Dixie Fix

Guess Who's Back? Plus Other Stuff

I ran into someone at a party Saturday night who told me former Nevada City vice mayor Sheila Stein is back. She's not living in Nevada County, but she's close. I'll bet we see her here before too long.

Did you know Judith Berliner made the wedding invitations for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome? Wow!

I don't think there was a dry eye in the house at Sierra Cinema's showing of "Marley and Me." The book is always better than the movie, but it was a great dog story and made you want to appreciate every minute with our 4-legged friends. Denise Cain and I gave our dogs long hugs after the movie.

I'm almost done with Wally Lamb's new book "The Hour I First Believed." (He wrote "She's Come Undone" and "This Much I know is True.") When I first heard it had to do with Columbine I thought I'd skip it...and then when I saw it was 740 pages I was sure I'd skip it, but I picked it up (locally) and it is an AMAZING story. If you're a fan of his, this is Lamb at his best. It's a generational saga, but also about forgiveness and redemption and women's rights and so much more.

Chaos Clothing Moving, Another Restaurant Closing, ...

Chaos is moving to Downtown Grass Valley...a good move for them. I've bought a few hoodies and other stuff for the grandkids there.

A Grass Valley restaurant is closing...I'll give the name as soon as I can. It's a sad story.

Fright Night at The Foundry should be a good time for all! Gretchen says the pre-sale tickets have been brisk. You're sure to see some fab costumes!

Stopped at Humpty Dumpty last night to pick up 2 hamburgers for dinner -- and I was curious what a 94 cent burger looked like. First of all, they're regular size with all the fixings. They were great, and reminded me of the old burgers you used to get at Foster Freeze. And, if you don't ask for the 94 cent burger they will charge you $5 -- the regular price.

I hear Toffanelli's in GV is starting Pasta nights...when I have more details I'll let you know. If you've never had breakfast there you're missing out.

Our Own Gary Snyder Makes The New Yorker

He's in the current issue -- Oct. 20th -- a nice long New Yorker style piece about this national treasure who lives among us. Great story! Check it out online if you don't subscribe.

Speaking of treasures, there was a Love Fest last night at Miners Foundry for Tim O'Connor -- award winning actor {Peyton Place, Mash, Airplane, Walker Texas Ranger, and much more) His Readers Theatre performed "Spoon River Anthology" with 7 actor/readers. Written almost 100 years ago, it's a wonderful reflection on life and death and how we might explain things at the end. Terrific theater!

If you're interested in the Grass Valley City Council election, tune in to KNCO between 2 and 3 Thursday afternoon to hear all the candidates, without leaving your living room! (830 AM)

Which lasted longer? This election season or the Broad Street going-out-business-sale?

Did you know they microchip cactus in Arizona so it won't be stolen?

Did you know local criminal defense attorney Steven Munkelt belongs to the League of WOMEN Voters?

Back to Blogging....

Every time I get too busy to blog, I invariably run into someone berating me for not keeping up...then I feel guilty, and get back in the saddle.

Heard on the street: Chris Keyser and a couple partners MIGHT buy the Broad Street Furnishings building for the California Organics market/restaurant, but they are embarking on a feasibility study first before signing anything.

I'm in the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute -- we had our first meeting yesterday and continue today. It goes for the next 10 months and I already can tell it is going to be extremely informative and fun. There are about 25 in the class, from every walk of life, and I've already been able to put a face to some people I only knew through telephone conversations. We have a couple elected officials, county department heads, lawyers, community activists, you name it. Great group! I would encourage anyone who wants to be involved in Nevada County on a deeper level to check out this opportunity.

I wonder how long the Land Trust is going to hang onto that $600,000 that Mr. Salter gave them?

Lou Trovato's Bald Head & More

When I asked the Nevada City Police Chief about his new 'do, he told me it was in solidarity with his wife, who lost her hair while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. What a nice gesture!! "Now, we're twins," he told me. Please put his wife in your thoughts and prayers! As a breast cancer survivor myself (Class of '94) I can feel for what she's going through. It's very bizarre to be a woman and lose your hair -- some say that's the worst part of the treatment. And forget wigs...they are itchy and hot. Anyway, a very sweet gesture on Lou's part.

And the Stonehouse closing...a sad thing. I love the building, the location, and Mimi and Pam were very hospitable hostesses. Hopefully Nico can find someone else to rent that beautiful building.

On the other hand, Pat Butler gave rave reviews to a sandwich from the Beach Hut deli, so as one place closes another opens...

Peets Coffee Going in at Raleys

They're going to put the coffee bar where the Chinese food is now, and the Chinese food will become self serve. They're also changing their wine tasting to Fridays at 5. Raleys wine tasting is the bargain of the century. Cost: $3, but it really is free because you get a $3 coupon off any wine in the store. And, they serve food for free! Check it out.

There's a rumor around town that Weaver Auto is closing, so I called Tom Weaver to check it out. Totally false, Tom says. He says the car business is hurting along with everything else in this economy, but he is here for the long haul. Tom is a great guy.

The Real Reason for Sheila Stein's Hasty Exit?

I was told Sheila walked away from 5 Nevada City houses. The Grove Street house was in the foreclosure notices a few weeks ago, and today The Onion printed a second foreclosure -- her house on Pine Street. Almost $800,000 was owed on that one. I always liked Sheila, but it sure seemed like she left town in a hurry...this may be why. Just another victim of the real estate market going to Hell in a handbasket. Sad.