20th Annual Mardi Gras Weekend Celebration in Historic Nevada City

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Hours: 8-midnight
Featuring the Holcomb Brothers Band
(Traditional Cajun food available)
Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Historic Downtown Nevada City
Tickets $12-$15. (Event usually sells out. Advance tickets recommended)
(530) 265-2692, www.nevadacitychamber.com -or-  www.miners foundry.org

Mardi Gras Parade
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, at 2 p.m.
(Premier Mardi Gras celebration in the Sierra Foothills)
Broad Street, Historic Downtown Nevada City
Free Event for the Whole Family. Dress in your finest Mardi Gras attire!

Mardi Gras Street Faire
Sunday, Feb.19, 2012. Hours: 11-4
North Pine & Commercial Streets, Historic Downtown Nevada City
Food, drink, craft, clothing vendors.

Carnevale ! (New)
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. 3-6 p.m.
Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City
After Parade Event for the Whole Family Food, Drink, Family Entertainment. $5 Adults, Children Free.

INFORMATION:
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
(530) 265-2692 • (800) 655-NJOY
www.nevadacitychamber.com

Nevada City is know for its zany and entertaining parade entries. There are no entry fees for individuals, youth groups and local organizations. There is a $25 fee for commercial and political entries.

Applications available at the Chamber office (132 Main Street) or Download an application here

The White Album is the bestselling album of the Beatles’ career. Its thirty songs span almost every style of music – from hard rock to country to chamber music to avant garde. Its recording took place during a remarkable year in Beatles history that included a lengthy trip to India and the arrival of Yoko Ono. In “Looking Through A Glass Onion: Deconstructing The Beatles’” White Album, Mr. Freiman takes Beatles fans young and old into the studio as the band creates this masterpiece. Mr. Freiman will discuss the creation of “Revolution”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Blackbird” and many other classic songs from the White Album.

Friday, February 10
Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring St Nevada City, CA
Doors open at 6PM for 7PM event
$15/GA, $12/Student & Senior
For Tickets go to www.minersfoundry.org

The flyer has all the information on the seminar and speakers.

Everyone attending the seminar will receive 2 FREE tickets to three extra bonus seminars on Business Success, Sales and Negotiation and Peak Performance; total value $597. Plus attendees have a chance to win valuable door prizes including a big screen TV, two iPads and $3,000 cash.

The Chamber will have a limited supply of Executive Level Tickets available.  Please call the Chamber at 265-2692 to reserve your ticket.

Download Sacramento Get Motivated Seminar Flyer

AN EVENING OF WINE & FOOD
Saturday, February 18th ~ 5:30 pm
At Club 141 in Grass Valley

February is a great time of year to enjoy wine and food pairings while hanging out with friends and making new ones. Jim E of Club 141, a local catering business, and Bob Hilsman of Double Oak Vineyards & Winery bring you this fine food & wine tasting experience full of gustatory delight. Jim and Bob are food and wine experts and artists, who both tremendously enjoy their fine gustatory art. Hear what they have to say about the synergy of food and wine pairing. You will learn about the food and wines being served, about the food preparation and winemaking, and about how to pair wine with foods. Jim E will teach you about the different foods and Bob will talk about the qualities in the wine that create a synergy with these foods.

There will be five courses. Each course will be small portions accompanied by wine tastes (2 oz. pours).  Five different wines will be poured. Additional wine available by the glass.

Here is the complete menu & wine pairings:
Sauté Scallop in Miso Sauce ~ 2010 Chardonnay
Middle Eastern Lamb Stuffed Tomatoes ~ 2007 Zinfandel
Ham & Potato Gratin ~ 2007 Merlot
Beef Stroganoff ~ 2007 Cab Sauvignon
Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding ~ 2004 Zinfandel

The featured wines will be available to purchase by the bottle to take home at a 10% discount.

$55 (includes tax & gratuity)
Reservations Required – Call Club 141 at 273-3600 or Double Oak at 292-3235

Space at Club 141 is limited. Reserve your place at the table soon!  To learn more about Club 141 go to http://www.jimesclub141.com/

Looking forward to seeing you at Club 141 on February 18th!

How to Create an Effective Business Plan
How to Start A Business
Internet Marketing (Beginner and Intermediate)
QuickBooks (Setup and Data Entry)
Show Me the $ Money $
Social Media Marketing 101
Stress Relief You Can Tap Into (NEW)
Survival Tools to Manage Your Business Finances
Thinking of Selling Your Business?
Website Options

Classes rotate between Auburn, Grass Valley and Placerville.

SEDCorp is also pleased to partner with the El Dorado County Economic Development as they are offering scholarships for two classes in Placerville:
Website Options (FREE in Placerville only)
Social Media Marketing 101 (FREE in Placerville only)
These classes (a $45 value each) are pre-paid for the public’s benefit.

Classes fill up fast and there is limited seating. Call 530-823-4703 or visit www.sedcorp.biz for class details.

Download PDF of February 2012 class listing

RICHARD DOWNS
Richard Downs’ art making combines contemporary aesthetics with the rich history of printmaking to create images that feel both current and timeless. He has worked for most United States periodicals and newspapers ranging from The Progressive to National Geographic and international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations publication divisions . Downs is a graduate of Art Center College of Design and was a faculty member for 6 years. Richard is presently a faculty member of the Applied Art and Design department of Sierra College teaching Illustration practices. Richard lives in Northern California in the historic Victorian mining town Nevada City with his wife and artist Gwyn Stramler and their daughter.

JUDE BISCHOFF
Jude Bischoff is an athlete, naturalist, father, dreamer, and artist who revels in the natural energy of the world around him. Trained as a fine artist, Jude received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bowling Green State University, but a new family and responsibilities sidetracked that chapter of his life for over two decades. Now, after raising two lovely and talented daughters and achieving a successful career in real estate, Jude has thrown himself back, completely and with abandon, into the world of art.

Contact: Sara Zahn, Art Gallery Manager
Phone: (530)264-6900
Email: havenunderground@gmail.com
Website: www.havenunderground.org

Contact: Richard Downs, Artist
Phone: (530)205-8939
Email: r_downs@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.downs-art.com

Contact: Jude Bischoff, Artist
Phone: (760)668-9408
Email: judebischoff@gmail.com
Website: www.judebischoff.com

A Wedding Affair for All Seasons ~ Sunday, January 29, 2012 ~ 11:00am to 4:00pm

Planning a wedding or special event? Please join us for the all new A Wedding Affair for All Seasons, produced by Joy of Life Events at the Miners Foundry. On this special day, the Miners Foundry will be transformed into seasonal rooms showcasing some of the top wedding and event vendors in Nevada County. This is truly not a day to be missed!

Nevada County is blessed with the advantage of celebrating four distinct seasons, offering unlimited possibilities when creating a wedding or special event. Be it winter, spring, summer, or fall, each seasonal transition in the foothills displays unique and endless possibilities for that special day.

A designer, caterer, and musician showcase! Interested in being a vendor? Please visit http://ncweds.com/NevadaCounty_WeddingEvents.html

Date: January 29th, 2012
Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm. First drawing at 4:00pm sharp.
Place: Matteo’s Public, 300 Commercial Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: $200 (cash or check, payable to NC Chamber)
Deposit: $50 (non-refundable if selected, remainder due within 2 weeks)
Required: Contact name, Phone, and email address and Deposit.
Details: Lottery System (Two drawings)

Registration for this year’s race will be in a modified lottery format. Thirty (30) spots will be available, with the remaining spots being reserved for past winners and event organizers. A total of 42 teams will be racing on June 16th.

Lottery #1: Friends of the Park The first lottery will consist of five (5) available spots. Applicants must bring a $50 deposit, and either a check, cash or pledge in any amount greater than the $200 race entry fee. Each of the applicants will be ranked according to the size of their pledge. The applicants with the five (5) largest pledge amounts will be selected. All monies pledged beyond the $200 entry fee will be used for Pioneer Park improvements. Those that are not chosen will be automatically entered into the second lottery (with their $50 deposit) and refunded their pledged amount.

Lottery #2: Standard Entry A $50 Deposit (cash/check) is required. All those interested will be entered in a lottery style drawing. The first 25 applicants selected will qualify for this year’s race. Upon selection, the $50 deposit will become non-refundable. All remaining applicants will be drawn and placed upon a waiting list in the order in which they were selected. Those on the waiting list will be refunded their $50 deposit. Teams choosing to enter the lottery multiple times will risk losing their deposits if chosen more than once. Each team that is selected will be required to pay the remaining $150 of their entry fee in either cash or check (payable to NC Chamber) within two weeks. Failure to submit complete payment will result in disqualification and loss of initial $50 deposit.

Applicants are not required to be present at the registration event. Deposits and lottery application may be delivered in advance to the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce during normal business hours or submitted at the registration event.

Matteo’s Public will be donating 15% of any food and beverage purchases made between 2pm and 6:30pm on January 29th to benefit the Pioneer Park Project. Please arrive hungry and remember to tip your server! Thank you!

www.ncderby.com email: ncderby@gmail.com           www.facebook.com/ncderby

Download PDF Nevada City Adult Soapbox Derby Summary, Rules and Registration Packet 2012

January 15 – 21, 2012

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at:
St. Joseph’s Cultural Center
410 S. Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-272-4725

Contact Joseph Guida 530-272-4725, info@sierrafriendsoftibet.org

For a Complete Schedule go to www.sierrafriendsoftibet.org

Sierra Friends of Tibet in collaboration with Tibetech.org is pleased to announce the 12th Annual Visit of Tibetan Buddhist Monks from Gaden Shartse Monastery exiled in south India. This year the tour includes a highly accomplished spiritual master from Tibet, Venerable Geshe Phuntsok Gyaltsen. Geshe Gyaltsen was born in Dekhung, Tibet in 1937. At age 11 he was ordained as a monk in Tibet’s oldest Gelugpa monastery, Gaden Shartse. In 1959, Geshela escaped to India following China’s invasion of Tibet. Continuing his studies in the re-established Gaden Shartse Monastery in exile in India, Geshe Gyaltsen received a Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest degree awarded by the monastery with highest honors in 1985.

The tour’s purpose is to raise funds for the Gaden Shartse School which has 400 students aged 5 to 19 years. The students study Tibetan, English and Hindi languages as well as mathematics. The goal is to raise funds to purchase computers for the school.

In addition to offering teachings on compassion and nonviolence, over the week the monks will create a sand painting of the Embodiment of Compassion (Chenrezig in Tibetan). Viewing of the painting in St. Joseph’s Hall will be held daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm through January 21. Chenrezig is the personification of great compassion of all enlightened beings. Tibetans believe Chenrezig took the special oath to listen to the cries of poor and destitute and to fulfill the oath, appears into every necessary and suitable form to save beings from suffering. It is believed by the Tibetan people that when viewing the sand painting with pure motivation to benefit others and strong devotion, one may purify layers of negative karma. The sand painting is highly detailed and painfully constructed in an elaborate design with intricate symbols. At the end of the week the beautiful sand painting will be swept up in a ceremony which reminds viewers of the impermanent nature of physical reality. Sand will then be distributed to those attending the ceremony.

Schedule may be subject to change slightly. Please check the website often for updates. To schedule personal healing appointments, Land and House Blessings by the monks, please call Joseph: 530-272-4725

This award-winning documentary follows the story of when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba’s economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people. They share how they transitioned from highly mechanized agriculture to using organic farming and urban gardens.

Many of these principles of creating a sustainable local food system discussed in the film will be covered in length during the 2nd Annual Nevada County Sustainable Food & Farm Conference, Saturday & Sunday, January 21 & 22, in Grass Valley, CA.

The two-day conference also features a full day of internationally renewed speakers including Joel Salatin, Nicolette Hahn Niman, Michael Ableman and Patrick Holden and, a full day of farmer focused workshops, including; getting started in farming, working with county agriculture resources, predator control, bringing produce to market, livestock fodder solutions, farm solar power, fencing, AG loans, and more.

Join us for this special community screening that will educate, inspire, and ignite the farmer, rancher, backyard gardener, food activist in all of us.

SCREENING TIMES
The Magic Theatre, 107 Argall Way, Nevada City, CA
Monday – Friday, 5pm
Saturday, 2pm
Sunday 11am
$5 GA,

Purchase your tickets to the Sustainable Food & Farm Conference at The Magic during the film too!  $30/GA, $40/Preferred Seating

More info at www.FoodAndFarmConference.com or www.themagictheatre.com

Festival Locations: Downtown Nevada City, Headquarters located at the Veteran’s Building 415 N. Pine St., Film Screenings at the Miners Foundry, Nevada Theatre, Odd Fellows, Nevada City Elementary and Veteran’s Building.

Tickets: Online at www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org beginning Dec. 1st. In person at SYRCL office, 216 Main St., beginning Dec. 1, Mon-Thurs, from 12-5pm until January 12th.

Short Synopsis: Celebrate a decade of inspiring activism with SYRCL (South Yuba River Citizens League) this January. Now the largest film festival of its kind, this year’s films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling. Wild and Scenic Film Festival informs, inspires and ignites solutions, and creates positive probabilities to restore the earth and human communities.

Each year, the Wild & Scenic® Film Festival draws top filmmakers, celebrities, leading activists, social innovators and well-known world adventurers to the historic downtown of Nevada City, California. Now known as “the next Sundance” the Wild and Scenic experience proves the power of film and passion.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival – Decade of Inspiring Activism

Films: Films to Change Your World
Over 117 films have been accepted for the January 13-15, 2012 festival. The program committee spent close to 2,000 hours previewing 345 film submissions. As always, over 100 filmmakers, activists and special guests will be in attendance this year.

28 World and US film premieres.
Film genres include: award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and Native American and indigenous cultures.

Local Filmmakers Showcase
Filmmakers: A Few Confirmed Filmmakers Steve & Ann Dunsky, filmmakers of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic For Our Time Anne Makepeace, director of “We Still Live Here”, which will be featured at the WSFF, as part of our Native American film session. Farrell Cunningham, the only speaker of Maidu under 80 years old, is teaching Maidu classes locally and will speak in conjunction with the film. http://www.plumtv.com/videos/we-still-live-here

Previous Special Guests: Sir Patrick Stewart, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah, Ron Kauk, Colin Beavan, Julia Butterfly Hill, Winona LaDuke, and Jeremy Jones.

Current Special Guests: Native poet and activist John Trudell, Democracy Now! journalist Amy Goodman, cosmologist Brian Swimme, naturalist David Lukas, John DeGraaf (environmental filmmaker & director of the Happiness Project), river activist Marion Stoddart, Estella Leopold (not confirmed, but very likely), Hans Florine (speed climbing world record holder), Zeb Hogan (aquatic ecologist, National Geographic Explorer), Andy Maser (filmmmaker, National Geographic Explorer), Jason Rainey (Executive Director, International Rivers)

Download press release

Don Hamilton Trio – Live music for the dance!  Don Hamilton on the piano – Steve Woolsey on the drums – Barry Rakoon on the bass…..THEY ARE GOOD!

Bar opens at 4 and Dinner at 6 PM. Dancing starts around 7:30 PM

Make checks payable to the NC Elks Lodge #518 – with “New Years Eve dinner/dance” noted in memo line

Nevada County Arts has selected more than 56 artists whose work will be displayed in several venues throughout downtown Nevada City, at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley and at BriarPatch during the 10th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival®, January 13-15, 2012. Twenty artists’ work will be on display in the ‘Jury Selection Exhibit’ at the Alpha Building (the festival headquarters).

The featured art to be displayed during the festival includes many mediums (sculpture, woodcuts, charcoal etchings, silkscreen prints, cartoons, painting, basket weaving, cartoons and photography) and acts as another means to draw attention to environmental issues and inspire activism.

The selected art includes:  An installation focused on watershed restoration by ecological artists Helen and Newton Harrison; Beach Plastic, a demonstration of the ubiquity of plastic waste in our oceans created by Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang who configured their collection of plastic detritus from various beaches into artworks; The Last Apothecary, a large-scale installation by Jillian Van Ness, that consists of an antique canvas wardrobe, antique glass bottles, wire, sand, and paper, which embody the Van Ness’s deep love and appreciation for the various forms and uses of water; Solomon Bassoff’s painted cement and mosaic embellished sea turtles and flowers; Jason Houston’s series of 14 portraits of individuals living in the areas around a critical wildlife reserve in Indonesian Borneo, titled People of the Forest; Geolyn Carvin’s delightful cartoon series, with the main character, Boots McFarland, who is an adventurous hiker finding humor in nature; Peggy Wrights’ sculptures constructed with natural and found objects; Joseph Daniel Fiedler’s whimsical images of birds, fish and animals; Richard Downs’ monoprints, “BP Pelican,” named for the BP deepwater horizon oil spill; as well as the Nevada County Plein Air Painters, several photographers and artists whose work focuses on the Yuba River and environs, baskets created by the Nisenan Indian people from the Nevada City Rancheria, and much more.

For more information or tickets to the Wild and Scenic Film Festival go to:  www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/

Join us for the last
Victorian Christmas of the Season!
Wednesday, Dec 21st  5-9pm

Entertainment Schedule

Welcome the holiday season in style in historic Nevada City, a quaint, Gold Rush town nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra where each year the town’s picturesque downtown transforms into a genuine Christmas card come to life. It’s a magical setting of hilly streets outlined with twinkling white lights and authentic gaslamps, wandering minstrels and carolers dressed in Victorian attire, and a myriad of visitors sharing holiday cheer and good tidings.

Nevada City’s Victorian Christmas evokes holiday memories of an earlier era.  Join us for Strolling Carolers, Children’s Activities, Carriage Rides, Roasted Chestnuts, Holiday Shopping, Handcrafted Christmas Gifts, and much more!

Read more about Victorian Christmas here:  http://www.nevadacitychamber.com/blog/nevada-city-events/victorian-christmas

Download Flyer Victorian Christmas 2011

Photos with Santa
National Hotel

• Wednesday, Dec 21st During Victorian Christmas
5pm to 9pm

$5 – All Money donated to the local Mason’s Eastern Star Charities during Victorian Christmas

On December 15th the Elam Biggs Bed and Breakfast and the Swan Levine House in Grass Valley will welcome all visitors from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, and in Nevada City, the Deer Creek Inn will do the same… and best of all…, IT IS FREE. Not only will you get to see the heart of these magnificent Inns, but of course, we never let anyone leave hungry. So, be sure to indulge in the holiday treats offered up and well… just consider it another Christmas gift from the Innkeepers.

In these hard economic times we must share with one another the small gifts that each of us has to offer. We will share the beauty of our inns with you and you can share those wonderful smiles that make this season, as they say… “A Joy to Remember”. Happy Holidays and we will see you on December 15th.

In Grass Valley:
Elam Biggs Bed and Breakfast
220 Colfax Avenue
Grass Valley, CA 95945-6844
(530) 477-0906

The Swan Levine House
328 South Church Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945-6709
(530) 272-1873

In Nevada City:
Deer Creek Inn
116 Nevada Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 264-7038

RSVP’s Gala Benefit production of LeGacy’s

Thursday, December 8, 2011
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Nevada Theater, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City

Please join the Retired and Senior Volunteer for a gala evening of champagne, punch, appetizers and goodies along with a benefit performance of Legacy Production’s “A Christmas Story”.  100% of the proceeds will support the RSVP program in Nevada County which provides 75,000 hours of volunteer service annually to 75 area non-profits and public agencies.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Harmony Books in Nevada City and The Book Seller and Briar Patch in Grass Valley or call the LeGacy Box Office at (530) 268-5419

RSVP Office, 471 Sutton Way, #202, Grass Valley, (530) 271-0255

Download Benefit informational flyer