SAVING LUNA & LISA

I spoke with my friend Lisa, whose job it is to drive around the Bay Area fixing woodwork and furniture on-site.  Her constant companion is Luna, her beloved 60 lb black lab.  Luna sits shotgun in the 2 seater truck, going from job to job.  2 weeks ago the unthinkable happened.  The two were hit in a head-on collision going 50 mph, with the lane tresspasser also going 50. Yep, that's like hitting the old brick wall at 100mph.  Lisa, saved by the airbag was injured and required knee surgery, but after a few initial scares, will be ok. What happens to a 60 lb dog in a collision like that?  Not a thing in this instance, as Luna is ALWAYS secured with a Pet Auto Safety Vest Harness ($17-$36 depending on style).  It is a harness that clips into the regular seat belt system.  She was lying on the seat, and the combination of systems left her unscathed.  She spent the rest of the day riding around with animal control and was back with the family the next morning.  So, think about that the next time you put Rover in the car untethered.  Do you love your dog, and do you not want a 60 lb projectile hitting you in the head or flying though the windshield?  You can get the harness at better pet stores, or check Hunter K9 Gear.  

Lost Mine Lake improvements

To be discussed at the annual meeting of CSHA a week from Sat. 1pm at Firehouse are the improvements that hopefully will be completed this year at the little lake (the budget for such comes from member dues). Toilets rooms will be upgraded and  electricity added (it's dark in there!) safety issues tackled like new flooring in sheds, and some other misc improvements. We are hoping to increase membership from the 180's to 200, and this will help provide the capital to keep the association going for another year, which in turn also provides us all with those great propane discounts, security patrol, events planning, newsletters and website, voice with local county government and roads dept and a place to start if you have a neighborhood problem or solution! So, even though everyones budget seems strained in these complicated times, please consider maintaining your membership or even joining for the first time.  You are needed and very much appreciated.  $100 a year ($8.00 a month) gives the you and the board the opportunity to make a difference.  

Gracias.

Don't forget the lake is yours to share, or yours to reserve exclusively.  See our flyer on website.  It's time to book for summer 2009.

Snowing again

I'm in Eugene, Oregon, where is it chilly and gray, with occasional rain and hail.  Just talked to the husband, and he say's it's been snowing in the shores.  I was told when I moved there that you get 2 snow falls after the dogwoods bloom, then the snow is over and you can plant.  So, are the dogwoods in bloom yet?  Don' know.  But that formula hasn't failed me yet.

***********************************************************

Left Nevada county admiring the daffodils on hwy 49,  which turned to fields of wild purple lupine on Hwy 20, which turned to orchards of beautiful fruit blossoms and acres of wild mustard on hwy 70 all the way thru Chico.  Quick stop in Las Molinas at my favorite taco truck (across from the hardware store) for THE BEST TOSTADA west of ANYWHERE.  Always grab an extra to go for dinner.  Jump onto Hwy 5 and before you know it the outrageously beautiful Mt. Shasta is in your line of vision for miles and miles.  Onto the high desert country past Shasta, and onto beautiful Ashland, Oregon.  It's just green, green, green all the way to Eugene.  I find this to be one of the most satisfying drives I know of, and enjoy it every time.  If you haven't done it, I suggest you do.  Many, many fruit farms and wineries once you get into Oregon that love visitors.  There is even a Safari World where you can hold baby lions and tigers.  Eugene is college town (University of "Pac 10" Oregon) and alive with great shopping, quirky coffee shops, can't be beat bakeries, and just LOTS of local color.  Very livable, and just 1 1/2 hours from the coast (Florence, Ore).  Talk to you later!

Stone House leased . . . controversy brewing?

It's been months since the StoneHouse bar & restaurant closed their doors. I know owner Nikko Wu was nervous and stressed over the possibility of getting it leased again in this economy. I was impressed when the Union reported it has been leased to a company that will use it as a mini culinary institute to teach "at risk youth and foster kids" the hospitality/food business. I thought it a real win/win. I had a foster daughter once, and I know first hand the extreme challenges these kids face when they "age out" of the system. Any program that helps our kids get a helping hand in learning how to survive this tough competative world should be commended. Instead, there seem to be some "not in my backyard" rumblings. Cu'mon, give the kids a chance. Kids in bad situations usually get born in to them, then the cycle begins . . . . I hope there is some way to support this venture, maybe they will have luncheons for the public. Hope so. We used to go have lunch at the culinary school at Contra Costa College. Five star meals, white table cloths, kids all dressed in starchy waiter clothes. And super reasonable price.
You get great food, they get practice. Win win.
**********************
More good news. The Holbrooke has been leased and will stay operational. YaHoo. That place is the heartbeat of Grass Valley. Would have been soooooo sad to see it closed. Is it just me, or do things seem to be looking up? Maybe spring has sprung. Rebirth.

Off to Oregon

I am off to Eugene, Oregon Thu. to see my sister. She has stage 4 breast cancer, and I go knowing our time together is limited. I now know just what a "brave and valliant fight against cancer" means, really means. I have only 2 sisters, and treasure them both. Linda has shown unbelievable courage and strength in trying to survive this disease, and I will never forget what I have learned from her example. My other sister, Jackie will be there too. Just us 3 girls for 10 days or so. I'll try to keep up with the shores and Nevada County while there.
**************************
Reminder: the Homeowners Assn. is having their annual meeting and celebrating 40 years in existance a week from Saturday. Please come join and celebrate with cake/coffee. Time will be posted on the big board by Firehouse.
**************************

St. Paddy's Day

Just got back from a GREAT St. Paddy's Day Dinner at Casa de Mike and Carolyn Inglis. Carolyn goes all out, jeweled silk green table cloth, corned beef from PJ's (THE BEST) with all the trimmings, vast assortement of condiments to compliment the meal, castle candelabra's, the "good" plates and silver. Her neighbors Clea and Mike brought their home brew beer (yummy), Dixie brough Irish quesadilla's, and I made Irish bread pudding with Irish whiskey sauce. Swoosh it all down with a big old Irish coffee loaded with whipped cream, all the while Irish music plays and we are viewing Scotts Flat Lake out the dining room window (their house is the last on the right by the Lake) and swapping local gossip. A perfect evening! As always, we make a vow to have a group gormet dinner AT LEAST once a month, each time with a different theme. Hoping we keep that pact. Too full to stay and play WII. Oooooh, my tummy hurts. But in a good way. Thanks Carolyn and Mikey! (that's Security guy Mike to you).

Baby Jenna and Hip Dysplasia

My female mixed breed pound dog has been limping on and off since we got her 2+ years ago. I never had her treated as she seems to heal herself in time. The latest episode seemed to linger, so off to the vet for a look/see. He decided, from a quick physical exam that she had hip dysplasia. This is more often seen in males of specific breeds (Jenna on the other hand is a kind of shepard/boxer/chow/heinz 57 type). This seemed odd. So, after reading up on dysplasia, we decided on an xray to confirm. WELL, she's got just about the most beautiful hips sockets you've ever seen on film. ZERO displasia. New diasnosis, torn or ruptured ACL (basically her knee). Suggested course of action: EXPLORATORY surgery at $1400++. Upon researching this type of injury, we have decided to treat holistically, with restricted exercise and lots of good food and joint builders. I'll keep you posted. My last dog blew out her ACL running also, and the after surgery rehab was really tough. This is an I LOVE THE INTERNET story, as in both diagnosis, research gave me directions to go that wern't mentioned at the vet's office . . . . . By the way, the new Ca. tax proposal to tax veternarian services was not passed. Whew.