Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Handy Guide to Valentine's Day in Holtville

WORDS BY ELIZABETH ENRIQUEZ-PHILLIPS

   Ah, Valentine's Day is in the air tomorrow, but wait what do I get my sweetheart? Well if you are like me you love to shop local! Here's a Valentine's Day Guide for Holtville:

Photo from Marisol's Holtville Floral & Gifts

Flowers

   Recently I was volunteering my time with the Chamber of Commerce and got to experience first-hand the amazing fresh quality of Marisol's Holtville Floral & Gifts at 571 Pine Avenue.She currently has roses, balloons and stuffed animals for the special person in your life. You will not be disappointed!

Sweets

   Lovely's Luscious Cupcakes of Holtville is AMAZING! Luke tried the Elvis Cupcake and loved it. One on my list to try is the Moscato cupcakes...hope I can get an order soon. This cupcake is perfect for any occasion that calls for a bubbly drink.  If you can get them for Valentine's, for sure place an order soon. They make a mean cupcake.


Moscato Cupcakes from Lovely's Luscious Cupcakes

Stationary

   Our local Parker's Pharmacy has a good selection of  conventional cards. They also carry See's Candies.
They are located at 102 West 5th street.

   Another great selection of really cool cards is I Heart Kid by Minerva Torres, a local artist. She currently has two cards to choose from and both are delightful.

Fine Wine & Dining

   The Fields Steakhouse at the
 Barbara Worth Resort. Mmmm... what can I say about Fields. It's absolutely delicious! Chef Chris is super talented and brings his experience from working at fine venues such as the Hotel del Coronado. I personally loves how he creates a fusion of classic cuisine and combines them with our local palette.  They are currently having a special on a four-course meal for $28.95 per person. Sounds of Jazz will also be playing as you enjoy your baby greens salad with dried cherries, cotijia cheese and a sherry vinaigrette.The appetizer is garlic shrimp with black bean puree, cornbread and pico de gallo. The main course is a choice between grilled filet mignon or a grilled lobster tail. If you are a big eater you can have both entrees for an extra ten dollars. Both entrees comes with a baked potato and baby carrots as well as a complimentary glass of champagne. Desert is a lovely Creme Brulee, which is my favorite. Join the event on Facebook and call for a  reservation, but hurry they are filling up fast.

An intimate setting at Fields Steakhouse

Casual Dining

   Nana's Cafe is also having a Valentine's Day special. We have gone the past two years and it's quite good and affordable. Please call them for reservation and details.

  Hot Rods and Beer is having a Valentine's Day Special too, and it includes a bottle of wine and a rose. They have Clark Baker's Standing Room Only performing. Call for details.

Beautiful Holt Park

Family Fun

   Have the little ones afoot and need to entertain them as well? May I suggest a family picnic at Holt Park! Holt Park is one of the most well kept and nicest park in the Valley and it's quite romantic as well!


Here's to all of you. May you have a truly happy Valentine's Day!

2013 Holtville Carrot Parade Photo Gallery

WORDS & PHOTOS BY LUKE PHILLIPS

   Below are a few of best photos I took during the 66th Annual Holtville Carrot Parade this past Saturday. Out of about 750 photos that I took during the parade, less than 100 are posted below. If you'd like to see the full parade in all it's glory featuring all (approximately) 750 photos we have a Carrot Parade Photo disc available for $12 that includes every entry in every division. You can purchase your copy of the disc by clicking here.
We'll send you a DVD disc that can be viewed on any computer featuring every photo I took during the parade.

I hope everybody enjoys the photos. It was a beautiful day and one of the best Carrot Parades in recent memory. Thanks to everybody who participated and made the Carrot Parade such a success!




Friday, February 8, 2013

VIDEO: 2013 Holtville Soroptimist Carrot Cookery Contest Sweepstakes Awards Ceremony

Winners of the First Annual Carrot Festival Coloring Contest

Winner in the 6 and under age division is 5-year-old Aubrey Lopez, a kindergartner at Kennedy Gardens in Calexico:


Winner of the 7-12 age division is 10-year-old Abigail Hester, a 5th Grader at Pine School in Holtville:

Congratulations to both of our winners! You can pick up your prize, a $10 Cinemark movie gift card, at the This is Holtville booth at the Carrot Festival Craft Fair in Holt Park tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 9) before 2 p.m., not on Feb. 8 as stated on the flyer (sorry for the typo!).