Sometimes we forget what we have.

One often forgets or takes for granted all the things that attracted one to an area to live.  Evelyn and I have lived so long in the Sierra Foothill community of Nevada City and Grass Valley, we sometimes forget we live where others like to visit or vacation.  I was reminded of that, recently, as we attended a concert with Buddy Guy in the Veteran's Hall on South Auburn St. in Grass Valley.  There were people there from as far away as Reno, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area.  It was a full house.  We ran into a dear friend we once spent a lot of time with but hadn't seen in almost twenty years.  He lives and works in Sacramento, but our schedules don't allow much time to visit with people who are close.  Travel is usually our only break from the still hectic life. 

The abundance of cultural events and activities in the Gold Country cities is really rewarding.  Not only do we live in an historical Gold Rush Era community, surrounded by pine and fir trees, but we enjoy the Victorian architecture mingled with the many styles of homes from the early 1900's.  As a major center piece for the gold rush, during the mid 1800's, Nevada City and Grass Valley have a huge history that dominates the themes of restaurants, hotels, and many of the retail stores in the area, not to mention all the mining museums, many of which are full blown mines that one can tour.  More to the point of today's entry, though, is the abundance of culture one finds in Nevada County.  There is a well run Center For The Arts at 314 West Main Street, which was responsible for bringing in the Buddy Guy concert.  They put on concerts featuring local performers, some of which are remarkably good, and programs throughout the year and the community. 

The culture does not stop there.  We have the Sierra Dance institute, also at the same address as the Center For The Arts, The Tin House, which is a 1 acre facility for festivities and which stages performances from Americana/Folk, Indie, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Country.  There is the Foothill Theater Company, now known as the Nevada Theater, which puts on plays of all types by people who are locals and committed to their acting.  Then there is Off Broadstreet, located at 305 Commercial St., Nevada City, which produces only comedies, most of which are musicals, with a slant toward familiar hit songs of the 1950's and 60's, in an intimate cabaret seating theme.

A beautiful Autumn Day in Nevada City, CA

When it comes to good quality entertainment and a culturally uplifting experience, I don't think there is any city or town in California that brings the variety and quality of cultural events, not to mention the beauty of the Sierra Foothills,
we find in this small town community in Nevada County.