Water Pipes being replaced: starts next week

NID is starting to replace old 1970's water pipes on Cascade Loop, Cascade Drive & Artic Close next week.  Will go on through the summer.  Talked to the "guys" earlier this week, and they said they will be trenching very carefully so to not create additional problems.  So, take your showers early in the am or late at night, there will be water shut off hours.  4400 ft. of 4-6" pipes being replaced.
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Our 8am, Monday, Wed, Friday walking group has dwindled to about 3!  So if you are wanting to get inspired to walk 3 miles (1 1/2 each way) from the Firehouse down Pasquale, please join us!  It really helps to have walking buddies, and it goes fast when you have someone to chat with.  Doggies welcome!  We're back by 9am.
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The Womens Club is planning the Friday night movies shown in Firehouse parking lot again this year.  My vote is for HUGO, such a beautiful film.  So bring your chair and bankie.  They hand out free snacks and drinks.  Again, pups welcome.  I love that. Starts at Dark O'Clock.
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Sharon Hogan (CSHA Pres and Womens Club member) is planning her annual High Tea at her home on 6/23, Sat. to Womens Club members.  She does a gorgeous spread, and it's fun to mingle with Shores Ladies.  If you would like to join the club, please call Sharon at 470-9170 for info.
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THUR. night Grass VAlley Market is on.  Great local produce, street food, artists and music. Market starts at 5pm, and shops will stay open till 7pm.  Just a great way to spend a warm summer evening.
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LOST MINE LAKE is in full swing and beautiful as ever. You can reserve it for a private party
(4 hrs or whole day) and it is just a wonderful place for just about any event from Weddings to family reunions to birthday parties for kids.  The trail around the lake has been widened and is and easy stroll, with delicious smelling wild azalea's right now.  Stop and smell the flowers!  Call Pam Herenkohl at 265-2363.
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On April 16, my beautiful big girl, Jenna Dog passed away completely unexpectedly.  It was a shock and unbelievable sadness to us, and we shall miss her beautiful graceful presence forever.  You may have seen me chasing the little brat around the neighborhood.  Though she loved and minded us without fail around the yard, if she got out the gate she loved to pretend she did not know us.  We chased her for 7 1/2 years, and with the help of Denise the mail lady usually rounded her up fairly quick, though sometimes I had to give up and wait for her to decide to come home.  She happily ran through the woods treeing squirrels and the occasional kitty.  She was my rock, she mentored all the foster dogs, and had a beautiful quiet grace, though she loved her job as security patrol for the fence.  She scared the be-Jesus of those who did not know her.
The good news is that the hole in our heart has been filled with a new rescue dog, Frankie the Basset Fauve.  Frank is a 1 1/2 year old rabbit hound, fast as quicksilver, and a 12 on the love-o-meter.  I can already tell that Frankie will love and mentor any foster dogs.  He has the most kind and expressive eyes I've ever seen.  So, welcome to the family Frankfurter, and welcome to the shores.  Life just got better! (here's Frank, rockin his new doo)

Did you leave your glasses at LML Sat?

IF so, I have them.  Brown frames, look like prescription glasses.  Call me at 265-8680.
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Nice group of 9 Americorp kids are staying at the Firehouse for the next week.  They told me they are clearing lots of low income seniors in the area.  Nice.  Didn't know about that program, but what a great idea.
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Rain and much lower temps predicted for tomorrow, with SNOW down to 5000 ft.  Woo-hoo.  Always interesting in the moun-tains.

Stuff

Gary Kildays potluck memorial was well attended yesterday.  Heartwarming just how many friends Gary had here. Lost Mine Lake really was his "baby" and he cared for it so well.  It's hard to go there and not see Gary and Margarita hanging in the parking lot, just savoring the beautiful summer days.  Memories  . . . .  .Gary was always trying to think of ways to make the Lake a great experience for the kids.  Fishing derby?  Hot dog and ice cream parties?  Stocking the lake better with fish?  Create more paths?  We'll miss his energy and ideas. I saw a beautiful yellow rose bush being planted in the memorial garden for Gary.  If you're at the lake and you have time to water it, and give a quick greeting to Gary please do so.
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Didn't make the sewer info. meeting, but heard it did NOT GO WELL.  Supervisor Nate Beason was there to inform and educate, but there was a umhhhh, gentleman, who became belligerent and insulting and Nate left the meeting unable to deal with the unreasonable resident.  This is very sad indeed, as the sewer issues are the result of FEDERAL mandates, and Nate has been instrumental and incredibly resourceful in getting things moving in the right direction.  He is certainly not to blame for the quagmire the Feds. have created with the clean water restrictions (yes, we all want clean water, but also REASONABLE  mandates).  It is a very complex issue, and only cooperation and information will eventually find a workable solution. There was an informative article in the Union last week about the status quo.  I don't know why when we have issues here in the Shores there is always a person or people who show up at this meetings with BAD ATTITUDES and turn it ugly.  That DOES NOT ADVANCE the situation, and in this case no one got their questions answered when Nate departed. Cooler heads should prevail.
You gotta wonder if we vote in a new Supv. for District One if they will keep fighting for Cascade Shores like Nate has.  Attention to our roads has improved greatly, and his progress with the sewer problem has been invaluable.  That's just a few to mention, there are many more.   My 2 cents.

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The womens club, headed by Kent Rees will be staffing the Firehouse above on Quaker Hill for this primary election.  For there efforts the county pays $400, which goes to the Womens Club treasury to fund their events. Thanks ladies!
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My vote for one of this July's movies is HUGO.  If you did not see the startlingly beautiful Martin Scorsese film you must!  Mr. Scorsese's young daughter brought the book to his attention, and his wife asked him to PLEASE make a movie that his daughter could see!  The result is amazing.  Friday night movies in teh Firehouse parking lot are fun.  Free, with popcorn and a beverage.  You just bring a chair and your fav. banky, and your puppy dog if you want!

Sewer Issues

I think I mistakenly said last Wed was the meeting at the Firehouse.  If you view the main page of CSHA website, you will see it is THIS COMING Wed.
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Well, so far we've had rain, hail and thunder on this lovely Memorial Day Weekend.  Honestly, I can't remember a MDW that this area did not have at least 1 day of rain, so this is typical.  Hope it warms up tomorrow (Sunday).
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If you saw the pack of Harley riders going up and down the big hill, those are what I call the Putting Padre's.
A group of ministers that borrow a friends house every year this time for "boys week."  Really nice guys.
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It may be old news, but the store is changing hands again.  I think the owners have leased it to a couple.  So, look forward to some changes . . . .I hope for the better.

Bears unlimited/Fostering dogs and kitties

The Union has a good article today regarding the bear population and bear interaction in Nevada County.  The title is:  Official:  People "root" of nuisance bear problems.  I know, some of my readers will often say, "Yes, but they are getting too close and too bold, and I have kids/grandkids."  Please be assured that there has NEVER been an incidence of black bear attack, even by momma bears in Northern California.  While it may seem bold that they are passing only yards away from you, their quest is their food, not human meat.  They are mostly fruit/vege eaters.  They forage.  When you leave garbage/dog/cat food accessible to them, or when they sniff food being prepared in your home, they are attracted.  So, if you take proper precautions, ie garbage out in the am on Thursday, no pet/bird food on porches, they will have no reason to get close to your home.  Just a thoughtful moment can actually save a bear's life.  These are majestic and shy natural residents of these mountains.  Please respect their space, and you will find that they will respect yours.
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If you read this blog, you know I am a foster mom for both Scooters Pals and Sammies Friends.  Both of these organization desperately need foster homes for high risk animals.  For Sammies, it is full on kitten season.  Almost every day someone brings in kittens, often feral with no momma, and they are too young still for adoption.  They need homes for these babies for only a few weeks till they are 2lbs and can be spay/neutered and old enough for adoption.  They are usually already eating on their own.  Is this something you can help with?  It is at no cost to you, as they will supply any food/meds needed. You can reach the shelter at 471-5041 to volunteer.  It is very rewarding and a great way to get you "kitten fix" without making a 15 year commitment.
They also sometimes have dogs that are recovering from surgery or getting depressed from long term stays, who would be far more adoptable if they were thriving in a home atmosphere.
Scooters Pals pulls dogs from high kill shelters (some kill 60% of their dogs).  They pull highly adoptable dogs, mostly under 20 lbs. that are set to die merely due to overcrowding.  No issues.  Right now they have poodle and poodle mixes, rat terriers, and other assorted small mixed breeds.  They are having an adoptathon tomorrow at 11-2pm at Petco in Grass Valley by Raleys.  Even if you don't want to adopt, if you think you can provide a safe foster home for these sweet babies please come down and talk with the volunteer staff.  Scooters does not have shelter, ALL their dogs are in foster homes. You can visit Scooterspals.org for more info.  We always have at least one Scooters dog, and currently have Sammies Friends dog staying with us.  Most get adopted within a month, as they are listed on Petfinder.com which is very effective for placing dogs.
I can't tell you how rewarding it is to see these dogs blossom as they start feeling secure and loved again, after being abandoned by their families.  I fall in love over and over, but always keep in mind that the sweet animal is just a visitor in my home, and will soon go to what will hopefully be their forever family.  My adopters always keep me posted, and the many emails and pics I get make it all so worth the small effort on my part.
So, please consider this worthwhile way of helping our doggie and kitty friends.

Friends of Gary are planning a event at LML for friends of Gary

Pam Herrenkohl would like all to know that a potluck/bbq will be held in Gary's honor Saturday, June 2nd at 3pm.  That man sure loved a good BBQ!  So please come and remember Gary with friends and neighbors.  I'm sure the horseshoes will be flying, along with the funny and warm stories.  Thanks for the comments on this blog.  We all have memories we would like to share, and this would be a great place to share them.
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There is a meeting at the Firehouse this Wed. regarding sewer issues.  As you may know, 83 of the 400 or so homes in the shores are serviced by their own sewer plant in Gas Canyon.  It's a long story that you probably already know . . . but if you have interest in the status quo, be at the firehouse 5/30 at 7pm.
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I learned alot at the annual CSHA meeting, which I'll try to recall. One thing comes to mind is that if you have Surburban Propane, they have a summer college student program, in which they hire kids to paint their tanks.  SO, if your tank is looking grungy (mine sure is) you can call the GV office and they will FOR FREE send a kid to clean and paint your tank.  Nice.
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The Garden Tour was fabulous this year.  Every year I am a bit apathetic about my yard, then I go on the tour and get COMPLETELY ENERGIZED.  Everything is just leapin' out of the ground right now.  Gotta love spring here.  We live for 6 months in a black and white photo, then it just POPS into color like the movie PLEASANTVILLE.  The dogwoods are spectacular this year.  Enjoy.
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Waited a week for the solar eclipse, then completely forgot.  Here I was on the sofa about 5:30 when it suddenly got real dark in the yard, and still it didn't jog my one functioning memory cell.  Oh well.  Did you  see it?  Was it fab?

Gary Kilday, 5-18-2012

If you've lived in Cascade Shores for the past 12 years or so, you know Gary.  He was a frequent fixture at Lost Mine Lake (grounds keeper and parking lot greeter), the General Store, the Firehouse events and Scotts Flat Lake.  He loved the Shores, and had many friends and if truth be told, foes, here.  Gary was a lifetime scrapper, and proud of it.  He has a can of beer permanently affixed to his grip, and a smile and a joke were never far away.  Gary had many exwives, and 7 exchildren.  I'm not being mean, this is a Gary quote.  Just to prove he was a hopeless romantic, he married a nice woman with 2 sons, Monica, Tom and Trever right here in the Shores only 5 months ago.  z
Gary lost his battle with cancer on Friday, May 12th at the Hospice of the Foothills.  It is one battle I wish Gary had won, but so it goes.  Arrangements are being made at Hooper & Weaver for cremation and placement in their Memorial Garden.

I'm sure I join many in hoping Gary finds plentiful fishing, lots of firewood and many friends to share a brew with in the afterlife.  Here's to you, old boy.  Thanks for all the laughs, controversy, jokes and help at the lake.  You have left plenty of memories and stories for your friends to relive in you absence.