The Northern Mines Girl Scouts will offer free babysitting services at this year’s Country Christmas Faire, held November 27 to the 29 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This benefit is provided by this youth service organization so that parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Free babysitting will be provided in the Community Center at the Fairgrounds; hours for babysitting are the same as the Faire, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 

Errand elves will be available to assist Faire-goers throughout the event. The Errand Elves, provided by students from Clear Creek School, are available to carry packages for shoppers or patrons may use their “Will Call” service and leave their packages in the elves’ care as they continue shopping. Clear Creek students will also be offering mistletoe to Faire-goers. All donations received for the elves and the mistletoe will go towards these young students who are trying to earn money for an outdoor science education camp.  

Additionally, the Nevada City Explorer Scouts will coordinate the free parking in the fairgrounds parking lot; Nevada County 4-H clubs will provide volunteers to serve as the trash clean-up crew for the Faire; Will and Paulette Snyders of Empire Horse & Carriage Company and Randall and Trish Gross of Grass Valley’s Rock-n-Horse Ranch will provide wagon rides around the grounds; and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet children. A photographer will be available to capture the special moment with Santa.

The 25th annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 27, and runs through Sunday, November 29.  Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is also free. Artisans from across the country fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality hand-made crafts and unique gifts. Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, and a community bon-fire. 

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit Nevada County Fair or call (530) 273-6217.

An important point of astronomical activity in the county is the science museum, with education and sky shows.  Regarding education, this is the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, and the Imaginarium Science Museum is celebrating the event this fall with astronomy exhibits and activities for local school children during the week throughout the fall into December.  For November, two public events are:

Nov. 13th Imaginarium Open to the Public

Time: Noon to 5 pm

Astronomy exhibits and activities supplement other science exhibits
COST: $4 Student $6 Adults
Nov. 20th, Astronomy Event – Movie Night:  The Universe in Powers of Ten
Time:

5:00 – 6:00 Museum Open
6:30 – 7:00 Films:  Powers of 10 and Zoom, 12 and 8 minutes, respectively
7:00 – 7:30 Film:  Cosmic Voyage, 35 minutes
7:30 – 8:00 Discussion and talk featuring Wayne Watson,
                   the Astro Guy on the Size and Shape of the Universe
COST:  $4Student $6 Adult

The three spectacular movies (Zoom, Powers of 10, Cosmic Voyage) present a common theme of exploring the universe that is visually developed further with each successive film under newer technology. They will be followed by a 20-30 minute discussion and talk on the size and shape of the Universe. You’ll learn about some the very unusual, fun, mind warping features of the universe that weren’t featured in the films.  The first two movies are appropriate for children 6 and older, child care will be provided from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information check the museum’s information line at 478-6415.  For sky show schedules see local media, radio, newspapers, as below for other sky shows.

The museum’s monthly sky shows from April to November have supported the IYA with views of the sky, and short talks on various subjects from April to November. The next sky show is at Tobaissen Park 300’ up the hill from the Madelyn Helling County Library parking lot on Friday, November 13, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Another important group is the Nevada County Astronomers club, NCA, which meets at the Madelyn Helling Library County Library Community Room  near Nevada City  the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., except during the summer months.  They feature discussions and talks by astronomy enthusiasts.  Their web link is Nevada County Astronomers

Additionally, popular and informative sky shows are provided by Alan Stahler of KVMR-FM who hosts sky watches throughout the year near Grass Valley and Nevada City, and famed comet hunter, Donald Macholz, who hosts sky shows throughout the year in Auburn.  Auburn is just out of our county, but close to much of our population.  For schedules on Alan’s shows see KVMR-FM, KNCO-AM announcements, and The Union’s Thursday Prospector. For Don’s shows see similar radio and newspaper outlets in the Auburn area.

If you want to enjoy our good skies for astronomical viewing, then latch onto the activities above. You’ll find plenty of knowledgeable amateur astronomers and resources at the museum to help you.

Source: Wayne Watson, Imaginarium Science Museum Sky Show Host

Wayne Watson’s Website

Christmas Fair Photo

Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.Mark your calendar for the 25^th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 27, 28 and 29. Rated as one of the top handcrafted shows in Northern California, this year’s Country Christmas Faire will feature unique gifts and crafts from more than 100 top artisans.

Five exhibit buildings will be filled over the Thanksgiving weekend, giving shoppers a chance to start their Christmas shopping with quality hand-made jewelry, ornaments, wreaths, wooden crafts, hand-woven baskets, stained glass, candles, beadwork, and dozens of other unique gifts.

Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical gingerbread House exhibit, 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.  Additionally, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be in The Chapel to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes. A photographer will be available to capture the special moment with Santa.

Back by popular demand, the Northern Mines Girl Scouts will offer free babysitting so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Errand elves will also be available to assist you throughout the event.

New this year, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County and HOPE (Help Other People Eat) for a canned Food Drive. Bring a can of food on Sunday, November 29, from 10 am to 4 pm, and get $1 off Sunday’s admission price. All food donated will help feed those in need in Nevada County.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 27, and runs through Sunday,

November 29.  The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Parking is also free.  A coupon for $1 off Sunday’s admission price is available on-line at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

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.

Dates & Times: Friday, November 27
10 am – 5 pm

Saturday, November 28
10 am – 5 pm

Sunday, November 29
10 am – 4 pm

Where: Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA  95949

Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com

BlogSpot: www.nevadacountyfair.blogspot.com

Phone number: (530) 273-6217

Admission: $4

Free to children under 12 years of age

Parking: Convenient and free parking

Featuring: Unique gifts and crafts, live entertainment, festival foods, Gingerbread houses, strolling carolers, Santa Claus, errand elves, wagon rides, free babysitting, and a community bonfire.

There’s also a canned food drive on Sunday – bring a can of food and receive $1 off Sunday’s admission.

Source: Wendy Oaks, Publicist Nevada County Fair

Sabroso, appearing at the Nov. 7 Moondance, is an Afro-Cuban Jazz and Salsa dance band

By Paul August

Moondance 2009, Yuba Charter School’s silent and live auction, is at the Miner’s Foundry this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm.  Sure, it has the usual dinner and dancing but the main attraction is almost 300 auction items..

Bid on items like this in the silent auction:

A half hour hot tub and a one hour massage.

Eight hours of web services.

A Les Schwab Emergency roadside kit.

Homemade French bread, once a month for ten months.

Three hours of childcare for up to four kids.

Ski lift tickets for Sugar Bowl.

Sacramento Zoo family pass.

Disneyland tickets.

Two week day nights at the Sierraville Hot Springs.

Two Kate Wolf Music Festival Tickets.

A month of Yoga.

White water rafting.

Sky diving or walk and wade fly fishing.

Voice lessons.

During the silent auction, bid on the bigger stuff:

Trips to Mexico, the western Caribbean and Hawaii.

A hot air ballon ride.

Vacations in Tahoe, San Francisco and Squaw Valley.

A Lance Armstrong signed poster.

A special feature this year includes class projects:

A wooden playhouse — kindergarten.

Mosaic tiles — first grade.

White Oak book shelf — second grade.

Traveling chicken coop — 5th grade.

Hand made wooden board game — 7th grade.

In the interest of journalistic disclosure, this writer did not include some of the best items (notice not all classes are mentioned) because I plan to bid on them and if you don’t know about them, I’ll have a better chance.

Asia caters dinner.  Wine tasting is presented by Lucchesi Vineyards and the Avanguardia Winery. Sabroso, a ten piece group, provides Latin dance music.

Yuba River Charter School, on Bitney Springs Road,  is a secluded campus surrounded by towering ponderosa pines.

Melissa Seibold, the energetic and enthusiastic development associate at YRCS, said, “Students learn to count by counting the leaves on a branch or the petals on a flower.”

All toys in the early grades are wooden.  No plastic toys. Students start learning Spanish in the first grade. No homework until the second grade.  Everyone in the 4^th grade plays the violin.

By the 7^th grade, student results exceed other schools in the state in both language arts and math.

Teachers stay with their students as they progress through the first, second and third grades. These are credentialed teachers with training in the Waldorf curriculum.

All proceeds go to YRCS Not a bad reason to turn out and make low bids on expensive items. Tickets are $25 in advance from BrownPaperTickets.com, Briar Patch, Yabobo and YRCS. $35 at the door. For more info: call 272 8078 or contact Moondance-gala.com

E-mail Melissa@yubariverschool.org.

Paul August is a Nevada City singer and writer. His CD’s may be bought at Paul August Cdbaby.com

Sharon Priebe from Grayling, Michigan, has been selected to judge this year’s Draft Horse Classic, September 24 – 27, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Priebe has been judging horse shows for more than 15 years, and has judged All-American Shows, All-Canadian Standings, the Illinois State Fair, the Michigan State Fair, Centerville, and the Del Mar State Fair. Additionally, Priebe has shown Draft Horses throughout the United States for more than 25 years. She is also a past member of the Clydesdales Associations Board of Directors and a well-known Clydesdale breeder.

Live entertainment, a world class art show, Treat Street goodies, vendors with western wear and items, a clogging jamboree, a live shoeing competition, community exhibits, and visits to the barns to see the magnificent Gentle Giant Draft Horses are also part of the events activities at the Fairgrounds.

This Draft Horse Classic starts this Thursday, September 24th and runs through Sunday, September 27. Draft Horses Western United States will be competing throughout the four day event for close to $40,000 in prize money.

Priebe will be busy judging all six Draft Horse Classic performances starting on Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 pm and ending on Sunday, September 27, at 4 pm.

Tickets to the performances are on sale now, as well as the day of the event, and may be purchased by calling the Fair office at 530-273-6217. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for additional information.

Source Wendy Oaks, Nevada County Fairgrounds

The South Yuba River Citizens League will hold its 12th Annual Great Yuba Cleanup and Restoration Day on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Each year, volunteers haul out tons of old tires, mattresses and even junked cars from area watersheds. Items found have included bus seats, an old ditch tiller and a sofa.

This all-day event includes the volunteer clean-up and restoration project from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by festivities at Bridgeport in the South Yuba River State Park.

SYRCL is the designated regional coordinator for western Nevada County as part of the 25th annual statewide California Coastal Cleanup Day. Thirty five sites on the Yuba and Bear rivers and Wolf and Deer creeks will be coordinated by SYRCL as clean-up locations for this year’s event.

“The South Yuba alone receives about a half-million visitors a year, and not all of them ‘leave no trace,’ SYRCL Executive Director Jason Rainey said. “With the diminished — perhaps eliminated — capacity of the state to manage the South Yuba parklands, this is a particularly important time to gather on behalf of our river.”

in 2008, 658 volunteers at 34 sites in the Yuba and Bear river watersheds and Deer and Wolf creek watersheds collected 16,318 pounds of trash and 3,240 pounds of recyclable items along 92 miles of river and creek waterways.

Volunteers must pre-register to participate and can do so at http://www.facebook.com/l/834f2;www.yubariver.org.

The free picnic lunch for volunteers will be provided courtesy of Sunsmile Farms, Living Lands Agrarian Network, SPD Market, California Organics, Sopa Thai, Broad Street Bistro, The Fix, Matteo’s Public, Flour Garden Bakery, Carl’s Jr., Summer Thyme’s Bakery, Mother Truckers, Natural Selection and Safeway.

“We simply couldn’t clean up the tons of trash each year without all this community support,” said Miriam Limov,

Public celebration at 12:30 p.m. Saturday After lunch the public is invited to a celebration of the 10th anniversary of SYRCL’s successful campaign to protect the South Yuba River through state Wild and Scenic designation.

The party will include amplified, peddle-powered music by the Ginger Ninjas and other local talent, volunteer appreciation, the Haute Trash fashion show, a New Belgium Brewery beer garden, a raffle, prizes and other surprises.

The party will start at 12:30 p.m. and last until sundown. Guests are asked to bring low-back chairs, blankets, plates, cups and utensils.

Event sponsors are Nevada City Self Storage, New Belgium, Wild Mountain Yoga Center, BriarPatch Co-Op, California State Parks, B & C True Value, Anderson Physical Therapy, Sierra Solar Systems, Wolf Creek Wilderness, Mountain Recreation, Tour of Nevada City, South Yuba Club, Young’s Carpet One, Xtremely Green and The Union.

Contributed by Paul August, local singer and writer

I just happened to talk to one of the peace center folks at the Grass Valley Street Fair. This grew into a conversation of one of my ideas: a musical marathon: “Give Peace a Chance.” Sing for world peace.

Lily Marie liked the idea and connected it to a celebration of the International Day of Peace. She invited me to a brain storming session at the Nevada County Peace Center, 316 West Main Street, which is directly next to the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.

They liked it. Peace Day fell on a Monday so we planned the event for the day before, Sunday Sept. 20th. At first, I thought we’d sing all day and into the night. I once organized reading marathons at Oakland High when I was in the Bay Area. My Advanced Placement English Literature kids began reading at 4 pm on a Friday afternoon and actually continued until 10 pm on a Saturday night. 30 hours.

Could we do the same? Well, no. Reality set in. Venues, talent, sound systems, a stage and volunteers became too complex with too little time. We scaled back to a sunrise to sunset event and finally settled on 10 am to sundown.

Lily added the acclaimed film: “The Singing Revolution” that shows how songs, not swords, saved a country from take-over. We added food, PeaceArt and the front porch for spontaneous talent.

As of now, we have a schedule of about a dozen entertainers between ten and twilight. We’ll have a stage in the backyard and a sound system from Foggy Mountain Music where the John Lennon bus showed up last Saturday afternoon. Melissa Seibold donated the poster art work.

Since this is a free family event, all the performers are donating their time and expertise. Some are even donating their CDs to be sold with proceeds to go to the Peace Center to pay for the “Give Peace a Chance” event.

Here’s the lineup for Sunday Sept.20th.

10 am Ty Smith

11 am Dakota Sid

12 noon Molly Roth, Michael Gregory, Paul August

1:00 pm Cool Hand Uke (Dan Scanlon)

2:00 pm The World Brotherhood Choir from Ananda

2:20 pm The Legend of the  Sunburst Bandits

Afternoon MC: Mikhail Graham

3:00 Dave Hatch

4:00 Kelly Fleming

5:00 Peter Wilson

6:00 Hummingbird (Valerie Lowe)

6:30 The Peace Center Singers

The Front Room:

10:30 – 12:15 Fil m: The Singing Revolution

12:15 – 12:45 Sharon Joy Jahdoda

1:00 — 2:00 To be announced

2:00 – 3:45 Film: The Singing Revolution

4:00 – 4:30 James May

4:30 – 6:15 Film: Singing Revolution

While working on this schedule, I found that there are many talented performers willing to perform for a good cause. This is truly a unique area for artists and musicians.

For further information contact 273 4030 or ncpeace@sbcglobal.net

Mindworker By Paul August Buy at cdbaby

This whimsical rock album blends uproarious tunes with a satirical social comment on school boards, bureaucracts, teachers and students.