KENDALL REFLECTIONS - FATHER AND SON

My Kendall Arnett reflections for 2013 are ....

Isaiah Pineiro of Placer, Justin Beskeen of Bear River and Will Buell and Matt Larson of Colfax are very good Foothill basketball players who will be fun to watch as the Pioneer Valley League season rolls along.

The real high point of my 6th consecutive Holiday basketball tournament is spending it with my son. We began attending the Kendall when he was 7 years old. We both look forward to sitting on the hard wood planks within the Earl Crabbe Gymnasium for three consecutive days at half court opposite the benches so we can see everything.

The most entertaining coach in the tournament is from Del Campo (his team has won the past two years). He is what we call a screamer. He is always in the game either yelling at is players or ridding a referee about a call that was made or not made. He is as aggressive as his defenders.

The one player who my son and I have enjoyed watching play for the past 3 years is a 5-foot-7 point guard from San Juan, Lincoln Gallegos. He is quick, has great ball handling skills and can shoot the 3. He comes to play every game and makes those around him better. Hats off to him.

My son asked me on the way home from the 2012 championship game, "Dad who will you go to the games with if I'm playing in the tournament?" I will go with you son, I may not be sitting next to you during the games but I will always be with you, I replied.

This is a special father and son time for us. I may not remember who won or lost but I will remember the special time we have shared.

NEVADA CITY BALL DROP - NOT HAPPENING

I got word the Nevada City Ball Drop has officially been canceled. It sounded like a great idea. But organizers and City officials felt it could have gotten out of hand.

What are you going to do now?

NEVADA CITY BALL DROP - FIRST EVER 2012

I don't have a lot of info on this event nor the time to look into it. So here is what I know.

I received this email today (12/31/2012) at 12:30 p.m.

Wow This is a great idea and how fun to be the first ever. xxxxx got a message today that they re going to drop a ball in Nevada City at the corner of Broad and Pine.

They are looking for people to be there at 11:00 pm and drop the Ball NY style at Midnight

xxxxx and I are thinking of going so we'll see you there. BYOB or visit to a local tavern prior. Something different and its free!

Happy New Year!! Hope to see you there.

NEVADA COUNTY REAL ESTATE - DEAL OF THE DAY - 1860 VICTORIAN

Today's Deal of the Day is 515 West Main street which is located in the heart of downtown Grass Valley. The home was constructed in 1860 and remodeled in 1998. It boasts 3,232 sq. ft. with 5 bedrooms 3 full baths and one half bath which sits on .39 acres.

The asking price is $587,000 and as you can see by the chart below prices are moving higher. The demand for housing continues to rise while inventory continues to decrease. The rules of supply and demand are in play as we close out 2012 therefore prices should continue to rise.

This property is priced well for the type of home that it is. When people think of Grass Valley this is the type of home they think of therefore there is a premium placed on it due to location and style of arcatecture.

The listing agent describes the property as...
This Fabulous Nob Hill Victorian Home is ready to move into. Located in the Heart of Grass Valley. Picture having your holiday feast with family and friends right here. This home is on the Grass Valley Historic Registry. Located on one of the largest lots in the area. You will love the formal parlors, formal dining room and remodeled kitchen. Comfort oozes from the family room. The library/bedroom on the main floor has multiple use possibilities. The master bedroom opens into the nursery/lounge. This home has 5 bedrooms and 3 & 1/2 baths, a greenhouse/sun-room, mature landscaping with fruit trees and grape vines. All bedrooms have closets too! Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to own one of Grass Valley’s finest properties.

If you have interest in seeing this home please give me a call.

BAT FOR LASHES VIDEO - WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO

While trolling on youtube recently I discovered a new artist (2009). Not very new. But new to me. Not only do I like the sound of the lead singer but the video is simple but also very well done. It reminds me of the early MTV years. You may recall MTV started by playing music videos in 1981.

From Wikipedia- Natasha Khan (born 25 October 1979), known by her stage name as Bat for Lashes, is an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has released three studio albums, Fur and Gold (2006), Two Suns (2009) and The Haunted Man (2012), and received Mercury Prize nominations for Fur and Gold and Two Suns.

It is a fun video with some very interesting visuals.

KENDALL ARNETT JUNIOR VARSITY FINAL BRACKET

I did not a see a game and I did not hear anything about the games. If you did please give details and or scores. 

KENDALL ARNETT FINAL - 2011 REPEAT

Del Campo came into Earl Crabbe Gymnasium on the campus of Placer High school on Saturday for a championship game against the host team and jumped to and early 10-2 lead. A lead they never gave up even though Placer was able to make a fourth quarter run the Hillman couldn't get over the hump falling to Del Campo 78-66. Del Campo successfully defended their 2011 championship.

Isaiah Pineiro gave everything he had in the contest but Del Campo is a well balanced scoring team with to many weapon. Many of the Hillman players played well including Peter Kean as well as McNamara who fouled out of the game.

The last time Placer won the Kendall Arnett was in 2004.

Game Notes

Del Campo opened the game like a champion driving the ball to the basket to pull out to a 10~2 lead while placer missed 3 consecutive

Layups. Placer coach mark lee called a time out at 5:31 in hopes of turning Del Campos momentum around. Lee called a second timeout at 3:56 while falling farther behind at 16~2.

Del Campo closed the first quarter shooting very well as Placer continued to struggle with all aspects of their game trailing 23~7.

Placer's reserve point guard Entz and Pineiro rallied the Hillman in the second quarter as Del Campo committed their 10th foul midway through the quarter to pull within 10 points but Del Campos 3 point shooting was just to much as the first half closed with a score of 42~28.

Pineiro led the Hillman once again in the 3rd while his team stepped up their defense.

Del Campo is up 59~46 to start the fourth and final quarter at the 71st Kendall Arnett basketball tournament. McNamary made two nice steals to open the 4th which cut Del Campo's lead to 10 followed by Pineiro cutting it to 8 with an offensive rebound put back for a score 59~53 with 4:57 to play in the 2012 championship game.

Mcnamara picks up 4th foul at 4:21. Placer cut the lead to 6 but Del Campo answers with an 18 foot contested jump shot.

70~62 with 2 minutes to play.

McNamara fouled out at 1:03.

72~64 with 54 sec to play. Del Campo continues to make their foul shots, making 14 consecutive. Placer hits a 3 to cut the lead to 6.

Del Campo #23 goes to the line makes them both. 25 seconds as Del Campos foul shooting iced the game.

In earlier action Colfax defeated Union Mine 67-62. El Camino defeated Woodcreek and Bear River dropped San Juan.

BEAR RIVER BOYS BASKETBALL - KENDALL ARNETT RESULTS

Nick Backus comes up big in the second quarter for Bear River on Saturday which lifted his team over San Juan High School 58-53 in a consolation bracket game. Three consecutive days is a lot of basketball.

The Bruins went to Backus as both Justin Beskeen and Espinoza were in foul trouble most of the contest.

Beskeen was selected to the 71st Kendall Arnett All-tournament team.

Game Notes

San juan opened to 10~4. BR scored 6 to knot but lincoln's point guard Gillagos made a 3 to close the quarter at 13~10 in favor of san juan.

Beskeen who is the teams leading scorer picked up his 3rd personal with 3:34 in the second. Score 22~20 SJ leading.

Backus scored 6 to move score to 26~22 SJ calls a TO to try and find an answer for the 6~foot~8 Bruin's senior.

Backus lifts BR in the second scoring 10 points in the quarter on 4~4 from the floor and 2~2 from the line including one offensive put-back

Bear River leads 30~23 at intermission.

SJ Tweedle exits the game with 4 fouls with 6:36 to play in the 3rd with a score of 34~26 BR. Beskeen 4th foul with 1:24 in 3rd. 43~34 BR. 45~34 end 3rd BR in front.

2 consecutive 3 by SJ to start the 4th moved the Spartans within striking range at 46~42 Espinoza and Beskeen with 4 fouls. Spartan press the Bruins who are having trouble ball handling . Two quick BR scores 50~44. BR time out to get Espinoza and Beskeen back in the game.

Beskeen fouled out at 3:38 in fourth 50~45. 

The win was not pretty for the Bruins but a win after 2 consecutive losses the team looked to be very happy.

Kendall Arnett Junior Varsity final bracket

LADY BRUINS FALL

The Bear River Lady Bruins varsity basketball team went to bed this past night with a perfect record and today they fell to Rio Americano 44-37. Details to follow.

71st KENDALL ARNETT BOYS BASKETBALL - DAY TWO RESULTS

Placer High School will play in the championship game of the 71st Kendall Arnett Basketball Tournament on Saturday at 8 pm as Isaiah Pineiro lifted the Hillman to a 69-61 dog fight of a victory over El Camino High School in a semi-final contest.

The Hillman played most of the second half without their sharpshooting point guard Peter Kean as he picked up his 4-foul within the first two minutes in the third quarter.

The Earl Crabbe Gymnasuim got a rockin when a El Camino player locked up with Pineiro in a jump ball and proceeded to hit Placer's star player in the mouth with him fist. I missed the punch but got the coaches and fan reaction as well as the fans yelling hostily at #11 as he was escorted out of the gym. The video is below.

Game Notes

At the end quarter that looked more like a football game than a basketball game El Camino held a 10-8 lead. Placer committed 7 fouls and El Camino tallied 8. Placer turned the ball over while El Camino shot poorly from the foul fine or the scoring may have been high.



Placer took the lead at 14~12 midway through the second as both teams continued to playing tough hard-nosed man to man.



El Camino knocked down 3 consecutive 3 pointers in the final 2 minutes of the first half to extend their lead to 31-23 at the break.



Placer's kean picked up his 4th foul with 521 to play in the 3rd. Kean is the teams primary ball handler and 3 point shooter. Placer t



Placer re-takes lead 34~33 with 3:24 remaining in 3rd on an old school 3 point play by McNamara.



Placer came out of the locker room not wanting to disappoint their home crowd and roared back to take the 44~40 lead to end the third



El Camino post player got tied up with Pineiro in a jump ball and hit Pineiro in the face and was ejected from the game.



El Camion is a poor foul shooting team.



3 min to play placer takes the lead  55~53 and does not look back as Pineiro continued his dominance.

The stands were rocking to the Hillman Band as Placer has not won their own tournament since 2004.

Del Campo vs Woodcreek

Del Campo led by 10 at intermission over the scrappy defensive team who pressured the ball all over the court. The game was close most of the way and Woodcreek put a late game run to cut the score to 49-42 entering the final quarter. Del Campo made a few turnovers and the Timber wolves only trailed by 4 inside four minutes until the final horn. Del Campo make their late in the game foul shots as they won 67-57. With the win Del Campo moves to the final game where they will defend their 2011 Kendall championship.

Day two scoreboard

Colfax dropped Bear River 67-53

Union Mine dropped San Juan 71-63

Del Campo dropped Woodcreek 67-57

Placer dropped El Camino 69-61

Saturday schedule

Bear River will play San Juan at 3:30 (7th and 8th place)

Colfax will play Union Mine at 5:00 (5th and 6th place)

El Camino will play Woodcreek at 6:30 (3rd and 4th place)

Placer will play Del Campo at 8:00 (Championship)

56TH ANNUAL OPTIMIST ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME - FULL REPLAY

Touchdown Production's replay of the 56th annual Optismist football game can be seen in its entirity below. This is the game where Sacramento's top High School football players battle it out on the campus of Del Oro High School December 22, 2012. Enjoy the replay!

The 56th annual Optimist All Star Football game rolls in to Golden Eagle Stadium on the campus of Del Oro High school Saturday, December 22, 2012 featuring the best high school football players in the Sacramento area. Co-Sponsored by the Sacramento Bee. Marty Mortensen, Paul Brown, Steve Sitter and Scott Hopper bring you bring you all the action of this high scoring contest. Half time feature an extensive interview with Optimist board member Ross Relles on what the Optimist Club stands for, it's work in the community and how the Football Game was created and how the proceeds are used to fund other Optimist programs. Recorded LIVE at Golden Eagle Stadium by TouchDown Productions. DVD's are available at www.touchdownproductions.com/store

71st KENDALL ARNETT - BEAR RIVER, COLFAX, PLACER - RESULTS

Kendall Arnett

Basketball

Tournament

Bear River's boys varsity team fell in first round action at the 71st annual Kendal Arnett basketball tournament to El Camino which sets the table for two Pioneer Valley League rivals on Friday afternoon at 3:30.

Not only did the Bruins fall so did Colfax. This will be the first meeting between two of the area's top teams. Colfax fell to a tough Del Campo team with a chance to win with a shot that hit the rim and fell off the iron as the buzzer sounded. Colfax played well but the tournament's defending champ won in the end.

Placer on the other hand used great three point shooting as well as pounding the ball into the paint as they dropped San Juan by 10 plus points. The Hillman jumped out to an early 10 point lead but the Spartans chipped away and knotted the score by the half. Placer made 5 of 8 three point shots which gave the Hillman breathing room winning 66-54 as they were the only local team to move to semi-final round.

Touchdown Production was there for all three local first round games today, please check back for a full replay of all the day's action.

JV

Bear River JV boys beat Union Mine in Overtime 42-37 avenging a loss to them in the Union Mine Tournament last month. They will now play Placer at 1:30 tomorrow with the winner advancing to the championship game.

BEAR RIVER LADY BRUIN FROSH BASKETBALL - DEL ORO

The Bear River's Freshman girls basketball team had a day to forget when playing Delo Oro at Del Oro High School. The Golden Eagles scored off the first tip and did not look back.

DO led at the end of the first frame 18-2 as the Lady Bruins struggled with the Golden Eagles full court press.

By the half many spectators were feel a little uncomfortable as the score increased to 37-2. That feeling changed at the close of the third to feeling sorry for the girls in the maroon uniforms with the score 53-4.

Both coaches agreed to have the clock run for the fourth quarter and as you can see in the photo, it was a tough day.

Bear River will be back on the court on Friday when they will play Pioneer Valley League rival Colfax who also fell to Chico by 20.

Tournament schedule

ROLLER RINK IN LABARR MEADOWS - GRASS VALLEY

I recently heard about a roller rink which was located in LaBarr Meadows. Does anyone remember it? Do you have original photos?
 My information came from a women who has lived in LaBarr Meadows for 63 years. "Before it was LaBarr Meadows Roller Rink, it was a dance hall. Every Friday and Saturday night they would hold big dances. The soldiers from Camp Beale (it was an Army base before it became an AFB) would come up either by car or Greyhound Bus for the dances. My parents owned the LaBarr Market just down from the rink. That was back in the 50's. When my mother moved up here we had the first TV in LaBarr Meadows and mom put it in the grocery store to attract business. Lots of history and fun growing up in that neighborhood."

I have driven through the area many times and still to this day I have no idea where it could have been. The idea sounds great. I can still recall holding hands with a girl and skating under the disco ball and getting blisters on my feet. Great times for sure.

It would be nice to know more about the rink so if you have any information please add to the story in the comments area below. Nevada County has such great history and as our aging population fades so does much of that history. Please share with us!

WHAT IS A GIF IMAGE FILE - PHOTOS

Do you ever wonder what makes a photo on the web look like it is moving? I wondered, so I did a little research and here is what I learned.

The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) is a bitmap image format that was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability. The format supports up to 8 bits per pixel thus allowing a single image to reference a palette of up to 256 distinct colors. The colors are chosen from the 24-bit RGB color space. It also supports animations and allows a separate palette of 256 colors for each frame. The color limitation makes the GIF format unsuitable for reproducing color photographs and other images with continuous color, but it is well-suited for simpler images such as graphics or logos with solid areas of color.

That sure makes it a lot more clear doesn't it? Whatever makes it work, it sure looks great. Below are a few which I like. Facebook does not allow these on their website but Google+ does. 

NEVADA CITY TRAIN CONFERENCE - JUNE 2013

Get your train hats and overalls ready as the Nevada City Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum will be hosting a three day conference on June 18-20, 2013 in Nevada City. 

Railroads that will be discussed will include the.... 

Nevada City Narrow Gauge

West Side and 

Swayne Lumber companies as well as others. 

CHRISTMAS SLEDDING

SANTA'S JOURNEY - SANTA TRACKER 2012

It is that time of year and Santa has begun his journey around the world. If you would like to follow his whereabouts throughout the day and night then click here. Santa Tracker is also a great way to get your little ones to go to bed as you know "he knows when you are sleeping and he knows where your awake."

While I'm not sure how he goes to every house in the world in such a short amount of time, it sure is a great story. Norad's Santa Tracker plays out the story right in front of your eyes.

Santa's journey is already under way.

HANK PATTERSON - CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

By now you probably know I like fly fishing expert and guide Hank Patterson. He is very funny and does a great job of teaching people how to snap a fly.

In this episode he spreads Christmas cheer and a song about the red-nosed cut-brown with his client Reese.

Thank you for the laughs!

NEVADA COUNTY SLEDDING - WHERE TO GO

The day after a storm is when the snow looks clean, fluffy and fresh. As I sit here next to the fire thinking about sledding and where the best place hill is in Nevada county. I have heard many people over the years tell me about a place on Hwy. 20 where they go sledding. I have been there a few times but so has every one else. It is crowded and dangerous but the hill itself is easy to get to with a few parking spots and it is fast. The spot I'm referring to is near White Cloud and you can not miss it.

If you plan to go to this spot you will need to know how to navigate for safety reasons. When you go down-the-hill be sure you are facing down-hill with your feet forward as there will be people who will walk in the sledding trail itself and you may need to slowdown or even stop. If you find yourself in this position dig your heels in and you will slow down. So at least the crash won't be as violent.

 There are many crashes at this spot. So when you find yourself at the bottom of the hill you will want to get up very quickly and move off to the side because there will be someone who is barreling down the hill right behind you. Small children will not go as far or as fast as a heaver person so they are the most vulnerable.

I have found the best place to begin at this location is much farther up the hill than where most people start. The trail is narrower and within a grove of pines trees. It is not as fast nor as well populated. It takes a few more minutes to get to but I have found it to be well worth it. Have fun, be safe and maybe I will see you there.