Many of you have been following our progress for quite some time and are drawn to the concept of cohousing. Now is the time to come for a visit, see our site and get to know our members. Please come to visit us on Nov. 19th  or any third Saturday of the month. (See the side bar on the right or look under Cohousing Events, to reserve a space.) We are rapidly selling out, and we are getting new members all the time. Our newest member is Claire Manhart (Welcome Claire!), and as of Claire’s joining, we have no 1 bedroom homes left, no third floor homes of any kind left, and only 6 homes total remain. The time is now.

There is an impressive membership meeting where you can see a fine example of consensus decision making. This is followed by an introductory slideshow and discussion with members and interested guests. The day ends with food, of course. Be our guest at a full on, fill you tummy potluck.

email or phone 530 478-1970 for more information and location

What are you waiting for???

Lodgers check out their homes, or at least the subfloor. And check out that view!

Not in the Area? Not convenient to make it to a slideshow presentation? You won’t want to miss our next webinar slideshow presented by Katie McCamant on Nov. 15th at 5:30 PM (PDT) This is a great opportunity to hear about senior cohousing from one of the experts.

Did you know that there are only four adult cohousing communities in the US and one of them is in the California Foothills? For people over 50 who want to live in walkable, sustainable, adult communities where real relationships with like minded people flourish, this is an idea worth hearing about. Adult Cohousing is an idea who’s time has come.

Katie McCamant, author and architect, will speak about adult cohousing in general, and the development of Wolf Creek Lodge in Grass Valley, the fourth such development in the country. Katie is co-author, with architect Chuck Durrett, of the recently released “Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living. – The Handbook” and “Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities”.

Click here to let us know you will attend. We will send the coordinates!

I wouldn’t count on those turkeys being shy. Do we have any good hunters among us? Magdalene

Saw about a dozen wild turkeys on the property this weekend. Now that would be a locally grown, organic Thanksgiving dinner!!!!!

Jo, Shannons, and Claire at Donner Peak

Members of Wolf Creek Lodge have formed a vibrant community while planning the project with Chuck and Katie.  We now see the lodge under construction as our plans are fulfilled.

Claire and I are newer members.  Since we currently live in Truckee we have been able to share our enthusiasm for the hiking opportunities around Donner Pass.  Wolf Creek Lodge is about an hours’ drive away from the pass so these hikes are very accessible.

So far we have had two of these hikes and plan another one on Friday, November 4th.

Our first hike was up to Donner Peak from US 40.  Donner Peak is a great spot for lunch with a fine view of Donner Lake and the surrounding peaks.

Last week we tackled the Loch Leven Lakes trail.  It leaves from Big Bend and climbs up across the transcontinental railroad to 3 alpine lakes.

On November 4th we will hike along the Pacific Crest Trail joining Donner Summit on I 80 to Donner Pass on US 40.  We may also visit lakes Angela, Flora and Azalea.  We can make adjustments to suit hikers of all abilities.  Some may go one way and others do the loop.

So far the hiking group consists of eight people.  As we move into winter the hiking will transform itself into snowshoeing and cross country skiing. There are two world class country ski areas at Royal Gorge and Tahoe Donner.

When we move into Wolf Creek Lodge others who currently live more remotely will be able to join us.  Claire and I hope that some of the Grass Valley locals will introduce us to hikes near Grass Valley – perhaps along the Yuba River.

The Fruit Jar Pickers – every Sunday Morning in Rough and Ready

Journey to Rough and Ready on any Sunday between 10am and noon and hear the infamous Rough and Ready Fruit Jar Pickers.  They are playing at the Grange, located across the road from the Market in downtown Rough and Ready. The band performs sing-alongs and down-home parodies of old standards, country, bluegrass and gospel songs.

Performances are free, just bring your sense of humor and a  willingness to singalong!

Clint Black at The Center For The Arts

Wednesday, November 30

With the Anderson Family Band opening
255 S. Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
7:30PM, $75, reserved seating and parking
General Admission: $45 members, $55 non-member
Limit of 4 tickets per member at member price .Click here for info.

Nevada City Farmers Market

This Summer Come to the Market Every Saturday Morning 8:30 to 12:30 through November 12th.

Celebrate Summer Nevada City style!  More than fresh organic produce. Enjoy community, see old friends and meet new ones.  With live music, local vendors, breakfast treats, artists, chi gong, yoga sessions and more.  Stop by and feel the energy!

Grass Valley, California “Cornish Christmas”
Friday Nights, Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 2011 from 6:00 – 9:00pm

I hope all of you had an exciting Halloween. Did you know that the day we celebrate Halloween was once celebrated as the beginning of the New Year? So for all of you who are embarking on a new phase of your life this month, Happy New Year! For myself, it is really a new phase as I have sold my home in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I’m looking forward to moving into Wolf Creek Lodge this coming summer. And I’m not the only one! (More on home sales in the next issue.) Come visit us on any third Saturday of the month and see if you, too, are ready to start a new phase of your life.

Suzanne Marriott, editor

Grass Valley is Special! Why?  Because  there are only four adult cohousing communities in the US and one of them is here.

For people over 50 who want to live in walkable, sustainable, adult communities where real relationships with like minded people flourish, this is an idea worth hearing about. Adult Cohousing is an idea who’s time has come.

Tell your friends to come hear Katie McCamant, author and architect,  speak about adult cohousing in general, and the development of Wolf Creek Lodge in Grass Valley right here in the  Briar Patch Community Room.

Katie is co-author, with architect Chuck Durrett, of the recently released “Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living. – The Handbook” and “Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities”.

The presentation is free to the public and will take place  at the following location:

Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011
1:30PM – 3:00 PM
Briar Patch Community Room 290 Sierra College Dr. Grass Valley, CA

For many baby boomers, the dream of spacious living has become a liability.  The coveted large home and rolling lawns are a pain to maintain. At the same time, boomers are finding that traditional retirement communities are not always an attractive alternative. They don’t want to be managed, and they don’t want to live with hundreds of other seniors.

Members of adult cohousing seek a balance between independent and community living, and are creating a caring and supportive neighborhood with those who share their vision of purposeful aging. Members range in age from 55 to 87 and include couples moving from their previous “dream homes” on 15 acres, to singles purchasing their first home.

For more detailed information on adult cohousing and Wolf Creek Lodge, visit their website at “http://www.wolfcreeklodge.org” http://www.wolfcreeklodge.org. Their orientation events are free but space is limited, so call 530-478-1970 or email info@wolfcreeklodge.comto reserve a space.