Muffin 40??? How Did This Happen?

Wasn't Muffin supposed to be dead and buried back at Muffin 15? ... or was Muffin 20 supposed to be the Muffin to end all Muffins?  Then somehow it sprang back to life sporadically in its 20's and 30's.   Guess it's just not that easy to put down something that can be so rewarding!  Nothing like it for sure.  While there have been the "faithful" who have showed up for camp outs every year (and some of those were FANTASTIC), putting together a FBM (Full Blown Muffin) just doesn't happen all that often anymore.  It's a lot of work and most of us don't seem to have the time we used to (what's that all about?). 

So at this banner year when we celebrate our 40th anniversary lets not forget all the folks that made Muffin possible over the years... some of them have passed on.  Foremost and most recently our longtime host "Eddie Mack" or simply "Ed" as we knew him.  In many ways, Muffin grew out of Ed's vision of a special Browns Valley campground and his corn feeds and fly-ins created a template for people getting together to enjoy the outdoors.   Some say Ed had a love/hate relationship with the Muffin.  The love part is pretty obvious, the other is evident in fact that he allowed 150 or so crazy strangers to have a three or four day party at his home! In any case Ed, this Muffin is for YOU!

Other folks that made Muffin what it is today but are no longer here: Sven who convinced all types of folks (bikers, hippies, techies, musicians, students, etc.) from Berkeley to make the trek to Yuba County; Clance who put together the early Muffin pro quality sound system and single handed made the sound and stage system happen; Quinn who made sure the Unreal Band came back year after year and spread his special brand of humor all over the Muffin.

So, don't forget that Muffin is a unique event, non- commercial, anti-profit and happens only because of  great people like you.   This year, savor the good times, make some new friends, let your hair down and enjoy this very special place.  If somehow this all works again who knows?   Some say this must be the "last" Muffin others say maybe we should start counting at "1" again.  It's really all up to you!  

So... travel safely, take care of your fellow Muffineers, respect the land and locals and please, pack out your trash and leave things as you found them.

M-U-F-F-I-N !!!

Muffinz: Past & Present

Here are a few links to the past!  Maybe they'll provide some inspiration for a new crop of Muffineers and their photo-documenters!  Thanks Hans-Jurgen for providing these Flickr photos!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/131541264@N05/n4049z

https://www.flickr.com/gp/131541264@N05/rgpZGZ

https://www.flickr.com/gp/131541264@N05/266585

https://www.flickr.com/gp/131541264@N05/Qhck3J

 

 

Muffin Four-Tee Four-Cast: Cool Man Cool!!!

Browns Valley Official Forecast as of 5/19 PM

Cool and breezy is the word... good for a campfire and sleeping (at the Muffin?).  The good news is that if there is any rain it surely won't last long.  The bad news is that the drought continues and so does the weird weather!  For those folks that are available on Friday, a wood cuttin' & haulin' party will commence once the stage and sound booth are ready to go.  Chainsaws welcome!  Get Ready To MUFFIN!!!

SpagEddie Anyone? Muffin Foodies Unite!!!

They say the older you get the more important food becomes... I guess at the ripe old age of 40 that applies to the Muffin as well.  As evidence, there are apparently a number of community feedings in the works.  All are invited and encouraged to join in the action by contributing dishes, supplies or just helping out.  The food-scape is looking something like this:

Friday evening: South by Southwest! A Sonoma/Tucson Twosome? How about Carnitas & Chile Verde! Mexican appetizers, salads, beans, dips and desserts, Margaritas and Cervazas would be welcomed Especial!

Saturday morning: Bagel Bill Presents! Pan toasted bagels with essential fixings... dill pickles anyone? OJ, champagne, coffee, lox or fruit would be great additions!

Sunday morning: Cook Shack Shimmy! A traditional griddle breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and cinnamon French toast. Contributions of fruit, jam, maple syrup, coffee, OJ and raisin bread will be gratefully accepted.

Sunday evening: Delicious Dina's SpagEddie and Meatballs Extravaganza! Also, Mac & Cheese, Grilled Veggies, Ceasar Salad, Garlic Bread & Dessert.  A nice Chianti would be superb or something to complement the above.

From the looks of things, Saturday evening is wide open for anyone who wants to try their hand at Gastronomy (Muffin Style). 

Wow, and this doesn't even include the Monday evening Meat Fest (and veggie steam off)! Stay Hungry My Friends!!!

Precise times and locations TBD! 

Muffin Stage is Ready to Rock & Roll!

The Muffin stage is alive and well after a bit of "re-skinning" by the mow down crew.  Our drummers will (hopefully) appreciate the new safe-tee rail at the back where many a band member has disappeared over the years.  The light bar has been rebuilt from scratch and rewired so you no longer have to wonder if its going to drop on your head when the breeze kicks up.  Band members may also notice an little extra bounce in their step if they do any pogo maneuvers; a feature that may be welcomed by some of our "senior" performers.  We ran out of wood before we could get to the wheel chair access ramp... maybe next year.  For now you'll have to use the stairs or bring your own fork lift.  The Muffin patented "tensegrity" canopy is still in pieces but will be assembled assuming we can remember how.  Additional effort went into clearing many beach front areas so you will find that creek access will be more plentiful then in years.  Many thanks to those that made the trip up last weekend and to those who were there "in spirit".   There is still plenty to do to get things set up so if you would like to help, plan on coming early!

Pre-Muffin Mow Down Survey - Got Tools?

Muffin Holler Awaits Muffineers

The Stage Looking a Little Worse for Wear

New Runway (for STOL only)

Frisbee Anyone?

Muffin "Mow Down" is planned for Saturday May 9th.  While the grass is fairly under control this year, there are numerous other preparation projects that require attention.  These include the following (in order of importance).

• Stage "refurbishment" (wood butchers)
• Power line layout/rewiring/test (sparkies)
• Tractor debugging (motorheads)
• Movie screen setup (videodrones)
• Can plinking (sharphooters)

Interested parties can just show up Saturday mid morning or contact Greg or Tom for more info.  

Unreal Band Plays "Pre-Muffin" Party at Starry Plough Pub Sunday May 3rd

Come on down to the Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley this Sunday between 4:30 and 8 PM for a relaxing weekend wrap-up (don't worry, its AFTER the Warriors victory over the Grizzlies!).  Don't get too relaxed because the Unreal Band is planning a big show to "blow out the cob webs" and get road ready for another big Meadow Muffin!  Hope to have a pre-Muffin property scouting report by then so will distribute that info then as well.  If you haven't bought a ticket yet or know folks that are planning to this would be a great time to do so.   So come out, order up a famous Plough burger or pizza, grab a brew and enjoy an Unreal Muffin Pre-View!!!

Muffin Music Is Shaping Up... Get Out and Support your Muffin Musicians!!!

As usual, this year's Muffin music will have a bit of the old and something new.  The Unreal Band will be back for what must be a least their 20th Muffin show.  The Unreal played Muffin for the first time in the mid 80's and have been a mainstay of incredible Muffin's ever since.  When was the last time you had an Unreal Out-of-Body Experience???  The Unreal are planning a Muffin "Warm-up" at the Starry Plough in Berkeley on Sunday May 3rd from 4 to 7PM. 
If you were at the Muffin during the last few full-on sessions you will  remember the band Psuedo for rocking the Meadow on a number of occasions.  Their latest incarnation "Lender" will be back this year to fire us all up once again.  If you can't wait until the Muffin, they will be appearing at the Milk Bar in S.F. on April 26th. 
And of course Paul Pot and his band of merry punksters, The Happy Clams will be back again this year with a brand new set of memorable tunes.  Who can ever forget "(He's got a ) Ladies Head in a Bag"!  Feeling a bit lost lately... fear not, there are some Hippies who can help.  Rick and his Lost Hippies will be back this year.   Remember those mind bending guitar licks from David Matela... rumor has it he wants to tweek the Muffin again this year!
Lastly (for now),  the Bay Area's rarely seen Verms will be helping to crank things up on Saturday night this year!  More music news to come! Stay TUNED!!!

Tickets Have Arrived! Get Yours While They LAST!

 

Muffin tickets are now available.  Thanks to all those that sent in checks on "faith".  You should receive your tickets via mail with in a few days.   Those that have not done so, no longer have an excuse!!!  To any Muffineers who think they could sell some tickets, contact Tom or Greg for your personal "allocation".  There are only about 8 weeks left until Muffin!  At only $25 its the best investment you could ever make!

Also: We are expecting to setup the full stage and sound sound system for both nights of Muffin.  While many of the of our standard performers have checked in we are most certainly open to new talent.  If you have or know of a band or group of musicians that would be interested in performing please let us know.  We expect to be nailing down the band bookings in the next few weeks.

Muffin is Living X-tra Large in Coolest of Announcement Flyers

Official Meadow Muffin 2015 XL "Flyer"

 

Wow! Check this out! Many thanks to Paul (Muffin's Poster Artist in Residence) for this years flyer.  The "Flyer" has traditionally been snail mailed out to let folks know to make plans for May and (hopefully) get some cash flowing into the very dusty Muffin coffers.  If we are really lucky maybe Paul will colorize a version suitable for framing!  I sure hope Ed is enjoying all this, where ever he is! 

Meadow Muffin XL to Honor Long Time Benefactor and Friend "Eddie Mack"

This year, on the 39th anniversary of the Meadow Muffin music and arts festival, we pause to honor the passing of our long time benefactor and dear friend "Eddie Mack" who graciously enabled the event for over 25 years.  For those Muffineers afar who may be hearing this the first time, Ed passed on to the "great Muffin in the sky" this past September.  In honor of his service, vision, patience and deep humanity we plan to dedicate this banner year gathering to him.  Stay tuned for additional news and postings on this "extra large" event.