OCEAN BEACH - SAN FRANCISCO - PHOTO ESSAY

Easter weekend 2013

BEAR RIVER LITTLE LEAGUE - COMING WEEK'S ACTION

In the coming week (April 1st-6th) fans, parents, coaches and players of the Bear River Little League Major Division will have something to cheer about.

On Monday the BR Yankees will play their first game of the season against the top ranked 1-0 BR Brewers. The Brewers are coming off a 6-2 win over Forest Hill while the Yankees first scheduled game was rained out. The Brewers are a veteran team led by a one two punch pitching staff of Josiah Cregar and Elliot Bouchere. Both pitched significant innings for last seasons Tournament of Champions team. The Yankees are a young team without a returning pitcher but they do have two of the leagues top hitters in Logan Jenkins and Peyton McGovern. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bear River Major field.

On Wednesday the BR Yankees will be required to take the field against Bear Rivers other top ranked team, the Athletics.  Due to pitch count rules the Yankees may find themselves digging deep into their pitching rotation as they will be playing on one day's rest. The A's are a team build around speed and strong bats which include Nathan Van Patten and Jacob Rivett. Their pitching staff is strong but not fully tested at the majors level. The Yankees may have an advantage as they will be playing in their second game of the season where as the Athletics may have a first game jitters. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bear River Major field.

On Thursday at Bear River at 6 p.m. the BR Tigers will look to get their first win of the season when they take on the BR Brewers. The Tigers will come into the game with all their pitchers where as the Brewers may not as they have a game on Monday. The Tigers are a young team who pitched four 11 year old boys ( Dean Hopper, Caleb Hurst, Ryan Bradford and Brekyn Vasquez) in their 5-4 season opening loss to the Penn Valley White Sox. This could be a good game if the Tiger's pitching staff can limit the walks.

On Saturday the BR Athletics will host the Forest Hill A's who fell to the BR Brewers at noon while the Brewers will be traveling to Nevada City where they will take on the NC Giants who fell to the PV White Sox at 6 p.m. for what will be their third game in 6 days. The Brewers pitching staff is deep and by next weekend we will know just how deep it is.

PENN VALLEY STORAGE WARS

Do you like the television show Storage Wars? Would you like to look into a storage lockers and bid in hopes of striking it rich? Well on April 2 you have the chance to bid just like Barry the Collector.

At The Y Auction company is holding a Storage Wars type auction in Penn Valley at 10 am at the Highway 20 Self Storage.

Have fun!

PIONEER VALLEY LEAGUE BASEBALL - OUTLOOK - LINCOLN/ COLFAX

The Pioneer Valley League's top two baseball teams Lincoln and Colfax are headed for their first of 3 meetings on April 4th at Lincoln.

Colfax has defeated its PVL foes by a combined score of 40-3 while Lincoln has scored 41 runs and given up 8. Both teams will enter the game at 4-0 while Lincoln has 11-2 overall record and Colfax stands at 8-3.

Each team hits the ball well from the top to the bottom of the line up, Colfax has a team batting average of just over .300 while the Fighting Zebras have a batting average of .410. 

These two teams are clear standouts in this struggling league. No other team has an overall record which is above .500. 

Lincoln Stats

41 extra base hits including 4 home runs

Top hitters Ethan Liddle .656 batting average and Jake Sola .524

Top Pitcher Julio Martinez, 5-0 record, ERA 1.29, 25 strikeouts in 21 innings.

Biggest win, 9-7 over Woodcreek (7-2)

Colfax Stats

Top hitter Devon Loomis .615 batting average

Top pitchers Wes Woodward .95 ERA with 19 Ks in 22 innings and Loomis .62 ERA with 22 Ks in 19 innings.

Colfax has a deeper pitching rotation but Lincoln can flat out hit the ball and they have played a tougher schedule leading up to Thursdays match up. While the winner of this up coming game will set the tone for the back half of league play but these two teams will play their final two games of the regular season against each other. 

Lincoln should win the 2013 PVL baseball title. 

FERRARI'S CROWN RESORT - KINGS BEACH GEM - LAKE TAHOE

Over this past weekend (March 2013) we stumbled upon a resort which offered a great location with two swimming pools, two hot tubs, a private beach as well as clean rooms and a continental breakfast.

This establishment was opened in 1957 and it may not look like much from the street but once you get to the lakeside of the property you will see why this spot is so popular.

They offer lake view rooms starting at $ 139.00 (non-peak and not waterfront) per night plus tax, call at 800-645-2260 for pricing or book right here on their site and mention this offer on the special request field to get rate.They have discount lift tickets available for Northstar, Squaw Valley/Alpine, Diamond Peak, Homewood.

The glass wall which encase the pool area cut down on the cold wind which blows off the lake. We parked our car upon arrival and never needed it again. There is a very nice sushi restaurant directly across the street as well as a 7-11 and a slew of other businesses within walking distance. 

The Lake Tahoe is the third deepest in the U.S. at over 1500 feet. There are 67 streams which feed the lake and only the Truckee River allows water out. 

The outdoor hot tub was a big plus as the weather was nice but it was only 50 degrees. The view is forever and so were the laughs.

The Ritz Carlton is right up the street if you need a high end room but if what you need is a clean lake front room here is the spot.

BEAR RIVER LITTLE LEAGUE - TIGERS FALL IN OPENER

On Thursday night the Bear River Little League Tiger's pitchers (Dean Hopper, Caleb Hurst, Ryan Bradford and Brekyn Vasquez) combined to throw a one hitter while hosting the Penn Valley White Sox but fell 5-4 in their season opener.

The one Sox (2-0) hit was a 3-run home run in the top of the fourth which was the hitters second in as many games. The home team's pitcher's struggled to find the plate which resulted in 14 walks which accompanied 3 fielding errors.

The Tigers (0-1) trailed 4-0 into the bottom of the fourth inning when the bats began to come alive scoring 3 in the inning. The Sox scored one in the top of the fifth to move the score to 5-3. 

Bear River mounted a 6th inning comeback as they had runners on second and third with one out. They did score a run to pull within one but the Sox pitcher stuck the last batter of the game out with the tying run on third.

"It was a great first game." said the Tigers coach. "Once our pitchers put their first game jitters behind them we should compete with any team."

Bear River Brewers

The Bear River Brewers won in their 2013 season opener by a score of 6-2 while playing at Forest Hill also on Thursday night.

The Tigers and Brewers are idol until they square off at the Bear River Major's field after Spring break.

PV LITTLE LEAGUE SWEEPS NC LITTLE LEAGUE

On the opening night of Little League baseball at Pioneer Park in Nevada City the Penn Valley Cubs and the Penn Valley White Sox defeated NC Red Sox and the NC Giants.

In the 5 pm game the PV Cubs versus the NC Red Sox the game was knotted in the 4th with a score of 1 to 1. The Red Sox threatened with runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. But they failed to continue the rally as they hit two popups on the infield and a strikeout.

The Cubs opened the game up in the top of 5th scoring 2 and added 3 more in the top of the 6th. The Penn Valley pitcher struck-out the side to end the 6~1 game.

In the 7 pm night cap, the PV White Sox jumped all over the NC Giants pitcher in the top half of the inning as they started the game with a single, single followed by a home run which went over the center field fence. PV scored one more run for a 4-0 lead but the Giants catcher responded by hitting a ball off the center field wall which score 1 for the home team.

The Giants settled down in the second holding PV scoreless and they capitolized on a few PV fielding errors which resulted in a 4~2 score at the end of 2.

The White Sox front half of the batting order jumped on the Giants in the top of the 3rd good for a 7~2 lead.

The Giants start the bottom of the 4th down 7~2 with a single and single followed by a double cutting into the White Sox lead 7~5. Both teams did have base runners through out the remainder of the game but none scored. The game ended with a final score of 7-5.

NEVADA COUNTY D-11 DIRTBAGS SPILT IN OPENER

On Sunday at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley the Nevada County Dirthbags hosted the Fall Red team from Folsom in the first of two games on the day which resulted in a 13-3 victory for the home team.

The game got off to a rocky start for the Bags as they gave up two runs in the top of the first inning  behind their pitcher Sam Hopper. Both runs were unearned. Hopper threw 50 pitches and left the game in the third inning to earn the win. The Bags had 15 hits as a team.

The second game of the day pitted the Bags against the Gold Rush of Coloma who was coming off a 14-0 win over the Fall Red team. The Nevada County team started Aaron Sasville on the bump who threw 49 pitches on way to a 11-6 loss. The team did not hit as well as they did in game one nor did they make as many plays. The team made 6 fielding errors which resulted in 6 Gold Rush runs.

The team has two weeks away from the diamond due to spring break. The Dirtbags will be back on the field in Penn Valley on April 7 when they host the El Dorado team for a double header at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

BEAR RIVER LITTLE LEAGUE - MAJORS OUTLOOK

Bear River Little League fans it is that time of year again. Get your bleacher seats and blankets ready as this Wednesday night will be the season opener where the Bear River Major Yankees will host the Penn Valley Cubs at 5pm followed by the Bear River Athletics versus the Nevada City Red Sox.

The following night the Bear River Tigers will host what is rumored to be Penn Valley's top team the White Sox at 5pm while the Bear River Brewers will travel to Forest Hill where their games first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

Bear River does not have a clear standout team like it did in the spring of 2012 where the Angels went 20-1 in the regular season led by Manager Sean Solomon and a host of top notch 12 year old boys. Early speculation is the Brewers are the top team in 2013 as they finished in 2nd place in 2012 and they return most of their team. They return two of their top four pitchers as well as their starting catcher.  The other team from Bear River which is in the conversation is the Athletics. This team does not have the pitching the Brewers have but they have solid hitting as well as good team speed. The Athletics did finish in fourth place in 2012 but clearly they are a contender as they return most of their team as well as picked up two All-star players in the off season.

The Tigers and the Yankees have relied heavily on the draft to fill their roster. These teams are young and will look to develop over the course of the 20 game season with hopes of playing spoiler late in the season.

The boys love to play in front of large crowds, so If you love baseball, and have a little time some evening this spring check out the schedule and come see a game.

BEAR RIVER BASEBALL ANDERSON'S HOMER NOT ENOUGH

Travis Anderson started the game on the bump for Bear River High School's varsity baseball team on Wednesday in the Bruins first Pioneer Valley League contest. While he pitched a strong game the visiting Lincoln team's bats were just to much for the host team as Bear River fell 11-5.

The Bruins trailed 1-0 after one inning and 2-2 into the third when Lincoln broke it open scoring 4 unanswered runs on some timely hitting as well as a few costly errors. Anderson held the Fighting Zebras to a 6-2 score until he was replaced.

Lincoln who has not lost this season scored two more in the top of the 6th moving the score to 8-2. In the bottom half of the inning Anderson drove the ball over the center field fence which put some life into the home crowd. Bear River got the following two runners on board but the rally stalled when the next batter struck out and the following two popped out on the infield.

The low point of the league season opener was on a Bear River wild pitch with runners on second and third which resulted in two runs scoring.

Lincoln is a veteran team with 7 seniors and 2 sophomores in the starting line up.

DIRTBAGS TAKE THE FIELD

Play-ball is what an umpire yells at the onset of a baseball game. This Sunday at 9:30 at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley you can hear just that as this will be the location and time for the official first pitch for the 2013 Little League season in the foothills.  

The newly formed D-11 Dirtbags a 50/70 team comprised of players from Nevada City Little League, Bear River Little League and Penn Valley Little League will be hosting the FALL Red team from Folsom and later that day they will play Gold Rush of Lotus.

The Dirtbags roster lists boys aged 11 to 13 who will play full rules baseball on a field which has a 50-foot pitchers mound and 70-foot base paths. 

REEL ANGLERS FLY SHOP - HAL JANSSEN - BOOK SIGNING

Reel Anglers Fly Shop in Grass Valley is hosting a book signing along with fly tying on Saturday March 23 from 10am to 6pm with Hal Janssen, a nationally known writer, artist, lecturer and video personality who was inducted into the Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fishers Hall of Fame in the spring of 2012.

Click here to read more about Janssen.

Trout Hotspots: Northern California. This segment with expert fly fisherman Hal Janssen. Excerpted from Trout Hotspots written, directed, produced and narrated by Ed Dudkowski in 1967.

BEAR RIVER LADY BRUINS - SEASON OVER

On Saturday night at Bear River High School the Lady Bruins hosted the Lady Knights in CIF
Regional action. Menlo rode their 6-foot-4 USC bound center Drew Edelman who delivered in a big way as she led her team to the next round while Bear River's senior Sara Hagar couldn't do it herself  as they fell 52-38 in this one and done tournament.

Hagar scored 11 of the Bruins 17 first half points while Edelman delivered 16 of the Knights 29.
Bear River fell behind 12-2 as Edelman scored 10 from the paint to start the game and couldn't find a way to recover.

Bear River's top two scorers Savannah Welz and Kaitlyn Reina held scoreless in the first half versus Menlo's half court zone.

The Lady Knights kept the foot on the gas to start the second half as they extended their lead to 34-17 early in the 3rd.

Savannah Welz got on the board at 34-20 with a three ball while Kaitlyn Reina got on the board at 39-24.

The third quarter ended at 39-27 as the Bruins picked up the energy on the defensive end to hold the Knights to just 10 third quarter points.

Welz knocked down a 3-ball to start the 4th cutting Menlo's lead to 9 at 39-30 with just over 6 minutes to play in the game but Menlo answered with a run of their own which Bear River could show it down as the lead was extended to 17 points.

49-30 Edleman got on the board for the second half

Edelman went down to the floor with a right elbow injury with 3:21 in the fourth and went to the bench and she did not return. This young lady is the real deal.

Coach Jeff Bickmore drained his bench with less than 2 minutes to play in the game with the score 52-35 on way to a 53-38 final.

BEAR RIVER GIRLS HOOPS STATE PREVIEW - USC BOUND EDELMAN

The Bear River Lady Bruins are the only Pioneer Valley League Girls basketball team left standing. Colfax lost 52-40 to Marin Catholic while Placer fell at Campolindo 62-47 both first round losses in the CIF State basketball tournament.

Bear River will host Menlo of Atherton on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Lady Knights hold an overall record of 21-9 on the season and finished in third place in the West Bay - Foothill league at 6-4. This team can score with the best of team averaging 54 points a game while giving up 42. Menlo blew-out  Moreau Catholic in their first round game 55-40 and at the end of the third quarter they led 50-25.

This home contest for the Lady Bruins will be a challenge as well as a real treat for girls basketball fans. Menlo has a bonified center who stands 6-foot-4 who will play for USC next season.

Drew Edelman has averaged 20 points and 13 boards per contest include the section semi-final and championship game which they won by delivering 30 points 24 boards and 23 points with 22 boards respectively.

 From USC's website- A 6-4 post player, Drew Edelman hails from Atherton, Calif., as a standout player from Menlo School under coach John Paye. Ranked No. 41 in the nation at her position, Edelman played club for East Bay Xplosion under coach Mark Anger.

"Drew is a physical low block presence that we were searching for to add to our Trojan Family," Cooper said of Edelman. "She is a great defender who will provide a great paint presence for us and make it very difficult for opponents to get to the rim. Offensively she has great hands, which gives her the ability to score at the rim with both hands. She runs the floor hard and is a great rebounder. In addition to all of this, she is an exceptional student, and a wonderful person who we are so proud to welcome to the Trojan Family!"

As many Lady Bruin loyalists know Kaitlyn Reina the teams leading scorer went down with a ankle injury this past week while playing in the section final at Sleep Train in Sacramento. If Reina is not 100% then Bear River is in for a tough home stand. But if the junior is good to go then Reina's speed and athleticism will keep the home team close.

The Lady Bruins are fast and like to push the action which could keep the future Trojan between the foul lines as well as winded. This is a classic match up between a speed team and a slow it down and execute in the half court set.

Edelman is not the first Pac-10 player to step on the court at Bear River High School, you may recall a few years back when Reeves Nelson of UCLA played for Modesto Christian and knocked out a Patrick Scott led team in front of a packed house.

It doesn't happen very often that a D-1 recruit plays here in the foothills so if you are interested in seeing one of the top players in California play then the tip is at 7 on Saturday.

BEAR RIVER SENIOR - DOWLING IN NEED

While many Southern Nevada county residents know or know of Austin Dowling, a senior at Bear River High School, many may not know what he is going through. We know this young man as one who has so much of his life ahead of him but recently he and his family received some very difficult news. He has Leukemia.

A group of friends are hosting a fundraiser in an attempt to help the Dowling family in their time of emotional as well as financial need.

The following information was shared with me by a few of the organizers of a Walk/Jog fundraising event which I would like to share with you. In hopes you may be willing to help with prayer as well as financial support.

A great way to get some exercise and support a wonderful family!!
Details are still being worked out, however date is set for April 6th rain or shine.
Registration Fee is $30 per person and will include a T-Shirt
Please invite all of your Family and friends. As soon as I have an approximate head count, I can order shirts and set a sign in time.
I am hoping to see all Bear River High School students and faculty participating in this wonderful event, to support our Senior Football player, that is fighting Leukemia ♥ More details to follow!!

If you would like more information please click here.

COLLINS LAKE - FISHING TOURNAMENTS AND CAMPING DEAL

Have you ever wanted to compete in a fishing tournament like a professional fisher-person? If so then follow your desire and start doing some research as Collins Lake is offering two this spring. The first is scheduled for April 13, click here to apply online which is being offered by California Inland Fisheries Foundation Inc.

Sep Hendrickson for Cal Inland Fisheries Foundation Inc

If that date does not work for you then you may want to check into the Fish Sniffer Derby which is scheduled  for April 27th -  Click here for an application form.

Collins Lake is also offering discounts on camping. Click here for further information.

STOCK MARKET HITS ALL TIME HIGH

New York's Dow Jones share index set a new all-time high today, returning to levels not seen since before the global financial crisis. The Wall Street index reached 14,226, exceeding the previous record intra-day high of 14,198, set in October 2007. The recovery in the market suggests investors are regaining confidence in the US economy. The Dow has more than doubled in value since it plummeted to less than 6,550 points in the depth of the crisis in March 2009. Companies are ready to re-invest and grow profitably. We will see a recovery take hold in the second half of the year.

HANK PATTERSON LOVES THE BETTY WHITE NYMPH

While I have know of and about Hank and Crazy Reese for some time it looks as if others are beginning to catch on. If you are not familiar with the fly fishing expert and guide the click here. This is one guy you would want to go on the water with but here is the catch. What ever he tells you do do, do the exact opposite. This guy knows fly fishing so well he is a riot. If you have no idea what the right way to swing a fly then you may not get it. If that is you then go a head and Snap it!

Click the article below to enlarge if you have a strange desire to read about Hank Patterson.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS?

TENNIS ANYONE - SPRING BREAK INSTRUCTION - CLUB SIERRA

Junior Tennis: Spring Break/Easter Week 2013

March 25-29: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

at Club Sierra

130 West Berryhill Drive

Grass Valley, CA 95945  530-477-8800

Open to all junior players with some tennis experience

One session offered, March 25-29, Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., (five days). There will be five hours of instruction in the session. The cost is $40 per player.

The session will be great fun and exercise. Players will learn fundamentals including strokes, motor skills, basic movements, etiquette, and footwork and strategy in singles and doubles.

Intermediates can take part in the Adult Clinic, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.- noon. $10/Clinic.

Taught by: Cheryl Rubin, Certified Professional Tennis Instructor, U.S. Professional Tennis Registry. Cheryl has taught at Club Sierra for more than a year. She played in the USTA league/5.0 top level with teams that won the nationals. Cheryl also is an intercollegiate and tournament player and recipient of the Outstanding College Athletes of America Award.

To sign up, please fill out the form and turn it in to the front desk at Club Sierra or call Cheryl at 530-210-9913.

NEVADA COUNTY COLOR - JONSEY REMEMBERED

While at dinner the other night, the discussion of Nevada county's colorful people came up. One long time resident brought up the name Jonesy. Apparently this thespian would stand on the street corners in both Nevada City and Grass Valley and sing as well as recite lines from theatrical show. I enjoyed learning about this colorful man I hope you do as well.

The information listed below was obtained from various web sources.

Birth:	Aug. 31, 1911
Death:	Aug. 5, 2004
A celebration of life for Raymond Frederick "Jonesy" Jones will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday at the Nevada City United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 433 Broad St. The "Praise Band" will be playing and cake and coffee will be served. You are encouraged to dress in Jonesy style and bring your best story about Jonesy. Pastor Jerry D. Smith will officiate the services. Burial was at the Rough and Ready Cemetery. Jonesy died Thursday, Aug. 5, at Spring Hill Manor in Grass Valley. He was 92. He was born Aug. 31, 1911, in Indiana, to William Jones and Marian Heinz. He was a member of the Nevada City United Methodist Church. He enjoyed playing music on the streets of Nevada City, and dressing wild. He was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nevada City United Methodist Church for a headstone for "Jonesy." Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ **From the Grass Valley Union, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Nov. 20, 2004: My sister called me about the passing of Raymond Frederick "Jonesy" Jones, and I read your obituary on The Union's Web site with sadness. I first saw Jonesy in Santa Barbara, Calif., in the 1970s. He was always cheerful and often had a tambourine. One day I saw him on State Street, in Santa Barbara and looked away for a bit. When I looked back, he had disappeared. He had been in front of a long building about a half-block away. It was a major stock brokerage firm and he must have gone inside. I always wondered if perhaps he was just a wealthy eccentric. A few years later, in the 1980s, I was in Nevada City, where my mother lived, and who should I see but Jonesy! The next chance I had, I parked my car and sat down next to him on the bench and chatted with him for a while. One thing I remember is that he said he liked the Nevada City-Grass Valley area. He will be missed. Kathie Harine Madison, Ala.
Burial: Rough And Ready Cemetery Nevada County California, USA

A YEAR TO CELEBRATE - OL'REPUBLIC BREWERY

The Ol'Republic Brewery in Nevada City has a reasons to celebrate. They not only have survived their first year in business they are expanding their brewing capacity. The brewery which is located in the Seven Hill's area of town has taken on 4,000 additional space as they are having a hard time keeping up with their customers demand for their high quality brews.

One of their newest creations which I found to be fabulous is an 8.5 % alcohol chocolate oatmeal stout which is part of their Project X Series called Cello Stout. If you like Stout or dark beer in general then you will enjoy this smooth Ol'Republic creation. While it is a high octane beverage it does not have a strong liquor favor like many of its rivals. But is does have a kick.

Ol' Republic owners Jim Harte and Simon Olny celebrating at Matteo's Public.

In conclusion, it is really great to see the owners hard work paying off.

From The brewery's website- The mission of ol’ Republic Brewery is to provide everyone who enjoys a great beer with world-class, quality handcrafted ales and lagers. After all, the name ‘Republic’ is derived from the Greek ‘res publica’ which translates as ‘for the people’. Hence the catchy slogan; Beer for the People!