Master Gardener @ Womens club meet Wed evening*****

Hi yall, enjoying 2 days of snow? Not sticking much, still, is this really April. Well, the nature rule is 3 snows after the dogwoods bloom. I have not yet seen a bloomin' dogwood, so hang in there.

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Who: Lynn Sorenson, Master Gardener

What: Her speech will be about plants/soils for a Fire-Wise Community.

Q & A will follow afterwards

When: Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00-8:30pm

Where: Firehouse

The Womens Club is extending an invite to all residents for the above. Bring a treat to share if you wish. It's always a challenge growing anything other than natural landscaping here, and you certainly don't want to increase the fire danger on your property, so this would be a great opportunity for those ready to face the challenge!

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So many for sale and seemingly abandoned properties here, and in all parts of the county I suppose. I am becoming concerned about the amount of downed/dead trees on these properties that seem to have no caretakers at this time. Hope to bring it up at the annual meeting. How about you? Do you have a property adjacent to yours that looks like it could use some firewise attention? Obviously it's not a problem at this very wet moment, but this summer things could get dicey. The Homeowners Assn. has been helpful in the past to notify property owners (if you can identify) that their lot needs attention. Hoping they can be of assistance in these challenging times with property being in limbo . . . . .Any ideas?????? Is there any way to have the banks that are holding title adhere to fire safety guidelines?

HOMEOWNERS ASSN annual meeting this Sat

Hoping you can come to the Firehouse this Sat. 1-3PM for the annual open meeting. This is your opportunity to discuss issues, or give the Board a pat on the back for a year of volunteer service. Also, bring your membership fee, which helps them help YOU get that great Surburban Propane discount in addition to supporting Lost Mine Lake and newsletter mailings, among other things. I think they are confirming this years board also. I'm guessing there are snacks and beverages, and the chance to mingle with some neighbors, so why the heck not! Hope to see you there.

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A nice (new) neighbor came into the shelter looking for his lost kitty. He just moved into a home on Gas Canyon by BQH, and he said his kitty just disappeared. It was a cat he adopted from the Plains of Iowa, so he's hoping the cat is "wild" wise. If you see a spare kitty around, he is the 3rd house on the right when you go down Gas Canyon. I think there are posters out there.

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Lots of rain due this week, but spring is around the corner. All the daffs are blooming in town, and ours are showing their sunny little faces on the hill. Such a great time of year. Can't wait to feel warm air again. This was a long winter ya'll.

CRIME SPREES IN CASCADE SHORES/PLUS EASTER PARTY

Hope you're all planning a great Easter weekend. The women's club is putting the finishing touches on their annual Firehouse Easter Party for the little ones. If you have a child who wants really fond memories of Easter, bring them down on Saturday. Linda Lumos, Charlotte Starn and I baked dozens and dozens of beautiful cookies for the event. They will have games and crafts and fabulous take home baskets for all. Snacks will be served and I hear that the EASTER BUNNY himself will be there, and his name is Herve. They club pulls out all the stops for this, never knowing who's coming . . .so don't cheat yourself or the kids out of a fun time.

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Went downtown Grass Valley this am with Karen Lari, and we toured Mill St. Lots of transitions happening there. Tesses Kitchen is moving a few doors down towards Main, and will have 3 levels including a real kitchen for classes. That wonderful art and floral shop on Mill (name escapes me) is reinventing itself into flowers plus hand made chocolates and candies by Lazy Dog bakery. That is a total winner. Saw a few more shops that are now vacant (don't even remember what was there) so should see some new businesses soon. Grass Valley is ever evolving, and usually for the better!

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I hear thru the grapevine there have been a rash of burglaries and vandalism here in the Shores.

Because I did not confirm (though I'm sure it's true) I will only mention the street where the event happened.

Banner Quaker Hill Rd: thieves entered an open garage and broke antique gum ball machines. Gum balls stolen.

Summit Ridge Dr: 1 adult and 3 minor's broke into a home while owners were vacationing. Intruders vandalized a sofa, ate from the refrigerator, and found a bed that was "just right." Bedding was damaged beyond repair. Intruders used flooring as a toilet.

Cascade Loop: an intruder or intruders opened a closed door in a garage, entered and raided a freezer. Stolen and assumed eaten were 1 prime rib, 1 pork loin, 2 fish sticks and 1/2 gallon of strawberry ice cream.

Pictures of the suspects are below. If you see any these "characters" in the neighborhood, DO NOT ATTEMPT a citizens arrest. This should be left to the pro's.

Baby it's cold outside

Well, the snow materialized starting 6ish last night. It's just beautiful, and actually not that cold. Just went out in my PJ's and bathrobe and shoveled about 2" of what I call "cotton ball" snow, cause when you shovel it it feels like tossing a shovel full of, yep, cottonballs. Hardly any water content, just wonderful soft fluffy stuff. Shoveled all 75 feet to the gate in about 3 minutes, honestly. It's gorgeous, and wonderfully quiet out there. The plow just made it's rounds, and though there is no real traffic out there, the roads look good. Looks to be a great tea and book day, or a March madnessathon, as long as power stays on. No wind or rain, so I'm thinking it will stay on. All in all this one is a beautiful end of winter gift, especially after that torrential rain.

There is still little snow coming down . . . . ..

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No one comment on tips for cell phone service here. If you have any good advice, I'd sure like to share it**

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Our foster dog, Freddie Mac (another foreclosure dog) is just a great little Doxie if you know anyone who appreciates these wonder dogs. He just loves hunting for rodents in the yard, and he loves snow, so the combo has him spending hours and hours in the yard trying to drive out the "intruders." These guys are amazing, and will stand silently over a gopher, mole or vole hole for like 30 minutes without moving. If the critters show themselves, boom, they are history! He's smart and cute, and not a fragile little thing. He's a good 20 lbs. If you know anyone looking for a great little hunter, check him on Petfinder.com or Scooterspals.org, under Fred, aka Freddie Mac.

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If you saw the crews a few weeks ago trimming the trees close to the streets, I asked why, and they said "in preparation for new road surfacing." So if you have some crumbling blacktop infront of you home, it will be resurfaced in a few months.

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Got word from neighbors this am that's there's just as much snow in GV and NC, and it's as pretty in both towns in the snow as you will ever see it. Might have to go let a latte and grab a window seat just for the experience. Sometimes I forget to "tourist" in my own town.

Cell service in the shores

Someone left a comment about lousy Verizon service here. Anyone want to comment? I used to have Sprint, but could hardly use it unless I stood in the middle of my driveway. After 2 years of $60 bucks a month I ended the insanity. I went online to Tracfone and got a $20 phone that you prepay minutes. I load about $10 every other month (with the double minute plan gives me about 120 minutes) and use it for emergency calls only. Works like a charm right in my living room. Feeling pretty smug. I've had people at my house with all kinds of different services, and it's real hit and miss which work consistently. A neighbor just spent $850 bucks on a booster system that now get's him good service with I think Verizon. I'll double check that.

I'm guessing you all know that when the power goes out you can still use an old fashioned phone (non electronic). Well, if anyone has a comment or suggestion, shout out.

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Larry Marvin (he's on the board) just sent an email that someone on Gaston Dr. got their car broken into and ransacked by a bear. Be real careful about leaving food items in your car. They'll break in for a bite of a PBJ. Never ever leave dog or cat food in your car. That's irresistible to Yogi.

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Enjoy the rain thru Friday. May turn into a bit of snow on Sat. or Sunday. Should be clear by Tuesday.

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Had lunch at Big A's burger joint today, then to Sierra Cinema for HUGO with some Womens Club membes. What a delightful movie, a feast for they eyes. Martin Scorsese's is a genius. I heard him tell that his 12 year old daughter read the book, and asked him to please make the movie, so he did. She told him it MUST be in 3D, and boy was she right!

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As usual, the Womens Club is planning a impressive Easter Party for the little ones at the Firehouse. Look for signs, and be sure to bring your kids down for this great Shores tradition. The kids always have a great time making decorations and eggs.

Monday morning coming down

White stuff coming down again, as of 10am. starting to stack up, though the hill still looks clear. Pay attention to the "road closed" signs when you come home tonight. May be dicey. Check Roland's webcam (go back to Cascadeshores.org) for a sneak peak. Pretty.
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Update: well, we're in for it now! Storm moving in late Tuesday night, showering and snowing down to 2,000ft through Friday am. Might pack some big wind. Went to town and got 5 gal generator gas and 2 Papa Murphys! Grinding coffee (no grinder without electricity) and sprinkling the tea candles around. Firewood tarped. LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW.
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Is it just me, or has there been a rash of really stupid meth heads running amok lately. Seems every day the Union has 2 to 3 stories about the cops chasing junior thugs around town in cars and motorcycles. I don't know, the mini Capones don't seem to have to much going on upstairs, as they are always apprehended after "fleeing on foot." I'm guessing they were never on the High School track team. Anyway, keep your eye's peeled for funky cars driving erratically. It could be another one. I never know when it's crackhead season, but it seems to be all year lately. Makes me appreciate our little cocoon of a world here in the shores. I don't think many of them have figured out how to get here.

Our first significant snow of the year

Woke up to 3" white stuff, boo-yah! It tapered off by early morning, and roads promptly plowed and clear. Actually a bit warm out there at 40ish.

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No entries in the old blog lately. It's been a slow news time around the shores. I've had alot of needy rescue dogs, and they've kept me busy. Bolt was adopted to a correctional officer in Susanville, and will be a regular ranchhand to a mule, a horse, a herd of goats and 2 doggie siblings. I think he'll be ecstatic.

We still have Sr. Citizen Mercury, a sweet 7 yr old Foxy Rat Terrier, Freddie Mac, a 2ish pure Doxie, just a GREAT dog, and Faith, a young pup who was thrown away like trash on hwy 20 a week ago. Her story, along with her 2 sisters, Hope and Angel will be in the Union hopefully tomorrow. If you have a few extra $$ and want to help Sammies Friends pay their huge vet bill (they were in the last stages of starvation) any amount big or small is appreciated.

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By now you've received your voter info pamphlet on the special election ballot for the Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response Service Measure Special Tax. An increase of $52 annually will assure that existing stations stay open, rapid emergency response times are preserved, and current wildland fire protection is maintained. Both lives and properties will continue to be adequately protected. Listen folks, we live plumb in the middle of THE MOST VULNERABLE AREA IN ALL OF NEVADA COUNTY. We have not had a tax increase that goes directly to fire protection in years. This amounts to what, $4 per month. Isn't this a no brainer? No one likes increased prop taxes, but we have to keep at least what we have in terms of services. Please fill our your ballot. Remember in the 60's when they said if you don't like cops, next time you need help, call a hippie? Well if you can't part with $4 a month, next time you have a fire threatening your home, call . . . . . . ??????????

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Don't know if you read the papers, but thanks to many wonderful activists here in Nevada County the South Yuba State Park as been removed from the closure list. Bridgeport and the Buttermilk trail live, and some of the greatest swimming holes on the Yuba will be accessable!

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One of my favorite stories, "Harold and Maude" will be a play at the Nevada Theatre beginning March 3rd. If you don't know the story, it's about a very quirky and rather dark thinking young man searching for his place in life, and he meet up with and falls in love with an elderly free spirit (they both like to go to funerals of people they don't know). They have a joyous and meaningful relationship. It's just a great story. Can't wait.

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Talk with you later. Have to take cute pics of puppies.