Now, where were we?

Here is a comment from a reader about a good site for weather info.  Also, we have a "weather man" on the home page of CascadeShores.org.  

I have to respectfully disagree on paying more attention to Blue Canyon weather; that location is 5000ft...today provides a perfect example - it's snowing in Blue Canyon, but not in the shores. I personally prefer NOAA - just plug in your address to pinpoint weather for our location. It's all just a guessing game anyway - hope we get the white stuff this weekend :)

ANYHOO,
I was on the lam over Thanksgiving and until December 5, enjoying Florida and a cruise into the Bahama's.  Loved the 85 degree days and nights, but alas, there really is no place like home.  Beat the snow here by only 3 days, just in time to clean up from the big wind storm ya'll had, get the firewood closer to the house, and tackle that burn pile.

That was quite a snow storm last Friday/Saturday, leaving 15" of the softest, driest snow I can ever remember. Shoveling it is like shoveling popcorn packing chips, it just blows away!  However, the icy cold temps have not made life here in Cascade Shores, or Nevada County easy for anyone.  The BIG HILL IS CLOSED, and the sign is turned that way, and it's ICY AS HELL, and I think should be avoided.  I do see people making it up there, but I also see a good many turning back, or sliding down backwards.  So know that you do so at your own risk. It's been in the teens since Friday, but warming trend coming this week.
********************************************************

I was really disappointed to find that THE UNION has not been delivered with any regularity since Thanksgiving.  Apparently our new carried quit (surprise surprise).  This has to be one of the toughest routes in the County.  I wish they would at least bring a supply of papers to the store that we could pick up yourself.  Maybe I'll suggest that to the circulation editor.  I pay the extra $1 a month to get it on line, but still, I'm old school, and like to read a real paper in the AM with my coffee.  Also, it's my firestarter.
************************************************************

Phil and I are both down with this winter crud cold virus, and it's a bear.  One week of hacking up a lunge, and then a nice head cold for an extra week or more.  If you get it, lay low if you can for a few days, it's persistent.

******************************************
I see that the Womens Club cancelled the Kids Christmas Party due to lack of assistance/help.  It's really a shame when those traditions end.  I know we are an evolving society, but it really is a great community event, and the kids will always remember those types of things (I still remember my first visit with Santa 55 years ago).  So many of the Shores traditions have gone the wayside in the 13 years I've been here.  I hate to loose that sense of community.  Ah, the only thing for sure is change I suppose.  
***********************************************
Sammies Friends (County Animal Shelter) recently received 29 dogs from a hoarder in North San Juan. Mostly Shepherd mixes, but all kinds of dogs.  If you are considering adding to your family, please consider one of these babies. They were found in near starving condition, and not very socialized, but with time and love they will heal.
Please spread the word.

Happy Trails, Stay safe and warm,

Denise

Winter in the Shores

Every once in a while I get an email from someone that it thinking of moving here, and discovers my blog (thanks much).  Their question often is:  what's winter like in Cascade Shores????  Wellll, what winter?  Winter 2012/2013, Mild.  On a scale of 1-5, 1 being no snow, 5 being buried in snow for weeks, it was a 2.  Winter of 2011/2012, as I recall, also a 2. Winter of 2010 I think was the 5, right up into March when we had 4feet on the ground, and the power was out for 12 days.  In my memory, that was one of 3 bad winters I've experienced since I arrived here in 1999, so 13 winters.
That 3/13, not a bad batting average (well, a bad batting average, but a good average if you don't LOVE the snow).

It is significantly different in this canyon than in town. Nevada City proper sits at 2500 ft. elevation. As you travel up Red Dog and Banner Quaker Hill, the high point is 4100.  Then you come down into the shores to 3400 at my corner (Banner Quaker and Pasquale).  Of course there are some high points within the shores, like on Summit Ridge, which I am going to guess is back around 4000.

 Sooo, it's like this:  Leave town on a barely snowing day, (say Broad St) and by the time you reach Snowline St (yes, Snowline) it's getting pretty constant.  Now you've made the turn off Red Dog onto Quaker Hill.  Oh shit, it's really stacking up.  Then you pass the Quaker Hill firehouse (on your left at Crystal Wells), which is the 4100 elevation, and you KNOW you've miscalculated, cause it's snowing like a B-iach and it's really to late to retreat.  So now you're at the top of the Big Hill, and you say your prayers and start inching down,  (OMG, I'm a gonna die).  Finally you make it to where Quaker Hill levels out in the shores, and once again, it's barely snowing!  Now if you have to travel up Summit Ridge to your home, you're gonna hit the big deep stuff again!  It's all the part of the Cascade Shores experience. Of course, you can avoid some of that stress by taking Pasquale off Red Dog.  Sure it's snaky, but you can take your time, and you don't get to 4100 and hit the big snow very often, and it's nice and level for the most part.  Now mind you, unless it's an unusually big storm, there will still be barely any snow in town, while our snow will stay put for at least a few days.
How many days is the Big Hill closed?  Not many.  Roads is pretty good about keeping it clear and sanded.  Our "dedicated" snow plow lives right here in the shores, and they begin plowing when we have 3" on the ground.  If the yellow light at my corner  is flashing, you really should avoid the hill (or the one at Red Dog/Pasquale)  That means it is closed, and if you get sideways and need help, no tow truck will help you, and if Highway Patrol get's wind of it, you'll be cited for being on a closed road.  Also, if you get sideways and someone coming up or down can't avoid you, well, you're S-O-L.  To me it's just not worth it, but God knows there are plenty of people who like to challenge the hill.  Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don't . . . . . .

Our first snow usually comes around Christmas Day, our last snow sometime in April.  The biggest month is probably March.  It's a good day when the kids don't have to go to school, and everyone is out shoveling, drinking hot drinks, watching the dogs run through the drifts.  You can even cross country or snow shoe right out your door.  They beauty of the woods in the snow is worth the price of admission.

The best part is that we rarely have wind down here, so no chill factor!  Even on a 20 degree day, you can go out in comfortable clothes (don't need your arctic jacket) and work or play.  Even my chihuahua's reject a coat most of the time. The ice on the street and wood decks can be treacherous!

Power outages?  That depends of course. Power can be taken our by branches hitting lines, cars hitting poles, wires crossed or arcing. How quickly will it be restored?  It obviously varies.  If power is out in town too, know that we are at the end of the line, and we will be last to get reconnected.  So sit back, build a fire, light some candles and enjoy the quiet.  Move your perishables into a cooler out on your porch (take advantage of the cold) and break out a good book.  Or turn on your generator and feel smug!  It's up to you how inconvenienced you are.  You might find it fun being unplugged for awhile.  When I see the guys working on the pole across the street, I take them hot coffee and cookies to encourage them.  They'll tell me the truth about how long, as opposed to the phone hotline that ALWAYS says 2 hours.  Oh yeah, be sure to keep a plug in non-electronic phone on hand.

 There is a weather blog on Cascadeshores.org, and if you are watching the news, pay more attention to Blue Canyon weather (on Hwy80) than Grass Valley.  We are only a ridge away from Blue Canyon, and we have pretty much the same weather  (more so than Nev City).

When it's not snowing, we have pretty much the same weather as Nevada City. temp wise, which is between 40-60 for the most part.  Cold snaps of 20-32 are fairly short, and the rest of the time it's a pleasant range.

  So, that's my take on "winter in the shores."  Hope this has been helpful.

PS:  A good reason to pay the $100 optional homeowners fee is you get a GREAT discount on Surburban Propane.  That will help you stay warm and use your gas stove when the power does go out!

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

OMG, first we were blessed with a wonderful mild winter.  I think we had 2 significant snow storms, and by significant, I mean I actually had to break out the shovel twice, the blower never!

Then we were treated to and early and very warm spring, with lots of helpful warm rain.  No late freezes, which meant that my very confused apricot, which usually get's her beautiful blossoms frozen by a late freeze, instead produced about 150 gorgeous little apricots (lots of jars of apricot jam in the freezer). My flower garden was ecstatic with the weather, and in turn promptly turned out the most beautiful bounty of Chinese Lanterns, Peonies, Daisies and Cherry Tomatoes I've ever seen here.  Every day was a wonder, with plants I didn't even know I had putting on a show!

Then, as if that wasn't enough, we had a perfect summer with only a few over 90 days. The lake was warm and high and almost every single day was perfect for swimming and boating.

Now we are having an extended perfect fall no rain and nice cool nights making the leaves turn all their beautiful brilliant colors early enough that we can enjoy them for weeks on end  My Hosta's, Virginia Creeper and a few others, that should have gone to sleep by now are still treating me to a daily dose of garden wonder.

Do yourself a favor, and take the extra few minutes to leisurely drive out Pasquale instead of taking the big hill/  The variations of red, pink, gold, orange, yellow and green are really a feast for the eyes.  Take it slow, stop from time to time to really take in the season  The smell of the dirt and downed trees, the tepid breezes, the chirping birds and scampering squirrels  I think only the bicycle riders are using the road on a regular basis, and they know what I'm talking about.

The walking group meets most Mon, Wed, Fridays at the Firehouse, and takes a nice paced walk 1 1/2 miles out and back Do yourself a favor if you have the time, and join us. Dogs always welcome.

Happy Fall and don't forget to stop by the Firehouse this Saturday and check out the local kids in costume enjoying the Womens Club Halloween Party, a Shores tradition.  1pm-3pm.

Pride of ownership/neighborhood pride

OK, I admit I have never had to leave my home due to foreclosure.  I understand, really I do, that this is a heartbreaking, life changing and sad affair, so many people losing their homes.  However, for about the 4th time in the past few years, I have had neighbors move out of their foreclosed home, and just left a disgusting heath hazard of a mess behind.

This time the home is a few doors up from me.  I went by as I saw what appeared to be alot of trash in the driveway.  As I got closer, what I saw was appalling.  These people must have stockpiled garbage for months!  There was a large container (about 3' wide, 6' long, 10' high)that had apparently been FULL of garbage.  It appeared to have been (easily) opened by an animal, I'm guessing a bear. So about 10 bags of old rotting garbage was strewn around.  Lots of medication bottles, full of pills included.  This is just so irresponsible and dangerous.

I like to think I'm a good citizen, so I went home, got a rake and lots of hefty bags, and went back to clean it all up and (hopefully) safely put it back into the container.  I separated out all the recycling (2 large hefty bags).  Sitting on the front porch were many bags of what appeared to be good usable children's clothing.  I brought that home to be washed and delivered to charity, (they had told me weeks ago they were "gone" so I don't think they were coming back for the clothing).  The many toys strewn around the yard were rounded up and placed in a shed.  The former owner was a roofer, and there is LOTS of roofing materials left behind, strewn around the lot.  So sad.

I know it's a difficult situation.  I know these people were not treated fairly by their banks in some cases. I also know that some of these people pulled much of their equity out of their homes, then were shocked when values went down (yes Virginia, values sometimes go down).  Still, it is not the bank you are hurting when you leave such a mess behind.  It is your neighbors that are hurt, and maybe the animals that find and eat garbage, toxins and meds.

So, be a good neighbor.  If you see someone leaving a mess, maybe you can take a few minutes, or even an hour and put it somewhat right.  If we aren't part of the solution, we're part of the problem.
Call me, I'll help. Pride of ownership can extend over to the vacant house next to you, or even the house a block away.  The banks can take a year or more to send someone to clean up.
This is also the 4th time I've taken things into my hands and gathered garbage and gotten rid of things left behind.  Take the initiative, it's your neighborhood.

Fall is here and it is absolutely gorgeous in the Shores

Just a beautiful, peaceful, colorful Fall day here.  My 3 dogs seem to know that summer is over, as they are lazing about at all times, only demanding one walk a day (slowly going into hibernation mode).
Nights and mornings chilly, neighbors are scrambling to gather their winter wood.  Remember Daves's Sierra Firewood if you're short . . . . and Nevada County has a program if you are low income and need assistance with wood.  Volunteers deliver it for you.
NO RAIN PREDICTED FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS!  GET THOSE FAIR WEATHER CHORES DONE YA'LL.
**************************************************************
Did I mention that Lost Mine Lake is soooooo low because it is being drained?  The Homeowners has decided to drain it a bit and then remove alot of the algae and plant life that is taking over.  Certainly hope this does not affect the eco balance of that sweet little lake.  It sure needs dredging and muck removal in certain parts.  It get's more shallow each summer.  The bottom is trying to reach for the sky.  All ponds try to turn themselves back into a meadow, it's evolution. Hope they can preserve that sweet little lake for us.
 I also personally hope that CSHA would open up the area more for dogs during the "off season."  Since there are not barefoot babes running around, and if owners are responsibly picking up after their pets, I don't see why the dogs can't enjoy it during the non summer months.  Beats the area being completely unused.  Dogs are people too.  When I was managing it for 4 years, I didn't enforce the "no dog" rule during off season.  What do you think?  Worth bringing up at a monthly meeting?
*****************************************************************************
Womens Club can use some help with the Halloween Party.  Call Jan Guevel if you can help.
Here is the plea I go from her: The local kids really love this party.  Cumon ya'll, help with the festivities.  You'll really enjoy yourself, I promise!

Hello All,

The Halloween Party is Oct. 26th and I have not had many people volunteer to help Linda.  We only have three people stepped  forward to decorate on the 25th, 4 people to bring treats

one for Saturday set-up, two for clean-up after the party and none to help with cookie decorating and games.  COME ON LADIES, PLEASE STEP UP TO THE PLATE.  

--
Jan Guevel
(530) 265-2435
*******************************************************************
Don't forget to fill you propane tanks while it's still cheap!  You can take your portable tanks to the Surburban Office for a quick fill too.  They are up by the Grass Valley airport off Loma Rica (off Brunswick).

Pascale Fusshoeller, YubaNet Founder, Illegally in Nev. County 15 years

Wow, Friday and Saturdays Union paper was covering the story that Pascale has been in the US WOP (with out papers) for 15 years.  She was unfortunately pulled over by CHP for a "Hollywood Stop" as we used to call it and tried to claim she was Susan Levitz, the woman she recently married (they have been a couple for 15 years.  Finally they could marry.)  CHP didn't buy it, and took her in for impersonating another person.  She was charged with a felony.  (Note to self, make a complete stop at stop signs).

You can't travel in the "who know's who/whom" circle around here without knowing Pascale and Susan. Pascale parks herself at every City Hall meeting, Supervisor meeting, gallery opening - garage opening.  I'm sure she knows every Nevada City policeman by his/her first name and how many kids he/she has, every Supervisor and Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Councilman's and pretty much anyone who has any political links.  She does not go by an alias, and she is"hiding" in plain sight at all times.  Her wife, Susan,  is the sister of Bill Levitz, a Gold Country Realtor that lived here in the shores for many years, and sold a good many of the homes here.  Pascale and Susan founded YubaNet.com, an online publication, long before that type of news vehicle was known to most.  It is a great, incisive, informative read, that has the BEST fire news (award winning, in fact) and local news, plus national and world.  Just two very smart chicks running a news site from their lovely home on the Yuba River.  It's a mystery for sure why Pasquale never straightened out her immigration status, since she is a right smart woman.  However, the authorities trying to put her on the next plane back to her country of citizenship, Luxemborg (a small country of 555,000 people near France, so roughly 5 times the population of Nevada County) where she has not lived for 15 years, and has no family or friends. If you know Pascale, and think this needs to be reexamined and she should be allowed a hearing, please send a letter to:
 U.S. Senator BarbaraBoxer. http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm,  Pasquale has been a huge friend to Nevada County, and it would be nice if we returned the favor.  Fewgawdsakes, the woman deserves a hearing at the very least . . . In the meantime, Yubanet.com has gone dark. I'm pretty sure she wasn't plotting to overthrow the government.  The Republican's are already doing that (joke).

********************************************************
follow up:  Pascale released today 10/16.  Lots of work to do, but at least she's not being treated like a convicted person.  Hopefully she get's a hearing, and the current laws will help.  She is legally married to a US Citizen, and it's not a "green card" marriage, since they've been a couple for 15 years.  My 2cents.

Sewer info again

Nevada County has come up with a solution to reduce the excessive sewer rates many in our community are forced to pay.  We currently pay one of the highest rates in California to operate our existing sewage treatment plant.  Due to the increasing environmental standards that the sewage plant is required to meet, the cost of maintaining it has continued to soar.  Even with all the expense put into the plant, currently it still does not meet standards.  Many of you may have received a letter in the mail from Nevada County describing the project.  In the proposal, the County plans to decommission the existing Cascade Shores Waste water Treatment Facility, and instead direct waste water flows to a new community septic system.  Construction will consist of two 20,000 gallon tanks, a lift station, conveyance force main, motor control center, emergency generator, leachate tanks, and a leach field consisting of buried 7,700 feet of PVC pipe.  The site is on 40 acres bordered by Mountain View Drive, Pasquale Road, and Pacific Close (APN: 38-570-04).  The project has been identified to reduce the cost of operation for the Cascade Shores Residents while improving water quality.  The county has a public comment period that allows all of us to voice any concerns we may have.  Comments must be received by 5 PM on the last day of the comment period, October 28, 2013.  Comments can be sent to David A. Garcia, Jr., Transportation Planner, Nevada County Department of Public Works, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA  95959.  Once the comment period is completed, our County Supervisor, Nate Beason will schedule a meeting with interested homeowners to lay out the plans for the new system and to answer questions from the homeowners who are sewer users and any interested parties who are not.

• 2 Attachments
• View all
• Download all