Gingerbread House Best of Show 2011

By Wendy Oaks

Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results

A successful canned food drive, more than 100 vendors, and 50 gingerbread houses built made the 27^th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.

The 9^th Annual Gingerbread House Competition was once again a crowd favorite, with 50 entries received. Of those entries, the Best of Show winner was Kristal Souza of Grass Valley, and the People’s Choice Award went to Mary Abbott of Grass Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Craft Faire.

Gingerbread house People's Choice

First place winners in the individual categories include Willow West (child 5 & under); The Dougherty Family (child – ages 6-8); Mollie Becker (child – ages 9-12); Helen Sands (kits – ages 8 & under); Nora Devlin (teen – ages 13-17); Kristal Souza (adult – 18 -64); Mary Abbott (adult – 65 & over); Hennessy Tween Tigers (group – children 12 & under); Lauren Kraemer (group – family); and The Perilmans and Crew (group – adult 18 & over). A complete list of the winners can be found on the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

With the help of HOPE (Help Other People Eat) in Nevada County, Sunday’s canned food drive collected more than 250 cans of food, as well as cash donations. These donations will be used at the organization’s December food distribution. HOPE in Nevada County is a program established through the Grass Valley Elks, who partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County to feed those in need. HOPE distributes food once a month to anyone in the county in need of food and emergency food every Monday.

The 2012 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend,
November 23 – 25, 2012. For information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call 273-6217.

Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Fair                         August 8 – 12, 2012

Draft Horse Classic                         September 20 – 23, 2012

Halloween at the Fairgrounds      October 27, 2012

Country Christmas Faire                November 25 – 27, 2011
Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs
Email or call:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

By John O’Dell

How’s Nevada County’s residential sales going?  Let’s take look at the years 2010 and 2011 from January to October of each year and compare the two.

The Year 2010 from January to the end of October.  There were a total of 1,619 listings. Total sales in that period were 750. Average list price of unsold properties was $453,771 and the average price of the properties that sold was $310,793.  Average days on the market of sold properties were 97 days.

For the year 2011 from January to the end of October. There were a total of 1,446 listings. Total sales in that period were 859 which is an  increase in sales of 14.5%. Average list price of unsold properties was $395,080. The average price of properties that sold was $260,463 a decrease in sales price of 34.1% Average days on the market were 144 about 48% longer to sell a listing.

So how does future look? Foreclosures were up 7% in October but down 31% for the same period last year. Until the foreclosures are cleared by the mess Wall Street and the banks created by their greed, I think we will see a further decrease in sales price going well into the end of next year.

Thinking of buying or selling?
For all your real estate needs
Email or call:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

By Wendy Oaks

Canned Food Drive, Junior Livestock Auction, Ag Mechanics Auction, and Treat Street all Benefit Nevada County

Beautiful weather, a successful canned food drive, more than $380,000 raised for Nevada County youth, and several community partnerships made the 2011 Nevada County Fair a success. Below are some fun Fair facts.

• On the Tuesday before the Fair, BloodSource and the Fair hosted a community blood drive at the Fairgrounds. As a result of this partnership, 78 pints of life saving blood were collected.
• At Sunday’s canned food drive, 1,000 pounds of food were collected for the Food Bank of Nevada County – enough to feed more than 100 families.
• Two hundred and thirty two animals were auctioned at this year’s Junior Livestock Auction, raising more than $350,381 for the youth of Nevada County. Funds raised from the auction go directly to these students and many use the money for college education or vocational training.
• This year’s Ag Mechanics Auction, featuring 48 custom projects handmade by FFA students from Bear River and Nevada Union high schools, raised more than $32,835 for these students.
• Proceeds raised from the local non-profit organizations that sell food on Treat Street will allow these organizations to provide vital services to our community.
• The Fair featured nearly 8,000 community exhibits. A complete list of exhibit winners is posted on the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
• Wednesday evening’s Idol Competition was won by Chelsea Kirksey, who received $767 for her charity of choice – African Ministries (through Gold Country Chapel).
• Saturday’s Locks of Love event had 18 individuals donate hair to help provide a hairpiece to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. The Designer’s Hair Salon assisted with the hair donation process, and cut and styled hair for free.
• Sunday evening’s VIP Derby winner was Josh Schwarz, who received $1,000 for his non-profit of choice – Nevada County 4-H.
• The Fairgrounds Foundation raised approximately $5,500 through its Heritage Lamb project. Proceeds will be used to assist the Foundation in its efforts to continue to improve the Fairgrounds. Paige Lampert raised the animal and received a $500 scholarship for her efforts.
• This year’s Fair included 91 business sponsors – the highest ever.
• In June, Nevada County 4-H Cal Focus Delegates partnered with California Electronic Asset Recovery (CEAR) to offer a free electronic waste collection fundraiser for the Nevada County Fairgrounds. At the Fair’s opening day ceremonies, representatives from Cal Focus presented the Fairgrounds with a check for $1,326.80.
• The Fair teamed up with local libraries on their summer reading program and provided carnival ride tickets as prizes to children who read during the summer. During Fair time, 100 coupons were given to young readers in our community.
• The Fair partnered with Nevada County’s agricultural community for the second year to create Ag-Sperience, an area devoted to education in local agriculture.
• Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and Sierra Nevada Medical Group teamed up with the Fair to present Senior Involvement Day on Thursday at the Fair. During this time, healthcare professionals gave presentations on a variety of health topics and physicians from Sierra Nevada Medical Group answered questions from the audience.

“These events represent the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ commitment in supporting and developing community partnerships,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “It also represents Nevada County’s continued generosity. Our community is what makes this Fair so special, and we are grateful for that support.”

The 2012 Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call 273-6217.

Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217

wsoaks@gmail.com

Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com

Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Food Bank

By Wendy Oaks

Visit the Nevada County Fair and help your community at the same time

Imagine being able to visit the annual Nevada County Fair at a discount, and be able to help the local Food Bank at the same time? At this year’s Fair, you can! The Nevada County Fairgrounds and The Food Bank of Nevada County are teaming up to help feed those in need.

Bring a can of food (or two or three) to the Fair on Sunday, August 14, and the Fair will give you a coupon for $1 off general admission to the Fair on that day.  The Food Bank will have food collection bins available at the Fairgrounds from 10 am – 5 pm at Gates 1, 3 and 5, which is also where you’ll receive your coupon. It’s that simple!

All food collected on that day will be given to The Food Bank of Nevada County, which distributes food to those in need in our county.  At last year’s canned food drive, 1,600 pounds of food were collected – enough to feed 750 – 800 families.

It’s the best of both worlds – fun at the Fair, while helping out in the community. It’s all part of Community Involvement Day, sponsored by YubaNet.com, on Sunday, August 14, at the Nevada County Fair.

This year’s Fair is August 10 – 14. Visit www.foodbankofnc.org or call (530) 272-3796.

Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com

For all your real estate needs
Call or email

John J. O’Dell® GRI
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Photo courtesy of http://e-wasteregulation.blogspot.com/

Fundraiser will benefit the Nevada County Fairgrounds and help the environment

A FREE electronic waste collection fundraiser will be held from 9 am – 1 pm on Saturday, June 4, in the parking lot of Prosperity Lanes at 420 Henderson Street in Grass Valley.  The collection is free and drive through service will be provided, making it even more convenient for customers. Simply pop the trunk or open the door and it will be unloaded for you!

The event is sponsored by Nevada County 4-H Cal Focus Delegates, who have partnered with California Electronic Asset Recovery (CEAR) to collect and recycle e-waste. All funds raised from the donated e-waste will benefit the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Each year, the youth of Nevada County 4-H Cal Focus choose an action that will benefit a need in their community.  This year, when the group learned that the state of California was cutting back funding for the Fairgrounds, the youth decided the best way they could help and give back is to hold an e-waste fundraising event to benefit the Fairgrounds.  All of proceeds will go directly to the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Electronic waste that will be accepted include monitors, televisions, desktop and notebook PCs, VCRs, stereo equipment, speakers, keyboards, mice, PDAs, digital cameras, zip drives, telephones, cell phones, printers, copiers, laser and multifunction scanners and fax machines, microwaves, and small household appliances (toasters, mixers & blenders, and vacuum cleaners with the dust bag removed). For optimal security, CEAR shreds all computer hard drives.

Items that will not be accepted include large household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.), furniture, and hazardous household waste (including batteries, car batteries, paint, pesticides, used oil, cleaning supplies, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, etc.).

CEAR, INC. is a California state approved electronic waste collector and recyclers, and a proud member of the Basel Action Network’s responsible e-steward recyclers. For more information about CEAR, visit www.cearinc.com.

Nevada County 4-H Cal Focus is a unique citizenship educational experience that combines hands-on participation in workshops, debates, and simulations with speakers, tours, fun activities, and the opportunity to meet individuals from across California. Cal

Contact:

Barb Spaulding                         John McIntosh

ackayaker@sbcglobal.net mcintosh@inreach.com

(530) 392-5009                       (530) 913-6281

For all your real estate needs, call or email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
jodell@nevadacounty.com

Members of the Foothill Lions Club, including Chef Arnie Romanello, prepare to serve to a sold-out crowd at the Nevada County Fairground Foundation’s first annual Cioppino Feed.

By Wendy Oaks

Thanks to Foothill Lions Club and the community for its support

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation’s first annual Cioppino Feed was a huge success, thanks to community support, a sold-out event, and a successful auction.

Held last weekend at the Fairgrounds, Chef Arnie Romanello created and served his special 100-year-old recipe to a sold-out crowd.  A special thank you goes to the Foothill Lions Club for donating their time and services to the event, as well as to the Cool Hollow 4-H Club for serving the guests. Thank you to SPD, Raley’s, Save Mart, Grocery Outlet, B & C True Value Hardware, A to Z Supply, Sara Lee Bakery, Hills Flat Lumber, Mill Street Clothing, Nevada City Winery, the Hawkeswood Family, and Safeway for their donations.

“We are so grateful to our community for supporting the Foundation and its events,” said Ed Scofield, President of the Fairgrounds Foundation. “As state funding is eliminated from our community Fairgrounds, it’s more important than ever to do what we can to support our Fairgrounds to ensure that it remains a viable part of our community for generations to come. Continued community support at events like this will ensure that happens.”

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation was established in 2005 to fulfill its mission of supporting and improving the community’s Fairgrounds.

For more information about the Fairgrounds Foundation, or to become a Foundation member, contact the Fairgrounds office at 273-6217 or visit the Foundation’s website at http://NevadaCountyFair.com/Foundation.

By: Wendy Oaks

Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Nevada County Fair                          August 10 – 14, 2011

Draft Horse Classic                            September 22 – 25, 2011

Halloween at the Fairgrounds      October 29, 2011

Country Christmas Faire                  November 25 – 27, 2011

For all your real estate needs call or email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE #00669941

Review by Sherri L. Reynolds

” South Pine Cafe”…a local Nevada County establishment, located in the foothills of beautiful Nevada City, Grass Valley and Auburn, Ca. is open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. A place where the community and visitors alike gather to eat and choose off a menu of healthy, zestful and exceptional food items.

The menu consists of anything from omelet’s, egg or tofu scrambles. specialty dishes like  lobster benedicts, huevos rancheros ( a local favorite) breakfast burritos filled with tofu, eggs, brown rice and fresh veggies, pancakes topped with fresh oliberries and real Vermont maple syrup to organic burgers, sandwich wraps, vegan sandwiches like the nut burger ( my favorite),hot homemade soups and salads.

They have an extensive list of beverages to choose as well, such as fresh squeezed orange juice, lemonade-strawberry mimosas, fresh carrot-apple-ginger juice, espresso coffee drinks, soy hot chocolate, local wines, light, dark and organic beer and Fox Barrel hard pear cider.

All burgers, tofu and coffee are organic, eggs are range free, little use on cooking oils, no GMOS are used. You can purchase the South Pine Coffee Blend at both SPD market locations in Nevada City and Grass Valley and at Caroline’s Coffee in Grass Valley. South Pine Cafe also makes their own Blackberry-Mango Jam and you can buy a jar at either of their locations. They also make their own ketchup and sell memorabilia t-shirts with their logo and theme ” Feel the Joy” .

South Pine Cafe has been owned and operated by George Dyer since 1995. Doug Huntington is the general manager of both locations and has been managing for about 9 years now. They employ several chefs, cooks, waiter and waitresses. They always have an upbeat, friendly, good energy feel and your meal is always served with a smile

The Nevada City location has a Bohemian feel to it. There are local artists paintings on the wall to observe and sell . Also, there are crayon drawings on posted on the walls that children have drawn. I, especially like the framed  “Ketchup” drawings, as it illustrates how to properly get the ketchup out of the bottle. At one time this location was once called “Misty Hot Tub” and when South Pine Cafe started, it still had a hot tub in the dish room area.

The downtown Grass Valley location opened approximately 7 years ago. At one time it was a local bar called ” The Office” and local musicians performed there on occasion. You can feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere here and a waiter named Todd can take your order without writing it down. This guy will always put a smile on your face and get you to laugh with his wit and humor. In general, everyone here gives you a home town welcoming feel.

So, I suggest giving these two locations a whirl for an exhilarating experience and save some space for a great cup of organic coffee and a slice of homemade cheesecake to top your day off with. ” Feel the Joy” and be surprised !

Bon appétit,

Breakfast and Lunch served from 8 am to 3 pm seven days a week.

( catering, holiday parties, birthdays, weddings and business lunches also available)

Visit their website for locations and more information

Sherri L. Reynolds

( a frequent patron)

This video was taken off of my deck in Cascade Shores.

View Larger Map

For all your real estate needs, call or Email:

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
Email John at jodell@nevadacounty.com

Nevada County Toastmasters Area 64

by Lisa J. Lehr

Would you like to have more communicative employees—or be one? Have a more effective sales force, or be a trainer with phenomenal presentation skills? Be a more confident, competent leader? Be persuasive, inspirational, and/or entertaining?

That’s what 235,000 people around the world are doing right now, and it’s called Toastmasters International.

This might sound like a shameless plug for Toastmasters…and perhaps it is, because I’ve been a member of Toastmasters for over 10 months now, and I love it, and so do my fellow Toastmasters, and we’d love to have more company!

Toastmasters is an international organization that provides training in speaking and leadership that is on a par with expensive and extensive professional training programs, yet at a fraction of the cost and time commitment.

Nevada County is lucky to have four different Toastmasters Clubs—unusual for a community of our size. Mother Lode Toastmasters meets Monday evenings; Early Risers Toastmasters, Tuesday mornings; Penn Valley Club, Wednesday evenings; and the club I belong to, Empire Toastmasters, meets every Friday at noon at Trolley Junction Restaurant (at the Northern Queen Hotel) in Nevada City.

We’re a small, friendly, supportive group dedicated to helping each other improve at a comfortable pace, wherever we each currently are with our speaking and leadership skills. Our meetings are open to anyone who is interested. Come as a guest; you’ll be invited (but not required!) to participate in Table Topics, in which participants each speak impromptu for about a minute on a given theme. It’s often the highlight of the meeting, and almost always provides the most laughs. Lunch is $14 and reservations are not required.

My fellow Toastmasters and I are available to do a presentation for your business or organization that will explain the program in much greater detail. My own personal and professional growth through Toastmasters has been nothing short of astonishing in less than a year, and my fellow club members have similar stories to tell about being “the shyest person who ever lived”—but no more, thanks to Toastmasters!

Visit this link for more information about the local clubs:

http://www.toastmastersnevadacounty.org/

Lisa J. Lehr is a writer and copywriter living in Grass Valley. She can help you promote your business with a full range of online and offline marketing pieces. A member of Empire Toastmasters, she’s available to speak to your business or professional group. Visit her website www.justrightcopy.com for more information, opt in for a message series, and receive a free Marketing Guide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zdNtHdqmc

Credits:
Casey Martinson – Narration
Alex Ramsey – Camera, Editing
Ian Lynn – Sound Recording
Daniel Lawson – Technical

Images:
www.flickr.com
www.photosofoldamerica.com
www.pashnit.com
www.yubanet.com
www.ccservices.cc
www.panoramio.com
www.wordpress.com

Music:
Glenn Miller – “In the Mood”, “Little Brown Jug”, “(I’ve Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo”
Steve Simmons – “Alex on the Road”
Johnny Pearson – “Graveyard”

Information:
holbrooke.com
www.empiremine.org
www.historicgrassvalley.com
www.sierracinemas.com
www.en.wikipedia.com

[*Note: Grass Valley, while being estabilished in 1849, was officially incorporated as a town in 1860.]

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
Call 530-263-1091