SRA (State Responsibility Area) tax bill $115.00

Hi fellow residents of a "high fire risk" area, which of course is true.  By now you should have received your much disputed and unfair tax bill.  You are probably grumbling, and begrudgingly paying the bill.  If you don't, unfortunately a lien can be placed against your property, and heavy late interest and fines levied.
If you did not read the papers today, you might be delighted to know that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. has filed a class action lawsuit (in conjunction with others) regarding what appears to be an illegal and "double taxation" issue.
If you agree that you are being unfairly targeted,  do yourself a favor and go to firetaxprotest.org. and follow the steps to protest this tax.  This includes paying the bill in a timely manner, and marking your check "paid under protest" and completing the protest form they have provided.  Be sure to follow all the steps as outlined. This tax will again be charged  in 3/13, so it is important that this matter be addressed as soon as possible.  If the class action suit is successful, you will only receive a refund if you have followed the steps on  firetaxprotest.org.
Many in the know feel that this is just an attempt of the state to grab a few bucks wherever they can.  It appears the money would go to a "general fund" and not into any fire protection fund. I hope you will educate yourself on this matter and if you agree, take time to file the protest. Good luck.www.firetaxprotest.org
also www.hjta.org (howardjarvistaxassn)
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I've got tickets for Spaghetti Feed at Scooters Auction if you want . . . . . great place to purchase services and fun stuff, and 100percent goes to the pups . . . . .

Recent home sales

Looks like homes in Nevada County are starting to move again.  About time.  I see that a few have sold in Cascade Shores recently.  So, new home buyers, if you are reading this be sure you check with CSHAssn about joining and getting a great discount on propane from our alliance with Surburban.  Your membership of $100 a year (volunteer) helps maintain our community lake (Lost Mine Lake) and give a voice to Cascade Shores when county issues arrive via our dedicated Board.

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Housesitter in place and all loose ends tied, I'm off for 2 glorious weeks of no cares/no cooking/no responsiblity except to find the bar, restaurant, pool and views.  Can't wait to meet the cousins in Boston and jump on the cruise ship.  Have a great beginning of fall ya'll.

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Con't miss the opportunity to participate in the Cascade Shores yard sale.  Get your place on the map.  Or, if maybe you are a new home owner of a vacation home, cruise the shores picking up all the things you need to make if comfy.  

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The 18th annual Celebration of Life Triathlon is here (Scotts Flat Lake and throughout Cascade Shores) on 9/16/12.  This is a great event to raise funds for breast cancer imaging assistance.  I have had 2 dear friends battle cancer over the last 12 months, and lost my sister to BC 2 years ago.  Early detection is so important, and this event raises funds to make sure we women stay healthy and get diagnosed early, even if you don't have insurance for an exam.  So, swim, bike and run, or sponsor an athlete if you can.  Let's end this cancer madness!

Help has arrived

Wow, not posts since July.  Where have I been?  That is along dry spell.
Well, global warming aside, feels like it's finally starting to cool off a bit (just a bit).  I have been planning my 1st real vacation in about 6 years.  This year is a big number for the hubby, so we're gonna try the cruise thing.  Boston to Montreal, via Bar Harbor, Maine, Halifax, NovaScotia, Quebec City.  Then will drive through New Hampshire and Vermont and back to Boston.  So, getting ready to leave has been a task, as there are so many "honey do's" not yet done.  Which is what I'm leading up to.  I have been SAVED.  Last year I bragged about the great job Jeremy Pastre did painting my house, on time and on budget.  Once again he has saved my bacon, and came over and built the long awaited dog run, and repaired all my failing fencing.  He always finds me the best materials at the best price, and does the work quickly and efficiently, happily.  He's skills are too many to list, so let's just call him builder/handyman extraordinaire.  Did I mention affordable?  Anyway, I'm going to give you his number, and I hope you are wise enough to use it if you need some help with your "honey do's."  Jeremy lives right here in the shores, and you can reach him at 264-7215.
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So sad to hear that Olivia Diaz and her hubby Ernie are leaving the shores.  Ernie just loves living in Paris, France, and Olivia likes to split her time between here and there.  Nice job if you can get it.  Olivia is enjoying watching her granddaughter Ava grow up (she's just a toddler) so is naturally torn.  They plan to rent their home on Pasquale, so if you know anyone looking for a great rental, look for the sign to go up.  A nice condo in town is their new home, easy to shup up and take off for the lights of Paris!

misc. gobblygook

I hear the store is doing Ribs 2nite.  Ummmm, ribs.  I'm such a meatasaurus, and can only dream of flipping to vegetarian.  I'll work on that . . . .
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The movie 2nite at the Firehouse is "Dolphin Tale."  Charming true story of a dolphin who lost her tail and was rescued and rehabbed with a new tale.  Movie starts at dark oclock.  Bring a comfy chair and bankey.  Popcorn provided (free)
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Robbers fire is under control, and no more smoke.  Be careful out there.  Even a gas weekeater or mower can spark a fire.  It is tinder dry!
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Scotts Flat is finally dropping a bit, and my favorite beaches are surfacing.  Too the Frankfurter and Kate for a great offleash walk around the lake this am, and it is glorious!
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Eleanor MacDonald, the singer, (Paul Kamm and Eleanor MacDonald pay around here all the time, they're local) just published a charming book about a little dog named Grace that she encountered in Greece on vacation.  Karen Lari and I went to her reading last night at the Stonehouse and it was wonderful.  If you buy the book at Sammies Friends, 100% goes to the shelter.  If you buy it elsewhere, a portion goes to Sammies Friends and a portion goes to a shelter in Greece.  The book is called "All the little Graces."
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Lots of street work being done here to upgrade water pipes.  Later in fall streets will be resurfaced.
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I will be manning a booth at the Pioneer Park Flea Market on 8/4 for Scooters Pals.  I've been hard at work creating some one of a kind dog beds (One is an old Philco tv cabinet, so cute).  Please come down and buy something to support the rescue of shelter animals abandoned by those that were supposed to love them forever!  Also, Sammies Friends (County shelter) is overflowing with dogs and cats now.  Please come adopt a baby.  They need to get out of those cages!  Sammies is on McCourtney Rd.  2 1/2 miles past the fairgrounds

Today's fire news (Friday)

This is mixed news for the Robbins Fire. The fire is currently at 800 acres and only 10% containment tonight. Firefighters today were successful on structural protection and in containing slope over but the main fire is burning uncontrolled in very difficult terrain. Onshore trends will lower humities and temperatures which will slow the fire overnight, but these conditions could increase winds during the day driving the velocity of the fire. Always hard to say – but this fire, given the difficult access, could be burning for quite some time. Currently no structures have been lost and the fire is burning in a very lightly populated area. (you can get up to date news from Yubanet.com)


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WE're experiencing a bit of smoke here today.  Not terrible, but you can smell the fire.  Should cool here 2-4 degrees over the weekend.  The good news is the lake is PERFECT for swimming.

Summer treats to beat the heat

Whew, it's hotter than a pistol out there.  Here are a few suggestions to beat the heat:
If you keep a nice cold pitcher of cold water in the fridge, add a couple of sprigs of mint and 1/2 of a thinly sliced cucumber.  Lemon cucumber is even better.

For the adults, use those Popsicle makers to make a Margarita pop.  Margarita mix, tequila and a little triple sec.  Freeze 4 hours and sprinkle a little salt over the pop.  Yummy.

Other things to do with Margarita mix (no alcohol in it)
Marinate chicken or shrimp
sprinkle over avacado's so they don't brown
mix with honey (microwave to make the honey mix well) and drizzle over fruit kabobs

I always dress fruit salad with a little Lemon Curd mixed with vanilla yougert.  Add chopped mint.  Wonderful.  Mint grows well here in the shores. Making lemon curd is easy.  Google it!

GuacataTaco.  Mix chunks of avacado, tomato and green onion and chopped lettuce.  Dress with a mix of mayonaise, chili powder and lemon juice. Put it all in a crunchy corn tortilla, or a fried flour tortilla.  Squeeze a lime onto each bite.

Lemon sorbet.  Easy to make, just google a receipe.  Just lemon juice, sugar and water.  So much better when you make it yourself.

At the street fairs, buy one of those neck thingy's that have magic pellets in them.  You soak it in water and it absorbs about a cup of water, and stays wet for hours!  Such a relief when you are in the hot sun gardening or just walking around town.

Or, you can just go JUMP IN A LAKE!

Nevada City and Grass Valley street fairs are in full swing, as are all the Farmers Markets.  Check mynevadaco.com for full info.  Shop local and take advantage of all the seasonal fruits and vege's. The local farmers need your dollars and encouragement more than the corporations!

13046 Gaston Dr	$210,000	03/13/2012	3	2.0	1,749	20,038	1986	$120	0.18
15115 Nugget St	$220,000	04/10/2012	3	2.0	1,954	32,670	1994	$112	0.22
14995 Lake Ln	$179,000	04/20/2012	--	--	2,588	20,909	1988	$86	0.32
13874 Gas Canyon Rd	$95,000	05/25/2012	2	2.0	1,586	27,007	1985	$59	0.68
15927 Banner Quaker Hill Rd	$87,000	12/16/2011	2	1.0	672	22,216	1973	$129	0.14
13069 Gaston Dr	$100,000	09/30/2011	3	1.5	1,728	16,553	1987	$57	0.19
13829 Gas Canyon Rd	$232,000	05/18/2012	3	2.5	2,400	44,431	1978	$96	0.62
12433 Summit Ridge Dr	$145,000	01/31/2012	2	2.0	1,264	46,174	1991	$114	0.74
12942 Spanish Ln	$179,000	09/16/2011	3	2.0	1,456	43,560	1972	$122	0.27
12983 Aurora Close	$120,000	01/06/2012	2	2.0	960	21,780	1989	$125	0.95
13889 Gas Canyon Rd	$215,000	02/03/2012	3	2.0	1,728	37,461	1971	$124	0.66
16462 Pasquale Rd	$126,000	07/28/2011	3	3.0	1,584	--	1987	$79	0.20
16059 Mountain View Dr	$135,000	09/01/2011	3	2.0	1,477	50,094	1986	$91	0.30
15157 Lake Ln	$200,000	08/29/2011	4	2.0	1,970	19,166	1972	$101	0.43
16474 Banner Quaker Hill Rd	$149,000	07/26/2011	3	2.0	1,604	21,344	1998	$92	0.55
12672 Summit Ridge Dr	$185,000	11/17/2011	4	2.0	2,496	16,117	1980	$74	0.56
14545 Sanctum Pl	$482,000	04/13/2012	3	2.0	2,266	217,800	1994	$212	0.93
14765 Banner Quaker Hill Rd	$289,000	03/08/2012	3	2.0	1,653	210,830	1985	$174	1.10