I seem to be running behind . .

Last weekend was our annual community flea market/yard sale.  Unfortunately, the weather (rain) put a damper on it.  The weekend before, the smokey conditions caused the cancellation of the Womens Triathalon.  The good news is that the rain helped put out the King Fire, which is just smoldering, 90% contained, after burning nearly 100,000 acres. The other good news is that there is a suspect in custody.  What do you do to a guy who causes an entire forest to burn, loss of 80 buildings, thousands of people and animals displaced, $50 Million in firefighting costs, 5,000 firefighters risking their lives for over a week.  I'm not sure there is a punishment that fits that one  . . . .
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It is mighty nice to have the rain here though.  The dust is settled, the lake, though seriously low actually rose a bit.  I heard there have been some wells in the Nevada City area go dry, so am hoping a wet winter will replenish some of the ground water soon.  CONSERVATION.  Give it a whirl.
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Looks like the new ordinance forcing people with vacant lots here to clean them up is working.  I'm seeing a few lots clean for the first time since I moved here in 1999.  Check it out if you have a lot within 100 ft of your lot that needs cleaning.  ************************

Had the MOST PERFECT Nevada City Tour day Friday with friends from out of town.  Perused all the beautiful retail shops on Broad St.  Scarfed street taco's at Nevada City Eats bottom of Commercial.  Tasty Ice Cream (Violet flavor) at Treats in the alley by Ikes.  Wine tasting at Nevada City Winery on Spring.  Over to Three forks bakery for those amazing Fennel Meringue and seriously good Americano. Wrapped it up with people watching at Calanan Park, and as if it was not a full enough day, over to Lefty's to sit on the edge of Deer Creek and have a great beer and their "not to be beat" sweet potato fries with apricot/chipolte dip.  Oh yeah.
Both friends vowed to move to Nevada City. I vowed to fast for 3 days.  Calories!
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Latest on the King Fire. The smoke has arrived in Grass Valley and Nevada City (Cascade Shores) today. Not a good condition for tomorrow Triathalon. Over 80,000 acres involved

Image Wes Schultz

King, Eldorado National Forest. Unified command between IMT 1 (Giachino) and Cal Fire IMT 1 (Smith). Eleven miles east of Placerville, CA. Timber and grass. Active fire behavior with uphill runs. Numerous residences and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, road and area closures in effect.

The first week of King Fire information has been archived and can be found here.

September 20, 2014 at 1:24 PM 

Camino Public Meeting: 7:00 PM. Seventh-day Adventist Church - 3520 Carson Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Garden Valley Public Meeting: Time TBD. Location: Golden Sierra High School - 5101 Garden Valley Road, Garden Valley, CA 95633.

September 20, 2014 at 1:18 PM 

Two firefighters have been injured after a 20 ft. fall. Helicopter medevac for one patient requested to the vicinity of Bridalvail campground.

September 20, 2014 at 1:15 PM 

Due to deteriorating visibility, all helicopters are leaving the French Meadows area. Visibility has been reduced to approx. 2 miles. The air tankers have already departed.

September 20, 2014 at 12:57 PM 

Air operations near French Meadows are hampered by smoke.

September 20, 2014 at 12:09 PM 

Total Fire Personnel: 4,901

Total Fire Engines: 379
Total Fire crews: 137
Total Helicopters: 21
Total Dozers: 77
Total Water Tenders: 78
Incident Management Team: 5

September 20, 2014 at 11:07 AM 

As of 11:00 am, no changes in evacuations. The evacuation center in Camino at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 3520 Carson Road, Camino remains open. 2,819 people remain evacuated.
September 20, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Air quality in the Auburn area is in the Very Unhealthy range. Placerville, Grass Valley and Nevada City are in the Unhealthy range.

September 20, 2014 at 8:48 AM 

Fire activity today may be higher than yesterday, especially where the canyons and east winds come into alignment. There is a chance of thunderstorms in the evening that could cause erratic winds and extreme fire behavior.

Relative humidity recovery was poor across the northeast flank of the fire with readings of 30-40%. The best recovery was at the elevations in the southern portion of the fire. A thermal belt kept the humidity low above 3,000 feet. Today ESE winds of 10-15 mph with gust of 25-30 in the morning. The winds are predicted to transition to the SW late in the day with a slight chance of rain and possible thunderstorms in the evening.

September 20, 2014 at 8:40 AM 
The fire has crossed into Placer County and is approaching the Tahoe National Forest boundary. The fire burned actively throughout the night and a spot fire on the north end of the fire by French Meadows Reservoir has grown to about 500 acres.

Incident map for September 20, 2014.

September 20, 2014 at 8:09 AM 

FIREWISE COMMUNITY

OK, I'LL TELL YOU NOW.  READ BELOW.

By: Joanne Drummond, Executive Director, Fire Safe Council of Nevada County

Cascade Shores Firewise Community committee members (left to right) Carol Carter, Terry Athanasopulos, Kent Rees, Joan Hardy and Jan Guevel at the site of a wildfire hazardous fuels reduction project implemented this spring.

NEVADA CITY, Calif September 5, 2014 - The community of Cascade Shores outside of Nevada City has achieved the Firewise Communities/USA® award from the National Fire Protection Association for their efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscape to wildfire.

The Firewise Communities/USA® program honors those who pro-actively address the wildfire hazard across the landscape. The process begins by forming a committee, completing a community wildfire hazard assessment, developing an action plan to implement recommendations, investing in fire prevention activities and hosting a community education event. Firewise Communities retain their certification by filing a report of ongoing activities on an annual basis.

"Going beyond the minimum requirements of defensible space as required by law will help our residents change fire behavior as it approaches their community. Working together, we are helping to protect the forest environment we treasure from catastrophic wildfire." said Firewise Committee Member, Joan Hardy. The Fire Safe Council aids communities in Nevada County in attaining the national Firewise Communities/USA® certification.

To learn more about Firewise Communities/USA® visit www.firewise.org, or the Cascade Shores Association visit www.cascadeshores.org or contact the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County at (530) 272-1122 or online at www.areyoufiresafe.com.

geez, they did not mention Josie the dog.  And she played a big part!

Helllllo. Anyone there?.

Whoa, I have not written since May 15h.. What's up with that?

So much happening around here.  First, NID is just about wrapping up the new water lines.  A few more hook ups (from main to homes) and that part is done.  Then roads will come in and resurface (aka chip and seal) everywhere.  Won't it be nice to have NO MORE DUST, and nice clean surface.  Terrible to have to rinse your car off every day in a drought year from the work.  However, so happy we have brand new water pipes throughout Cascade Shores.
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I had a visitor today.  A totally official looking guy came around to check the yard for fire hazards.  Got a good report other than the debris on my roof.  Who is willing to go up and blow off my very steep roof?  Used to have Joel, the roofer from across the street, but he moved. Anyway, make sure you tidy up so you get a good report card!
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Scary stuff with a fire in Alta Sierra and Pollock Pines area of El Dorado county.  We are now in what, 5 months of no rain.  Not seeing much in the future either.  I still see cigg butts around on BQH Rd.  Can't believe anyone would throw a cig out the window around here.  Holding breath till the rain comes.  Let's be careful out there.  Alta Sierra lost 150 acres in the blink of an eye.  That would wipe us out!
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The Family Picnic and Kayak Races were so fun in August at Lost Mine Lake.  There was still enough water in the lake for boats.  Surburban Propane provided burgers, hot dogs, drinks and chips. Residents brought desserts.  Larry Marvin and Doug Goff of the Board did such a great job organizing and making sure there was plenty of fun things to do.  Tunda Croquet was my fave.  They set up an IMPOSSIBLE course.  I brought my family that was visiting for a birthday, all 27 of them!  They were fed well and treated well, and I thank Surburban and the CSHA board members that made it all happen.
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This Sunday is the annual Millar Triathalon.  So fun to be at the lake early with my cuppa java and watch the competition.  Please try and come and support this very worthy cause (pledges go to Womens Breast Imaging Center).
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Lots of home getting sold around here!  The market may be getting soft, but you can't tell it here.  I know of at least 5 homes that sold in less than a month.  The one across from me (foreclosed) got about 10 lookers a day, and was in escrow about a week after being listed.  Nice to have new neighbors.  Hope they know I rescue little dogs.  I have a bit of a chihuahua farm these days (I'm legal!).
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If you are looking to adopt a "best friend" and like the little ones, or a beautifully trained Pitty, please go to Scooterspals.org and take a look.  If you see one you like, call me at 530-265-8680.  I'd love to put one of these adorable little survivors in the care of a loving neighbor.  Maybe you've been thinking of fostering a small dog.  CALL ME!  I'll tell you what it's all about.
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My favorite new restaurant:  Three Forks Bakery in Nevada City.  Great Pizza and desserts.  Good beer, excellent service and just a cool setting.  On Commercial St. by the old BofA parking lot.
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After alot of hard work by our CSHA Board and the residents of Cascade Shores, we are now approved as a FIRE WISE COMMUNITY.  Keep reading my blog, and I'll tell you what that means . . . . . . tomorrow.

LOTS OF FIREWISE STUFF GOING ON. We all know that this will be a doozy of a fire season, Calif. is already burning

First, Just got the following info from CSHA and want to share incase you are not on their email list:

In case of an emergency in the community, the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) will be notifying people:

1.  If you have a AT&T phone (land line) you are already in the data base and will be automatically notified by The county's  Emergency Notification System.  No action is required on your part.

2. In order to be notified by the county Emergency Notification System if you have a cable service phone line, cell phone, voice over  IP, cell phone text messaging, or personal e-mail, RESIDENTS  will need to manually add their information.

TO REGISTER go to the Nevada County OES website.  www.mynevadacounty.com/nc/igs/oes and look for Services, City  Watch link.  

THE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM WILL ONLY BE ACTIVATED BY COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL TO SEND  EMERGENCY MESSAGES.

The Fire Safe Counsel highly recommends that even though your land line is registered, have your cell phone registered also.
(I just did it, takes less than 2 minutes)

COUNTY MANDATES BRUSH-CLEARING ON UNIMPROVED PROPERTIES:

link to Union article: http://www.theunion.com/news/11408152-113/fire-ordinance-county-abatement

Here are the nuts and bolts of this ordinance:  Even is your lot is unimproved (not built on) you must clear vegetation within 100 ft of any structure or near roadways.

It is now on the books.  May be difficult to enforce, but why would anyone argue this point?

Failure to do so could result in a administrative citation, or if the problem persists, a criminal citation.  County would impose a mandatory abatement with a lien for the cost of the abatement placed on your property taxes.

If my lot is clear, but your's is full of hazardous volatile brush, then I'm going to loose more than you, so I need to be protected. Please show your neighbors you care, even if all you have to loose are trees and bushes.  And if you do have a home on your lot, make sure that you clear all the way to your shared property line.

There are companies in the county that will clear brush, there is a county chipping program. If you stack the slash properly, you can arrange to have them come and chip it all.  We have Michael Cotton (Michael's Tree Service) right here in the shores that does tree work and chipping (you can contact him about brush clearing, 530-265-6724) I'm sure he can advise you.

Watching the fires in So. California is horrifying and sad.  Let's not loose our beautiful Cascade Shores to simple lack of maintenance.  Wildfires are devestating.  Let's give ourselves a fighting chance by keeping the ground as clean as possible so a small fire stays a small fire, and can be extinguished quickly.  Remember, it takes fire dept 15 minutes to get here from town. Alot can happen in 15 minutes on a tinder dry lot.

Keep an eye on your neighborhood. If you see smoke (burn season ends here 6/1) investigate to see if it is controlled or not.  Early reporting is important.  Don't assume "someone else" is taking care of it.  Appoint yourself fire monitor. Call 911 and make sure they are aware of any fires.

If you walk around the shores, especially Banner Quaker Hill, you'll see many cigarette butts.  Scary stuff.  Please be extra cautious with all forms of fire.

KEEP THE SHORES GREEN!

Peace out, D

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Forgot, Sunday 5/18 is Lost Mine Lake cleanup!  Come on down with your tools and help spruce it up.  The little lake is full again and wonderful, ready for swimming and dipping the toes.  Such a sweet serene place to enjoy nature.

FIND A SET OF SPIDER CHAINS??? TODAYS SNOW*****Lost chains!

Today's snow was fierce!  It actually started at 6pm on Monday, and snowed till noon today. Beautiful, wet heavy snow. Heard branches coming down all day from the weight, and I'm afraid lots of the ornamental and fruit trees that were beautifully blooming a few days ago are broken and mangled from the weight of it all. I almost got slammed by a big oak tree branch when I was marveling in the back yard at all the beauty. Road's clear again, but lots of white stuff stacked up around here.
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got this message on my email:
On Tue, Apr 1, 2014 at 9:17 AM, Bill Brink <wmbrink@comcast.net> wrote:

Hi Denise, I was heading out last night, made it to top of hill and ice under the snow had me panicking and so after trying to clear the snow manually in front of tires I tried to put spyder chains on. they seemed to work but apparently fell off. My son and I returned and spent a couple hours walking the road out before coming to conclusion someone picked them up. I am hoping they are kind enough to return them to me . I can be reached at normabrink@comcast.net
Many thanks, Norma

So if you possible picked up these chains, can you let Norma know?
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The Fire Safe meeting this Saturday at the Firehouse should be fun and informative.  Also, there will be a balloon animal CLOWN to entertain the kids, so if you have little ones, please come by.  He's pretty talented, and not in the "clowns will kill me" style, but the fun clown type. (He's Ray, my tile guy, and he's super sweet and good with the kids).

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The last Homeowners meeting was really informative about the status of the sewer plant of the 83 homes here on sewer.  I am always surprized at how few people who have "sewer homes" attend these updates.
Anyway, the gist is that it's time to abandon the current style of water treatment, and switch over to a "septic" type for the plant to empty into.  An attempt is being made to acquire a 40 acre lot in which to build a leach field/septic system.  We'll see how that goes.
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Hot Dam, new fire hydrants in Cascade Shores

Saw an NID guy walking the mean streets of Cascade Shores. My naturally nosey ways caused me to ask, "what up?"  He was checking locations of our very outdated hydrants, (FD has to use adapters just to use them they're so old) and he said they will be replacing some this year.  Good deal.  Anything to make fighting fires here in the forest gets my vote!
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There also will be more blacktop resurfacing this year, the streets that did not get it last year.
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This Wed, 3/12 will be an open meeting this Wed.6:30 with Supv. Nate Beason to get an update on local politics.  I'm not sure the subject matter, but guessing the coming fire season will be at the top of the list.
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Talking with someone new who was asking where the interesting food is in Nev. County.  I love to eat good, and eat reasonably, so here are a few of my favs:
GREEK:  Afternoon Deli, Grass Valley, behind Kmart (McKnight Turnoff).  I know, weird location. But their Meza with 6 tiny cups of heavenly greet dippers are amazing.  Lots of other good stuff too.
ITALIAN:  Goomba's in Grass Valley (Hwy 174) does a decent job with their sausage and pepper sandwich, and with their garlic steak sandwich.  About as close as you'll get to a Chicago Style sangwich, witht flying to Chi Town Portillo's. Thin crust olive oily pizza too, the real thing.
THAI:  Love the little joint next to Goomba's, forget the name. Maybe PANOY.  Funky feel, GREAT THAI.
WHATNOT:  Nevada Cify Eats on Coyote by the Chamber.  Great street taco's for about $2. Shredded beef, nicely spiced, with toppings.  Fresh and filling
DESSERT:  UMMMM, I do love a good coffee and dessert.  Not counting calories or pennies?  The Tiramisou at Tofanelli's is fierce!  On the run?  Inside the New York Hotel on Broad St, NC are amazing Truffles and dessert's by DeGroot, one of the best chocolatiers probably in California. Also served at Cafe Mecca on Commercial St, which has a distinctly Berkeley feel.  I was born and raised in Berkeley, and it feels like home.
PUB FOOD:  Cascade Shores own Matt Martolis opened Matteo's in Nevada City, corner of Commercial across from Friar Tucks.  Best Kobe Beef sliders, and Stinky Mac N Cheese ever, and great assortment of beer.  Something for everyone, and fun friendly place.
Speaking of Friar Tucks, they've been serving up fondue since the 70's, and I've been eating it there since the 70's.  Corner of Pine and Commercial, opens at 4pm.
ICE CREAM:  Hands down it's TREATS, in the alley by IKE's French Quarter Cafe, off Commercial St.  Your teeth hurt from the smell of sugar when you walk in, but oh-la-la, the choices are mind bending. Really unusual flavors, hard to choose, but you can't go wrong.  Grab a cone, and walk back to Broad St, cop a squat on a bench and people watch while enjoying Treats heavenly concoctions.
That's all I can think of for now.  Gotta go, this made me hungry for dessert!
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Yesterday, Phil and I attended the Soup Supper put on my Hospitality House/Utah's Place.  This once a year even is always such a joy.  Local artists donate hand made soup bowls. You donate $20, and grab a bowl and have soup and bread donated by local restaurants, and nibble home made desserts.  Local musicians take turn sharing their talent, and the whole place is packed with kind generous people supporting this worthwhile event.  Hospitality House is a non profit that helps the homeless with meals, clothing, job counseling, etc.  They helped over 125 families move into permanent housing last year.  It's always fun to chat with the people who join your table.  This year the woman next to me turned out to be Tina Vernon, Tax Collector.  We talked a moment about property and taxes, but found something much more interesting to discuss.  Animal rescue, my favorite subject.  Turn out Tina single handedly rescued about 16 of the Canadian mares that cruelly are kept chained in stalls and continually pregnant so their urine can be used for female hormone therapy.  It's a disgusting practice, unbelievably cruel and unnecessary. Tina is my new (quiet) hero.  I shall never write a tax check out again without thinking of her courage and kindness and generosity to these abused animals.