On the Road with Austin and Santino, and US

Last Thursday Lifetime aired an episode of "On the Road with Austin and Santino." They are a couple of clothing designers that travel the country remaking innocent local yokels. It's very campy, and very funny. Last week they "remade" Jacque, owner of Pilot Peak Vineyards for her 60th birthday party. It features Mill Street fabrics, Solstice in Nevada City, and of course Pilot Peak and Lake Wildwood. Too goofy to describe. You can view it by typing the title in Google. Must see. Sidenote: Austin is from Nevada City (though he never let's on) and was a contestant on Project Runway's first season. If you don't know what the hell I'm talking about, skip it . . . . but if you have any inkling, it's 20 minutes you won't regret. He kind of resembles one of the vampires on Twilight, but he's funnier. I guess it's not hard to be funnier than a vampire. I'm rambling. . . .
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Just got home from 2 days & nights in Reno, with a side trip to Virginia City (20 minute drive). I haven't been to VC for many years, and forgot how interesting it really is, not to mention the scenic drive there. We did a self guided "nook and cranny" tour and found some really interesting buildings to tour (Fourth Ward school, built during the heyday of 22,000 residents, and held 1,000 students at a time.) Courthouse, Opera House. If you go there, be sure to travel the streets above and below the main drag, as that's where you find the really interesting stuff. We stayed downtown Reno at the El Dorado, and were treated this morning to the site of dozens of hot air balloons drifting around from our 23rd floor room. The Reno night sky is beautiful, and waking to the beautiful mountain range views give you such a peaceful rising. We earned breakfast by taking a brisk walk down the Truckee River park area, and saw the Cirque show at ED. Throw in some really great meals, and the whole thing cost less than $200. Great mini vacation, great bargain!

Free wood survivalists!

walking out Pasquale about 3/4 mile from the store saw tree work being done, lots of big ones being removed to open up the canopy and let the sun in. I asked the guy loading trees and he said it is a county project. He said it's ok to take the smaller stuff on the ground, just don't cut the trees stacked on the side. Lot's of 3' sections and large rounds up for grabs, mostly pines.
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Hit the big lake both Sat and Sunday, and it was so quiet for a big holiday weekend. Only Kent & Anna Rees with their daughters and grand baby Little Rees on the beach. A handful of ski boats and some sail boats, and a few other kayaks out there. The water is still perfect for swimming. I guess we're being rewarded for such a late summer start with a long summer end!
By the way, the really good news is that both of Kent and Anna's daughters are expecting new little ones in March 2011!
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Went to Pilot Peak Winery Saturday night for ribs and Blues. Fabulous! The setting in beautiful, the band played from 6-11, dinner was good and the wine flowed. The winery dog, a fairly overweight golden lab made the rounds all night looking for handouts. I guess he can't read, cause they had scotch taped a sign on his back that said "Please don't feed me." He looked perplexed at the lack of offerings. Kind of the equivalent of a "kick me" sign in jr. high. Poor guy.
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Tonight I went to the 5 mile house on Hwy 20, yes, 5 miles out of town, for a memorial gathering for Mitch Faber, who passed on last spring. I've know Mitch for some 25 years, and he was an amazing guitarist (and guitar teacher) that really made his mark in Nevada County, and beyond. What a great evening, with his sister in law, Lorraine Gervais singing, his brother Charlie on bass, and many of his students contributing to a talented and moving concert. The 5 mile House is a great setting for concerts, has great food, and is really trying to get the word out. They donated the grounds for Mitch's memorial/celebration of life concert. Good guys.
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Don't forget that next saturday is the firehouse yard sale and hot dog lunch. Come by and find a treasure, sell stuff or grab and lunch. Kids can have a booth for free. Time to get your kids to clean out their old toys? Great time for them to make a few $$ and get a little lesson in capitalism.

WHAT WOULD AARON SARGENT DO?

A little history lesson: The lovely white columned house on the left hand side of upper Broad St. was built in 1911 by Senator Aaron Sargent and his wife Ellen. Senator Sargent settled in Nevada City in1850, was district attorney in 1856, worked at and owned a local paper, served on Calif. senate, and elected to US Senate 1873-1879. In 1878 he introduced the 29 words that would become the 19th amendment some 42 years later. You know, the one that allowed women to vote. You see, his wife was a leading voting rights advocate, and friend of Susan B. Anthony. Interesting, an enlightened man who listens to his wife. The 19th amendment was ratified 08/18/1920. The final wording was "The right of citizens of US to vote shall not be denied by US or any State on account of sex." (Listen up prop. 8 supporters. We have been down this road before . . . )
So let's flash forward to 2004, when the lovely home, known as Grandmere's Inn, a popular B&B and wedding destination, was purchased by a family and turned into a private home. The selling owner was from Carmel, Ca, and had no feelings either way about the loss of business to Nevada City. Believe me, Grandmere's brought NC alot of business. I was a caterer at the time, and spring and summer weddings kept the place hopping. Winter holidays and events kept it fully occupied. Restaurants, wineries and shops benefited greatly. The purchaser had no regard for this lovely piece of Nevada History being able to be shared with the public. A deal is a deal.
Now the house has become a victim of "foreclosure" and it's lastest owners wish to reopen as a B&B. However, an a ordinance,legal mumbo jumbo and complaints from some other B&B owners are preventing this.
So the new question is, should an exception be made/ordinance be revoked to restore the Aaron Sargent House to a viable business. What do you think Aaron Sargent would do? Open the doors and let history live and let the community have access to this important piece of our heritage, or close the doors and let maybe a family of 4 live elegantly here in Nevada City? I think I know the answer, but would like to hear from you. A small hurdle towards restoring the B&Bmay be jumped at the City hall Thu. at 6:30, 317 Broad St.
League of Women Voters: maybe you should weigh in on this at meetings.
By the way, have you ever visited Senator Sargents grave at Pioneer Cemetery on west Broad St. It's the overgrown area to the right of the well kept part. It's a beautiful old overgrown secret place, with great views of town.
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Yay, Neil will be reopening his Fiorio's Olive Oil shop (and magical vinegars and a plethora of awesome gourmet items) on Spring St. in Nevada City. If you didn't visit it before it burned last week on Mill St, be sure to visit in Nevada City. Neil can't wait for his space to be restored in GV, and thinks NC is a great fit for his products. Our gain!

stuff coming up

The annual flea market at the Firehouse is being held on Sat. 09/11. If you want a booth, call or email Pam Herrenkohl. This is your opportunity to clean out the house and garage for the season!
Or, this is you chance to pick up some treasures. I love the sign I once saw at a shop "WE BUY JUNK AND SELL ANTIQUES." That can be you!
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The annual Triathalon is on 9/19. Remember, the streets around the Lake are closed until 1pm or so.
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Have you tried the Idaho Maryland/Banner Lava Cap route up here lately? They are doing heavy duty construction on the roads there, and the back up can be up to 20 minutes. Wise to avoid right now. I think it wraps up around 09/19 also.

Land trust Concert/Florio's

Saturday night is the Mavis Staples/Lorraine Gervais concert at North Star House in Grass Valley. This is going to be a great event, with music, food vendors, wine, auctions and tours of the 10,700 sf house designed by Julia Morgan (you know, the Julia that designed Hearst Castle!). Anyhoo, I've been volunteering with the Land Trust for the event, and found out today that YOU can get a discount on tic's if you call the Nevada County Land Trust Office and "mention my name." WOW, I am important! It's a "don't miss" event, and the weather should cooperate perfectly. The grounds are being transformed, as hundreds of people have volunteered to help make it ready. We've even had inmates from Wayne Brown facility helping.
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I was broken-hearted to see that Florio's Olive Oil Co burned up yesterday. The Mill St shop has the most amazing infused vinegars, olive oil (blood orange olive oil, pleasssseee) and gourmet items in the county, I swear. I am always singing their praises. Please Neil, please rebuild. Can't live without the stuff. It's so good it makes you wanna cry.
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Missed the mini heat wave here, but it was 104 when we got to Richmond at 3pm on Tuesday. Now, that has to be a record. We play softball in Berkeley, fog central, and it was perfect at 8pm, with a full moon and temps in the 80's. Those are a rare treat in the East Bay.

Sales, sales, sales

Sure seems to be alot of home sales here recently. The house next door sold, after 2 YEARS on the market. One on Nugget sold after only 60 days or so, and then I met a couple walking on Pasquale that said they just brought a house here, and now their kids are looking for one near the lake. I also noticed two on Cascade Dr sold in the last few months. I'm sure there are more, but even that's alot after what seemed like no movement at all. Also met a couple that purchased a lot on BQ Hill Rd. Lots still with 4sale signs, and prices seem stable. It will be nice to meet new neighbors on my daily dog walks!
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My foster dog Chester got a 4ever home last Friday. Chester, a 10 year old beagle with "soulful eyes" was dropped off at the NC Shelter by his owner of 10 years, as she wanted a divorce from him, and they needed to "move on." He was so sweet and well behaved that I decided to foster him on the spot, so he did not need to live in a cage for even a day. He was a perfect gentleman, and I can't imagine why a person would not have tried to get him a good home, rather than taking him to the shelter. Anyway, a wonderful woman from Ukiah came to rescue him, and took him to her lovely home and I know will shower him with love and affection for the rest of his sweet life. Everyone who met him fell hard for him, and we'll miss his forever.
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Had my great nieces for 11 days, ages 11 and 13. Always great to have kids here to help me rediscover the wonders of Nevada County. Went to the Fair, camping at Washington and swimming in the Yuba, boating on Scotts Flat, and dining in Grass Valley. The girls are smart, fun, beautiful and wise beyond their years. What a treat. I returned them to Oregon and can't wait till our 2011 adventures.

Channel 3 covers the racial slur in Union

Well, Jeff Ackerman may not think anyone is owed an apology for the Lost Dog ad (see my former report) but the nice guy who's phone number was printed in the add got FORTY nasty phone calls as a result. Channel 3 ran a 2min25sec report on it. As a result, chan. 3 said the Union has changed their procedures on incoming ads. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. It was indeed a very bad prank.
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Union issued a "valued readers" apology in their classified today, and say's they've changed their system. Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report (he used to be a member of The Union family) mentions the incident also, with a link to the channel 3 report, and cites my blog and the power of blogging. Yes, the papers no longer dictate the information highway. What an interesting time in which we live . . . . .
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Took the kiddies to the big lake today. At 12pm, on a gorgeous breezyday we had the beach and most of the lake allllllll to ourselves. Ain't it glorious! You just can't find a better place to spend spring, summer and fall than Cascade Shores. Then there's winter for your dramatic needs.
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Saw a house (short sell) listed on Gaston for $159k! Tell me this is bottom. That was the avg. price when I was shopping here in 2009.
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Couldn't believe my eyes last night when the weather report was showing a "flash flood" warning for South Lake Tahoe. It warned not to be near a stream or creek (what's the diff?). Anyway, don't know if anything got washed away, but they did have a hail storm. Weird.