Nevada City Scene, Summer 2008

The Nevada City Scene is a special newspaper section that is produced through a cooperative effort of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and The Union newspaper.

The magazine-like tabloid focuses on business in Nevada City, both in the downtown historic district and in the 7 Hills Business District. It is published seasonally in Spring, Summer and Fall and distributed to all readers of The Union. It is also available at the chamber office and other locations.

For advertising information, contact Kim James at The Union, (530) 477-4249. For editorial information, contact chamber publicist Dave Carter, (530) 265-NEWS.

Business News

This little city goes to the market

What could be more fun than "goin' to market" with your friends and neighbors right here in friendly and beautiful Nevada City, California

Save on the gas, spare the air and come on out to one of three local growers markets being featured this year in Nevada City. Nevada City markets are open on Friday and Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Local farm-fresh vegetables and fruit, honey, nuts, eggs, olive oil, nursery stock, cut flowers, herbal products, baked goods, coffee, tea and more await your shopping pleasure.

Brand new this summer is the Nevada City Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, on Union Street in front of the new building and Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. The weekly market runs through Oct. 25.

The new market is sponsored by the Nevada City Downtown Association and has been opened to expand upon the successful Friday morning markets and to meet demand as expressed in a recent survey of Nevada City merchants and residents.

To complement the event, Market Manager Reinette Senum is planning a variety of activities including music, educational demonstrations and nonprofit group exhibits.

The granddaddy of local outdoor markets, the Nevada County Certified Growers' Market is celebrating its 28th season. Many of the area's leading agriculturalists continue to participate in the growers market.

The group's Nevada City markets are held on Tuesday afternoons, 3-6 p.m., through October at the Sierra Presbyterian Church off Gold Flat Road and Nevada City Highway in the 7 Hills Business District; and on Friday mornings, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., through September on York Street downtown, across from City Hall.

Nevada County Certified Growers' Markets are also held Saturday mornings through October at the Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, Sunday mornings through September at Lake of the Pines, 105556 Combie Road, and Thursday afternoons through September at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Penn Valley.

Downtown Grass Valley hosts weekly Thursday night markets through August. The Mill Street Farmers Market features farm-fresh produce along with health and wellness and arts and crafts. Hours are 6-9 p.m.

Loma Rica Ranch, 10980 Brunswick Road, Grass Valley, has announced the opening of the Loma Rica Farm Stand, with lettuce, chard, kale, berries and more. It's open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Griggs Building is a fine new addition to NC

How do you build a beautiful new building in an old town like Nevada City and make it fit in?

Local contractor Gary Tintle did just that. Most local folks agree that the new brick structure at 100 Union Street, at the site of the old Shell gas station, is the finest new addition downtown Nevada City has seen in generations.

The building is a partnership between Robinson Enterprises, Inc., one of Nevada City's largest employers and taxpayers, and Tintle's construction company, Tintle, Inc.

Lowell Robinson said his company considered other uses for the gas station property, which sat vacant for a few years, when it was approached by Tintle. "You've got to give Gary all the credit," Robinson said. "It was his idea and his imagination."

In less than a year and a half, Tintle's crews erected the 14,000 square-foot commercial building that looks like four separate Gold Rush-era brick buildings with metal roofs. Storefront retail space and upstairs offices are accompanied by rooftop solar panels and underground parking.

One night a few weeks ago, the Robinson partners and their wives enjoyed dinner at Friar Tucks and then took a stroll down Commercial Street.

"Shirley and I turned the corner and when I looked up I about fell over," recalls Joe Griggs Sr., a partner with Robinson for more than 40 years. Near the top of the building, he saw a large plaque that read, "Griggs Building."

Robinson and Walker had kept the secret from their partner and Tintle had arranged some special lighting for the unveiling of the plaque, which was hidden during construction by a contractor's banner.

"Joe has been a valuable partner with Robinson Enterprises since 1966 and has been instrumental in our growth over the years," Robinson said. "He's usually in the background and his contributions to the company and community are sometimes unnoticed. However, within Robinson Enterprises and the logging industry, Joe is known as an innovative and effective leader and is very popular with our employees.

"Because of this, Robinson Enterprises and the Tintle family wanted to recognize Joe in a lasting and significant way."

New city manager right at home in NC

Gene Albaugh, Nevada City's new city manager, looks out over Broad Street from his second story office in City Hall and says it's good to be home.

After joining the city as interim city manager on March 15, last month Albaugh was named to the position on a permanent basis. He's very happy to be putting down roots in Nevada City once again.

Albaugh was a prominent local citizen for many years, serving as Nevada County's top administrator for 13 years, from 1979 to 1992.

Since that time, he has served as a consultant, problem-solver and roving administrator to government agencies far and wide. Controversy in local government is nothing new to Gene Albaugh.

When the call came from Nevada City, he was wrapping up a six-month stint as interim manager in Plymouth, Amador County, where a proposed Indian casino dominated local headlines. He was finance director for Citrus Heights when it went through incorporation and has also worked for Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and other municipalities.

Since joining Nevada City, Albaugh has been renewing old acquaintances from his years here and meeting residents, community leaders and business people of today.

Living in Auburn for the past several years, Albaugh and his wife, Dee, are now looking to move to the Nevada City area. Welcome home, Gene!

Nevada City's music man brings live entertainment to Nevada County

When you think about the diversity of music available to residents of a small town like Nevada City, it's really pretty amazing. Just look at the choices listed every Thursday in The Union's Prospector.

If any one person is at the forefront of bringing live music to the people of Nevada City, it may be Mikail Graham, whose latest enterprise, Nevada City Music Events, has produced more than 20 shows over the past year and has booked several more through December.

Born and raised locally, Graham started piano as a child and later went through the "music was a way to meet girls" stage. He also learned that music was "a way of connecting and reaching out to people."

He played in local bands, among others, Jacamar, Matinee Forever and still plays with local favorites Buck Love & The Humperheads. He was a member of the group of people who founded KVMR in Nevada City in 1978 and continues to host and produce shows at the station.

Meanwhile, Graham traveled and pursued a career in music production as a sound mixing engineer and as cofounder of emagic, Inc. which is now owned by Apple Computers.

In 2001, he teamed up with Rick McKenzie, former owner of Cooper's in Nevada City, and the duo's "live music night club" approach to entertainment drew good crowds for several years.

McKenzie sold the business in 2007 and that's when he and Graham formed Nevada City Music Events. They aimed to bring diverse, multicultural music to the community outside of the bar scene.

Beginning with their first show in April 2007, they have brought numerous acts to stage, from folk to Africana, Brazilian, hard rock to punk rock. Venues have included Miners Foundry, Center for the Arts, Odd Fellows Hall, North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center and others.

"We're trying to do things that aren't being done elsewhere," Graham said. "I kind of figure if I like it, somebody else will like it."

Like other segments of the local economy, the Nevada City music scene is a bit slower than it used to be but Graham is optimistic. "We've been known as the music capital of the foothills," he said. "It's tougher now but it's not all doom and gloom. It's a cycle. I grew up here, I remember when it was a ghost town."

For information and tickets on upcoming shows, visit nevadacitymusicevents.com or call (530) 470-9615.

Patio dining at Posh Nosh

You've probably seen Chester Cusimano by now. He's the garrulous gentleman with the colorful tie, menu in hand, greeting passersby and inviting them to lunch or dinner at Posh Nosh.

Downtown Nevada City's newest restaurateur, Cusimano is bringing a cheerful disposition and broad culinary experience to his new enterprise on Broad Street. He purchased the popular restaurant in April.

Cusimano left his native Southern California in the early ‘90s for Reno where he built a successful career in food services. He had a small restaurant, larger catering business and several coffee kiosks, including one he operated for 16 years on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

He sold the business and was managing an Auburn restaurant when he became aware of the Nevada City opportunity. He has since completed an extensive kitchen remodel and interior refurbishing of the 20-year-old restaurant.

Posh Nosh offers one of Nevada City's finest outdoor patios, with lunch and dinner seating for 50. Inside, the downstairs wine cellar dining room seats another 50. Cusimano is planning a wine bar and small seating at the main level entry area.

Cusimano is very excited about the patio dining experience offered at the restaurant. "The patio is really our jewel," he said, noting that live music is offered weekend evenings on the patio.

"We're keeping a lot of the popular menu items, adding many more and generally trying to raise the bar on quality and speed of service," he said. Guests will still enjoy old favorites such as the Posh Nosh Chicken Brie Sandwich or Salmon Spinach Sandwich. A new favorite is the Posh Nosh Earth Burger, a veggie delight.

Speaking of Earth, like his fellow Nevada City restaurant owners Cusimano is making a commitment to green food and technology. He's already begun with a new efficient dishwashing system, new recycling practices and use of local meats and organic produce. Posh Nosh is offering private parties on Monday and Tuesday evenings, as well as special-event catering

The 'Mac-key' to success: 30 years in Nevada City

Editor's note: Longtime Nevada City civic leader and real estate broker Jim Mackey died Sunday, July 6, as this issue of Nevada City Scene was going to press. The following story was written two weeks ago.

The current real estate slowdown is nothing new to veteran Nevada City broker Jim Mackey, who has weathered 30 years of real estate ups and downs. Fortunately, in Nevada City, there have been more ups than downs.

"The last time it was like this was in the early ‘90s," Mackey said during a recent interview at his new office on Railroad Avenue. Interest rates back then, he said, were in the double digits.

After 30 years of business in downtown Nevada City, Mackey has moved his offices to 343 Railroad Avenue. He's now in the one-time automotive dealership between Citizens Bank and the Northern Queen Inn.

Mackey established his company at 220 Main Street in 1978. For more than 25 years, the office stood at the corner of Main and Coyote streets, first upstairs and then in the entire building after Gold Country Bank moved.

Seven years ago, Mackey was joined in the business by his son, Scott, and they later decided to affiliate with the Sell Smart franchise, a move that has given the local company support and wider exposure for its residential real estate business.

Mackey Real Estate also pursues commercial and land investment real estate. Mackey says timber and long term investment property sales have not slowed as much as residential and building lot sales.

Throughout his career, Mackey has remained active in the community with organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Constitution Day Committee and Board of Realtors.

The new Sell Smart Mackey Real Estate office includes 2,000 square feet of space and easy parking. So far, drive-by business is making up for the loss of foot traffic by not being downtown, Mackey noted.

The office also is home to the new Nevada City Mail Service, which offers packing, mailing, shipping (with five companies) and a convenient postal box service.

Sell Smart Mackey Real Estate is open from 9-6 Mondays through Saturdays. Call (530) 265-6934 or see www.sellsmartmackey.com.

A good frame of mind - NC shop offers picture framing solutions

Every home and office needs nice picture frames. For yours, check in with Katy Anderson, owner of Nevada City Picture Framing at 571 Searls Avenue in Nevada City's 7 Hills Business District.

Anderson offers one of the biggest selection in a 200-mile radius of picture frames and materials custom framing, mirrors and restoration work.

"It's something I really enjoy," Anderson said of her work. "I like to see the whole story come together, the photo, the painting, the framing, to make something that people are really happy with."

Anderson dabbled in art and did her own framing as a hobby while working in outdoor education for many years, teaching ropes and climbing to kids, including those in local schools. A few years ago, she learned the former owner of the 14- year-old shop wanted to sell.

Nevada City Picture Framing specializes in long-lasting archival and acid-free mattes and does considerable business in low-reflective museum glass. Customers can order prints through www.artaissance.com and have them shipped to the shop for custom local framing.

Anderson always offers 20 percent off framing of children's art. Twice a year she and local photographer Erin Pardini team up for Smiles and Frames, to provide framed photos of children. The next Smiles and Frames is Sept. 20. A Frame the Art Christmas event for kids is held for the holidays each year.

And if traditional picture framing isn't enough for you, Anderson also features digital moving photo frames, with the largest equipped with a 22-inch screen and high-definition quality display.

Nevada City Picture Framing is open 10-5 Tuesdays through Fridays, 10-3 Saturdays (closed Sun.-Mon.) and by appointment. Call (530) 478-1990 or check out www.nevadacitypictureframing.com

Sunday Market is off to a great start

The Sunday Market in Nevada City took off with a bang on June 8 and has been going strong. Among the first participants on the first market day was a vendor selling percussion instruments, which was a fitting drum roll for the opening day.

Market-goers found fabulous handmade twig chairs, some really good tools, lots of antiques, plenty of deluxe garage sale stuff and the ever-popular vintage clothing. In short, you never know what you'll find at Sunday Market in Nevada City.

Open every Sunday in the Stonehouse Restaurant parking lot at the bottom of Broad Street, Sunday Market in Nevada City has grown to nearly 40 booths from just a handful on opening day.

"In the beginning, we didn't know what to expect," Pam Scanlon, one of the owners of the Stonehouse said. "We envisioned it as a real community market, like a European market. People would come from all around to browse, shop, meet with their friends, have a little something to eat and just enjoy a lazy Sunday. We're very happy with how it's shaping up."

As organizers of the event, the Stonehouse Restaurant has also opened the new Sunday Market Cafe on its shady, flower-filled patio. Serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, beer on tap, Mimosas, cocktails and a do-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar, the cafe is a good place to sit, sup and sip.

According to Scanlon, vendors so far have been local people. "We want to keep it that way," she said. "We want to make sure it remains a community market."

She added that the market is a good alternative to home garage sales. "Most of us have lots of good stuff we'd like to recycle; the market is the perfect place to do that. If you live way out in the woods, or in an apartment, the Sunday Market is the perfect outlet."

"We think people will come to the market, then wander up the street to visit the shops, galleries, restaurants and wineries in downtown Nevada City. The market is right here in downtown so it's all easy walking distance. And, it just makes a great day out," Scanlon said.

Sunday Market in Nevada City is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Stonehouse Restaurant parking lot, corner of Broad and Sacramento streets, historic downtown Nevada City. Sponsored by the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, it has been approved to run at least through mid-July. Those wishing to sign up as sellers can log onto SundayMarketInNevadaCity.com or pick up a reservation form at the Stonehouse.

A classic cafe in Downtown NC

Let's say you wake up tomorrow morning hankerin' for a good old-fashioned all-American country breakfast, maybe some bacon and eggs, sourdough toast, hot cakes and syrup, or a tasty omelet.

Well, partner, Nevada City is your kind of town. Mosey on down to the Nevada City Classic Cafe on Broad Street across from the National Hotel where they take pride in serving up the best breakfast value in town.

Genevieve Crouzet and her husband, Kirk Valentine, are the four-year owners and operators of the Nevada City Classic Cafe, which carries on a 60-year restaurant tradition at the site.

It may be all-American, but the Nevada City Classic Cafe also offers an international touch. Crouzet, who hails from the French countryside, has introduced traditional French crepes, which have proven very popular.

Valentine said he and Genevieve had planned to open a bakery when they bought the business but decided to keep the restaurant after learning that generations of Nevada City locals have been eating breakfast and lunch there.

"We realized this was an important place for a lot of people," said Valentine, a Boulder Street resident who is also a member of Nevada City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The newest offering at the restaurant is the Friday Night Family Dinner where the couple and their son, Sean, 11, prepare and serve a special reservation dinner one night a week. The $29.99 per couple price includes salad, crepe appetizer, crepe entree, wine, coffee and dessert.

In daily business, the restaurant is offering more natural, organic and locally-grown foods, in fact, Valentine says they do some shopping at the local growers' markets.

Located at 216 Broad Street, the Nevada City Classic Cafe is open daily 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, and on Friday nights for special dinner reservations. Call (530) 470-0544.