WAS MY DOG POISONED? MAYBE. SAD DAY IN MUTTVILLE/PERRY HOUSE

update 12:30 on my dog Kyra:  It seems miss Missy may have gotten ahold of some hashish. In retrospect, she did seem MAJORLY stoned.  Since I have not owned any hashish since 1970, I'm guessing it somehow came over the fence in that suspicious foil package.  All 3 dogs pretty much slept from 4pm till midnight, so maybe they "shared" with Kyra getting the lions share. Mystery not solved, but I would feel better if it was an idiot "chucking" his stash, rather than an evil dog poisoner.
Alerted animal control, just in case it was evil intent.
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A very sad and suspicious thing happened yesterday,  my foster dog Kyra fell suddenly ill.  She was the only dog in my yard yesterday.  Rushed her to Loomis Emergency Hosp.  She clearly had been poisoned. I keep my yard very clean of any toxins obviously, with so many little ones here at all times.  I found a very suspicious tin foil package just inside my gate, with brown residue.  I'll never know, but it appears someone threw a packet of something toxic over the fence sometime between 4pm-5pm yesterday (Sat 8/24).  PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. It may be random, or we may have a very sick person wandering around here . . .
Kyra is slowly recovering.  Huge vet bill.  Hopefully no perm. damage.  Does not make me feel safe about leaving dogs in yard. . . . . .
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Saw that John and Cindi Perry have their house up for sale.  John and Cindi owned the General Store here for many years, and have been in the community for a L-O-N-G time.  Really suprized to see them selling their house.  It's on the corner of Pasquale and Cascade Dr.  They've always worked hard on that house and yard. It looks like an interesting place.
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Someone asked if I knew of any rentals/option to buy around here.  Lori and Jerry Shefels house (Shef's Plumbing) appears to be inbetween renters. It's on Lake Lane a block above the boat ramp (right side if you are going towards the ramp). Cute place, A frame, nice yard.  Not sure of status, but you could probably call Shef's Plumbing (grass valley or roseville) for info. Craigs list is always a good bet for finding rentals
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WE had ONE day of relief from the smoke, now it's back.  Since Forest Hill fire (American Hill) if mostly contained, I think this is probably Yosemite Fire smoke.  For the best updates, go to Yubanet.com.  They do a great job of covering fires, and everything else!
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Saw the surveryors around my house the other day.  Nosy person that I am, I asked what/when.  Seems the Pasquale/Nugget area will be getting new water pipes, consistent with the rest of C. Shores
NEXT YEAR.  This is great, because they also install new fire hydrants (I think the old ones here don't fit the new fire equipment).  Should make us much safer in the event of fires.  Thank you County.

Homes for Sale/Barber house

Well, I told ya that Hal and Dortha's house was super awesome.  The beauty on Nugget St. (nice quiet street) sold in 3 days for ASKING, $389K. So sorry to see them go, but live is ever changing.  Anyway, that price gives the neightborhood a good bump.  I went to Zillow and counted 7 homes in forclosure or pre-forclosure.  They are as follows:
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/13069-Gaston-Dr-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450614_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/14951-Lake-Ln-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450559_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/15612-Cascade-Dr-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450885_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12953-Gaston-Dr-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450578_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/16177-Banner-Quaker-Hill-Rd-Nevada-City-95959/19450788_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/15614-Cascade-Loop-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450640_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/14935-Lake-Ln-Nevada-City-CA-95959/19450558_zpid/

Wow.  So, some great deals out there . . . .
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We are definitely in a cooling trend here.  Scotts Flat Lake is still pretty high, but dropping. Water is deliciously warm.  Hardly a soul out there yesterday.  Guess everyone's gone to the Fair, here till Sunday.
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Some great entertainment coming up.  My favorite, Lyle Lovett is coming to Veterans Hall 11/16.  Buddy Guy, Blues legend also coming.  We're really getting some legendary entertainment around here. We're going to see Antsy McClain of Trail Park Trubadors at Center of the Arts 9/6, a special solo performance being filmed for PBS.  He is truly amazing, funny, talented and it'll be  fun night.
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Gotta go. Off to the Yuba River for some fun in the sun and blackberry pickin.  

My yard sale this weekend/new trail/Bladderwort cleanup

You might know that I volunteer and foster dogs for Scooters Pals.  I also volunteered to have their annual "Barking Lot Sale" at my house this weekend.  So please come by and find your treasure!  100% "goes to the dogs" as Scooters is all volunteer and no one is paid. We've gotten some interesting donations.  Saturday 8:30-4, and Sunday 8:30-12.  Cookies and refreshments served.  Learn about dog rescue!
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Went to the Wed. night street fair 2nite. It was a really beautiful evening, and we had a great time.  2 discoveries: (1) on Commercial St.on the right before the ally is Emily's Catering/Dining. A cute little outdoor cafe with wonderful live music and Tappa's.  GREAT FOOD.  No wine, only tea and lemonade, but really nice.
2nd discovery:  Did you know that a trail has been completed that takes you 3 1/2 miles from the 5 Mile House on Hwy 20 to the shores of Scott's Flat lake? It looks gorgeous, and has a beautiful stone bridge with a gargoyle fountain head.  If you can get someone to drop you off, it's not that much further when you get to the lake to walk over the spillway and up to Pasquale.  Probably about 5 miles total.  My new goal for the fall.
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Homeowners wants to do a "Bladderwort" clean up on this Sunday.  I know, "what the hell is Bladderwort?"
Sounds like a medical condition, with an STD spin.  But no, it's an algae that grows in the lake, making swimming a slimy experience.  The lake has been treated to kill most of, but some needs to be manually removed.  So come on down Sunday with your kayak or small boat and an iron rake, and help clean it up.  It's fun to get slimy!  Lost Mine Lake, this Sunday. If you don't want to help, come down with a chair and beer for the entertainment value!

Keeping a finger on the Homes for Sale Pulse

It seems most of us are interested in the big question about real estate, being "what'd cha pay for it?"  So, I like to routinely check Zillow to see what's selling and for how much.
I saw that Hal and Dortha Barber's beautiful home on Nugget hit the market last week. The Barber's used to host an annual "Soup Supper" for the Womens Club when I arrived here in 2000, and for years after.  It was always a really nice event, and I so admired their beautiful home.  I guess it's time for them to "move closer to the kids" in So. Cal.  So, you can check the Zillow listing of 15182 Nugget St, 95959.  Some lovely pics.
The asking price is $389K.  That would be a nice bump for the neighborhood.  Go to the right column when viewing the pic, and you can see "what has sold" and "what's for sale" in Cascade Shores. Always interesting.

Friday night movies, Most excellent water, AIRFEST 2013

The signs are up that the Friday night family movies begin again this coming Friday, the 12.
So grab your favorite comfy camping chair and footrest, and come  on down to the Firehouse at Dark O'Clock and enjoy a nice family feature film.  It's really fun, reminiscent of the old "drive in" days.
Popcorn and beverages are served (or bring your own) and the whole thing costs exactly ZERO.  Thanks Cascade Shores Womens Club!   The series is I think through the month of July (Fridays)
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Scotts Flat Lake AND  Lost Mine Lake are most excellent right now!  SF is refreshing and cool, and LML is warm.  LML has been treated to control the plant life, and looks nice and clear now.  I took the chihuahua's (KT and Butters) along with Franke the Houndy and all learned how to swim at the dog beach.  It was so fun!  I think they'll be ready for the big lake now.
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The Cascade General Store is really cranking out some pretty good food.  Please go try, and support the wonderful family that is trying to make a go of the place.  Grab snacks, drinks and lots of other cool stuff.  They've got it pretty well stocked.
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This weekend (Friday night and Saturday) is the bi-annual Grass Valley Airfest. Friday night is a dinner dance (we're just going to the dance part, $15 for the BEST  Moonlight Swing Band.  Seriously, these guys are so great.  It's just amazing to sit outside on a warm summer night surrounded by beautiful vintage planes and cars, listening to that era music.  It's a huge band, and they dress in WWII uniforms, and have great vocalists. Real nostalgia.  Totally worth the price of admission.  Saturday is a full day of everything an airplane fan could want.  My fav is the gorgeous Chrome P51 Mustang.  He comes every time.  Such a beautiful plane.  Come down and support this great show and you will not be sorry!
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Wow, real estate prices are moving up.  There have been some great sales lately.  Still deals out there though.  If you just go to Zillow.com and put in your cascade shores address,  the right column will show you recent sales and houses for sale.  Give you a good idea of what the market is doing.

It never rains in California!

Well, well, well, it is indeed raining!  Here in Nevada County we are on day 2 of a 3 day June storm (my niece got married here June 18, 2008 and it rained big time that day).  It is indeed unusual for it to rain between June 1st and November 1st, but here we are, and it is definitely a wet storm.  So enjoy not watering your plants, sit back, pull out the crockpot and build a fire.  Thank nature for wetting down all the dry brown fire danger fuel, and enjoy!
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Just got back from 5 days in Orange County, Ca.  My buddy Dixie Redfearn drove up to revisit friends in Nevada City and Grass Valley and especially Cascade Shores, and I drove back with her to check out her new life in the OC.  Costa Mesa is delightfully LAish, with the beach just blocks away.  Great people watching, a real doggie community, and all that wonderful LA. architecture in the old neighborhoods.  Had a great time with her and hubby, Robert Crabb and dog Jackson.  Flew back Sunday on Jet Blue, after sitting on the tarmac for an hour (good old Jet Blue.).  I love that flight, and always get a window seat to see my beautiful state in all it's glory at 34K feet above . . . .
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I heard from a couple that has a vacation rental here.  They had a really bad experience at the boat ramp with 2 loose black labs.  Their dogs were on leash, but the labs came running towards them, so they let their two dogs off leash, thinking that would make for a better meeting. Instead it got ugly when one of the loose labs attacked their dog, and punctured him many times.
I see so many loose dogs around here, and if I can contact the owner I do, and beg them to not allow their dogs to wander loose  . . . . you put your dog and others in danger.  I'll never understand why people think that's ok.  I have seen 6 dogs hit and killed on Quaker Hill over the past few years, and that's only the ones I know of.  Then there is the predator factor (we have bears, coyote's and wild cats).  Then there are children and adults that have a fear of dogs, especially dogs that rush at them.  The old "he won't bite" is no excuse.  Also, there are many kitties in the shores, and a cat that runs is at risk to a dog that chases.  Just because your dog likes your cat, does not mean he won't maim or kill another.  So, please observe the leash laws.
If you find a dog loose, you have every right to take the dog into your yard and call animal control at 273-2179 and have them come pick up the dog.  They will not come look for a dog that is wandering, but if you put the dog in your yard or garage, they will come get him/her.  Maybe after the owner pays a $50 to $100 dollar fine (bigger fine if not spay/neutered) they'll think twice.  If you love your dog, you will protect your dog.  That's just common sense.
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Wed. night is now the ongoing meet/potluck at the little lake, Lost Mine on Gas Canyon.  Come down with your dinner at 6pm and enjoy the company of neighbors.  The lake is for rent all summer, and is a great venue for family reunions (got to many friends/family to feed at a table, go to the lake!) weddings and general fun.  Contact Pam Herrenkohl for details.
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Don't forget to pay your $100 Cascade Shores Homeowners dues if you want to support that helpful organization and get a great Surbuban Propane discount.  Totally worth it!
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The kitty I found got a home about 5 minutes after I took her to Sammies Friends shelter. I did not even have time to put her in a cage before a darling young girl and her mother came looking for a kitty.  The fell for "Sabrina" in a second.  Still don't know how that little sweet found her way to my door at 4am.  Weird.  I had her spayed and now she is happy homed.
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Scooters Pals still needs donations for their annual Barking Lot sale on 8/3, 8/4.  If you have something I'll store it till then.  Just call me at 265-8680. No clothes or shoes.  Just good usable stuff please.
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I KNOW A VERY RESPONSIBLE RENTER LOOKING FOR A SMALL PLACE TO RENT HERE IN SHORES.  HER BUDGET IF $1000 PER MONTH.  DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING? EMAIL ME AT CAINDENISES@GMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET A RENTER RESUME FROM THIS PERSON.

Awesomeness, 5 lovely people left me welcome back comments!

Thanks!
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So, after I wrote about not eating at the Cascade General Store yet, Phil and I and Karen Lari went and had dinner there.  I had a beautiful Garlic Beef and Rice, Phil had Broccoli Beef and Rice (both over a bed of lettuce/tomato) and Karen had I think Coconut Shrimp.  It was all wonderful.  Spoke with Peter who runs the store.  He is originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, so his food has that wonderful Cambodian flare (which I love way over Chinese food).  I live for good Thai, but love any Southeast Asian food.  Anyhoo, had a great conversation with him, as I visited Cambodia and Viet Nam a few years ago.  He is a very interesting and gentle man.  They are trying hard to make a go of the store, which we sorely need here in the shores, so please be sure to catch a meal there soon!
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I forget to read the Union police blotter, but one caught my eye:  Grass Valley woman called police as she was attacked by a house cat."  Ha, She should spend a few days at my house.  My 5 dogs maul me daily!
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Speaking of, at 4am this morning (Sunday) I was awoken by the sound of a kitten crying.  Went downstairs and right outside my sliding door was a petit black kitten, maybe 3 months old.  Of course the dogs scared her and she ran about 20 feet up a tree.  Got the dogs back inside and the little sweetie came right back down and jumped into my arms.  No kidding.  So if you know anyone missing their sweet little baby kitty, I have her! Call me at 265-8680
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It's been pretty quiet here in the shores.  I don't see any big trucks rolling by, so I guess there isn't any big construction or repairs going on.  Love a quiet summer.
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As you may or may not know, Cirino's Italian Restaurant on Broad St closed it's doors.  If you loved their food, you can still get it at their Main St. Grill on Main in GV. Apparently one of the employees took the opportunity to open a restaurant at Lefty's old site on lower Broad St, and hired the Cirino's employees to help run it.  Nice move!  I hear it's great comfort food. Can't wait to try.
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Scooters Pals dog rescue is having a huge Barking Lot Sale on Aug. 3rd and 4th.  We're collecting good used items to sell (no clothes or shoes).  If you have things to donate, give me a call and I will gladly pick up.  It all goes to the dogs!  Thanks.  Be sure to attend if you are a yard saler.
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