also check out dennybrew.com. he is in this group too. has a very simple method and it will give you a good starting point. I started with it about six years ago and it still works great for me.
i'm from a little further north in dunsmuir ca. we have a 2 year old micro in town that is worht the drive from redding. for good food and great beer. i am just gathering the needed stuff for the all grain jump,and kegging.
thinking of the switch to all grain, and was offered 2 old keggs to convert to tools for mashing. checking to see if 30$ each was a fair price, and what the conversion entails.