AUBURN– After another wet winter, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties. This suspension takes effect Monday June 17, 2019 at 8:00 A.M. and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

Since January 1, 2019 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 1,170 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and building on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

•   Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
  
•   Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
  
•   Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass
  energy or green waste facility
  The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.
  The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
  For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
  

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Nevada City, Calif. –The Tahoe National Forest has released Fire and Forest Health: Your Tahoe National Forest on YouTube. The link to this short, eleven minute film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CupwYkSaRE. Fire and Forest Health was an official selection at the 2019 Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, CA.
Fire and Forest Health showcases wildland firefighters, biologists, foresters, and fuels specialists as they work together to stop catastrophic wildfires and increase forest health. This film was shot on location within the Tahoe National Forest and features Tahoe National Forest employees.
“At its heart, this is an educational film. Within a few short minutes audiences can learn how wildland firefighters prepare for the upcoming fire season and also how the US Forest Service is working to prevent catastrophic wildfires through the planning and implementation of forest health projects,” said Eli Ilano, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “We hope this film will be shared far and wide by educators, community groups, social media users, and anyone interested in wildfire prevention, forest health, and modern National Forest land management.”
Fire and Forest Health was produced in association with the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association. This film was written and directed by Tahoe National Forest Public Affairs Officer Joe Flannery. Origami Rocket, from Squaw Valley, CA. provided motion graphics, cinematography, and editing. Gigantic Film Co., from Bend, OR provided cinematography and editing.
Additional information about this film can be obtained from Joe Flannery, Public Affairs Officer for the Tahoe National Forest, at joseph.flannery@usda.gov or 530-478-6205.
For more information about the Tahoe National Forest, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Join the conversation by following us on Twitter attwitter.com/Tahoe_NF and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TahoeNF.
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(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after California Governor Gavin Newsom agreed to a deal with California lawmakers to expand free health coverage to illegal immigrants in the upcoming budget.
 
LaMalfa said: “Sacramento has long had a reputation for coming up with some crazy ideas, but providing free health coverage to illegal immigrants just might take the cake. Clearly, Governor Newsom and the state legislature haven’t been paying much attention to our state’s booming homelessness problem and have now decided to further incentivize illegal immigration. If California already can’t take care of its own people, why would the state even consider prioritizing those here illegally? The dangerous actions by the state will also place a higher burden on the federal government, as our already overwhelmed border agents will face an even greater surge in attempted illegal border crossings. This is an unjustifiable and irresponsible decision by the state that will make California a magnet for illegal immigration and impose higher costs on taxpayers from all across the country.”
 
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
 

SUSANVILLE, Calif.,  June 12, 2019 – The Lassen National Forest announced they will be opening of Zone V on the Eagle Lake Ranger District June 14, 2019.The price of personal wood permits remains $10.00 per cord, with a minimum purchase of two cords per permit. Multiple permits are available for up to a 10-cord limit. Personal use tags purchased on the Lassen National Forest are also valid on the Plumas National Forest and vice versa.
Fuelwood cutting permits may be purchased at the Eagle Lake Ranger District Office, located at 477-050 Eagle Lake Road near the intersection of Highway 36 and County Road A-1, three miles west of Susanville. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Woodcutters should call the 24-hour number, (530) 257-4188, to find out if any current restrictions apply.
The Forest reminds drivers that road conditions remain saturated and soft in many areas creating conditions where vehicles can easily become stuck. Drivers who venture onto the National Forest are asked to exercise sound judgment and be cautious when navigating on forest roads. Neglecting to do so in certain instances could put drivers at risk for being liable and cited by law enforcement for user-created resource damage.
“Warmer weather is helping to dry out roads but road conditions are still soft” said Eagle Lake Small Sales Officer Rickie Crowther. “, Many areas that may have been accessible in the recent past will not be due to saturated soils. Woodcutters and visitors should also be cautious of road damage from this winter’s abundant moisture.  We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit to the Lassen National Forest.”
Fuelwood cutters are reminded to stay on roads and trails, as traveling cross-country with motor vehicles to scout for wood is prohibited. Woodcutters are allowed to leave a Forest road to gather firewood with a valid wood permit, only if this activity does not harm natural resources.
Woodcutting is not allowed in timber sale areas or other commercial operations marked with “No Woodcutting” signs. Trees marked with paint outside of posted areas may not be cut or removed, including those on the ground, except for downed lodgepole pine.
The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, part U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
Lassen National Forest lies at the Crossroads of California, where the granite of the Sierra Nevada, the lava of the Cascades and the Modoc Plateau, and the sagebrush of the Great Basin meet. The Forest is managed for recreational access as well as timber and firewood, forage for livestock, water, minerals, and other natural resources.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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​The California State Fair will be held at Cal Expo in Sacramento on Friday, July 12th through Sunday, July 28th.  I am looking for volunteers to staff the exhibit during the fair.  The fair hours are Monday-Thursday 11am to 10pm and Friday-Sunday 10am to 10pm.  Each volunteer will get a free admission to the fair, as well as a parking pass.  I encourage you to get several people together and go for the whole day and take turns staffing.  That will give everyone an opportunity to see the other activities and events at the fair.  You can also do a half day early or late shift, if that fits better into your schedule.   I am in the process of signing up volunteers so that I can turn in the paperwork, so please let me know as soon as possible if you can help.   My phone number in Sierra City is 862-1173 and my email address is maryervinlaw@gmail.com. 
 
I want to thank you for your support and dedication in bringing out the best of Sierra County!
 
 
Mary Ervin, Counties Exhibit Coordinator
For Sierra County

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges customers to conserve electricity in response to a statewide Flex Alert called for today, Tuesday, June 11, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., by the California Independent System Operator (ISO), which manages the state’s power grid.
 
A Flex Alert is an urgent call to immediately conserve electricity and shift power demand to off-peak hours to ease strain on the grid. The ISO issued the alert in response to high temperatures and high energy demand.
 
Because of widespread heat, the ISO anticipates energy demand reaching a peak of 42,800 megawatts (MW) this evening. Also, two units with a total generation of 1,260 MW are offline due to mechanical failures. For security reasons, the ISO declined to identify the units. The Flex Alert is in response to the combination of high electricity demand and reduced generation.
 
Earlier in the day, the ISO issued a Restricted Maintenance Operations (RMO), which requires generators and transmission owners to postpone scheduled maintenance to keep grid assets available for use.
PG&E encourages customers to reduce electricity use today, especially during the afternoon, when air conditioners are typically at peak use. Customers should also follow these conservation tips:
 
·         Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher or turn it off if you will be away from home. Use a fan instead of air conditioning, when possible.
·         Draw drapes and turn off unnecessary lighting.
·         Keep refrigerator full (with bottles of water if nothing else) and unplug any second refrigerator in the home or garage.
·         Avoid using electrical appliances and devices. Put off tasks such as vacuuming, laundry, dish washing and computer time until after 10 p.m.
·         Set your pool pump to run overnight instead of during the day.
 
These Flex Alert-related conservation efforts could reduce the risk of further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.
 
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ or www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.
 

 
By Glenn Mollette 
 
What can we as father's do with our remaining years? 
 
We can't turn back the clock. Any and all missed opportunities cannot be reclaimed. 
Some father's live with regrets while others know they did the best they could. 
 
I don't know of too many dads who deeply feel like they have been perfect. In our younger adult and middle age years we had a lot on our plates. We were trying to make it in our jobs and keep food in the house and a roof over our heads. Most of the time we were juggling long hours. Most of us tried to do the best we could.
 
The best you can do with your remaining years is to love your children and grandchildren and others. Call them on the telephone and visit them every chance you have. Engage in personal conversations. Talk to them about their lives and what they are doing. Give advice but don't overdo it. Try to remember how well you listened to advice when you were 30 years old.

Help your family as you can but if you do it all the time you will cripple them. What are your children going to do when you are gone? They have to make it financially and emotionally. Birds must learn to fly on their own and so do our children. Most anyone can go through a lot of money in a year or two if they don't know how to budget and live thrifty.  
 
Find opportunities to engage with family as you can. Sometimes a day trip in a car with the radio off provides a lot of casual opportunities to talk about old times and new times. Casually let your children in on things you have learned in your life. They might remember them later down the road. Ask them to tell you what they have learned and you will probably discover your child is going through some of the same stuff you did at his or her age. 
 
As a father keep it balanced. How many years do you have left? I see old dads who spend every day with their children and grandchildren and maybe this is what you want. Personally, I don't think it's healthy for anybody. Husbands and wives need to stay emotionally connected and this means taking time to go out of town by themselves. Whether it's vacation, hobbies or simply maintaining an independent life. I've seen too many dads move in with a child and then soon the child was controlling dad's checkbook and telling dad how to spend his money. The next move of course is "finding a home for dad," which means assisted living or a nursing home. 
 
Keep your independence. Keep driving. Do daily activities to keep strong. Eat healthy as possible. See good doctors and stay away from the bad ones. 
 
Finally, be a good, happy, loving and independent father. That is probably the best gift you can give your children this father's day. 

 
The Class of 2019 was awarded close to 33,000 in local and state scholarships Friday, June 7 at the Senior Awards Banquet, held at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church social hall. Loyalton High School is so very grateful to everyone who has supported our students over the years and far into their very bright futures!
 
The scholarships from local and regional organizations were as follows:
 
• Kenneth Alexander Memorial Scholarship, $1,000, Alannah Colberg
• American Legion, $250, Vincent DelBarba
• John C. Bechen III Memorial Scholarships, $3,000, Matthew Graves, Devin Wright, Dillon Tuggle
• Booster Club Scholarships, $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Calpine Elks Vocational/Larry Holt Memorial Scholarship, $1,000, Micah Edwards
• Calpine Improvement Association Scholarship, $2,000, Dillon Tuggle
• E Clampus Vitus/James J. Sinnott-Norm Nielsen Scholarship, $1,849, Alannah Colberg
• Edna Gottardi Memorial Scholarship, $500, Matt Stilson
• Graeagle Lions Club Scholarship, $500, Anton Lysen
• Liberty Utilities Scholarship, $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Loyalton Sports Club, $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Joan Morgan Memorial Scholarship, $500, Alannah Colberg
• Clayton Floyed Neer 4-H Memorial, $250, Anton Lysen
• Plumas Association of Realtors, Leonard H.A. Franz Scholarship, $1,000, Devin Wright
• Plumas-Sierra Cattlewomen, $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Roping Club/Steve Maddalena Memorial Scholarship, $1,200, Matthew Graves, $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Rotary Club of Loyalton Excellence Award: $1,000, Devin Wright
• William Rouse Memorial, $1000 each, Dillon Tuggle and Anton Lysen
• Joe Runge Memorial Scholarship, $100, Vincent DelBarba
• Sierra County Employees Association, $250, Alannah Colberg
• Sierra-Plumas Teachers Association, $500 each, Alannah Colberg and Devin Wright
• Sierra Valley Grange, $665 each, Matthew Graves, Alannah Colberg, Anton Lysen and Devin Wright
• Sierra Valley Gun Club, $500, Anton Lysen
• Dick Wiggins Memorial Scholarship (Loyalton Rotary), $1,000, Anton Lysen
• Emily Wilbanks Memorial Scholarship, $1,000, Alannah Colberg
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, $500, Devin Wright
 
 Scholarships on the state level awarded:
• California-Hawaii Elks Association, $400 to Matthew Graves
College Scholarships for academic/athletic merit awarded:
• University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Scholars, $2,500 to Devin Wright
 
Valedictorian for Class of 2019: Matthew Graves
Salutatorians for Class of 2019: Dillon Tuggle and Devin Wright
 
The seniors have announced their post-graduation plans: Rhiannon Brooks, Truckee Meadows Community College; Alannah Colberg, University of Nevada, Reno; Vincent Del Barba, Feather River Community College; Micah Edwards, Truckee Meadows Community College; Matthew Graves, Oregon State University, Honors Program; Sean Huberty, Entering Workforce; Kody Jackowiak; Entering Workforce; Anton Lysen, Central Oregon Community College; Bernardo Martinez, Entering Workforce; Joseph Richard, Lassen Community College; Luis Rivas, Entering Workforce; Travis Schwier, Entering Workforce; Bret Sheridan; Truckee Meadows Community College; Matthew Stilson, Truckee Meadows Community College; Dillon Tuggle, University of Nevada, Reno; Luke Wohnoutka, Entering Workforce; Devin Wright, University of Nevada, Reno.

The East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank all the car clubs and vehicle enthusiast that honored us by coming to Sierra County and our community, without them there would be no show. These beautiful vehicles came from all over Northern Nevada, California and one from Texas. This year’s show was over the top!  The winners are: Best Classic Steve, Beechler Reno NV, 1963 Chevy Nova, Best Custom, Bud Clark, Cool CA, 1954 Mercury, Best Sports Car, Dave Kelton, Reno NV, 1969 Jaguar,  Best Hot Rod, Dave Bottemiller, Reno NV, 1932 Ford Roadster, Best Rat Rod, John Gould, Loyalton CA, 1942 Ford, Best Pickup, Richard Maneville, Incline Village NV, 1957 GMC, Best 4X4, Richard Mansville, Incline Village NV, 1957 GMC, Best Big Rig, Jim Dobbas, Sattley CA, 1953 Kenworth, Best Paint, Sib Fedore, Meridian CA, 1931 Ford Model A, Ms. Lady Hot Rod, Ms. Juanita Klingersmith, Sparks NV, 1939 Studebaker Pickup, Furthest Traveled, Mike Sprock, Bellville TX 1931 Ford Model A Coupe and the vehicle who won Best Of Show: Milt & Nora Harris in their 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet.
We would like to thank once again publically those businesses and individuals who help sponsor this years Recycled Relics Car Show, they are as follows:  Leonards Market, A Bit of Beach, Ms. Karen Rickman, Ms. Bonnie Jessee Dickson Realty, Dickson Realty Portola, CNC Wood Carving, Bobby Wheeler, Gilded Drifter, Chelsea Johnson, Mountain Feather Massage, Lola Garza,  HV Trailer Parts Mr. Alan Schumacher, Ms. Claire Schumacher Lama Products, Flash Lights and other assorted electrical products, Golden West, Roen Family, Red Moose, Sierra City, Sierra Valley Home Center, Ms. Kim Folchi, Wiley Automotive, Mr. Tom Wiley, Sierra City Store, Mr. Larry Breed, Whites Sierra Station, White Family, Sierra Valley Feed & Ranch Supply, Roen Family, Sierra Booster, Ms. Jan Buck, Hair Faire, Ms. Becky Hubbs, Sierra County Arts Council BJ & Team, Sierra Hot Springs, NACOB, TIP PRINTING & Graphics Mr. Joel Gressel, Larkspur Café  Josh & Jill Macoutz, The Drifters Table John & Jean, Dryden Plumbing, Forest & Sharon Dryden, Rhonda’s Lil Frosty Ms. Rhonda Siquedio, KT Hay & Cattle, Dennis Marsh Family, Mt. Messenger, Mr. Don Russell and Judge Yvette Durant.
Our final thank you goes and gratitude goes out to the crafters and vendors who came, we very much appreciated their participation and sincerely hope they will return next year.
Thank you one and all,
East Sierra Valley Chamber of Commerce/Recycled Relics Team 
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Particularly disturbing is the apathy among our kids regarding civics and history
 
WASHINGTON, DC, June 7 -- There are those who dismiss George Santayana’s claim that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Among them was the late American author Kurt Vonnegut who is quoted as saying “we're doomed to repeat the past no matter what.”
 
“Whatever the position on the need to know our nation’s history, the fact remains that a knowledge of how the U.S. came to be and the stories of those individuals who made it happen are essential if our children are to grow up to be reliably industrious citizens. But the sad news is that too few of today’s schoolchildren take an interest in the lessons of history. And now there is evidence that their big brothers and sisters are apathetic, at best, about our past,” according to Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].
 
Weber cites a recent Wall Street Journal article about the dramatic decline in the numbers of visitors to Civil War battlefield sites as reported by the National Park Service. The story noted that in 1970 more than ten million sightseers made trips to the top five sites compared with just 3.1 million last year-- a drop of some 70%. “A lack of interest by younger generations” was cited by the Journal for the extreme drop in attendance. 
 
John Daniel Davidson at The Federalist says it goes beyond indifference. In an article published in the online magazine he wrote: “it’s not just that young people are not taught to respect history.  They are often not taught history at all.  To the extent they are, they are told that American history is a parade of horribles: slavery, genocide, bigotry, greed—a story above all of injustice and oppression, perpetrated by the powerful against the weak.”
 
In an interview last fall with the Daily Signal, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recalled a visit to a classroom “where one of the teachers was wearing a shirt that said, ‘Find Your Truth,’ suggesting that, of course, truth is a very fungible and mutable thing instead of focusing on the fact that there is objective truth and part of learning is actually pursuing that truth. So roll it back, there is a very important need for students to know the foundations of our country and the ideas around which our country was formed. And to then have the ability to discuss and debate those ideas freely on their K-12 campuses and on their higher ed campuses.”
 
Weber underscored the fact that The Declaration of Independence is real and so is the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. “They attest to the unselfish or non-biased elements of the birth of our nation. So too are America’s heroic individuals real, historic heroes such as our Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln. And, it cannot be denied that our unique form of government, our democratic republic, has proven to be as fair as any government that ever existed.”
 
So, Weber says, it is sad to learn that just 26% of Americans can name the three branches of government-- the executive, legislative and judicial branches. A surveyconducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center also found that 30% of the participants couldn’t even identify one of the branches of government.
 
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Center for American Progress, commented on the Annenberg poll. Her reaction was that “those unfamiliar with our three branches of government can’t understand the importance of checks and balances and an independent judiciary. Lack of basic civics knowledge is worrisome and an argument for an increased focus on civics education in the schools.”

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The 2 million member Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] [https://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at https://amac.us/join-amac.