still snowing, but power has stayed on

Wow, this is nice. All systems working. Big Hill is clear and I'm watching cars go up and down.
Pasquale was clean down to asphalt yesterday. Plow has been working since the wee hours. As of 11am, white stuff still coming down . . .

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Pam Herenkohl mentioned citing a momma bear and her two cubs in the snow yesterday. I guess they are not hibernating anymore. Hope they can find enough food to move around. Don't know about you all, but I'm ready for spring. . . .

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Dixie and Roberts party was well attended at the National yesterday. They have such a far reaching and eclectic group of friends here in Nevada County. The Rotarians (Rotary Club) Kawani's, local politicians, shopkeepers, musicians and writers. Nice to see the two Robert L. Crabbs together. There really are two! This community is so interesting, with so many kind and caring residents, not to mention fun loving!
Robert described Nevada City as "an adult playground" as opposed to the youth oriented society they are returning to in So. Cal. I think that's a great description.
As a baby boomer, I really appreciate the opportunities to join a group no matter what your interests, as all interests are represented somewhere here. Upcoming meetings I am planning to join are Garden Goddesses (organic and herbal gardening group) and Shera Banbury's "thinktank" about women and economics at the Briarpatch meeting room on April 6th. With so many people taking advantage of the real estate market and buying rental/vacation property, I wonder if there is a "landlord" group, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel to get started in investment real estate. Know of one? If not, I guess it's time to start one! Wow, Landlord. What an archaic term. How about "housing/owner provider."

CSHA Annual Meeting

Sat, April 1st at 1PM is the annual HomeOwners meeting. All residents/members are urged to attend the meeting, and find out what's going on with the board. Doug Ferrel from the Road will be there to discuss snow removal issues in the shores. This is your chance to ask questions and meet your neighbors. The board is still looking for a replacement for VP Robert Crabb. If you are interested in getting involved, this would be a good time to step forward~
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So far so good on power staying on through this storm. Heard some homes lost power on other side of store earlier today, but it's been good on our side. The plow has been doing a good job, and Pasquale is in good shape.
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If you facebook, check out Nevadacountyweather. Just locals discussing the weather here in Nev. County.
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Sunday: it's alternating between rain and snow now, lightly snowing at 2pm. Are we going to Dixie and Roberts party at the National at 3pm? Heck yes!
(note to self: my blog has had 7,738 hits since inception. Nice to know!)

No Water Service in Cascade Shores

update: it's 10am sat morn in the Shores, and we got 18" of snow overnight. Calm now. I have not seen the plow this am (heard it last night about 11pm). Lights and water are on! enjoy your weekend. The next storm should move in later on Sunday, with high winds and more precipitation.
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Well, at about 8am the water disappeared. Seems someone (??????) went out of their way to drive 8 ft. off the pavement at the store intersection to hit the ONLY fire hydrant I've ever even noticed around there. NID is telling you it's fixed, and they are waiting for pressure to build to return service to your home, but the workers have brought in a digger and they tell me it will be another few hours before we have service again . . . .
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Dixie just called. She says it's spittin' snow out there. Hope it's a light one.
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The Womens Club hobby/dessert day last Wed. was totally fun. It was amazing to see all the beautiful and complex arts created by locals. I marvel at their talent. From intricate lost-art type of sewing (Jan Guevel) really creative scrapbooking/cards (Carol Carter) knitting (Anna Rees) basket weaving (Karen Hatton) and prize winning quilts (Judy). Linda Lumos brought her wedding cakes album and a beautiful tuscan design wedding cake (fake, but amazing) and if I am forgetting someone, I am sorry. Karen Lari brought her enchilada's, and so many wonderful deserts that I'll have to turn myself back into Weight Watchers. Nicely done! The club is planning an outing to a local production of The King and I, and a visit to the Tulip/Daffodil garden tour of Ananda Village in April. See their calendar on CS.org

anyone missing a real nice dog? Akita or Husky?

Well, after keeping the Husky I found wandering on Quaker Hill for 24 hours, found out he lives right around the corner. He is 13 years old, and I think has a little "dogheimers" if you know what I mean. I make a plea to you all, PUT I.D. ON YOUR ANIMALS, and leave it on at all times! I could have returned him promptly home if he had a tag. Instead, his owner had to worry about him for 24 hours. Seems he went over the fence (good feat, at 13). Working at the shelter, I see many much loved dogs arrive as strays, and we have NO WAY to locate the owners without tags or microchips. After 4 days at shelter they are the property of the shelter, and can be adopted. If they are adopted, we cannot divulge to you, who arrives on day 5, the names of new owners. I also see deceased dogs arrive for disposal. No way to notify owner. This could all be resolved quickly with a tag/micro chip. Lecture over.
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CHANGING gears here, Dixie and Robert Crabb's going away party at the National Hotel this Sunday commences at 3PM. Do come by to wish them well! I'm still crying in my beer . . . . .

Estate/moving sale

My neighbor Brian Stuckey wants you all to know that he sold his cabin on the corner of Nugget and Pasquale, and is clearing out the house this weekend. Stop by and pick up some treasures. Brian's family was one of the first to build in the Shores in the 70's, so you'll be picking up a piece of history!
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I'm in the Bay Area and it is glorious. Nice break after all our snow. I take the dogs to Pt. Isabel in Richmond every day, huge off leash dog park, and a glorious view of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Dinner in Berkeley last night (Thai, yum) and visits with friends. Dim Sum tonight with the family (pot luck, so fun) and back home tomorrow. Always great to visit the Bay Area, but equally nice to get home. Going to stop and visit a big animal rescue in Penryn, A Chance for Bliss, which provides sanctuary for senior dogs, horses, goats, and all kind of critters. Life is good!

Women's Club is getting together

March 16h, Wed at Firehouse, 1PM for Hobby/Dessert gathering. Bring your hobby to share/show off, and a dessert. Great opportunity to meet, snack and marvel at peoples cleverness!
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THANKS TO ALL that put their ewaste in my pickup truck that was parked by store/firehouse last Friday/Sat. I was pleasantly surprised to find my truck overflowing with your electronic/household castaways. This all translated to 5cents a lb for Sammies Friends Animal Shelter (aka Nevada County Shelter) to help house/vet/place all the stray/abandoned/turned in animals of our county. I'm hoping they will do another drive this summer, when we don't have to climb over 4feet of snow to get to our garage junk!
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If you have not been to the General Store lately, do go! They have such a great assortment of stuff now. I know you pay a few cents more, but with $4 gas here, it has to be worth it to pick up those items. They even have fresh produce and ice cream, and lots of dry goods. Use it or loose it folks. They need your support to make this work for them and the community.
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Carol Carter over on Nugget St. is participating in a blanket/coat drive for those in need. If you have good clean usable coats or blankets, take them over to her. Thanks. She's in your Cascade Shores directory.

William "Billy" Kelly

Left:Chief Louis Kelly, Last Maidu Chief. The Maidu's have lived in this area since 500AD.
Below: William "Billy" Kelly

Sadly, for the second time in a few months, a resident of our wonderful community has died from exposure. I suppose it could be said that they also died from their addiction, as it is most likely what brought them to a state of homelessness. None the less, they died alone in the night, in the elements, without any of the advantages or comforts that anyone able to read this enjoys daily, nightly. I have visited in Nevada City for 40 years. I have lived here for eleven years. I have been aware of William "Billy" Kelly pretty much all that time, though until I read the news article this morning, I did not know his name. To me, he was a rather intimidating looking man I often passed on Broad Street, usually in the vicinity of Bonanza Market or the Post Office. You could see he was of American Indian decent. I admit his appearance sometimes alarmed me, made me uncomfortable. He was often clearly intoxicated. Yet, in his own way, he was impressive. You don't see many people of color in this 97% Caucasian community. Billy looked like a living photo of a Ogalala Sioux you see from the history books. In fact, the paper reported he is a direct decedent of the last Maidu Chief, Chief Kelly. So, in a way, he was royalty. He was born and raised here in Nevada City, attended local schools. So why was this man sleeping outside on Miner's Trail on a 20 degree night? I don't know. Maybe due to his habits, he had burned bridges, alienated friends and relatives. It happens. Still, it breaks my heart that in a community as small as Nevada City ANYONE is so invisible as to have to die alone, cold, probably hungry, under a public bridge. Hospitality House does a great job of feeding and housing our homeless, about 40 per night. However they cannot accept anyone who is under the influence at check in time, and many won't check in because they have dogs, which cannot stay at the shelter. A few weeks ago, I saw Bill Kelly by Bonanza Market. Once again I felt myself looking away from his face, avoiding eye contact. When I got in my car, I vowed that next time I found myself near him I would talk to him, find out who he was, even if only through a brief conversation. I was going to face my fear. I'm sorry I won't get that chance. A friend of Billy's, John Fletcher referred to him as "a sweet, kind man who had a problem with alcohol." I hope to attend any memorial for Billy. I would like to know more about this man, descended from the proudest of Americans. "Be kind to those around you. Every creature is fighting some sort of battle." God bless, stay warm.