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.

Now, for more upbeat news

The newish CSHA Board is planning 2 events, as you can see by the home page. A family picnic/kayak race on 8/28 (sat). This is a great chance to meet your neighbors and let the kids have a kayak experience on Lost Mine Lake. Very safe, very fun.
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The community flea market/swap shop/yard sale kinda thingy is on 9/11, 8am till 4pm at Firehouse. I love this opportunity to empty out my garage of the years accumulation. There are usually 10 or so sellers, and it is advertised in Union and KNCO, and broadcast email, so we get a pretty good attendance.
Pam Herrenkohl is in charge.
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By the way, if you read Pam's facebook page, she started her vacation with a broken toe, courtesy of her Great Dane. Weighing in at 150 lbs, he stepped on her foot, resulting in a break. I've known people who got toes broken from their horses, but a dog???????
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Kent and I will be applying a concoction that will topkill the algae forming at LML this week, so steer clear early in the week. It will be posted. You can still take your dogs to the Dog Beach. We only treat the area by the beach. It dissipates in 2 days.
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I still have Chester the wonder beagle staying with me. If you know anyone wanting to adopt a senior dog that is healthy, well mannered and still has lots of fun days ahead, give me a call at 265-8680. He's a charmer, and just loves everyone, no matter what species.

Shame on you The Union isn't enough

Woke up this morning, got a cuppa java, and sat down to read the Union. Checking the "lost" column I reeled. Here is the ad "Lost dog, black pitbull terrier on Greenhorn Rd, answers to the name of "dirtyni**er" call 530-270-1050. missing since 8/2". Now folks, I have put the ** where there were two g's. Got it?
Question: what sort of animal names their animal that?
Question: who is asleep at the wheel at the Union that allowed that to be published?
Question: how many people are now looking for the owner and dog to give them a piece of their mind?
Question: is this a "prank" from the mind of someone with a really bad sense of humor?
Question: does the Union have editors and proofreaders?

I called Publisher Jeff Ackerman for an explanation (at 11:30 am). He had no knowledge of the ad and has to "research" how this happened. I asked if the Union would apologize. He said "I don't think there is a need for that." My opinion is that no responsible paper would print this ad. At the very least he owes subscribers an apology. Way to make Nevada County look like rampant rednecks Jeff.
How do you feel about this? Call Jeff at the Union, 273-9561.

Residentially challenged Senior Citizen looking for

roommate or roomates. 70ish (in dog years), likes 2 simple meals a day, healthy,11 inches tall, weighing in at 25 lbs, good security skills, can round up varmits in your yard. Will accompany you on any/all auto trips, boat trips. Will gladly share your bed (or sleep on floor if you insist). Will gladly pretend your kitties do not exist (what do you see in them????) Can sound alarm if strangers come to door (sounds like broken foghorn). Will befriend any other dogs in the home, and I can be quite charming. Follows easy directions, but have slight stubborn streak when not "in the mood." My mom of 10 years dropped me off at the shelter. Said we both needed to "move on." You get the picture.
Call Chester (aka Wally) at 265-8680 to arrange interview. Even better looking in person.

Good Day at NC shelter

3 large dogs adopted today. A 6 month old went home with FOUR young children, to join another dog, 2 cats, rabbits and a snake. Now, that's a readymade family. A beautiful female Rott went to Sac to join her 3 humans, and another is off to another full family. Love happy endings. Still some great dogs needing forever homes. The kitten congestion was eased over the last week, but there are alot of young to older cats needing homes. Some real beauties. They are running a 2/1 sale (2 for $50) and discounting dogs from $80 to $50 to seniors. Way more $$$$ goes into these dogs than they are asking for adoption fee. Things are really calming down at the shelter, and Cheryl and Kurt have created a very safe easy atmosphere for all.
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A reader reminded me that there is a Doxie rescue (Doxies are near and dear to my heart, as I have a 16 year old named Harry Dog.) There are alot of rescues for specific breeds. It's such a win/win to get a dog from a rescuer, as you will know so much about the animal from the foster parent. And they usually insist you return the dog to them if for any reason it doesn't work out.
They are spayed/neutered and have all their boosters. Ready made dog.
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The Wed night & Thu night street fairs are in full swing, with awesome music. I've been working a booth for NC Land Trust, promoting their 8th annual concert to be held Aug 26th (Sat) with the fabulous Mavis Staples (of Staples singers). I've never seen her live myself, and can't wait, but many fans have dropped by the booth and told me "she brings down the house!" The event is at NorthStar House on Old Auburn Rd. Get your tickets from the Land Trust. Bring your own low back chair and enjoy a wonderful night of music under the stars at a great historic site. Soooo Nevada County.