due to her genuine desire to help. "When people ask for something, I try to find it for them," says Anne. "One day, a bride-to-be came in and asked if I could make a bouquet. I thought, 'I can make a bouquet', and that's how the store became an FTD flower shop. Then one cold day, a man came in wishing for a hot bowl of soup and I thought, 'I know how to make soup.' Next, a man came in hungry for a sandwich and I thought, 'I know how to make sandwiches.' And that's how the store became a deli."

THE STORE grew and Anne moved into both of the other spaces in her building, needing a bigger space each time. In 1984, it moved to its final destination – the house on the corner of North Fork and Sierra Drives. With Dick's remodeling talents and Anne's marketing skills, "Anne Lang's Emporium" has become just that – a place to find all your needs, a space of familiarity and a hub for our little community.

The Stocking Stuffer

The Stocking Stuffer is a gathering of artists of different disciplines who offer their art in the Holiday spirit. A fire going in the fireplace, hot drinks, and treats, and wonderful conversation. Tina St. John has returned from Arizona to visit with friends and customers. Jana Botkin shares drawings and adventure in photography; Anne Birkholtz turns wood into bowls, vases, and candlesticks; Nikki Crain's weavings add warmth to any occasion; Sam McKinney is known for bringing a Christmas tree filled with gourd ornaments; Ginny Wilson adds travel through her wonderful photographs from around the world; and lastly, Karen Kimball, Editor of "Sierra Wonders," offers this coffee-table book of the southern Sierra, through the eyes of photographers, writers and artists, a perfect gift. Refreshments will be served. Karen Kimball's home is at 40932 Quail Drive. 559-561-7718.

Heart's Desire

9 1/2 years ago Srisa Carreras envisioned a store where customers would enter and immediately their senses would go on alert. Smells, then colors, and shapes would alert them to new and interesting gift items. Sometimes an item would finally be discovered by a chain like World Market.

ONE cannot compete with such large inventories, but it would force a new quest to find another source who isn't known. If you are interested in Local Art, Fair Trade, Eco-Friendly gifts for children and adults, Srisa would love to show you around. Mention 1st Saturday and you will receive 10% off Tee Shirts.

Antoinette's Coffee & Goodies

ANTOINETTE CLOUTIER has been in the food service business for 30 years. She loved the area and, in 2001, in order to stay close to family in Visalia, she moved to Three Rivers, taking the job as sous-chef for the Shoshoni Restaurant. In August of this year she and her partner DANNY DENIS opened Antoinette's Coffee and Goodies, a much-needed addition to our town.
COFFEE served is made of locally-roasted beans and soon there will be a fair-trade house blend that is 90% organic. To accompany your coffee or tea, enjoy a variety of scratch-made baked goods and breakfast specials.
HOLIDAY PIES, party trays, gift baskets and catering are all available. Local art dons the walls.
41727 Sierra Dr.

SOPHIE BRITTEN is the third generation of her family to have deep roots in the foothills and mountains. Those roots go back to the 1800's and include cattle ranching, stock packing, as well as very early citrus farming.  Now that she has retired from the ranching life, Sophie has the time to expand her creative talents in the fields of writing, spinning, weaving and knitting. Her favorite place to write or use her spinning wheel is in the Mineral King Valley and she finds that she is more at home in the mountains than in town.

PIONEERS IN PARADISE, Sophie's new book, just released, tells the 100-year history of Three Rivers, 1850s to the 1950s. The book tells of
places and events, the individual people and their families, how they lived.

STOP IN at Anne Lang's Emporium this 1st Saturday, and get your very own copy.