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
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.
April 1, 2015
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) found no snow whatsoever today during its manual survey for the media at 6,800 feet in the Sierra Nevada. This was the first time in 75 years of early-April measurements at the Phillips snow course that no snow was found there.
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. observed the survey, which confirmed electronic readings showing the statewide snowpack with less water content today than any April 1st since 1950.
Attending the survey with Governor Brown was DWR Director Mark Cowin, who said Californians can expect to receive almost no water from the meager snowpack as it melts in the coming weeks.
“Today’s survey underscores the severity of California’s drought,” he said. “Water conservation must become a way of life during the worst drought in most Californians’ lifetimes.”
Today’s readings are historically significant, since the snowpack traditionally is at its peak by early April before it begins to melt. Electronic readings today found that the statewide snowpack holds only 1.4 inches of water content, just 5 percent of the historical average of 28.3 inches for April 1. The previous low for the date was 25 percent in 2014 and 1977.
The Phillips snow course, which has been surveyed since 1941, has averaged 66.5 inches in early-April measurements there. Four years ago today, the measured depth at Phillips was 124.4 inches. The deepest April 1st Phillips measurement was 150.7 inches in 1983, and the lowest previously was 1.04 inches in 1988. Photos of previous surveys at Phillips can be found here.Images from today’s survey will be posted at that link as soon as possible.
Electronic readings indicate the water content of the northern Sierra snowpack today is 1.4 inches, 5 percent of average for the date. The central and southern Sierra readings were 1.5 inches (5 percent of average) and 1.3 inches (5 percent) respectively.
Today’s manual survey was the fourth of the season conducted for the news media at the Phillips snow course just off Highway 50 near Sierra at Tahoe Road 90 miles east of Sacramento. When DWR conducted the first three manual surveys on December 30, January 29 and March 3, the statewide water content in the snowpack was 50 percent, 25 percent and 19 percent respectively of the historical averages for those dates. The decline reflects California’s significantly lower precipitation and the warming trend that made this winter the warmest in the state’s recorded history. What precipitation there was fell mostly as rain due to warmer temperatures.
In what were considered normal precipitation years, the snowpack supplied about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and summer. The greater the snowpack water content, the greater the likelihood California’s reservoirs will receive ample runoff as the snowpack melts to meet the state’s water demand in the summer and fall.
Donate a can of food on Sunday, November 30, and receive $1 off admission
The Nevada County Fairgrounds and Grass Valley Elks are teaming up for a canned food drive to help feed those in need in Nevada County.
Bring a can of food (or two or three) to the Country Christmas Faire on Sunday, November 30, and the Fairgrounds will give you a coupon for $1 off general admission to the Christmas Faire on that day (one coupon per person). Volunteers from Grass Valley Elks will collect the cans at the food collection bins at the Fairgrounds from 10 am – 4 pm at Gates 1, 3 and 5, which is also where you’ll receive your coupon. All food donated will help feed those in need in Nevada County.
The Country Christmas Faire is happening Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 29 and 30 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Cost is $4, and free to children under 12. Parking is free.
Operation Chicken Airlift began with a phone call last month from a California egg farmer to the Animal Place sanctuary in Grass Valley.
Thousands of “laying hens” that had outlived their usefulness were about to meet their demise, the farmer said. Was the animal group interested in saving them from death by carbon monoxide?
Thus began a unique rescue effort that will send 1,200 white Leghorn chickens on a $50,000, cross-country cargo flight this evening from Northern California to upstate New York. On the East Coast, the chickens will be ferried to sanctuaries where they will live outside of cages and roam the land without the expectation of producing breakfast for the egg-loving public.
From left to right – J.T., Kaytlin, John and Cindy McIntosh. Photo credit: Shaffers Originals.
John and Cindy McIntosh have been named the 2013 Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the McIntosh Family for their ongoing support of the Fair and its Foundation, as well as for their commitment to volunteerism in the community.
For more than 45 years, John and Cindy have been involved in the Fair. John, who has been attending the Fair since 1962, has been an exhibitor at the Fair, served as a volunteer at several fund raising and social events sponsored by the Fairgrounds Foundation, and, years ago, worked at the Fair as a parking attendant and a janitor. Cindy has been attending the Fair since 1968 and has also exhibited in the Fair (she’s won two best of shows!), volunteers at Foundation events, and worked in the Fur and Feathers area. They have both volunteered for eight years at the Nevada County 4-H food booth and for more than 20 years at the Higgins Nacho food booth.
“The Fair is the focal point of the year for many people,” says John. “For us, it is an opportunity to interact with other adult and youth community organization members, and see the growth and accomplishments of our county’s youth. We enjoy everything about the Fair, and we don’t want to miss a minute of it.”
Not surprisingly, the McIntosh family has many fond memories at the Fair. For John, the Fair serves as a reminder of the time spent with his parents, who have both passed away. For Cindy, she remembers when her mom would give her five dollars and her watch and tell her to be back at the Bingo booth at 5:00. Another funny memory for Cindy occurred when their son, Kylle, was younger. “John’s Mom didn’t go to the Fair with us one year,” explains Cindy. “Kylle asked what she would do if she wasn’t going, so I answered that she’d probably watch TV. Kylle looked at us with wide eyes and said ‘there’s TV during the Fair?’ He was shocked; he thought the whole world stopped for the Fair.”
John and Cindy, who met at the Nevada County Fair in 1982, have been married for almost twenty two years. They have two grown children, Maranda Brannon and Kylle Rose; two children at home, Kaytlin and J.T; and three grandchildren. Kaytlin attends Sierra College and J.T. is a senior at Bear River High School. Both Kaytlin and J.T. have been involved in the Fair as exhibitors – in still exhibits and in livestock – and Kaytlin serves in 4-H as an adult volunteer.
John is a Captain with the Higgins Fire Department, where he has worked for the past 20 years. He volunteers with Nevada County 4-H, where he helps with youth summer camp; and volunteers at various 4-H events held throughout Northern California. Cindy, who works for the Renwick Home Team Real Estate office, also volunteers with Nevada County 4-H, where she has held executive offices; and is the community club leader for Cool Hollow 4-H and camp director for Woodchuck Flat 4-H summer camp.
“Each year, the McIntosh Family volunteers countless hours to the Fair and to Nevada County,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “Most recently, they arranged and supervised all the 4-H volunteers for the Foundation’s Cioppino Feed. They are very humble and giving of their time, and it is an honor to recognize them as the Fair’s Family of the Year.”
Upon being named the Family of the Year, John says, “It was unexpected and a nice surprise. We feel privileged, and are excited to be part of a group of people that the Fair honors.”
The McIntosh Family will be honored at the Fair’s opening ceremonies. They will receive a Fair package, as well as a family portrait by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.
The 2013 Nevada County Fair is August 7 – 11. Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for information.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217 wsoaks@gmail.com
Mark your calendar for the 27th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 25, 26, and 27. Rated as one of the top handcrafted shows in Northern California, the Country Christmas Faire features unique gifts and crafts from top artisans from across the state.
Exhibit buildings will be filled during the Thanksgiving weekend, giving shoppers a chance to start their holiday shopping with quality hand-made holiday items, ornaments, jewelry, wooden crafts, soaps and lotions, hand-woven baskets, stained glass, candles, bead work, and dozens of other unique gifts.
Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, errand elves, and a community bon-fire. Wagon rides around the Fairgrounds will be offered; and Victorian singers, the bell ringing RiverBells, and the Sierra Symphony quartet will perform throughout the event.
Free babysitting will be offered, so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping.
The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 25, and runs through Sunday,
November 27. Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, off Highway 49. For more information, visit the Fair’s web site at www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217 wsoaks@gmail.com
Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic September 22 – 25, 2011
Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 29, 2011
Country Christmas Faire November 25 – 27, 2011
Thinking of buying or selling? For all your real estate needs, call or email:
John J. O’Dell Realtor®
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
9530) 263-1091 jodell@nevadacounty.com
