Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Ayurveda, which means “the science of life,” is a healing science from India that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.

The California College of Ayurveda offers the most comprehensive curriculum in the field of Ayurveda education in California.

CCA, for short, will make its new home at the former Miner’s Clinic in Nevada City, relocating from 1117 East Main in Grass Valley, according to a press release. The Clinic has been for sale for a long time.

The vision for the facility includes a community health care clinic and food gardens, as well as an educational center.

“We are so very happy to announce the purchase of the former Miner’s Clinic,” it read. “This transaction would not have been possible without the generosity of the former owner (Dan Mason) who agreed to self-finance the transaction.”

The transition will begin with planning the first phase of remodeling of the 12,500 square-foot facility, located on nearly 2 acres.

The first and second phases include space for classrooms, clinics and a yoga center, among other facilities. The third phase will focus on dormitories for students.

A fundraising effort is underway to help make the vision a reality.

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It’s downright un-American to declare the winner of a race before all the candidates have filed, but I’m starting to feel more certain about the outcome on the Grass Valley City Council.

In a small town, it’s predictable because the pool of candidates is — well — small. Yes, yes, I know the election is in November. But it’s not that hard to figure this one out.

Last month, I declared that Jason Fouyer, chairman of the city planning commission, would be a front-runner to run for the Council.

“I suspect somebody who is lower profile, such as Jason, would enter the race instead,” I said on July 7. “If Patti (Ingram-Spencer) runs, that could prompt Steve (Enos) to jump into the race — creating some real fireworks of opposing opinions.”

Like clockwork, Jason pulled his papers to run on Monday. Incumbent Dan Miller already has pulled his nomination papers. Ed Yarborough and Pat Tureaud also have pulled papers.

While dinged by the defeat of John Spencer, the Grass Valley political “machine” — and I use that term more loosely in this economy — will back Miller and Fouyer. Miller is a long-timer, and Fouyer is an up-and-comer.

The others don’t have enough political “mo-jo.”

Jan Arbuckle, who will be mayor, nominated Fouyer to the planning commission. He’s a good candidate: a younger family man with a good job, an ear for business and — I hope — an open mind.

Other council members are Lisa Swarthout and Yolanda Cookson. Add Miller and Fouyer to the mix and you have a like-minded, but low-key bunch.

No fireworks, with the exception of Dan getting worked up from time to time.

The wild card on the Grass Valley Council always has been former council member Steve Enos. But I doubt he will run. Enos could wind up being the planning commissioner who is appointed by Terry Lamphier, who defeated Spencer.

I’d be willing to bet a smoked turkey and avocado Club sandwich at the Holbrooke Hotel on this outcome. A much riskier bet is the future of the Holbrooke itself, which faces a foreclosure sale on Aug. 23.

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The Sacramento Bee has an article in Monday’s paper: “Brown rips Whitman wealth — has a bit of his own.” Well, not exactly Meg’s wealth.

“Brown, in a financial report filed in December 1991, valued at between $100,000 and $250,000 land and cabins he owned in Nevada County,” according to the article. The story is unclear whether he owns the land now — not exactly the kind of Silicon Valley real estate in Meg’s portfolio.

I checked with the county Assessor’s and Clerk Recorder’s office, and Brown no longer is listed as an owner.

In the ’70s, Brown owned as much as 160 acres between Nevada City and North San Juan on Jackass Flats and Blind Shady roads, according to the records.

But the land was broken into parcels and Brown sold his share about 1995, the records show.

Jerry and San Juan Ridge beat poet Gary Snyder are longtime friends, as I reported previously. He was named head of the California Arts Council when Jerry was governor.

Now Gary is 79 years old and Jerry is 72. Some long-timers around here tell stories about how Jerry sent a car up to the Ridge to pick up Gary when he was on the Arts Council (AKA, Governor “Moonbeam” days).

I saw Jerry and Gary together at the premier for his film “Practice of the Wild” in San Francisco this spring.

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The Union Publisher settled his civil suit with Penn Valley resident Jim Knight for a donation to Six Degrees of Hope, a nonprofit to help prevent drug abuse, The Union reported on Monday.

The amount of the donation paid by Knight’s insurer was not disclosed, though Knight’s lawyer, Brad Thomas, called it “relatively small.”

Jeff Ackerman’s suit had asked for at least $1.5 million in compensation.

The background of the suit is here.

Ackerman had filed a civil lawsuit against Knight of Lake Wildwood, alleging “bodily injury and emotional distress” involving an incident that occurred at the newspaper on Oct. 20, according to public documents on file in Nevada County Superior Court.

The more than $1 million claim “adds insult to injury,” Thomas said previously, adding that “willful and wanton conduct on (Ackerman’s) own part proximately caused and contributed to the happening of the incident in question.”

Thomas said he was referring to a column Ackerman wrote on Oct. 20 about the death of Knight’s daughter. “It’s tough to keep a 17-year-old’s death by heroin overdose a secret, try as some might to put a pretty picture on it,” the column said in part. Knight is the golf pro at Lake Wildwood.

“Defendant Jim Knight, intentionally and without justifiable cause struck plaintiff Jeffrey Ackerman, causing him to fall to the ground,” according to the complaint.

Knight’s response contended “(Ackerman) initially attacked (Knight) and if, in fact, defendant committed any assault on plaintiff, said action was performed . . . in self defense.”

“Jim Knight has been through a lot since the death of his daughter,” Thomas told The Union. “He still adamantly denies any liability, but continuing with this case was not in his best interest from an emotional standpoint.”

“I’m pleased that something good came of (the) tragedy,” The Union quoted Ackerman as saying. “My intent at the beginning was to put a spotlight on teen drug abuse, and I hope nothing but the best for Six Degrees of Hope in its efforts to keep the spotlight bright.”

The county District Attorney never filed charges in the case.

The Union’s online version of the story does not allow for comments to be posted about the settlement. People who comment here are asked to be respectful and constructive on this sensitive topic.

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