Thrift tip of the week

Went to the Zion Cancer Thrift to pick up a few decorations. In the parking lot, I noticed 6 artificial Christmas Trees, still in their original boxes. All were 6 ft. or better, in the $20 - $25 range, and looked to be in perfect condition. Then went to B & C, and observed a woman purchasing a same tree new for $199! Just in case you're in the market . . . . . there were many, many lovely decorations and ornaments to choose from . . . . all the thrifts have their years collections of Christmas stuff out. Isn't it nicer to help a local charitably organization out with a purchase than a corp? (though I consider B&C a local business, and yes, I do try to shop local).
FYI, anything you see in the parking lot of the Zion Thrift is 1/2 price.
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Next Wed is the first Victorian Christmas Fair in Nevada City. I think that this Friday night is the first Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley. This Friday night also is the Miners (NU High School Football) home game playing a championship playoff game. Lots o f fun, and good burgers! Go Miners. NU girls volleyball is kickin' butt too. Go Lady Miners! We went to game's last year to watch Henry Harrison play (his senior year). The Harrisons (Brian and Lisa and kids) live down in Gas Canyon around the corner from Lost Mine Lake. Henry is now at University of So. Oregon and getting some playtime I hear. Brian Harrison did a 500 sq. ft. addition on our house last year. We added a beautiful cathedral ceiling living room, front porch and extended the back deck. Brian was an amazing contractor. He gave us the exact room we wanted, on time, on budget and was a complete professional, and totally nice guy. If you ever need work done, he's the man (you can find his info on our service provider list cascadeshore.org). Thanks Brian. We're decorating for our 2nd Christmas in the "new room" and it looks mah-va-lous. There is not one thing I would change.
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Friar Tucks has a Monday Night football menu that's good, and inexpensive. Fun place to watch the game! I'm still a sucker for their fondue's.

my cousin Sally

just called to ask why I'm not blogging anymore. Well, my desktop computer was acting up (despite the many talks we had about that) and my new laptop wasn't connected yet. But now I'm connected and WIRELESS for the first time in my life . . . so, back in business. Sally, who lives in Atlanta, Ga. says she likes to read about our "small town living." So this is for you Sal.
Today is Keith and Patricia's last day owning Cascade Shores General Store. The new owners will be giving it a go in the very new future. I plan to go get the "skinny" from them as soon as I see life there . . . curious what their business plan will be.
My friends Shera and Terry took me to town for birthday lunch today. We walked Mill St. in GV to get into the Christmas mood. Man, those stores change hands often, as we visited a half dozen shops I didn't know were there. Anyway, went into the Bamboo store. Have you had a chance to feel the fabric they make from bamboo? Heavenly!!! There is a specialty store on Mill by Main "Florio's" owned by a young local guy, Neil Sarchett. He has a wonderful selection of olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegar that you can taste test. The pear, fig, and strawberry balsamic's were good enough to drink! We bought some and even dip bread into in instead of butter or oil, or dress a salad with no need for oil. He bottles it for you right out of the jugs. It makes a great gift. Yuba Blue if just full of wonderful new gift items. Their buyer sure has a good eye.
If you weren't here, we got our first snow last Friday. Funny, it snowed on the lake side of store, but not over here on our side. Mike Inglis told me he was moving his boat to town when it came down, and almost didn't make it out Pasquale for the slipping and sliding.
Phil and I were just coming down the steep part of the big hill the other day when a medium sized bear jumped in front of us crossing the road. That part of the hill is a regular bear crossing, so be careful out there. He was sure fat and jiggly, and quite beautiful. I don't think our bears hibernate, they seem to be active all winter.
Propane season is here. Remember, if you want to save 20-30% on your Suburban bill, join the CSHA and you'll get the member discount.
Thaaaaat's all folks. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

THIS IS IT!

Went with Dixie and Phil today to see Michael Jackson's "This is it!." I was totally blown away. I've always been a fan of Michael's awe inspiring talent, but this movie really demonstrates all of his positive traits. The consumate professional, a man who can get 150% out of all the also talented musicians, dancers and creative people in his world without raising his voice hardly above a whisper (check it out Christian Bale) . His natural rhythm and a beautiful voice that matches any instrument gave me the chills, his lyrics are so moving. It occured to me throughout the film that he is ageless. He could be 40, 30 or even 20 the way he moves, so hard to believe he was 50. The way he achieves perfection in all aspects of the concert was inspiring. And he does it all without breaking a sweat. No doubt if he had lived to complete the tour, he would be back on top again as one, if not THE greatest entertainer. I know I'm blathering, but I felt it was that good. Hope you check it out. I'd like to hear what you thought.
Bless you Michael, and bless your children. You will live forever in your art and contribution to music and dance.

Am I the last person to know?

that the county FINALLY paved the cross road that links Quaker Hill to Banner Lava Cap? Catch it at the top of the big hill, you know, the one that was gravel before. Still has the "unpaved" sign, but it's paved. Well, it's smooth like butter now. That is such a safer route to Brunswick when it's icy. Anything to avoid that luge run they call Red Dog!
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If you are going to Nevada City for a stroll on Halloween, don't miss the haunted house on School St. off N. Pine. I went by today and they are doin' it up again. It's fantastic every year, and just grows and grows. Last time we went the line was 30 minutes to get into house, but actually there is as much if not more going on in the parking lot, plus you get to see all the ghouls that are in line!
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Happy Halloween ya'll. Aren't the fall colors amazing right now. It's supposed to be in the high 70's this weekend. Take a walk on the ditch trails. It'll blow you mind!

Need that last minute Halloween costume? Go to Solstice

We got a call from an old friend of Phil's, and the friends daughter recently opened a vintage clothing/furniture/seasonal stuff store on Pine St. in NC (across from Yabobo) called Solstice. We went to see the shop. Laura had similar shops in Jackson, Ca (another goldrush town on hwy 49 southerly) and really has a knack at this stuff. WHAT A GREAT SHOP. She has tons of new and vintage (used) fun, pretty and interesting items. Right now she has tons of costume/halloween stuff for the season, and really reasonably priced.
She purchases your clothing/jewelry items for cash, or gives store credit. I highly recommend the place. God luck Laura, Nevada City needed you! She also refurbushed this beautiful space. Be sure to notice the perfectly refinished original floors.

Firehouse Book Exchange

Thanks to everyone who donated books and tapes, shelving and kept things tidy this year at our community book exchange. The rainy season is upon us, so we have cleared out all the excess books and magazines, and put most of the "keepers" inside the firehouse. A few books will remain in the top two shelves of metal cabinet. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANYMORE BOXES TO EXCHANGE THIS YEAR. They just get wet and have to be thrown out.
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Also, a few folks seem to have decided that dumping unwanted items (bed, clothing) at the firehouse was a good way to get rid of it. NOOOOOOO! Please, pass the word, there is no garbage pick up at the firehouse. Do not leave your unwanted items in the parking lot. Thankyou.

Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim

Just caught up on 2 weeks of the Union paper. The story about the wandering Bison's, another "only in Nevada County" is particularly interesting. Now, if you haven't read up on this, here is short version ala the "Union": Rancher in Grass Valley has a daddy, mommy and baby Bison, (aka, Buffalo). Daddy Bison dies from parasites. Mommy and Baby, along with Donkey, go "over the wall" presumably looking for Daddy Bison (I guess Bison's don't understand the finanity of death, unlike elephants). Anyway, they go for a walkabout. A few days later, a neighbor in Alta Vista sites all 3 in her yard, and calls authorities (musta been a strange sight). Donkey is rounded up, bison's escape (Donkey-0, Bisons-2). More days go by, with the whole county on the look-out. Bison owner considers hiring a "tracker" to locate and shoot Bisons, as he feels they may be an insurance liability (900 lbs of grieving Bison could mean trouble to innocent hiker.) Caring neighbor of bison owner, who spent 4 1/2 months bonding with and hand feeding Bisons offers to purchase (missing) animals, and locates another rancher with a herd of similiar critters to take in mom and baby. Negotiations ensue. After rainstorm, mommy & baby bison show up back at the ranch (usassisted, like a couple of homing pidgeons). Caring neighbor comes over to make arrangements to move her bisons to the "herd" and is met with a slaughter house truck/driver, who claims to be there only to "support" rancher. Cops are called, and everyone is ordered to freeze frame until courts can settle ownership issue (both rancher and neighbor claim to have rights of ownership). Somehow, in the midst of negotations, the price of bison went from $1100 to $4000. Whew. So, in the words of Rodney King, "can't we all just get along." Yes, birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim, and herd animals need to be part of a herd. Rancher, please let Mommy and Baby Bison live with a herd they can call their own. This is not rocket science. If you care out there, throw your 2cents worth in a letter to editor at the Union, or better yet, to Sammies Friends, which is apparently trying to help raise the funds needed to purchase the two.
They could probably use some $ to help. Shooting or eating the darlings just seems wrong, donchathink?