Tag Archives: Nevada City

Nevada County History, California

March 8, 2012 jd

The earliest settlement in Nevada County was made in the summer of 1848 at a place called Rose’s Corral which was located between the Anthony House and Bridgeport. Early in the spring of 1849 a group of mountaineers from Oregon known as the Greenwood Company mined for gold at Illinois Bar on the South Yuba River. They were followed by emigrants from Indiana. In the fall of 1849, the Greenwood Company made winter camp at Jefferson, and the Indiana group moved further upstream to Washington. It was that same autumn that Captain John Pennington’s party struck rich diggings on Deer Creek and built the first cabin on Gold Run, the site that was to become Nevada City. (Source Ed Tyson)

Originally a mining camp founded along Deer Creek in 1849, Nevada City rapidly became the largest and wealthiest mining town in California. At one point, Nevada City was the third largest city in California with a population of 10,000. Nevada City’s good fortune allowed miners and settlers to enjoy plush gambling establishments, hotels, saloons, and stores. However, like many big cities that sprang up quickly during the rush for instant wealth, early Nevada City shared a darker side of claim jumping, murder, brothels and opium dens.

Continue reading Nevada County History, California →

Entertainment

Local Nevada City Song Artist Makes Internet History With 365 Songs In 365 Days

February 18, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/jawOarugkgI

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written throughout his life. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett Family Kentucky Mountaineers, musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by Del-Fi/Donna Records , the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a lifetime member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS), the organization that votes for the Grammys, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan, Donnie Brooks, Susie Allenson and several others.

In 2001, Chris made internet history with his “365 songs in 365 days” project, in which he uploaded a new song he had written every day from January 1 through December 31, 2001, completing a total of 365 original compositions and releasing 26 CDs each with 14 original songs. The 365/365 CDs are out of print, but you can download Chris’ newest album “Stranger In This Land” from ITunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CDBaby as well as most other music sites.

The first single from the album is “Land Of Nod”, and can be viewed on the following link: Nevadacounty.com

Also, Chris’ comedy motorcycle song “You’re the One Who Made Me Sell My Bike” has been in the top 3 of YouTube’s top 10 Motorcycle Songs for 6 months, and can be seen at this link: Nevadacounty.com

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Nevada City and Grass Valley at venues including The National Hotel (7 years), Main Street Bar and Grill, Holbrooke Hotel, Friar Tucks, The Owl Tavern, and venues from the past such as The Coach House (with “Rock of Ages”), Jolly Roger Lanes (“The Dead Cowboys”). He is a railroad minstrel on “The Snow Train” which travels from Emeryville to Reno during January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night before the plays at Off Broad Street Theater in Nevada City, and performs in several musical comedy plays every year at that theater.

You can reach Chris: chris@chriscrockett.com

You’re The One Who Made Me Sell My Bike – A Motorcycle Song by Chris Crockett (nevadacounty.com)
Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett) (nevadacounty.com)
Home Sales Nevada County February 17, 2012 (johnodellrealty.com)

For all your real estate needs:
Call or email
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Real Estate Broker
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE #00669941

Entertainment, Grass Valley

Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett)

February 6, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/-_JTE_u3BSA

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Chris wherever and when ever I get a chance to hear him play in Grass Valley or Nevada City. He has a great voice and this is one of his latest videos he posted on Facebook. Here’s what he has to say about himself on his website:

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written over the past 44 years. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett family of musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California in 1943. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by
Del-Fi/Donna Records, the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a 30 year member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS) and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan and several others.

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Northern California’s Gold Country, primarily in Nevada City and Grass Valley. He is a traveling minstrel on “The Fun Train” which travels from San Francisco to Reno almost every weekend in January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night at a Nevada County Theater, “Off Broad Street”, where he also performs in several musical comedies written and produced by owners John Driscoll and Jan Kopp.

Source: By permission of Chris Crockett

Announcing The Fall Colors of Nevada City and Grass Valley, California: Guide to Spectacular Displays as Peak Fall Foliage Approaches (prweb.com)
“The Christmas Card” in Nevada City (prweb.com)
Nevada County Artwork Design Contest 2012 (nevadacounty.com)

Nevada County Information

Tri Counties Bank, Chico, California, Assumes All of the Deposits of Citizens Bank of Northern California, Nevada City, California

September 24, 2011 jd

September 24, 2011

Citizens Bank of Northern California, Nevada City, California, was closed today by the California Department of Financial Institutions, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Tri Counties Bank, Chico, California, to assume all of the deposits of Citizens Bank of Northern California.

The seven branches of Citizens Bank of Northern California will reopen on Monday as branches of Tri Counties Bank. Depositors of Citizens Bank of Northern California will automatically become depositors of Tri Counties Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of Citizens Bank of Northern California should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Tri Counties Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other Tri Counties Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Citizens Bank of Northern California can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of June 30, 2011, Citizens Bank of Northern California had approximately $288.8 million in total assets and $253.1 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Tri Counties Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

Customers with questions about today’s transaction should call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-430-6165. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time (PDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., PDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., PDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., PDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/cbnc.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $37.2 million. Compared to other alternatives, Tri Counties Bank’s acquisition was the least costly resolution for the FDIC’s DIF. Citizens Bank of Northern California is the 73rd FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the fourth in California. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was San Luis Trust Bank, FSB, San Luis Obispo, on February 18, 2011.

Source FDIC

Problems making your mortgage payments?
Consider the advantages of a short sale
Call or email today for a free consultation

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

Camping, Entertainment, Hiking, Lakes in nevada county, Nevada County Information, Recreation

Bullards Bar Reservoir & Emerald Cove Marina, Dobbins, California

July 4, 2011 jd

Emerald Cove Marina - photo courtesy of Emerald Cove Marina — Emerald Cove Marina – photo courtesy of Emerald Cove Marina

Bullards Bar Reservoir is not in Nevada County, but it is close enough to Nevada City and Grass Valley as to make it a destination for water skiing, house boating and fishing. It’s only 21 miles north of Nevada City off of Highway 49 in the historic gold country. The three closest cities are Nevada City, Grass Valley and Marysville.

The lake surface is at 2,000 foot elevation, 16 miles long with about 60 miles of shoreline. The boating surface is 4,700 acres, which is a lot of area to boat in. There are only two launch ramps and once you are in the water, you are surrounded by a greenbelt covered with pine, oak, fir, madrone, dogwood and other species of trees native to the area. As you cruise up into the North Yuba Canyon, sheer cliffs of granite come down to greet the crystal clear water.

The North Yuba River is backed up by New Bullards Bar Dam which is an awesome sight all by itself. Standing 645? above the canyon floor, it holds back 960,000 acre feet of water. It’s the second tallest dam in California, 5th tallest in the United States. A hydro-electric dam, Bullards Bar Dam is operated and controlled by the Yuba County Water Agency. They are able to manage the water so that recreation access to the reservoir is never restricted.

Bullards Bar offers boat access campgrounds, land based sites, and shoreline camping permits. There are a total of only 160 sites, which limits the amount of people the area can accommodate. Emerald Cove Marina takes site specific reservations for all camping.

For the fisherman, there are kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, German browns, large mouth, small mouth and black bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. Bullards Bar has a reputation as having the best kokanee salmon and black bass fishing in California.

CAMPING
Campgrounds – Call for reservations & fees
Pets, NO Hookups, Boat & Trailer Storage, Some Flush Toilets

BOATING
Power, Row, Jet ski, Windsurf, Canoe, Sail, Water-ski, and Inflatables are allowed.
There is a full service marina with gas and propane exchange available
Rentals: Houseboats, Ski Boats, Jet Skis, and Pontoon Patio Boats

RECREATION
Fishing
Swimming, Picnicking, & Hiking
Snacks, Groceries, Bait & Tackle and Fuel Dock

For further information and reservations contact Emerald Cove Marina (530) 692-3200

View Larger Map
For all your real estate needs, call or email:

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

nevada county fair

Nevada County Mother Lode Horse Show Results

July 2, 2011 jd

The Nevada County Fairgrounds welcomed horse enthusiasts this past weekend as exhibitors competed in the 2011 Mother Lode Horse Show. This annual three-day event gives spectators an opportunity to observe participants work with their horses as they compete in Driving, English, Halter and Western Shows. At the conclusion of each class, competitors are awarded their placing, which is a demonstration of achievement in horsemanship. The results of the Mother Lode Horse Show are listed below.

The Mother Lode Horse Show is the official horse show of the Nevada County Fair. This year’s Nevada County Fair starts Wednesday, August 10 and runs through Sunday, August 14. For more information about the Fair, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

2011 Mother Lode Horse Show Results

I. High Point Winners:

Beginning English Youth: Adison LoPiccolo, Riding The Black Knight
17 & Under English: Shannon Odell, Riding Jo’s Jagged Edge
Walk-Jog 10 & Under: Claire March, Riding Mr. Flashman
Western 13 & Under: Sunny Gorba, Riding Miss Gracie Undercover
Western 14 & Over: Julianne Nevin, Riding Little Miss Mia
Performance Mule: No Award Given – Lack of Entries
American Morgan Horse Award: Scott Monroe with Bethesda After Dark

The Mother Lode Fairs Circuit High Point Awards will be presented at the end of the circuit.

The final horse show will be at the Amador County Fair, July 27 – 31.

II. Awards and Trophies:

Friday, June 24th – Driving Show: Judged by Nancy Myers

Tori Thompson Perpetual Trophy, Pleasure Driving Turnout:

Leslie Berndl, Driving Bethesda After Dark

Sponsored by Noble Beast Graphics of Nevada City and

Owner Tommy Thompson of Grass Valley

Honor Schaps Open Driving:

Leslie Berndl, Driving Bethesda After Dark

Sponsored by Sierra Saddlery & Mercantile

Bab Verdugo Perpetual Trophy for Gamblers Choice:

Leslie Berndl, Driving Bethesda After Dark

Sponsored by Cherie Harter and Golden Empire Equestrians

Saturday, June 25th – English Show: Judged by Peggy Fackrell and Gaited Classes judged by Henry Bell

Ted Schaps Hunter Sweepstakes:

Lyssette Williams, Riding Sueno

Sponsored by Emigrant Springs Horsemanship

Glen Silva Jumper Sweepstakes:

Maguire Lessard, Riding Truth Be Told

South Pine Cafe, Three Locations, Nevada City, Grass Valley and Auburn

April 5, 2011 jd

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)

Bits & Pieces, Environment, Grass Valley

Snow in Nevada County February 25, 2011

February 26, 2011 jd

logan-hiking1

Image 1 of 8

By John J. O’Dell

I awoke this morning to having the power go out for the third time this winter. Not only that, but as I looked out my window, there was three feet of snow. Within the next hour, it was about 4 inches over the top of the handrail. Now I don’t have a wood stove so there is no way to heat my house when the power goes out. So needless to say, it was starting to get cold.

The best thing to do when this happens is to get out of there and go somewhere else. I thought I could work at my new office located in the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, but guess what? Power was out in Nevada City, the Brunswick Area and Grass Valley. So much for working today.

I’ve taken a bunch of pictures of my trip from my house in Cascade Shores to Grass Valley. On the trip down the hill (I’m at the 3,700 foot elevation) there were power lines and trees down again as in the last snow storm. There was even a power line down on S. Auburn Street in Grass Valley where a tree came down and took the line down from a power pole to a house across the street.

Hopefully the power will come back sooner than the 4-5 days it took PG&E to restore power in the last snow storm.

For all your real estate needs Call
John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE# 00669941

Business

How Local Business People Are Becoming Stronger Leaders

February 13, 2011 jd

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.

nevada county fair

Nevada County Fair – Win $250 In Artwork Design Contest

December 1, 2010 jd

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is sponsoring a contest to find the best artwork to illustrate the 2011 Nevada County Fair theme – “Gold! Rush to the Fair.” If you’re a talented artist, and you’d like $250, then this is the contest to enter!

The contest, which is open to Nevada County residents only, takes place now through Friday, January 14. If you submit the winning artwork, you will win $250 and a 2011 Nevada County Fair package that includes admission tickets, parking and carnival coupons. Additionally, the winning artwork will be used on various Fair promotional pieces, print ads, buttons, t-shirts, banners, posters, and fliers.

Interested artists may use any medium and can submit up to three entries, which must be on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper. Entries can be delivered to the Fairgrounds Office at 11228 McCourtney Road or mailed to the Fair Office at PO Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. A complete set of rules can be found on the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, or by calling the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217.

Lucy Galbraith of Nevada City submitted the winning slogan, “Gold! Rush to the Fair,” for the five day Fair, August 10 – 14, 2011

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

Related articles

logan-hiking1