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Scoop: Levine, now Firth to run for Grass Valley City Council?
Posted on December 1, 2011 by jeffpelline
Howard Levine, who will retire from the Grass Valley Downtown Association next spring, is considering a run for the Grass Valley City Council, as I reported previously. Now Jim Firth also is considering throwing his hat into the ring for an open seat next year, according to my sources.
Firth is chairman of the county’s Democratic Central Committee. He’s active in the community. Here’s an item from the minutes of a Grass Valley City Council meeting:
“Jim Firth, Grass Valley resident
Mr. Firth is in favor of the (Loma Rica) development, though expressed concern with air quality and traffic issues. He feels that lowering the density of the project could lower air quality concerns; the roundabout is not a good solution at Idaho-Maryland and Brunswick; and Dorsey Drive should not connect at the proposed location.”
Though it’s early for candidates to officially declare their candidacy, this is what’s making the rounds. My sources are reliable. After all, “this is a small town, and you hear things.”
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Surf’s up at Lake Tahoe!
Posted on December 1, 2011 by jeffpelline
The West Shore Cafe & Inn on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe posted this photo on its Facebook page — locals in wetsuits riding the waves from this week’s howling winds. I called and the restaurant confirmed it was true:
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Advent calendars
Posted on December 1, 2011 by jeffpelline
“Happy December 1!” my son said to me this morning. Sure. He bounded downstairs to open the first door on his advent calendar. This one, from Jordan Wood in Grass Valley, is a big wooden box with 25 doors. A family friend gave it to him last year.
This year she sent up a box of goodies for each door: Today’s was a wind-up Santa Claus toy that has our dog curious.
The history of advent calendars goes back to the German Lutherans in the 19th century. When I was a child, we used to get paper-made advent calendars that had chocolates inside. Now there are Lego advent calendars. What a world.
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O wind, a-blowing all day long
Posted on December 1, 2011 by jeffpelline
Except for sailing, I’ve never been a big fan of the wind. In Chicago, it was bone chilling. On top of Squaw Valley’s ski slopes, it can be frigid. When you’re camping, you can’t light the stove or grill.
Last night the wind was howling. We didn’t lose any branches — or big trees — like last year. That’s the upside of wind without heavy snow, (AKA Sierra Cement). In fact, the leaves have blown off most of the trees, so I figure that fewer branches will fall in our yard under the weight of snow this winter. But it sure created a mess: Pine needles are everywhere. I even saw some tangled up in the handles of the barbeque.
Here’s a poem from childhood about the wind that I always liked, by Robert Louis Stevenson. I’ll think of it when I’m raking up pine needles this weekend:
The Wind
by Robert Louis Stevenson
I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies’ skirts across the grass–
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all–
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
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“Herman is Squirmin’”
Posted on December 1, 2011 by jeffpelline
The blogosphere is in high gear, poking fun at the alleged dalliances of presidential candidate Herman Cain. “Herman is Squirmin” writes one. A parody of this movie is below. The frontrunner, who is named Newt, has been married three times. He admits to “moments of weakness” in having an extramarital affair. By contrast, Obama — known as “Barry” in his youth — has been married once, to the same woman, since 1992. His family values seem rock solid. The couple’s two daughters — Malia and “Sosh” — are handling the public spotlight with grace and poise. The Obama family values are admirable, and I like that.
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