Arriving at Sammies Friends Shelter today,

one of the staff told me about the two dogs that were recently rescued from the side of the road. Seems a man was driving down the road, and saw a pillowcase. As he got closer, he saw the pillowcase move. Pulled over, looked inside and found two of the most darling little white dogs I think I have ever seen. They are now at the shelter, available for adoption. These sweet little dogs are some kind of mix, young, probably about a year old, and small. When I entered their pen, they jumped up to greet me, and smothered me in sweet little doggie kisses. They also have a pure Yorkie roommate looking for a home. I went and got them a couple of fluffy beds, and some toys (they were toyless!). As soon as I returned with those items, they jumped for joy, quickly tested the bed (together) and then threw the toys in air, and delighted that they made squeaky noises. I swear, they are the most joyous little dogs I have ever seen! Know anyone wanting a bundle of joy, to make the season complete? As to the person who tied them in a bag and threw them away like garbage, possibly getting squished by a passing car, starving or freezing on the side of the road, what can I say. What in God's name would make ANYONE do such a thing? Spread the word so these babies can be in loving hands by Thanksgiving.

Another "Only in Nevada County"

Pulling up my facebook today (yes, I'm a "Facie") the first thing I see is our councilperson, Renette Senum asking growers to "hire local trimmers" instead of importing out of town pro's. Ha. She is also asking the imports and their dogs to not be litterbugs in town. You have to love that girl. 37 people immediately threw in their 2cents. Yeah growers, what's up with ordering out of town labor? What are you, the Mafia? (reminded me that Tony Soprano always ordered hit men from the outside. Harder to link to him)
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Cascade Shores resident Chris Herrenkohl is offering whole season snow removal for a set price, or "as needed" removal. You can reach him at 265-2363 or 265-6748 (cell). Nice guy, does a good job.

Can you afford to date?

So, awhile ago I read a SF Chronicle article about how expensive it is to date in San Francisco. The author estimated that a date including driving, parking, eating and entertainment would run you about $203. Whew, that would be tough. So, Phil and I took the challenge to see what a Nevada County date would actually cost. Here's what we found:
Round trip to town, gas = 1.75
Parking 0
Dinner at Mateo's Public/tax/tip 42.00 (Phil had a great burger platter and a drink, I had the Kobe Beef sliders with salad and 2 glasses of wine, Yum)
A walk up/down Broad St. 0 (looking for entertainment)
Crepe and coffee for 2 at Classic Cafe 12.00 (tax and tip included)
3 piece Gypsy Band and tango dancers 0 at Classic Cafe (every Friday night!)
sub total $55.75
we planned to go to a movie also, but enjoyed the music so much we opted to stay. If we had gone to movie, that would have cost another $15.00, totaling $70.75, or roughly 35% of the San Fran date. SWEEEEEET.
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One thing I learned from Rachel Ray's "eating on $40 a day" is that when trying to economize, never order dessert at the restaurant. Not only are they usually $6-$8, but there's 20% on top for tax/tip, or the total for 2 people approx $20. Her suggestion is take a walk (walk off some of those dinner calories) and find a gelato or frozen yogurt shop, or small bakery. We recently discovered Treats in NC after a dinner out. It's a darling little Gelato/Ice Cream/Dessert shop in the alley next to Ike's French Quarter Cafe. The owner, Peggy Wright is the sweetest (oh, get it) person who happily serves you a wonderful array of Gelato's or a homemade dessert crepe. I had the Rose flavored Gelato, and it was heavenly. Phil opted for the Blue Moon coffee, and it was amazing. The total was $6, and the tiny little shop is so cute and fun to hang in. Try it! They are open in the evenings.
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Scooter's Pals Dog Rescue here is so dedicated to getting their Pitty and Pitty mixes a home before Christmas that they are willing to waive the adoption fee of $200 for the month of Nov/Dec. Founder Susan Wallace would really love to get the dogs out of boarding/foster homes and into their forever homes for the Holidays. These wonderful dogs have been neutered/spayed, all shots, microchipped (I almost said microwaved) and are on heartworm. They are most deserving of a real family of their own. So if you or someone you know has been thinking of adopting, please contact them at 350-2099 or check their pictures gallery at scooterspals.org. Scooters exists only through personal donations, and rescues dogs right off death row. They put lots of $$$ into each dog in order to save, transport, board and vet them while awaiting an adopter. Even if you are not interested in one of the pitty's, please consider a Scooter's dog. Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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I received a letter advising of a timber plan nearby a few months ago, but wasn't sure where. Well, it's begun, and it's only 3 lots above me. You have probably noticed all the vehicles on the steep part of the Big Hill. I'm hearing chain saws, large truck and big ass trees falling all day long. I'll have to hike up and see what info I can glean. I guess it will make a nice firebreak for us, but looks like their making a holy mess and clearcutting. Ugh.

Pre-Foreclosure on Mt. View

Soooo surprized to see that Realtor Bill Levitz has "left the building." His home at 15722 Mt. View is empty, and I just got a email notice it is in preforeclosure as an active short sale from Gold Country Real Estate. It's a large home, and one of the few with a built in pool here in the shores. The listing price was $399, but looks like the bank is now asking $245K. Home needs lots of updating, but it's a good lot with alot to offer. Bring your contractor! Scroll down. Don't know where Bill has moved to, but wishing him the best. He was a big cheerleader for Cascade Shores, and CS real estate. You can see the listing on Zillow.com.
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Forecast is for rain Thu/Fri turning to snow over weekend down to 2000 ft. Prepare!
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WED night at 6PM is the Womens Club Chili/Bingo/White Elephant gift event at the Firehouse.
Should be fun. If you are female and live in the shores, please come down and meet and eat!

4" and still falling at 7:31, a trend?

Roland Fasset's Nevadacountyweather on Facebook reminds us that last year the 1st snow was on Nov. 20th. Very early, and with leaves still on the trees, caused so many to come crashing down. Well, yesterday, Novembre cinco, we got our first snow. Started at 7pm Sat night, and woke up at 7:30 this am to that soulful silence that tells me we are totally blanketed in the white stuff and it was still coming down. I measured 4" and spent a half hour clearing the porch and part of driveway, and with a 6 ft pole, went around shaking the snow off my still leaf laden trees (not the pines of course, they are bullet proof!) my only company the resident raven, soaring through our woods caaawing the news. Suggest you do the same, or you will have lots of broken branches on your maples and dogwoods. (yes Dixie, I know that's a run on sentence).My maple hasn't even turned colors yet!
So, was last year a fluke, a 10-20 year freak winter, or are we entering a trend? You tell me.
Nonetheless, it is gorgeous out there. The chihuahua meter (my little Kate) says it's below 38. I know, cause she's casing the throw rugs as a possible toilet alternative, which is what she does when I open the door and she catches the chilly breeze and heads back to the dining room to think it over. She's right, it's 34.5 degrees. The rest of the dogs (3 right now) forge ahead and find a patch of ground not yet covered with the white stuff, then happily run around enjoying the crunch under their feet.
The Nevadacitywebcam shows only rain in town. Google it if you need that info. Enjoy your first wintery day, and let's hope it's a "fluke."
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PS: if you want to laugh your butt off, go to Hulu.com and pull up the Sat night live sketch on the Kardashian divorce. Genius.
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On a sad note, I don't know if you read the front page article in the Union on Nov. 1 about Kenneth Gammelgard, 61, a Nevada County resident, being killed by a drunk driver in Kyrgystan.
Mr. Gammelgard is a local educator who retired in 2009. He was visiting his son, daughter in law and grandchild, and was on his way to the airport when the accident occurred. His wife and other family members survived, although with some injuries. His other son, Alex and family live here in the Shores, just a few homes down from me. I often see them walking their kids and dogs, and have friendly conversations with them. I have seen his father many times with hammer or rake in hand helping to improve his sons home.
You can only imagine the expense of getting his father back home for burial, and the medical bills that will result from this tragedy. Monetary contributions as well as condolences can be sent to Sierra Presbyterian Church, 175 Ridge Rd, Nevada City, Ca 95959. (Attn: Deacon's Fund-Gammelgard/Wood.) There are so many generous people here in the shores. Hoping you can help this sweet family.

Scooters Pals Flea Market tomorrow (Sat)

Really a great Flea Market. Tons of stuff. One of my favorite shops, LaLoo on Broad St. donated boxes and boxes of merchandise. There will be some beautiful home decor stuff, new clothing, pet supplies, games, Christmas decorations. Plus a great bake sale. One stop shopping. The office is across from Weiss Bros. Come on down, you won't be sorry. Not your typical Flea Market, and every single dollar goes to pulling dogs off "death row" and finding them homes.

It's a pitty there's a homeless Pitty everywhere you look

I know, so many people have no interest in adopting a Pit Bull, or Pitty Mix. I have had the same stand . . . . until I started volunteering at Sammies Friends 15 months ago. However, I am better educated now, and better than that, have met some of the sweetest, most loyal examples of that breed through volunteer work. Here is what I have learned over the past 18 months having personally housed 20 homeless dogs.
With the housing implosion, the shelter is drowning in "foreclosure" and stray dogs. So many people losing their status as home owners, and becoming renters, or moving away in seach of jobs. Lord knows it's hard enough to find a rental that takes dogs, and almost IMPOSSIBLE to find one that takes Pitties (sometimes prohibited by the insurance companies). Since the shelter can't take many "owner turn-in's" (they are obligated to take all county strays, & fill up fast with those) the result is that people simply release their dogs on county roads to fend for themselves. This results in injured, dead ,starving and scared dogs. Many are Pitts.
Currently Nevada County shelter has 12 of them, with more rolling in each day. Last month they adopted out ONE. Yes, one pit mix adopted. Do the math. Scooters Pals has 12 on their roster, fortunately in foster homes since they have no facility.
Two programs to address the problem: First and foremost, slow the breeding. Sammies Friends (NC shelter) is offering a SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PIT BULL PROGRAM, November 7th to Nov. 12th. You can get your dog spayed or neutered for low/cost or even NO COST to you. Even transportation will be provided if needed. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Owners will also have a chance to win a the $250 grand prize for participating. The last time they had this program 70 dogs got altered. This is so important to stop more dogs from being born that will just land on the streets, dead or in the shelters. Sammies dogs receive training while at the shelter, and they can assist you with continuing training needs. They also have a program for low income owners to help with the altering of other breeds and cats. Call Sammies at 471-5041 for info on these programs.
Scooters Pals will launch a program for NOV/DEC to WAIVE THE ADOPTION FEE to QUALIFIED OWNERS for their Pitt's and Pitt mixes looking for a home (the normal fee is $200). These dogs are spayed/neutered, all shots, all medical needs already addressed and microchipped. This would cost much more to do on your own if you started with a puppy. Plus, because they are in foster care, you get to know much about their personality before you consider them for your family.
Both scooterspals.org and sammiesfriends.org have picture galleries linked to petfinder to view the available dogs. Scooters Pals can be reached at 350-2099.
SO, maybe you would like to be a hero, and give a wonderful dog a deserving chance. So many of these dogs are model citizens already, and more will be with proper homes and training. Perhaps you can foster one from the shelter so he can be in a home for the holidays, enjoying all the perks of a family atmosphere. Or perhaps you can enlighten your neighbor that there is assistance to help them do the right thing by their dog. "Helping one dog may not change the world, but for that one dog, his world is changed forever."