Tag Archives: California

nevada county fair

Myra Davies To Be Inducted Into Nevada County Fair’s Hall Of Fame

Myra Davies
Myra Davies Nevada County Fair Hall of Fame 2018. Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fair

 

The Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors has announced that Myra Davies will be inducted into the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame. The Board recognized Davies for her longtime service and dedication to the Nevada County Fair and for her commitment to local agriculture.

Davies is a fifth-generation local rancher who lives on her family’s historic Dipper Valley Ranch in Nevada City.  Since retiring from her county job, Davies can often be found on her ranch checking her cows and delivering firewood. “The legacy of the history, the land and the soil are in my soul and part of who I am,” she says. “To me, ranching and farming is not a job, it is a chosen way of life.”

That love of ranching and farming can be seen in her commitment to the Nevada County Fair and her involvement in community activities dedicated to supporting agriculture and youth in agriculture.  During the Fair, Davies, who has been attending the Fair since she was a child, can be found at the Cattlewomen’s Marian Ghidotti Red Barn and the Nevada County Farm Bureau booths where she works diligently to carry on agricultural traditions.

In addition to her work at the Fair, Davies has served in various capacities in the Kentucky Flat 4-H Club, including Community Club Officer/President and a Horse and Hiking leader. She currently serves as a Nevada County Farm Bureau Director, President of the Placer Nevada Cattlewomen’s (PNCW) Association, and Chair of the PNCW Beef Ambassador Program. She is actively involved in Ag in the Classroom, a member of California Cattlewomen, National Cattlewomen, Nevada County Republican Women Federated, and Nevada County Grown.

“I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Fair’s Hall of Fame,” said Davies. “The Nevada County Fair is a stronghold for our community. There is no other place as beautiful, accommodating, and with such strong community support for youth to showcase their yearlong projects. The Nevada County Fair is a hub, a focal point, to keep these traditions strong and it’s very important that I support organizations that carry on family and agricultural traditions. My life is family, faith, community, clubs, the Dipper Valley Ranch, beef, keeping ag alive through youth, and the Fair. That’s really all I need.”

Davies will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremony on August 8 and will receive a portrait donated by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley. The 2018 Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12. For information, visit NevadaCountyFair.com.

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    Environment

    California Delta Water Diversion Update

    Picture courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources

    Delta–Picture courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources

    Water Fraud Update

    By Bill Wells

    The Santa Clara Valley Water District voted 4-3 to use $650 million of their ratepayer’s money to help fund the Brown / Laird twin tunnel WaterFraud.  A joint powers authority, the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority has been created to oversee the final design and  of the tunnels.  I am sure nothing can go wrong with that.  So far Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Kern County Water Authority, and Contra Costa Valley Water District have committed a total of about $12.5 billion of their ratepayer’s money leaving it about $42.5 billion short if you use Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $55 billion estimate of the cost of the project.

     

    Governor Brown is quoted as saying: “the only time you get anything done with water is when a Brown is governor and there are no more Browns coming along so you better get it done.  I can tell you if I wasn’t pushing this thing it wouldn’t be going anywhere.  If it doesn’t make it this time forget it.  You will all be dead before it is even thought of again.”  I am confident this mother of all boondoggles can be stopped if enough good people stand up against it.  The California Department of Water Resources has proven over and over again that they don’t understand and can not manage a project like this.  The state Waterboard hearings are available on YouTube, when you have some spare time listen to the states attorneys’ presentations and  draw your own conclusions.  You will note too in unintentional irony that the states lead attorney Tripp Mizzel bears a resemblance to the Roman Polanski character in the film Chinatown.

    Continue reading California Delta Water Diversion Update →

    Hiking, History, History of Nevada County, Nevada County Information, Nevada County Parks, Pictures of Nevada County, Recreation, State Parks

    Bridgeport Historic Ranch and Famous Covered Bridge, Nevada County, CA

    Bridge Port Bridge closed until repairs are completed. Photo by John J. ODell
    Bridge Port Bridge closed until repairs are completed. Photo by John J. ODell

    By Judy Pinegar

    Feb 26, 2017 –

              It was a beautiful sunny/cloudy day in Nevada County. Having a bit of cabin fever due to all the rain, John and I set out for Bridgeport with Hershey, our beautiful, black, half Labrador dog.

                Stopping first on the other side of the Yuba River, the sign said the walking trail(s) were closed, although we could see some people and sometimes dogs on the trail(s). But we had to pay the parking fee ($5.00), so we returned across the Yuba River to the main Park Site and Visitor Center. After paying (honor system) we proceeded to get a brochure and wander around the central area. The National and State registered Historic Landmark is the actual Bridgeport Covered Bridge, built in 1862 by David L Wood and the Virginia Turnpike Co. It was closed to walkers, or anyone, but restoration is expected. It is 229 feet long, making it the longest single span covered bridge in the entire United States!

                Then on to the “family beach” now mostly covered by water as the river is very high this year!  Several old pieces of mining equipment are around.  We then visited the old garden spot, the visitors center, the gas station ($0.12 per gallon!), and then the Barn which contained a large collection of various carriages, and farming vehicles. The Visitor Center was quite interesting, containing some preserved wildlife from the area that Hershey did NOT like at all! (Think panicked barking, a wild animal is on the loose!)  Also displayed were pictures of how high the river actually has risen in this area, way higher than this year for sure!!

                Then we took the easy Visitors Center Trail, past Kneebone Cemetery, Kentucky Creek (that trail was flooded), and back to the main area. There were a few confusing signs about “where” and “where not” you could take your dog, but overall it was a nice day. However it was really getting cold, so we left for home, hoping to come back with more time to walk (lots of trails) an a little better weather!!

                All and all, I recommend it as a really fantastic place to visit. See you on the trail! (Just look for Hershey)

    For information South River State Park
    Call (530) 432-2546

    Real Estate

    Owners Missing Money at Foreclosure Auctions

    foreclosuresign

    Because there’s strong demand for affordable residences in markets that are seeing home prices surge, some homes sold at foreclosure auctions are netting more than what the lender is owed. Once debts, liens, and fees are paid off, the home owner who’d fallen behind in their mortgage payments is entitled to the remainder. But here’s the kicker: Many home owners don’t realize their rights, which means much of the money is going uncollected.

    For example, Denver County, Colo., officials say they have nearly $1.5 million in uncollected surpluses from the sale of about 50 foreclosed homes.

    “In the past, people who lost their homes to auctions were typically underwater. [Now] prices have risen so that real estate investors, especially at auctions, are sometimes willing to pay more than what the [homeowner] lost it for,” says Brandon Turner, author of “The Book on Rental Property Investing.” 

    Portland, Ore., Denver, Seattle, and Miami are all places where home prices are rising fast, and struggling homeowners may find more windfall profits in foreclosure auctions.

    “Denver is one of the hottest real estate markets in the nation right now,” says Mica Ward, spokeswoman for the public trustee of Denver County. “So when a home does have to sell at a foreclosure auction, we’re consistently seeing that the home is selling for more than what is owed.” She estimates that about 80 percent of foreclosure auctions in Denver County result in surpluses over the original debt. She returned up to $169,000 to one foreclosed homeowner this year following an auction.

    Source: Realtor.com

     

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    Education, Environment

    66 Million Trees are Dead in the Sierra Nevada Forest

    Pine trees killed by bark beetles.
    Pine trees killed by bark beetles. Little York Close cul-de sac

    I’ve noticed with great alarm the number of trees dying from the drought and beetle infestation here in Nevada County  It seems like every day, while driving around the county, I see another group of pine trees dying or dead.

    There is a small about 1,000 foot long cul-de-sac near my house. I counted 27 pine trees dead or dying in that cul-de-sac.   According to various sources  we have 66 million trees that are dead from the drought and the number is growing. Pine beetles of different varieties are to blame and the principal species which are responsible are: mountain pine beetle, fir engraver beetle, western pine beetle, Jeffrey pine beetle and pine engraver beetles.

     

    Mountain pine beetle, about the size of a grain of rice.
    Mountain pine beetle, about the size of a grain of rice.

    The following is an excerpt from the National Forest Service

    The U.S. Forest Service today announced that it has identified an additional 26 million trees dead in California since October 2015. These trees are located in six counties across 760,000 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada region of the state, and are in addition to the 40 million trees that died statewide from 2010 to October 2015, bringing the total to at least 66 million dead trees. Four consecutive years of severe drought in California, a dramatic rise in bark beetle infestation and warmer temperatures are leading to historic levels of tree die-off.

    “Tree dies-offs of this magnitude are unprecedented and increase the risk of catastrophic wildfires that puts property and lives at risk,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “While the fire risk is currently the most extreme in California because of the tree mortality, forests across the country are at risk of wildfire and urgently need restoration requiring a massive effort to remove this tinder and improve their health. Unfortunately, unless Congress acts now to address how we pay for firefighting, the Forest Service will not have the resources necessary to address the forest die-off and restore our forests. Forcing the Forest Service to pay for massive wildfire disasters out of its pre-existing fixed budget instead of from an emergency fund like all other natural disasters means there is not enough money left to do the very work that would help restore these high mortality areas. We must fund wildfire suppression like other natural disasters in the country.”

    Between 2010 and late 2015, Forest Service aerial detection surveys found that 40 million trees died across California – with nearly three quarters of that total succumbing to drought and insect mortality from September 2014 to October 2015 alone. The survey identified approximately 26 million additional dead trees since the last inventory in October, 2015. The areas surveyed in May covered six southern Sierra counties including Fresno, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne and Tulare. Photos and video of the May survey are available on the Forest Service multimedia webpage.

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    nevada county fair

    Nevada County Fairgrounds Begins Search for 2016 Fair Theme

    2015 Theme
    2015 Theme 

    Submit the winning theme and win a prize package to the 2016 Nevada County Fair 

    The Nevada County Fairgrounds is hosting a contest to find the winning theme for the 2016 Fair. Do you have a catchy or fun theme that you think would be perfect for the 2016 Nevada County Fair?

    Visit the Fair’s website at NevadaCountyFair.com and submit a theme idea that you think would be perfect for the Fair. If the theme you submit is selected, you win. The winner will receive a 2016 Nevada County Fair package that includes two free admission tickets for each day of the Fair, a 5-day parking pass for the Fair, and ride coupons.

    Submissions must be five words or less and no trade-marked themes will be considered. The contest runs now through November 5, 2015. For those without access to the Internet, entry forms are available at the Nevada County Fairgrounds office, or information can be mailed to the Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA  95945. No phone entries will be accepted.

    Once the winning theme is selected, there will be a contest to design artwork or submit a photo to illustrate the theme. Each year, the theme and artwork appear on advertisements, buttons, posters, banners and the Fair’s website to promote the Fair.

    The 2016 Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 10 – 14. For a complete list of contest rules or information, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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    Government

    Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Issues Consumer Alert Regarding Reports of Price Gouging During Wildfires

    Kamala Harris Attorney General State of California
    Kamala Harris Attorney General State of California

    California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert on reports of price gouging by businesses, namely hotels, during the devastating wildfires that have swept our state. The Attorney General also issued a warning that the California Department of Justice is prepared to investigate and prosecute those that attempt to wrongfully profit from the destructive fires that are driving Californians out of their homes.

    “As first responders fight to save communities from raging wildfires and thousands of Californians face devastation and hardship, it is exploitative and also unlawful for businesses to engage in price gouging,” said Attorney General Harris.

    California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, becomes effective immediately after the Governor or a local official declares a state of emergency. Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Calaveras and Amador counties on September 11, 2015, and in Lake and Napa counties on September 13, 2015.

    California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before the declaration of emergency. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline.  The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing.  Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials have increased for the business.

    Violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.  The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

    Anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, is encouraged to immediately file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by going to theAttorney General’s website or by calling (800) 952-5225.

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    nevada county fair

    Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair in Grass Valley 2015

    Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds
    Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fairgrounds

    September 24 – 27, 2015

    Join the beautiful Draft Horses for the 29th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, happening September 24 – 27, 2015 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

    Featuring six performances by the beautiful Draft Horses, this event has grown to become the premiere Draft Horse show in the western United States.

    The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, rigs and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules.

    The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.

    Like last year, we’ve kept lower pricing on adult admission tickets for evening performances, and we’ve also continued the discounted pricing for the morning performances and children’s tickets.

    In between classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts. New this year, enjoy Gladius the Show, an acrobatic equestrian production that incorporates aerialists, fire, and Roman riding.

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    Environment

    What Calif.’s Drought Could Mean for Housing

    Scott’s Flat Reservoir Sept 25, 2014. Lowest I’ve seen the reservoir since I’ve lived in Cascade Shores. Picture taken by John J. O’Dell off my deck in Cascade Shores.
    Scott’s Flat Reservoir Sept 25, 2014. Lowest I’ve seen the reservoir since I’ve lived in Cascade Shores. Picture taken by John J. O’Dell off my deck in Cascade Shores.

    The Golden State is drying up and it could have repercussions for its real estate market. Lawmakers have called for unprecedented measures to curb residents’ water consumption in response to a severe drought, now running into its fourth year.

    Gov. Jerry Brown last week called for a 25 percent reduction in water consumption throughout the state. The move will force a change among home owners and communities.

    As water bills get more pricey, home owners will need to find ways to conserve, and their outdoor landscaping may be one likely place to do it. Lush lawns will need to be uprooted in favor of more drought-tolerant ones. Those long-held favored aesthetics for green yards and colorful, water-loving plants will need to shift among residents. “This will change what Californians see as beautiful,” says Heather Cooley, water program director for the Pacific Institute, an Oakland, Calif.-based environmental research group.

    Also, resort communities in the state — known for their green oasis looks — are growing concerned at how the water reduction will affect their communities. For example, Palm Springs – which is in the middle of the desert – may see some of the biggest repercussions to its real estate. Known for its green golf courses, businesses will need to look for ways to conserve.

    The daily per capita water use in Palm Springs is 201 gallons – more than double the state’s average. Palm Springs has ordered 50 percent reduction in water use by its city agencies. The city plans to replace lawns and annual flowers around the community with water-saving native landscapes. It also is paying residents to replace their lush green lawns with rocks and desert plants, as well as even offering rebates to those who install low-flow toilets too.

    “Years ago the idea was, come to Palm Springs, and people see the grass and the lushness and the green,” says David Ready, the city manager. “We’ve got to change the way we consume water.”

    Meanwhile, in the agricultural Central Valley of California, farmlands are drying up and unemployment is surging among farm workers. Some communities are seeing an exodus of residents as some farmers are relocating 70 miles out or more in search of work.

    The drought could also prompt a reduction in housing construction, says Richard White, a history professor at Stanford University. That could come at a time when more residential development is needed in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco to meet higher demand too, he says.

    “It’s going to be harder and harder to build new housing without an adequate water supply,” White says. “How many developments can you afford if you don’t have water?”

    Source: “California Drought Tests History of Endless Growth,” The New York Times (April 5, 2015)

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    Delta, Environment

    Troubled Waters On The Delta

    Picture courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources
    Delta–Picture courtesy of the California Department of Water Resources

    – By Bill Wells
    The fabulous California Delta is within an hours drive of the Bay Area, yet you will feel you are in a different world.

    The Delta is formed by the confluence of two major California rivers; the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, and covers some 500,000 acres in the central part of the state. It is home to 225 species of birds, 54 fish species, and 52 species of mammals. The Delta produces some $2 billion in annual crop revenue.

    You can spend years exploring the 1,000 miles of local waterways by boat. If you travel by car, motorcycle, or bicycle, there are hundreds of miles of back roads, villages, and towns to visit.

    You can ride on some of the only remaining ferry boats in California. Bird watching, wine tasting, local museums, antique shops, and art galleries are but a few of the points of interest you will encounter.

    The Delta is also noted for it’s excellent fishing and duck hunting. The Rio Vista Bass Festival attracts 15,000 fishermen and friends each year It has been in existence.

    Unfortunately, all is not well in this treasure we call “The Heart of California”. The State Water Project and the Central Valley Project divert much of the Delta water to Central and Southern California. The lower water flows in the Delta caused by the diversions have contributed to the decline in fish populations and proliferation of invasive plants that have clogged waterways over the last few decades.

    Now with the administration’s plans to divert the Sacramento River around the Delta via twin 40 foot diameter tunnels, it is possible that what is left of the Delta will be destroyed.

    Many local grass roots organizations have banded together to fight the project and the Environmental Protection Agency wrote a scathing letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service which has sent the California Natural Resource Agency back to the drawing board to modify the plan to make it less harmful to the estuary.

    We are hopeful that the tunnels will never be built and that water flows will be restored to a level that will be beneficial to the native fish and plant life. With a finite water supply and an ever increasing population, California needs to look at ways of creating new water – not reallocating it from one area to another.


    Bill Wells is the Executive Director of the California Delta Chambers & Visitor’s Bureau and has been active in the fight to preserve and protect the California Delta. He served for two plus years on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) public meeting panel and is currently a member of the Delta Protection Commission Advisory Committee.

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