Dixie Fix

Could Starbucks Take Over the Arby's Site?

I heard they doubled Arby's rent from $2,000 to $4,000 a month to force them out. And Starbucks wants to expand, and Arby's has a drive-though. Makes sense, doesn't it? Forget getting any iformation out of the Pineless Creekless Shopping Center management company. When I used to call them to ask about killing the birds that nest there, they would just hang up on me. Nice.

Red Light Ball, Rain, Random Stuff Around Town..

The Red light Ball was a sea of black last night...men's suits and women's pantsuits and dresses. Maybe we should ALL wear red next year? Rocky is a great band! The event was a sell-out, plus I heard 150 on the waiting list for cancellations! Wow! At $45 a head, that makes you wonder "what recession?" (truth in lending, KNCO, my employer bought a table for 12!) Talk about supporting the community!

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The storm is here..started slow..but the Weather Guru on Twitter (aka Giovanni) says he'll update at 11.

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I see Alice's in Grass Valley is having a "retirement" sale. Another empty storefront. But Rhythm Cafe (which has had about 10,000 names in the last 2 years; The Beat, etc.) is moving into the space the Railroad Cafe was in on Main Street. I wonder if the train is still there? Or where it went?

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Have I mentioned the Mardi Gras Parade in the downpour? Time to rethink a late February outdoor event in the Foothills?

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Whether you're friend or foe of the chambers here, there is an important open meeting on Tuesday morning at the Board of Realtors concerning the future and whether Nevada County should have 1 joint chamber. Make your views heard! That's in the Whispering Pines Biz Park at 9 a.m.

The Sad Corner @ Broad and Nevada Street, Dogs, Party Friday Night

It is a stark reminder of the economy to go by Dos Banditos (dark) and The Stonehouse (mostly dark) and whatever the shop is next to Dos Banditos...something coming there? The Stonehouse is re-inventing itself as The old Brewery and this Friday night (2/27) will have a great local band playing rock n roll. They're called Sgt. Funky and consist of musicians who have been playing all their lives. They good -- and fun -- and it's hard to stay seated! Of course I'm prejudiced because Robert Crabb (my husband) is in the band, along with Michael Young, Michael Bremmer, Grahme Little, Jonathan Lyerly and Marty Dinwiddie. Check them out! Doors open about 7, beer, wine and spirits for sale, small plates by Austin Farrar for sale. It's $15 to get in...that covers the rental of the building. C'mon down!!

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The Dogs of Cascade Shores that I know personally: Harry, Jenna, Bonnie, Chloe, Hefner, Victoria, Duffy, Maya, Reagan, Dixie (a Golden), Sadie, Mochie, Hans...there are many more I know on sight. How many neighborhood dogs do you know?

Peanut Salmonella Strikes Famous Realtor

Phil Ruble announced at Rotary that his wife, Nevada County's hardest working Realtor, Mimi Simmons, was hospitalized with salmonella poisoning! She went to Boomtown -- don't worry, no local restaurant -- and had a Thai dish with peanuts. The next day Phil was calling 911. He said she was in the hospital 5 days..that's terrible. But is now on the mend, and of course, back at work. If you know Mimi that won't come as a surprise. Isn't that scary? I assumed the peanut thing was all taken care of -- guess not.

Adios Dos Banditos...

The place hasn't been open for a week...I heard the staff got pink slipped and another restaurant owner told me the beer distributor was not paid. I don't know about the hot dog/taco stand on upper Broad Street. I tried to call Eric but only got answering machine. 

Speaking of restaurants, owners of the 5 Mile House are being sued.

I came across a weird site (it may be part of Facebook) but I'll bet you can Google "You know You Live in Grass Valley When" and get it. There are also some classic Police Blotters posted there. I thik it may be a Facebook group but anyone can read or join or not.

What's up with all the stores on Mill Street that were closed on Monday, President's Day? That's when people shop, when they have the day off. Crazy!

Two important meetings tonight: Ralf Swenson at NU on drastic school cuts and GV Planning Commission on Walgreens and possible new restaurant in the Basin. Or, go hear Chuck Durrett (great guy!) on co-housing and sustainability at the vets hall in NC.

Louisiana Ken's Gen-U-Wine Red Beans & Rice; Blazes

I had this last night and it was definately the best version I've ever had! It makes a lot, and I did it in the crock pot.

2 packages 1 lb. dried red beans (do NOT use canned)

I med to large onion, chopped

2 Green bell peppers, chopped

2 large celery stalks, chopped

2 cups chicken stock

Andouille sausage (I substituted ham)

pepper, Italian herbs, Chachere's Cajun seasoning

Soak beans overnight in cold water.

Rinse in morning and cover with fresh cold water

Pour bullion into beans

Add everything else and stir

Either simmer for 3-4 hours after it comes to a boil, stirring often or cook in crick pot on low for 6-8 hours.

Ken's secret tip -- mash a couple or 3 cups of beans and add back to pot. This cooks for awhile, making the gravy that thickens it. Not good to use cornstarch or flour to thicken. Enjoy!!

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Bill Holman thinks Blazes was where Friar Tucks is, not the Country Rose site. Historians?

Country Rose Leased; 'Milk,' Louisiana

I'm excited that this closed restaurant is going to have a new life as a "Northridge-Style" family friendly, inexpensive place. Watch the paper go up on the windows as the extensive remodeling begins. Did you know it was called 'Blazes' in the 1800's?

Milk -- wow! It's always interesting to see a movie when you lived through that time. It certainly gave me a new perspective on the whole gay rights movement and that the murders were a lot more than that. Sean Penn was amazing and managed to convey Harvey Milk's charisma and charm. I forgot he was Sean Penn until the movie was almost over!

Thanks to Ken Newton I am cooking -- as we speak -- his Gen-U-wine red beans and rice from New Orleans. It's amazing the connections that come from this blog and the Internet.

New Restaurant Coming to Nevada City!

I can't give all the details yet, but you will see construction at the old Country Rose, on Commercial across from Tucks. I'm told it will be a cross between Cheers and the Northridge -- locals, family friendly, inexpensive and everyone knows your name. Stay tuned for more. It will probably be 2 months before it is ready to open.

Kane's penne pasta with seafood is a wallet buster but fabulous!!

And if you haven't tried Tortilla Grill's shrimp enchiladas, you're in for a treat. They'd be a $23 entree in a restaurant; instead about $7, take out or eat in. One TG is on Commercial Street by Cooper's and the other is next to Sierra Cinemas.

Delightful Hollywood Sweets Story, Yuba Net ....

This comes from Ken Newton....

Knowing how you like these little slices of the community, here's a great story about 'Hollywood Sweets' the bakery/deli by Long's.  With Mardi Gras coming up, it's timely for those who want a little slice of heaven from 

New Orleans

.

 

The bakery was recently purchased by a lovely young couple; Valentina is the owner I have met, a very delightful lady.  As you may remember, I'm from 

New Orleans

, home of the amazing muffeletta Italian sandwich.  The muffeletta was originated decades ago at Central Grocery in the French Quarter and is a genuine one-of-a-kind, not to be found anywhere else in the country due to the very unique bread used in its making.  Since moving to 

California

 in 1987, I have shared the disappointment of many N'awlins expatriates of never being able to find just the right bread when making my muffeletta.  So, this year I was determined to get it right.  I searched the internet and, sure enough, found a recipe on NOLAcuisine.  I asked Valentina at Hollywood Sweets if she would make me a couple of loafs for my NFL championship playoff party.  What a gal!  She not only made them to perfection but delivered them to my door!  So, for anyone wanting the original, just-like-you-get-at-Central-Grocery muffeletta, Hollywood Sweets may the only bakery outside of 

New Orleans

 to make it happen for you.  For the recipe and instructions on how to make the sandwich:http://www.nolacuisine.com/2005/08/21/muffuletta-bread-recipe/

Ken isn't the only fan of the new ownership of Hollywood Sweets...they are building a strong connection in the community.And, get this: they greet you when you walk in, smile, and say "be right with you" if they're with a customer. When you leave, same thing!

Pascale will kill me for this, but she and Susan were honored by the Board of Supervisors yesterday for their 10 years of exceptional work on Yuba Net. I say kudos for a job well done! If you see either of this Dynamic Duo, congratulate them -- but run fast because Pascale probably has a mean left hook. She doesn't take praise well.

 

Oop's..it's MATT who Owns the Businesses in NSJ

Do you ever just know a person's name? They look like a Barbara, even though their name might be Gigi? Well, Matt just looked like a Justin to me. Sorry! I wrote about he and his wife yesterday, and how they're running 3 businesses in North San Juan. Sorry Matt!

Have you been "found" on the Internet? A young reporter who worked for me more than 20 years ago in Orange County just wrote me a wonderful letter and told me what I meant to her and what she's been doing all these years since. It's amazing how connected we can be though the Internet. When I asked her how she found me, she said she's been "following" me for many years just to see what I was up to. I'm glad she made contact. Do you follow anyone on the Internet without them knowing it? This is a new concept to me.