Falling in love, again

Walking up Lake Lane after a visit to the big lake, I saw Lori and Jerry Sheftel in their yard. Last year they put their home on the market, and set about looking for a new home. "We're done with the Shores, we're done with the snow" they exclaimed. The Sheftel's work hard at their plumbing business, and Jerry said "I think I'll buy one of those trophy homes. I deserve it." So, for the past year they have looked all over Nevada County and all the way to Lincoln. What did they find? Well, Lori told me "we never found anything as beautiful as right here." "Where else can you have a lake view like this, a yard like this, the wildlife like this?" Their home is modest, but they have worked hard to make it perfect for their family.
As spring slowly arrives, you go about the spring chores. Rake up fallen wood and leaves and burn. See what plants made it through the winter. Go to the nursery or drug store and select your favorite bedding plants. Set them around the yard, and feel that sense of accomplishment. Paint the trim that peeled due to the moisture over winter. Clean the bird feeders. Drive down to Scotts Flat to check the level of the lake. Notice all the incredible huge white dogwood blooms, the cherry trees pink against the green forest. Watch the dogs sail across the red dirt, leaping over next year's firewood drying in the sun. Fall in love with Cascade Shores all over again.
THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME. Enjoy your day.

Memorial Day Weekend

Well, this was one for the books. So gray and rainy one minute, even a bit of falling snow, then sunny and warm the next! I went to big lake on Saturday, and not a single boat. I wonder how many campers cancelled for a staycation at the last second due to rain. Nice and quiet here in the shores.
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Went to Tofanelli's today to meet up with Steve and Connie Foxe for lunch. They are former shores residents now residing in New Mexico, and missing California. Had a great time, and a great lunch. The crabcakes over baby greens with mango salsa is the BOMB. Great bloody Mary's too. Downtown GV was deader than a doornail, so we took advantage and did a little shopping. I love GV when it's in lazy mode. Have you checked out the Bamboo shop? The clothing made of bamboo is amazing. . . . soooo soft.
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Went wine tasting at one of the tasting rooms on Mill St. and they kindly let me bring my foster dog Sam into the tasting room. He was as usual a perfect gentleman and visited shortly with everyone in the room before plopping down under my stool and taking a snooze. This dog is just the best ever, and if you are looking for a new best friend, you might want to check him out. Unfortunately, his last owner did not give him monthly heartworm meds, so he has to be treated for a heartworm disease. Please, give your dogs the meds. It's not fair to make poor Sammie go through the painful cure when it can so easily be prevented. He'll be ready for a forever home after this treatment in a few weeks. I'm sure he'll take the discomfort with his usual calm.
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I always watch the home sales around here, and saw one sell on Quaker Ridge for $1.4 Million. Whew, did not know there was still a home around here worth that. A few Summit Ridge homes have sold in the high $300K range, and the smaller homes are selling too. Lots of the foreclosures have found owners. If you want to see, just key your address in Zillow.com then click on homes sold in your area. Very informative.
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I've been stopping in at the store frequently lately to grab a little this and that. The clerk is so nice! It's really well stocked. Check it out if you need something on the fly.

2 Aminals turned into to shelter today from Cascade Shores

Are they yours? A lovely ( and I mean that) male pitbull was brought in today. He walked into a home on Banner Quaker Hill Rd. a block from the store, and stayed the night. After a warm night in the garage and a hearty breakfast, he was brought into the shelter. Very sweet and well behaved dog. All white with a few black spots. He's waiting for his family at Sammies Friends shelter. He was wearing a green canvas collar, no tags.
Someone on Cascade Drive brought in a female Calico adult cat. Very friendly. Had been hanging around their house for a week or so.
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CSHA has some fun stuff coming up this summer. Check the calendar for some socials and pot luck's.
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Saw a 2 bed/2 bath house in The Union for $120K. Say "views" too. Wow. Have to go take a look at that one.
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Got another check for $25 from PGE for power outage Feb/Mar. The refunds just keep rolling in. . . .
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Dixie caught me. I said Sam's fundraiser was 3/27, but of course I meant 5/27.

Fundraiser for Sam the Giant Wiener Dog

I mentioned Sam on a former blog. He was turned in to the shelter over a 6 weeks ago, and described as "bossy." He elderly owner could not handle him. After a month of no interested adopters, I brought Sam home to give him a break from the shelter. He is not only NOT bossy, he is the most congenial doggie houseguest I've ever had, and I've had many! Friendly, fun and sweet, he has fit in perfectly with our tribe. Anyway, it has been determined that Big Sam (38 lbs!) has heartworm infection, and must now undergo painful treatment, as his owner did not see fit to give him a very inexpensive pill a month. He is on anti-biotic, and in another week will get his first injection to kill the worms. Why am I telling you this? Well, Sammies Friends (aka Nevada County Shelter) has agreed to pay for Sam's treatment, so he gets better and becomes more adoptable. He will stay here with us during his recovery, and should be fine in a month or so. Caroline Inglis has volunteered her kids to have a lemonade/cookie booth at the big lake over Memorial weekend to help defray the cost of Big Sam's treatment. So, if you would like to help, please come by the boat ramp on Saturday, 3/27, or if you would like to donate, you can send me a check made out to Sammies's Friends, at 15855 Banner Quaker Hill Rd, 95959. Just put "Big Sam" in the note. Thanks. And friends, if you have a dog, please give them that monthly pill. Spare them the pain and suffering of such a preventable disease. It can be devastating, and will eventually take their life.

Nevada City steps up for the Amgen

Wow, due to the snowstorm Lake Tahoe had to cancel stage 1 & 2 of the race, so the start was held right here again! Nevada City pulled it together in a couple of house. The city that can. Great job planners, and Dwayne Strasser. You made it happen for Amgen. They won't forget us now!
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Sharon Hess over on Nugget told me that the local garbage marauding bear has turned to poultry. Her 3 hens were turned into a midnight snack the other night by the bruin. So, keep your pets inside at night. She plans to contact Fish and Game about this bear. Feels like he is becoming a big to carnivorous. Their usual food choice is manzanita berries and such, but when they get used to garbage, they quickly learn to prefer that over berries. So do our bear buddies a favor and don't put your garbage out till Thu morning. Don't compromise their safety or yours by making garbage available, or chickens.
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Snow 2 days ago has melted. No problems, but I am real tired of cold damp weather. Summer better be around the corner. This is becoming quite a trend, these late springs. It's the same weather in Bay Area, so we're not alone.

Reader count: 9917

Lake Cleanup a success thanks to a great group of kids

The Americorp kids camping at Firehouse came down to LML in their bus and KICKED BUTT cleaning up the lake/park. What a great group! I've never seen it look better. They moved sand to the beach, set benches, cut up trees (come and get the pine rounds in parking lot if you want). It would have not happened without them, as very few residents (sadly) showed up. Lost Mine Lake is such a great resource, and such a wonderful peaceful setting for us here in the Shores. Pam said she already has 4 bookings for the 2011 season, including a baby shower and 2 weddings. SO if you are planning an event there, be sure to book with Pam Herrenkohl soon. You'll find her number on the board list.
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Well, we got that snow today, as did Grass Valley and Nevada City. Woke up to that wonderful silence you only sense when fresh snow is falling. It's just the right amount, with no disruption of roads. Enjoy, it'll be hot enough soon. Just sorry for the Amgen Tour bikers trying to pedal around Tahoe today. BURRRRR. They'll be coming thru Nevada City and Grass Valley tomorrow if on schedule. Brave souls.
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I was so sad to hear that someone tore the doors off Mateo's Pub last week, trying to burglarize the place. Matt Margiles, former CS residents owns the pub, and it serves wonderful food, plus has fun entertainment. The outside dining area is the best in Nevada City. If you haven't eaten there, be sure to try. I swear, theives are getting bolder and stupider. What were they going to steal from a restaurant, and on a day they were closed, when clearly there would not be money on premises. A few weeks ago some guys tore the bars off La Cache jewelry on Broad Street at 2am. They got caught on Hwy 49 when a National Hotel employee saw the crime and called NCPD. Desperate times?
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Countdown to 10,000 reads of blog. Today is 9822.

Yes, there will be lunch served at Lost Mine Lake 2morrow

Pam Herrenkohl assured me that there will be lunch served to those helping clean up the lake area tomorrow.
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wondering who the group camping at Firehouse are? It is a group of about 26 young Americorp and Fire Safe Council helpers. They are making a firebreak in the woods up by Red Dog and Quaker Hill Cross Road. They will be here till Sunday. They said another group will be coming in that will stay for2 weeks. So, if you want to be a good neighbor, and thank them for their service (they are volunteers afterall) stop by with some treats and a good word! I heard they are even going to help at Lost Mine Lake Saturday. I spoke with a few yesterday, and they are really nice kids.
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Snow predicted Sunday. Do you believe it. Well, the almanac claims 3 snows after the dogwoods bloom. They bloomed about 2 weeks ago. So if it's true, we'll get 2 more after this. Don't go running out and buying those bedding plants yet!
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My blog is sneaking up on 10,000 hits since inception. Thanks! I don't even remember when I started, but that's alot of reads. I appreciate your encouragement.
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The Amgen Bike Tour of California is starting in Tahoe on Sunday. They will be coming down Hwy 20 and into Nevada City on Monday. Not sure of the time, but they'll probably sail through pretty fast! Still, if you know roughly what time, let me know!