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Borrowing to fund pensions could make California the next Puerto Rico

5/31/2017

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Marc Joffe

Governor Brown’s proposal to fund CalPERS with borrowed money parallels a similar move by Puerto Rico in 2008. Borrowing to meet pension obligations can work under certain circumstances, but it is a risky policy. It backfired in Puerto Rico and can do so here.
Last month, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed for bankruptcy in federal court. The island’s government is unable to service $70 billion in bonds and almost $50 billion in pension debt. The bankruptcy filing – the largest ever by a U.S. government unit – was just the latest chapter in a fiscal crisis decades in the making.
In 2008, Puerto Rico opted to plug a hole in its retirement system funding by issuing Pension Obligation Bonds (POBs). The Commonwealth borrowed $3 billion from bond investors to contribute to its Employees Retirement System (ERS), Puerto Rico’s analog to CalPERS.
Puerto Rico’s timing could not have been much worse.  Between early 2008 and early 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by about 50%.
ERS disclosures do not allow us to see precisely how poorly the investments purchased with the POB money performed, but we do know that the total value of the system’s assets fell from $5.77 billion on June 30, 2008 to $5.07 billion on June 30, 2009 – a decline of about 15%. One saving grace for ERS is that a lot of its assets were held in cash or cash equivalents. That is usually a bad practice for a pension fund investing for the long term, but it worked in this case.
During the same fiscal year, CalPERS suffered a loss of 24%. Had the state borrowed $6 billion (the amount recently proposed by Brown) to invest in CalPERS in June 2008, almost $1.5 billion of that would have been wiped out. It would take several years of above-average returns to make up for such a large loss.
Given this history, a reasonable question to ask is whether a 2008-style market crash could happen again in the near future. Since 2009, an eight-year bull market has more than trebled stock valuations, increasing the risk of a major drop. In 2016, our own Ed Ring argued that stock prices were quite high by historical standards, and that it was reasonable to expect a 47% correction.
Since Ring’s piece appeared, the market has continued to rally, largely in response to Donald Trump’s election. The market seems to be expecting tax cuts and deregulatory policies that will stimulate growth. But with the Trump administration facing stiff resistance from Democrats, some Republicans and just about all of the mainstream media, it is increasingly possible that the anticipated policies will never materialize.
Whether it is a Trump administration meltdown, a collapse of the Silicon Valley bubble or a shock from overseas, history suggests that some event will trigger a downturn sooner rather than later. Even Jerry Brown seems worried. In his May 11 budget press conference, the governor told reporters, “We’ve got ongoing pressures from Washington and the economic recovery – it’s not going to last forever. In California, we don’t live in fixed world of straight-line revenues that keep rising and never go down.”
Brown’s comments refer to the state’s revenue volatility. California’s tax system is heavily dependent on revenue from capital gains taxes as well as personal income taxes on high earners, whose salaries rise and fall with the market. As a result, the state’s revenue swings widely with the economy. This is also the case with some expenditures, like public assistance, unemployment benefits and, especially, Medi-Cal.
So if we have a recession and bear market, the state will lose money on its CalPERS investment just as it starts running large deficits. And that could pose an additional problem. While Puerto Rico’s pension borrowing took the form of bonds, Brown is planning to borrow California’s $6 billion CalPERS payment from the Pooled Money Investment Account. PMIA holds short-term funds for the state, as well as cities, counties, and other local entities. On its face, borrowing from PMIA is a lot smarter than issuing POBs because the interest cost is much lower.
But in previous recessions, California’s General Fund has had to borrow from PMIA. During Fiscal Year 2009-2010, the General Fund owed PMIA a daily average of $9.6 billion. By lending money to CalPERS, PMIA may find itself unable to provide General Fund loans, just when they are needed the most.
Finally, while the rate on PMIA loans is very low right now, it is also variable. Although we have now had an extended period of short-term interest rates, many of us remember very different circumstances. In Fiscal Year 1981-82, PMIA’s short-term assets earned 12% interest as the Federal Reserve battled inflation. At the time, stock prices were also falling sharply, so borrowing money at variable rates to invest in CalPERS back then would have produced especially disastrous results.
Back in Puerto Rico, borrowing to fund pensions has been a failure. The government is now demanding that both bondholders and retired workers take a haircut. The Employee Retirement System reported a funded ratio of less than 2% last year. Current retirees will have to be paid from employer contributions, while new hires and current employees will be migrated to a defined-contribution plan.
Admittedly California has advantages over Puerto Rico, and some of the worst-case scenarios discussed here are improbable. But proper risk management requires us to consider the improbable. Rather than rushing into this transaction, lawmakers would do well to take the Legislative Analyst’s Office advice to slow down and carefully consider the implications.

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The Effects of Drought Years:

5/31/2017

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Picture
This 38 year old Fir shows the effects of the recent drought years.  Many trees this size are down in our area of the Sierra Mountain Range.  Stressed by drought, trees do not survive heavy snows such as we have had this year.  Many of the old dead Sugar Pines, that stand as silver reminders of the "old forest" before out time, are down.  Creeks, rivers and back roads are criss-crossed by downed trees.
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Please Don’t Call Me Conservative or Liberal

5/31/2017

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By Harold Pease, Ph. D


Please understand!  I am deeply offended when called either conservative or liberal.  These are traps for the ignorant who wish to reduce my years of serious contemplation to a word so that a part of my readers can praise me (“Well done! “ “You are one of us!”).  And the other part can dismiss me by a single word—even hate me.  This is war, every bit as much as it was for the Founding Fathers and I will not be dismissed.  There are Loyalist or Tories in our day just as there were in theirs and I stand to call them out, whether Democrats or Republicans. 


My views are the Founders collective view.  I draw from the same fountain of natural law as they did and appeal to the same “father of lights to illuminate my understanding” (Ben Franklin’s words at the Constitutional Convention), as they did.  I am my own thinker.


I have been a college professor for many years and students sit in front of me just waiting to tag me with some label that did not then exist in the same way and dismiss me or marginalize me so that they do not have to think.  As long as they are not successful they are teachable and have to deal with the inconsistencies of both ideologies—liberal and conservative.  I have friends in both camps and sooner or latter they say to me, somewhat surprised, “I thought you were one of us.”


I, like George Washington, dislike political parties.  Today both major parties undermine the Constitution and collective ignorance, reinforced by numbers, is more dangerous than individual ignorance.  Neither uses the Constitution as first consideration in governing.


I publicly challenged the Republican Party for leading us into the Iraq Wars against Saddam Hussein because the evidence for doing so (9 11, weapons of mass destruction, preemption-–the concept that they would do something to us eventually) did not exist and had to be constantly changed to justify our presence.  I did not oppose the war in Afghanistan because the evidence was there for 9 11 but I do now because we have no clear definable win objectives and lack the will to unleash everything we have to win.  It is another Vietnam quagmire.
 
It was the George W. Bush administration that gave us the Patriot Act, which allowed the government to define terrorists as her own people and severely damaged the Bill of Rights.  Republicans looked the other way as the National Security Agency (NSA) gave itself authority to gather and store in Bluffdale, Utah every electronic message of her own people.  While the government looks within for the enemy, it fails to secure our borders, until now, from Middle Eastern intruders from countries with a known intent to harm us.  With respect to national health care, something they unanimously opposed, and which has no constitutional basis, they now look more like Democrats who at least were not hypocritical in their desire to take-over a third of the economy.  “Obamacare-light” is still Obamacare.


Democrats have taken spending to an unacceptable level and seem intent to risk collapsing the entire economy in doing so.  With each crisis they help create, their remedy is always more government as they hamstring businesses that create our jobs with numberless rules and regulations. 


Their model is not the Founders or the Constitution but socialist countries in Europe some of whom tax their people over 50% of their income and have far less freedom. A worshipful press has never properly explained Obama’s past connection with revolutionary Bill Ayer, Founder of the militant Whether Underground, which bombed government buildings in the seventies.  While China, Cuba, and even Canada are showing clear signs of backing off socialism we seemed “hell bent” to rush into it under either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.
  
Moreover, instead of investigating the Clinton Foundation or Clinton Classified Emails Scandals, that jeopardized national security of which there exists extensive documentation, far more than on Nixon’s Watergate, they push Russian influence in the Donald Trump election for which real documentation is non-existent.  Amazing!


So what do I embrace?  I usually drop a tear or two when the National Anthem is played.  I am touched by George Washington who loved his country enough to risk his life in a doubtful cause failing to win a single battle the first year against England, the most powerful nation on earth, and refused pay from the government for his services as a general or as president.  I love knowing that Founders and presidents acknowledge the hand of God in crisis and shamelessly went to him for help.  I love the stories of servicemen who put their lives on the line to save a buddy.  I have undying respect for those who served their country with the primary intent of saving freedom—even if they did not understand the motives of the politicians who sent them.  I love people who stand for traditional values of honesty, integrity and morality and did not justify President Clinton’s numerous White House affairs.


So what am I?  Only a typical American that wants to return to our base and thinks more people embrace this description than either party ideology.  So please just call me a patriotic American.  That is a title that I wear with honor.


 
Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the


writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.


 
 

 
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PG&E Campgrounds in Plumas County Available for Public Use

5/30/2017

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CHICO, Calif. —Several Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) public campgrounds in Plumas County are opening today after delays caused winter storms, which damaged facilities, roads and trees.
 
PG&E’s Rocky Point Campground near Canyon Dam opened in time for  Memorial Day weekend, but one of the three campsite loops will remain closed due to a large dead tree hazard. The tree contains a nesting osprey – a protected species – and cannot be removed until after nesting season. The loop is expected to open sometime in August after the tree can be safely removed.
 
The Last Chance Campground north of Chester opens today.
 
Several PG&E day-use areas with picnic tables and other amenities along the south shore of Lake Almanor are open.
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At PG&E’s Butt Valley Reservoir, the Ponderosa Flat Campground is partially open but the Cool Springs Campground is closed at least through June 30 due to storm damage. Also, the Butt-Gasner Road (U.S. Forest Service Road 27N26 and 27N26d) between Caribou and Butt Valley Reservoir has been closed since winter due to landslides.
 
The Yellow Creek Campground in Humbug Valley has no open date at this time due to badly damaged roads.
 
At Bucks Lake, opening dates for PG&E’s Haskins Valley and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds have not been set. These campgrounds are still covered in snow and will be evaluated for repairs once the snow has melted. Motorists are advised that the route from Oroville to Bucks Lake on the Oroville-Quincy Highway is closed due to a landslide.
 
Public access to Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area is not possible along U.S. Forest Service Route 24N36 (also known as Grizzly-Big Creek Road) as the road has a major washout.  The public is advised to use USFS Route 24N34 (Bucks Penstock Road) from Bucks Lake Dam.  There is no estimate on repair of Grizzly-Big Creek Road.
 
 
PG&E is working with its campground hosts, the county, and the U.S. Forest Service to reopen roads and open more campsites, as soon as it is safe to do so.
 
For reservations at group and individual campsites and for PG&E campground status throughout much of Northern and Central California, visit www.pge.com/recreation.
 
 
PG&E Campground Information
 
PG&E maintains campgrounds and recreational facilities for public use surrounding its vast hydroelectric system reservoirs. Throughout Northern and Central California, PG&E offers dozens of lakes for boating, fishing and swimming, as well as campgrounds, hiking trails and more for the public’s enjoyment.
 
Campers and day-hikers can go online and reserve sites at dozens of PG&E campgrounds located at reservoirs from the Pit River in Shasta County to Kings River region in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range.
 
All campgrounds also have some first-come, first-served sites except for group-only campgrounds.
 
There are also many day-use areas and trails, such as the Pecho Coast Trail and Point Buchon Trail near the ocean in San Luis Obispo County.
 
Reservations are generally available Memorial Day through Labor Day. The 2017 season is starting later than previous seasons at some locations due to heavy snowfall and other weather conditions. There is a minimum two-night stay at reserved campgrounds and a consecutive 14-night limit for camping.
 
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 energy companies 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/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.
 
 
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SIERRA COUNTY CASES WEEK ENDING May 26, 2017

5/26/2017

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Byron Caudle (59) Loyalton.  Assault.  24 months probation, 92 days jail, fine $235, 20 hours of community service, and no contact with victim.
 
LeAnn Polastrini (43) Loyalton.  Failure to appear on probation violation. Six days jail, and reinstated on probation.
 
Hunter Henson (27) Loyalton.  Petty theft by shoplift. Fine $270, converted to two days jail, and ordered to pay restitution of $4 to Leonard’s Market.
 
Teri Pederson (41) Calpine.  Dog at large, fine $150.
 
Christine Kruck (59) Truckee.  Felony driving with blood alcohol of .08 or above, with three prior convictions.  Sentencing is on June 9, meanwhile she remains in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail.
 
Patrick Hall (35) Sacramento.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Hall was ordered to stand trial on possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.  He is in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.
 
Gary Sather (34) Portola.  Brandishing a knife. Two years probation, 4 days jail, and a fine of $650.
 
Mark Mansfield (62) Newcastle.  Violation of Sierra County building code.  Fine $455 and ordered to fix the property to come into compliance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Douglas (23) Napa, and Deborah Hunt (34) McKinnelyville.  After a contested    preliminary hearing, both were ordered to stand trial on charges of  conspiracy to commit robbery, residential burglary while occupied by another person, and attempted robbery.       According to testimony produced at the preliminary hearing, Hunt and Douglas traveled to Downieville to collect an alleged debt owed to Hunt.  At 10:30 at night, the two approached the front of a Downieville residence and without warning, Douglas attempted entry into the residence by breaking windows by the front door.  While Douglas was trying to enter, the homeowner armed himself with a rifle and confronted Douglas demanding he leave.  Douglas approached the homeowner and was shot in the arm.  Douglas fled and was picked up by Hunt and the two left Downieville in a vehicle. The pair was stopped just south of Downieville by the Sierra County Sheriff’s Department, and taken into custody.  They remain in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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CAL FIRE urges caution this Memorial Day Weekend

5/26/2017

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Public asked to take steps to prevent new fires and stay safe
Sacramento – With most of California expecting mild weather conditions over the holiday weekend, CAL FIRE urges everyone to be cautious and not let their guard down.  To keep everyone safe while planning to recreate outdoors for the Memorial Day weekend, CAL FIRE is asking the public to take steps to prevent sparking a new wildfire.
 
Click to tweet - .@CAL_FIRE increases fire staffing for #MemorialDayWeekend. http://ctt.ec/fAkYc+
 
“Although most of California is no longer experiencing drought conditions, the normal warm and dry climate of California means that it will always be susceptible to wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “All of us need to do our part to ensure we are being safe when working or recreating outdoors by taking precautions to avoid sparking a wildfire.”
 
Since January 1, CAL FIRE has responded to over 1,000 wildfires that have burned nearly 15,000 acres. Californians are encouraged to be vigilant and remember that One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire.
 
Camping:
Obtain a campfire permit (www.PreventWildfireCA.org)
Check for local fire restrictions
Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire
Have a responsible person in attendance at all times
Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving
When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended
 
Vehicle
Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with nothing dragging on the ground
When towing, make sure trailer chains are properly secured
Never drive or pull over into dry grass
 
Fire is not the only danger that can occur in the outdoors, as water drownings also increase dramatically during this holiday weekend. As the snowpack continues to melt, the rivers and lakes will run fast and cold, making them very dangerous.  Following a few simple steps could save someone’s life.
 
 
In the Water:
 
Always wear a life jacket!
Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult
Never swim alone
Be cautious of rivers and waterways with rapid currents
Drinking and swimming can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving
 
For more ways to be safe this holiday, visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.
 
# # #
 
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Extremely Hazardous River Conditions at the South Yuba River

5/25/2017

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Grass Valley, Calif.

High River flows caused by Sierra snowmelt has made swimming or recreating near the shoreline of the South Yuba River extremely hazardous.
Due to a record setting Sierra snowpack and unseasonal warm temperatures, the South Yuba River is running faster and colder than we have seen in many years. Areas that appear to be safe may have dangerous undertow currents. Wearing life jackets and closely supervising small children are strongly advised.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages. (CDC.“Drowning risks in Natural Water Settings.” 6/13/2012)
For the latest information on river conditions, please check the Department of Water Resources website.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at info@parks.ca.gov or via RSS feed.
California State Parks
Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
California’s D 

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​Smoke Free Policies Benefit Patrons

5/25/2017

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Friday Night Live Kids
 
Are you a health care provider? If so, adopting a smoke free workplace policy could benefit patrons in many ways.
 
First, patrons won’t be exposed to the secondhand smoke in the air or third hand smoke which could make them sick. Many studies have shown that smoking bans reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, a preventable cause of illness and death.
 
Second, they would not have to see or smell tobacco litter. Nobody likes to go somewhere and see a lot of cigarette butts or ashtrays around.
 
Third, it shows that health care provider wants to protect the patrons’ health. When patrons notice that a smoke free policy has been adopted, it shows their health care provider cares about keeping everybody healthy. 
 
Lastly, patrons and their family members may try to quit after the policy is implemented.
 
In conclusion, Loyalton Friday Night Live Kids asks you to consider the benefits of having a smoke free campus.
 
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USDA Encourages the Use of Food Thermometers to be Food Safe this Summer

5/25/2017

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          WASHINGTON, May 25, 2017 — Summer is a time for family vacations, backyard barbeques and plenty of outdoor activities with food as the centerpiece. But before those steaks and burgers go on the grill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) wants to remind consumers to keep their family and themselves safe from foodborne illness by using a food thermometer to ensure meat and poultry is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
 
“The best and only way to make sure bacteria have been killed and food is safe to eat is by cooking it to the correct internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “It is a simple step that can stop your family and guests from getting foodborne illness.”
 
Recent research by USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that only 34 percent of the public use a food thermometer when cooking hamburgers. If you don’t verify your burger’s internal temperature, pathogens may still be present. When eaten, those hamburgers can make your guests and your family sick.
 
In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million people suffer from foodborne illness each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
 
So how do you avoid becoming a part of those statistics? Follow USDA’s four easy steps to food safety this summer.
Clean: Make sure to always wash your hands and surfaces with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before cooking and after handling raw meat or poultry. If cooking outside or away from a kitchen, pack clean cloths and moist towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.
Separate: When taking food off of the grill, use clean utensils and platters. Don't put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry.
Cook: Alwaysuse a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat and poultry. Place the food thermometer in the thickest part of the food.
 
  • Hamburgers, sausages and other ground meats should reach 160°F.
  • All poultry should reach a minimum temperature of 165°F.
  • Whole cuts of pork, lamb, veal, and of beef should be cooked to 145°F as measured by a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, and allowed to rest for three minutes before eating. A "rest time" is the amount of time the product remains at the final temperature, after it has been removed from a grill, oven, or other heat source. During the three minutes after meat is removed from the heat source, its temperature remains constant or continues to rise, which destroys pathogens.
  • Fish should be cooked to 145°F.
  • Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside, and by using a food thermometer you can be sure items have reached a safe minimum internal temperature needed to destroy any harmful bacteria that may be present.
 
Chill: Place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate or freeze immediately. Discard food that has been sitting out longer than two hours. 
 
Need more food safety information? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (1-888-674-6854) Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or email or chat at AskKaren.gov.
 

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US Forest Service: Oro-Quincy Hwy & Forbestown Dam road closures

5/25/2017

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Plumas National Forest visitors wanting access to the Bucks Lake and Granite Basin areas are advised to use CA Hwy 70 to Quincy/Plumas County Road 414 (Bucks Lake Road) as an alternate to the temporarily closed Oro-Quincy Hwy (Butte County Road 119).
 
“Butte County has informed us that the Oro-Quincy Hwy (Butte County Road 119) is closed for an undetermined length of time due to storm damage,” according to Randy Gould, Feather River District Ranger.
 
Public access via Forest Service Road #22N49 is not advised as the road has heavy logging truck traffic and is rough, narrow and winding with no pullouts and poor sight distance (visibility).  The road is not suitable for commercial vehicles such as lowboys hauling equipment.
 
In addition, beginning May 30th, the road to the Forbestown Dam (FS #20N29) will be closed temporarily to allow South Feather Water & Power to fix storm damage to their facilities at the dam. The road will be re-opened no later than July 15, 2017 and possibly earlier depending on how quickly repairs can be accomplished.
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Extremely Hazardous River Conditions at the South Yuba River

5/23/2017

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Grass Valley, Calif.

High River flows caused by Sierra snowmelt has made swimming or recreating near the shoreline of the South Yuba River extremely hazardous.
Due to a record setting Sierra snowpack and unseasonal warm temperatures, the South Yuba River is running faster and colder than we have seen in many years. Areas that appear to be safe may have dangerous undertow currents. Wearing life jackets and closely supervising small children are strongly advised.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages. (CDC.“Drowning risks in Natural Water Settings.” 6/13/2012)
For the latest information on river conditions, please check the Department of Water Resources website.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at info@parks.ca.gov or via RSS feed.
California State Parks
Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
California’s Drought
Every Californian should take steps to conserve water at home, at work and even when recreating outdoors. Find out how at SaveOurWater.com and Drought.CA.Gov 

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LOYALTON TRAILER PARK

5/22/2017

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Loyalton City Council discussed City clean up at the regular May 16th meeting when resident Joy Markum suggested citizens look at ways not to look like sore thumbs and to clean up areas. Councilman Brooks Mitchell put her on a Community Action Committee to hear solutions and to be a future action item.
That brought discussion over Loyalton Mobile Estates, the County's trailer park just outside city limits. Those residents don't pay water and sewer charges as the council can't decide whether the water - which the city owns - can be shut off in the pipes which the park owns. Council members stated by shutting off the trailer park's water, it was trespassing on private property.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi took the floor and stated he'll not pay his water bills as there's "nothing ever done." He told the Council it's created a moral hazard and he encouraged people not to pay water and sewer bills. He called it discrimination, treating different groups of people differently under the same law.
Resident Eileen has seen the list of those delinquent on sewer and water and said her neighbors don't pay because there's no threat of turning off the water. She called it unfair.
Mayor Mark Marin admitted Portola has no lee way; delinquent users get shut off.
It was stated a just-hired employee owes $1,500. 
Monica Funk lives in the trailer park and since 2011, paid her rent to include water and sewer. She's tried to pay personally but the city can't accept it since the State has suspended the park's license.
Council member Brooks Mitchell wanted to set up a system as a donation.
No solution was found but there was free tire day for disposal at the transfer sites and there will be a vehicle and scap metla day in early June. County Supervisor Paul Roen told about getting rid of asbestos; owners have to place it in plastic bags and he called it "simple to take to Reno." He told the audience to "get in touch with the City."
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Memorial Day is so Much More than a Weekend for Barbecues

5/22/2017

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​
 
EOD Warrior Foundation places focus on fallen warriors, offers ways to commemorate day

NICEVILLE, Florida – (May 22, 2017) – As Memorial Day approaches, millions of people around the country will be planning weekend travel trips, backyard barbecues, and time on the water. While Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the official kick-off of summer, this day has a much more significant meaning. In fact, without those who serve in the military, ensuring our continued freedom, there’s a good chance that none of those enjoyable activities would be possible. May we never forget that Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who have died while serving.
“Our priority on Memorial Day should be to also remember those who have died in service making our freedom possible,” explains Nicole Motsek, executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation. “Memorial Day is a great opportunity to teach our children about the sacrifice so many men and women have made for our country.”
Here are 5 important facts to keep in mind this Memorial Day:
  • Memorial Day is observed every year on the last Monday of May, and is intended to officially and publicly remember men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.
  • There is a national moment of remembrance that takes place at 3 p.m. local time country wide.
  • Prior to being called Memorial Day, it was called Decoration Day, which was started three years after the Civil War ended. It was a day for decorating the graves of the fallen Civil War soldiers. Following WWI, it was expanded to include all those who had died in American wars.
  • In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Congress declared that the birthplace of Memorial Day was Waterloo, New York. It was there in 1866 that local veterans who had died in the Civil War were honored with a ceremony and observances. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday.
  • The first large observance of Memorial Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery.
“There are things that people can easily do to honor our nation’s fallen on Memorial Day,” adds Motsek. “Adding in an observance is a great way to round out the holiday weekend. What a great way to show appreciation for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as for their families who have sacrificed so much.”
On Memorial Day here are some ideas for observance: visit cemeteries to decorate the gravesites of fallen military members with flowers and flags, visit military memorials, support a charity that remembers fallen warriors and provides ongoing support to their families, attend special events and ceremonies, wear a Memorial Day badge or flag pin.  If you wish, it is also appropriate to fly the flag at half-staff on Memorial Day from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation's battle heroes.
The EOD Warrior Foundation has an EOD Memorial Wall, located at Eglin AFB in Florida that people can visit.
The EOD Warrior Foundation is an organization that helps the families of the 7,000 people in our military who are Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, and perform bomb disposal duties. The EOD Warrior Foundation helps this elite group by providing financial relief, therapeutic healing retreats, a scholarship program, care of the EOD Memorial Wall located at Eglin AFB, Fla. and more. Their work is supported by private donations and the generosity of those who support the organization.  To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, or see their fundraising events calendar, visit their site at: www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.
About EOD Warrior Foundation
The EOD Warrior Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help EOD warriors and their family members to include families of fallen EOD warriors. Specific programs include financial relief, college scholarships, hope and wellness retreats and care of the EOD Memorial located at Eglin AFB, Fla. To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, or see their fundraising events calendar, visit their site at: www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.
 
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Assemblyman Cunningham Calls on Legislature to Fully Fund Career Technical Education

5/19/2017

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SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-Templeton) has called on the Legislature to fully fund Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in California’s high schools. In a letter to the budget subcommittee overseeing education finance, Cunningham requested an additional $100 million to ensure that students will have access to CTE programs, including shop classes, agricultural education and engineering programs.
 
“Career Technical Education is a key pathway to good-paying jobs,” said Cunningham. “We must invest in these programs to give students the tools they need for 21st century jobs. Without these funds, CTE teachers will lose support and kids will lose opportunities in the modern workforce.”
 
If nothing is done, California’s CTE Incentive Grant program is set to lose one-third of its funding in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Cunningham’s budget request, joint-authored by Assemblyman Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), would undo those cuts and ensure a stable funding stream for workforce training programs.
 
CLICK HERE to view the letter.
 
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Kindness 101: Ten Tips to Help Graduates

5/19/2017

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Reach Career Success by Developing a Kindness Habit 

In the professional world, showing authentic kindness sets you apart and fuels career success. But it's the one thing missing from most graduates' five-year plans. Susan Mangiero offers tips to help new graduates develop a "kindness habit" to excel in their careers and personal lives.
          Trumbull, CT (May 2017)—Graduation season is almost here and that means that future graduates in all fields—from bachelors to doctorate students—are anxiously polishing their résumés and brushing up on their networking and interviewing skills. One thing they're probably not thinking about is kindness. But according to Susan Mangiero, kindness is the one real-world skill that may matter most to their career success.
          "Being a kind and compassionate person who can listen, connect, and empathize is what really matters in the modern work world," says Mangiero, author of The Big Squeeze: Hugs & Inspirations for Every Grown-Up Who Loves Teddy Bears (Happy Day Press, 2017, ISBN: 978-0-997-50232-9, $14.95, www.hugsandjoy.com). "This has always been true in business, but in an increasingly global economy, emotional intelligence—dominated by kindness—is more important than ever."
          The kindness equals success principle applies to all career paths—even those in conventionally "un-nurturing" industries. Mangiero is well qualified to speak to this subject. She made her mark in financial services and now consults to companies in that hard-charging industry on their relationship-building skills. (We don't typically think of finance professionals as needing to be more nurturing, but they really do need to hone this skill to build trusting client relationships—especially when trust is low and anxiety about the future is high.)
          Mangiero's message to grads is clear: In the post-graduation "real world," kindness will take you far. It may even be your differentiator as you seek to make the connections and impressions that will hopefully lead to a great job.
          But here's the tricky part: You can't "turn on" kindness at will, and you certainly can't fake it. To develop your nurturing muscles—the ones that will make you relatable in a world yearning for connection—you need to make being kind a part of your daily life, starting now.
          Here are Mangiero's ten best tips for making genuine kindness a habit both at work and beyond.
First, practice being kind to yourself. If you don't know how to nurture yourself, it's hard to nurture others. Mangiero says practicing self-care is the best way to learn kindness and establish that you deserve kindness too. She suggests you do something kind for yourself (enjoy a cup of tea, take a short break, etc.) every day. And periodically get a massage, treat yourself to some nice clothes, or enjoy a hot bath and a good book.
"Finally, stop being so hard on yourself—forgiving yourself is an important component of kindness," notes Mangiero. "Whether you fail to impress on a job interview, underperform on an evaluation, or otherwise disappoint yourself, ease up on the punishing self-talk."
Make time to play or commit time to a new hobby to balance out the hard, thankless work you might be doing. It's a tough world out there for new grads, which means you may not step into a fulfilling dream job right away. Maybe you have to wait tables or work long hours at a retail job before you get your break. But don't let your life be all work and no play. Whether you enjoy hiking, art, community theatre, or club sports, make time for it.
"When your life is all about work, it's impossible to stay balanced," she says. "Trust me, you can't do your best when you don't find ways to bring joy into your life. Playfulness is vital for the creative energy you need to excel professionally and personally. And it's all part of being kind to yourself."
Volunteer for a good cause. Finding a way to help others gets you in touch with your humanity and keeps you humble and kind. (It also keeps your own struggles as a newly minted graduate in perspective.) Every city has multiple opportunities to volunteer, so find a cause that resonates with you. Your employer may sponsor activities that you can do with your colleagues. Whether you're tutoring underprivileged kids, working with the elderly, walking shelter dogs, or collecting food for the homeless, you'll be working on your connection and kindness skills. As a bonus, volunteering looks great on a résumé.
Stay in touch with your friends and family. Don't get so wrapped up in the rat race that you forget about your tribe, warns Mangiero. Stay close to your parents and siblings and make time for your friends. Visit your folks regularly and meet your friends for coffee or dinner to catch up. If your job has taken you far away, schedule regular video chats to keep in touch.
"You have to nurture these established relationships to get the most from them, the same way you would nurture new relationships," says Mangiero.
Celebrate the "wow!" in the lives of friends and coworkers. Nurturing others means showing that you care when good things happen in their lives and resisting the urge to be jealous! Take a moment to applaud and praise others' accomplishments instead of breezing right past them.
"Congratulate your colleague on her promotion even if you're working a thankless entry-level job," says Mangiero. "You'll show your maturity, and, besides, one day you'll appreciate it when someone makes a big deal out of your accomplishments. The same goes for your friends. Be genuinely happy for their good news, be it a pregnancy or getting the rights to a new patent. And let it show."
Practice your manners. Small niceties like hello, please, and thank you; holding doors for people; and asking how others are doing really do matter. In the hard-charging corporate world, however, manners can take a back seat when deals and deadlines are involved. Keep your work in perspective and remember that rude behavior makes a stronger impression than kindness, but not in a good way! Remember to be courteous to individuals in different jobs and at different levels, not just the boss.
Go out of your way to make shy, left-out, or misunderstood people feel comfortable. In life and at work, there's going to be an in-crowd and those who don't quite belong—just like in school.
"Make it your duty to be kind and welcoming to those who may feel excluded from the group," says Mangiero. "Outsiders hurt when they are obviously not accepted, and it even happens in the workplace. So be sure to reach out and be friendly to those who need a little help socially. You will be doing what's right, setting a good example, and maybe even making a new friend."
Send thank-you notes (the pen-and-paper kind). It is good etiquette to send a thank-you note following interviews—and you'll likely be interviewing plenty in the near future. Not only that, but you have a lifetime of opportunities ahead of you to say "thanks" when somebody does something nice for you. So get into the habit of writing old-fashioned thank-you notes now, instead of firing off an email or sending a text.
"In the professional world, a non-virtual thank-you note sets you apart from the competition," says Mangiero. "Send a thank-you note even when you are rejected for a job, because you never know when the company may need someone again—or know of a colleague who is hiring—and remember your politeness."
Listen more than you talk. No matter how successful you become, remember that you really don't know it all (and that's okay!). Be open to the wisdom of others. Mangiero points out that learning is a lifetime process and that listening to those in the know can freshen our perspectives and expand our horizons.
"When I commit to really hearing what others say, I learn a lot and feel so much more connected to them," she says. "Others appreciate the courtesy of being given a chance to express themselves. It's a way of showing respect and empathy when we are willing to lend an ear to our colleagues and our loved ones. In business, it's also a way of distinguishing ourselves from the competitors who don't embrace the importance of letting someone else talk. In a hurried world, the lost art of careful listening is a good skill to develop."
Be a shoulder to cry on. When someone in your life is hurting and needs comfort (or someone to vent to) be willing to engage and support them. Yes, it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to deal with another person's troubles on top of your own, but true kindness often requires this kind of sacrifice.
"Don't disconnect when a friend or work associate is upset and wants to talk about it with you," says Mangiero. "Really taking the time to be present will make them feel heard and supported—which is crucial to building trust. If you 'there-there' them and walk away, you may close the door to a deeper relationship."
          "Genuine kindness is a state of being," concludes Mangiero. "It's not something you do just to get what you want in the moment. Kindness counts everywhere, and you'll find that you are happier and more successful when you make it a part of your work and personal life. As you begin your professional journey, commit to being kind to everyone you encounter along the way, and you will reap the many rewards that come from caring for and connecting with others."
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About the Author: 
Dr. Susan Mangiero is the author of The Big Squeeze: Hugs & Inspirations for Every Grown-Up Who Loves Teddy Bears (Happy Day Press, 2017, ISBN: 978-0-997-50232-9, $14.95, www.hugsandjoy.com). She coaches financial organizations on using trust, kindness, and nurturing to develop their relationship-building skills and grow their brand. Recognized as a thought leader in the areas of fiduciary best practices and trust-based business development, she has advised numerous companies, government organizations, and policy-making bodies. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner, forensic economist, and storyteller with experience in competitive strategy, client satisfaction, and risk management.
In addition to writing nearly 50 articles and chapters that have been published in prominent investment industry journals, magazines, and books, Mangiero has penned over 1,000 economic commentaries for her award-winning blog, Pension Risk Matters®. She has had the pleasure of leading workshops for thousands of business professionals about leadership best practices and the importance of integrity and empathy in attracting and retaining customers.
About the Book: 
The Big Squeeze: Hugs & Inspirations for Every Grown-Up Who Loves Teddy Bears (Happy Day Press, 2017, ISBN: 978-0-997-50232-9, $14.95, www.hugsandjoy.com), by Dr. Susan Mangiero, is a sweet and uplifting gift book focused on the undeniable truth that kindness to ourselves, and others, matters. It is available on Amazon and can be purchased in bulk at a discount or customized for client or fundraising events by emailing contact@hugsandjoy.com.
 

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SIERRA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

5/18/2017

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​A RESOLUTION approving an application for grant funds from the Federal Lands Access Funding Program (FLAP) for the Smithneck Creek Road Rehabilitation and Smithneck Creek Bicycle Trail Project was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals said the resolution was being placed in front of the board again as every two years funds become available for this program. He hoped to compete for the funding this year and felt they were close to having this project fully funded two years ago. Beals stated once the resolution was submitted, the application would be in front of the review committee and there would be a recommended funding list by July 1st. He explained this project was a combination, paved two-lane bike construction project from Highway 49 to Smithneck Park and road rehabilitation of Smithneck Road from Highway 49 to the cattleguard. He said the estimated costs would be about $4 million, a 50-50 project. Beals stated the contribution from the County would be about $1.7 million, which would go to the road rehab portion and FLAP would fund the rest of the road rehab and bike lane. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein stated he thought this was a lot more money than originally discussed. Beals said it was for the whole project. He added the $8 million puts the project right in the “sweet spot” for funding, adding they don’t tend to support projects that are $1-2 million. Schlefstein said since this was in his district and it was something his district really wanted he made the motion to approve. Supervisor Paul Roen said this was a level one, bike path, with no maintenance funds attached to it. Supervisor Lee Adams said he was shocked when he saw the amount of $8.7 million. He stated he was all for bike paths, but this was a lot for a bike trail and didn’t want to be on the “hook” for maintenance. Schlefstein said the amount surprised him as well, adding this has been in the works for six years and if they don’t get the money someone else will. The motion passed with Roen and Adams voting no. 

LOYALTON MOBILE HOME PARK was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals led the topic and stated since the special meeting held on April 19th there has been a lot of action and activities and said they now have a fairly accurate list of those who were lawfully occupying a space at the time of suspension in December of 2015. He said they were going to be proposing law enforcement actions on those who moved in subsequent to the suspension date. Beals stated they have also been gathering information and intend to proceed with enforcement action on an individual who is conducting an unlawful business, violating county zoning codes, violating terms of use permit and creating a significant public nuisance.
He said as part of an effort to assist in the voluntary clean up of the Park, the Board has agreed to a tire  amnesty program, so residents can take tires to the landfill, and the Board authorized a metal only vehicle amnesty for residents to bring old vehicles to the landfill free of charge. Beals thought the vehicle amnesty would happen during the month of June, adding mobile homes were not part of the waiver. He said he had a meeting last Friday with State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to evaluate respective issues and to understand the role between the County and HCD as well as what that to do with the condition of the park with no responsible party. 
Beals stated the Board continues to discuss the options identified on April 19th. Beals concluded that the first and foremost issue will be to proceed with enforcement actions against those individuals and uses that are clearly violations and to establish an understanding of proper use of occupancy and improper use of occupancy. He told the Board, this item will be a “time pit” for their work and felt once started they would have to stay focused and would be using a lot of resources. 

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Will Next President be “Elected” by End Run Around the Constitution?

5/17/2017

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Harold Pease, Ph. D


Opponents of the Electoral College seek to alter a process that has worked for well over two hundred years.  Fueled by Hillary’s winning the popular vote yet denied the White House and unable to get two-thirds of the states as required to consider altering this part of the Constitution, some seek an end run around it instead.  They say that the Electoral College is not democratic enough.  They call their plan the National Popular Vote Plan.  In it participating states would allocate their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote rather than the winner of the popular vote in their state.


There exists no language in the Constitution authorizing a popular vote for the executive branch of government.  Such came about in 1824 after the Electoral College denied the presidency to Andrew Jackson, the most popular man in America due to his success in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.  His supporters, believing the denial to be an injustice, created a straw vote so that the people could participate in the election although this vote had no power. 


Over time the media empowered it by treating it as the “legitimate” vote for the president belittling the College process as unfair and undemocratic.  Seldom do they remind us that it works because we are not a democracy, but a republic, and that none of the branches of government are democratic; most especially the Senate and Supreme Court.  Andrew Jackson had to wait until he could convince the seasoned citizen voters of the Electoral College that he was not too emotional for the office.  He did so four years later in 1828.  Moreover, today the media seldom cover the real election for the president in December such is their distain for it.


Those unable to get a two-thirds vote to destroy the Electoral College have conceived a brilliant plan to do just that without the constitutional amendment required.  The plan is to have each state legislature commit their state to support the national popular winner instead of the candidate winning their state.  When enough states do so that the Electoral College numbers exceed 270, remaining states will be required to support as well.  Wham!!  Almost without any public debate outside state legislatures, and seemingly overnight, the popular vote will replace the Electoral College as the means by which a president is elected.  We would be back to a few highly populated states deciding for the rest of the country—so opposed by our Founders.


Ironically proponents ignorantly use a small portion of the Constitution to destroy a larger portion.  They cite Article II, Section 1 which reads, “Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.” This, they say, gives state legislatures the right to award their electors as they see fit.  Actually, the phrase allows the state legislatures appointing powers only.  To suggest that they should have influence over their voting once selected, nullifies the reason for their existence.  The Electoral College was to be a non-governmental body completely separate and unaccountable to the State Legislature once appointed, as per the rest of the section.  Certainly the phrase did not authorize states to simply alter or dump Article II, Section 1 and Amendment 12 of the Constitution.


Moreover, the National Popular Vote Plan also violates Article I, Section 10.  This prohibits states from entering into “alliances” with other states unless Congress gives its consent.  Certainly agreeing states have entered into an alliance with one another to nullify the Electoral College, which mandates the right of individual states, through their people, to chose the president. 


At present ten states and the District of Columbia, a combined electoral vote total of 165, have come on board delivering about half the 270 electoral votes needed to impose this upon the rest of the country and nullify a long standing pillar of the Constitution.  States voting to change the Constitution without amending it, as required by the document, are: California 55, Hawaii 4, Illinois 20, Maryland 10, Massachusetts 11, New Jersey 14, New York 29, Rhode Island 4, Vermont 3, and Washington 12.  New York is the most recent addition joining the unconstitutional alliance March 25, 2014.


Unfortunately for those who revere the Constitution and the wisdom of the Founding Fathers to balance the vote so that rural American would not be disenfranchised by urban American, are emboldened by Hillary Clinton’s receiving the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election yet denied the presidency.  Still, it is well to remember that only California gave Clinton its popular vote.  In the other forty-nine Donald Trump won the popular vote.  Without the Electoral College Clinton would be president by the vote of but a single state, disfavored by all others.  How is that just, balanced or even democratic?
 
Granted the Electoral College is the most difficult part of the Constitution to understand and is easy to oppose because it is undemocratic.  Spend some time to understand it.  A patriot and constitutionalist will see through the scheme to destroy it without the debate and transparency required in Article V.  No end run around this document should ever be permitted.
 
D


r. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.
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Take Time For Mom

5/11/2017

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Dr. Glenn Mollette
 
 
I wish I had my mother this Mother's Day, actually every day.  How sweet it would be to talk to her on the telephone and talk about the weather, family and friends and hear about what she was doing. How better yet it would be if life was such that I could take her to G.C. Murphy's snack bar and buy her a hotdog. Dad and mom gave me $5 and bought me a bicycle if I agreed to have my tonsils removed when I was about seven years old.
 
When dad gave me the $5 I wanted to pay for our lunch, which consisted of hotdogs and cokes at the old soda fountain bar in the now defunct G.C. Murphy's store in downtown Paintsville, Kentucky. It was the most money I had owned in my life and it felt good to treat mom and dad.
 
I never got the opportunity to do more for my mom and dad than they did for me. I would have liked to but time ran out. I hear stories about rock stars who buy their parents cars and houses and stuff like that. That's cool but then often I hear about some of the same rock stars going broke and mom losing the house so that's not cool. This is all beside the point. I just wish mom were alive so I could buy her Sunday dinner and give her some flowers.
 
I took her some flowers on her birthday September 3, 2001. She was on a breathing tube and wasn't aware of my presence. I wanted to give her some flowers one more time while she was living.
 
Hindsight is always 20/20. We know people are going to die but we seldom make the most of our time with people.
 
Mom was a loving lady. She was a hard worker. She demonstrated Christian faith and perseverance and much more.
 
My wife and mother of my two sons passed almost 15 years ago. She was a great lady and mother to our children. She loved my boys more than life and the last thing she asked me to do was to please take care of them. I've tried but no one takes the place of a child's mother.
 
My two grandmothers have passed on. My Mama Mollette and Mama Hinkle were just incredible women that would brighten any grandson's day. I wish I still had them.
 
There are numerous wonderful women who I can call and wish Happy Mother's Day and I think I will this weekend. Special moms need to know they are worthy.
 
I do have one very special mom in my life and that is my wife. She's great. She loves our five children and three grandchildren. She tries her best to go the third mile with each of them. She works, she cleans, she bakes, she washes clothes, worries, prays, cries, helps and is just an all around great wife and mother. She is worthy of praise, love, flowers, candy, dinner and whatever I can come up with to give her. 


I just hope that I can cherish the day with a great lady, wife and mom because time unfortunately is not really on our side when it comes to lots of tomorrows.
 
On Mother's day or any day take lots of time and thought for the Moms in your life, while you have the chance. 


Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of eleven books. 
He is read in all fifty states.  Enjoy books by Glenn Mollette 
Contact him at GMollette@aol.com.   Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette










Gl

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Slowly, but Surely California Gas Prices Continue to Drop

5/10/2017

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   California’s Average, $2.97, Still 2nd Highest in Nation, Says AAA

Walnut Creek, CA, May 10, 2017 – After a week of steady declines, California’s average gasoline price, $2.97 is still the 2nd highest in the nation, with only Hawaii having a higher price of $3.06. Despite small price declines on the week, the West Coast region remains the most expensive market in the country for gasoline.
 
Today’s average price of California unleaded regular gas is $2.97, a $.01 decrease from last week ago and a month ago , but is still $.17 higher than a year ago. Northern California’s average price for regular gasoline is $2.95, the same as last month. Of the Northern California cities surveyed by AAA as a service to consumers, Marysville posted the lowest price at $2.67 and South Lake Tahoe has the highest average at $3.14.
 
“Across the U.S. we’re seeing falling gas prices due to increased refinery production rates, moderate demand and an unseasonal overabundance of gasoline in the marketplace,” said John Moreno, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “The West Coast is the only region in the country where the demand is meeting the current abundance of gasoline. With the summer travel season right around the corner, increased demand will likely cause gas prices to rise.”
 
The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has also seen slight decline over the past week and month, resting at $2.33. Though consumers are still paying $.13 more than they were a year ago. The highest average state price, $3.06, is found in Hawaii. The lowest average state price, $2.04, is found in South Carolina.
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SIERRAVILLE SCHOOL BICENTENNIAL QUILT

5/10/2017

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Picture
THE QUILT IS SHOWN AS DISPLAYED at the Quilt Show in Portola April 22nd. It was the brainchild of the late Elaine Amodei with its quilt squares discovered and finished by Arlene Amodei. Measuring 108" x 108", the quilt boasts 61 squares all made between 1972-74 by Sierraville ladies and the Sierraville Sewing Circle.
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ARLENE AMODEI of Sierraville was the Featured Quilter. Her family has always quilted and she creates all size quilts and wallhangings.
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SHOWN AT THE QUILT SHOW, this beauty was created by Betty Cammack of Sierra City.
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Sierraville Ranger District Preparing for the Spring Prescribed Burn Season

5/10/2017

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The Sierraville Ranger District is preparing for the spring prescribed burn season which may begin in the next couple weeks as conditions are quickly becoming favorable.  Prescribed fire is only implemented when conditions are favorable for meeting objectives and minimizing negative impacts. We are currently monitoring temperature, humidity, winds, and fuel moisture conditions to evaluate when our prescribed burns will be conducted. Smoke management plans developed in accordance with California Air Resources Board regulations are in place, and we will be working with the local air quality districts to minimize impacts to local communities.
 
Prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce accumulated fuels to decrease the potential severity and intensity of future wildfires, and provide added protection to communities within the wildland urban interface.  Other project goals include: improving the resilience, or survivability, of the forest should a fire occur; improving ecosystem health and diversity; and re-creating the ecological benefits from low-intensity fire. The District is currently planning for prescribed fire activities that include first and second entry understory burns and may continue pile burning. Current underburn projects are planned in the Lewis Mill Guard Station/Smithneck Road area and the Little Truckee Summit area.
Smoke will be present in and around the burning, and light smoke is likely to persist in and near burn areas for several days after ignition. Smoke may settle into lower elevations at night and will typically lift out of the area during normal daytime heating. Burn personnel monitor all prescribed fires regularly for burning and smoke-dispersal conditions in order to mitigate concerns as they arise. People who are sensitive to smoke may choose to take precautions to minimize its effects, including staying indoors with windows and doors closed while smoke is in the area. Smoke produced during a prescribed fire is usually less intense and of shorter duration than that of a wildfire.
If you have any questions about our prescribed burn program for this spring please contact the District Fuels Officer, Ruby Burks, at the Sierraville Ranger District Office, (530) 994-3401
 
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Political activists deliberately distort theGOP's take on healthcare, says AMAC

5/10/2017

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The Republican healthcare bill explicitly
protects those with pre-existing conditions


WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 10 - "The impotence and the impudence of obstructionists on the issue of Obamacare came to the fore earlier this week when spokesman Jonathan Gruber had the nerve to once again tell a bald faced lie on national TV," says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.


"Gruber is the so-called Obamacare architect who, in 2014, blamed 'the stupidity of the American voter' for the passage of President Obama's Affordable Care Act.  It was an admission that proponents of the law lied to the American people in order to get their support for the law.  During a live television interview last Sunday, the incorrigible Mr. Gruber tried to put the blame for the law's failure on President Trump, even though Mr. Trump has been in office less than four months.  He told a national TV audience that it was Mr. Trump's fault that insurance companies were pulling out of the Obamacare exchanges.  But, this is not about Gruber; it is about the desperation of the left to preserve Mr. Obama's legacy.  And, it is about the pathetic lies circulating about Republican efforts to provide the nation with a healthcare law that will put patients back in charge of their care."


Weber says that political activists are deliberately distorting the GOP's take on healthcare.  For example, he notes, those opposed to the Republican's American Health Care Act have been spreading fear by implying the law will deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions.  He points out that the AHCA explicitly protects those with pre-existing conditions. 


"Meanwhile, we are led to believe that, under Obamacare, anyone with a pre-existing health condition can get insurance, that if you want a health insurance policy you can go to an insurance agent and get a policy today if you want.  But, the reality is that if you have a medical history, you cannot get a policy today, tomorrow or the next day.  That's because Obamacare only guarantees that you'll get a policy (with some minor exceptions) during the open enrollment period, which starts on November 1st and ends December 15th this year.  And then, you will also have a waiting period of at least two weeks before coverage starts."


Weber admits that the GOP healthcare law allows states to apply for waivers exempting them from the rules guaranteeing coverage, but they would need to provide suitable alternatives.  In other words, the states would have to provide a safety net for persons with histories of bad health in order to be entitled to a waiver. 


He cites a report on the Republican proposal prepared by Yuval Levin, the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. 


"The extent of the waivers is constrained, in light of the political pressures involved, though it would allow for some meaningful variation and experimentation with insurance rules.  If they show that their proposed alternative rules would reduce premiums, increase coverage, or otherwise strengthen insurance markets, states can request to waive the age bands on premiums starting next year.  They can set their own essential health benefits (and therefore can recover the right to define insurance coverage in their jurisdictions to a significant degree) starting in 2020.  And, if a state has established a high-risk pool or similar mechanism for covering people with pre-existing conditions, it can allow insurers to consider health status when pricing coverage for people who have not been continuously insured." 


AMAC's Weber believes that in the end cooler heads will prevail.  "The AHCA passed muster in the House in its current form and is now in the hands of the Senate where significant revisions and improvements will be made.  So, before we go off half-cocked, let's wait and see what the final legislation looks like, lest we put our fate in the hands of Mr. Gruber and his dissident colleagues.  The American voter is not stupid, as Gruber stated.  And, our Republican president and lawmakers are not to blame for the debacle that is Obamacare.


ABOUT AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://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 http://amac.us/join-amac.



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A VEHICLE DISPOSAL EVENT COMING SOON

5/4/2017

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A VEHICLE DISPOSAL AMNESTY EVENT at the Loyalton Landfill was approved unanimously by the Sierra County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting held in Downieville on May 2nd. 
This program has been offered successfully a number of times and will be free disposal of junk vehicles. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated this event was really being prompted as the County just received a bid for scrap metal which is pretty high right now and to help in the clean up of the Loyalton Mobile Home Park as there are tons of metal all over. Beals said the event would be County wide, but residents would have to take the vehicles to the Loyalton Landfill, where the County will have to drain all the fluids. The event date has not been set yet. 
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ALL ABOUT WEBBER LAKE

5/4/2017

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​A PRESENTATION BY TRUCKEE-

DONNER LAND TRUST (TDLT) on Webber Lake property was given during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville on Tuesday. Sierra County Planning Director, Tim Beals introduced John Swan representing Truckee Donner Land Trust, who is turning a private holding into a public resource. Swan stated they are based out of Truckee and have five staff that preserves scenic, historic, recreation lands. He said TDLT obtained Webber Lake in 2012 and followed a couple of conditions on the sale, which was to keep the private campground of Webber Lake Ranch as it was for an additional five years and allow sheep to graze. Swan stated when the snow melts, they plan to get out there and do some work to get the campground open as soon as possible. He said they would need to make modifications to standardize things and was happy to announce that Ken and Joan Bretthauer were staying on as caretakers. Swan said there would be car camping, tent camping and RVs, with a mix of reservations and first-come, first-serve sites  which plan to open the second week in July. Swan continued there would be a 14-night stay limit and improvements this year will focus on the west side. He said there would be a temporary campground behind the hotel until the west side was done, and in 2018 they would be putting in permanent toilets.
Swan reported that California would resume fish stocking with Lahontan cutthroat trout, adding they will be putting fingerlings in this year, not catchables. He stated Webber Lake boat ramp will be open and people can bring their own boats. They will have an inspector on site for Aquatic Invasive Species. He stated the Day Use area would be the grassy area next to the hotel and TDLT plans to turn the area behind the hotel into group camps. TDLT welcomes and encourages wintertime visitation, and hope to open some of the cabins during this time. Supervisor Lee Adams asked how many sites would be open this year. Swan said 40 sites would be open this year, which include RV spaces. Beals asked about fees for camping, adding TDLT needed to make sure of the TOT add on component. Swan said $30 and TOT would be out of that. Beals also asked about business opportunities. Swan said there were a lot of trees that need to come off the property and felt there may be a potential for saw logs. He also thought a retail camp store with fish and tackle may be a possibility. 

Big Cool Down  Friday - Weekend
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LOYALTON BIOMASS FACILITY

5/4/2017

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​A SPECIAL MEETING of the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ was held on Friday, April 28th in Loyalton. The meeting was a presentation by Steve Mueller, President and CEO, of American Renewable Power, LLC (ARP) on the Loyalton Biomass Facility. Mueller thanked the board and said he has been in the biomass power plant business the past 25 years. He has owned power plants in California and in other states. He sold all his businesses a decade ago and got bored, so started looking for more power plants to buy.  Loyalton is his first acquisition. Mueller told the board he doesn’t enjoy over promoting and under delivering, so he was there to let them know ARP is fully committed to proceeding and there were areas where the Board can help.
Mueller stated he plans on restarting the plant probably in September and bring the plant back to an as new condition. He said the utilities have not been kind to them, adding it is very difficult to get a power purchase agreement. Mueller said much of the work over the last couple months was to line up one or more customers. His goal was to sell first to customers: data centers, hospitals, and universities because base load renewable power is a rare commodity. Mueller said ARP is putting base load power back into the grid that is renewable, and it believes this plant will be commercial for another 25 years. He said most biomass plants have a 50-year life span and the Loyalton Biomass just turned 30. Mueller was confident with the quality of maintenance and even though it’s been closed for seven years it will run well. Mueller stated ARP will be connecting to the NV system and not within the California ISO network. He said ARP had to work with Nevada Power to get it to agree to create a new interconnect and transmission agreement. Mueller stated he was happy with where they are and plans to start refurbishing the plant starting in June, July and August. He was very excited not only with the community and the ability to access fiber locally but also the permitted business park in the facility. Mueller said the goal was to take the site and induce advanced R & D specialty wood products manufacturing and there may be opportunities for Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis to come in as they have special technology for wood products. He also hopes the park will provide training facilities.  Mueller concluded by stating ARP wants to be a good taxpayer for the county and is hoping for guidance from the county for tax relief as they make capital improvements.
Supervisor Lee Adams said it was awesome to have them here, adding it was something the county has hoped for. He said the value of the plant is one thing but the value of its expansion is huge for the community. Adams said he would like to get more information on the kind of areas where the Board could legally help out.  Mueller stated Supervisor Paul Roen had already directed them to a consultant who helped ARP apply for a competitive California tax credit. He said they have been through the first two phases and are in the final phase and should know results in the next thirty days. Mueller said dealing with the State has been difficult and he will be looking to the Legislature to find ways to help them. Adams felt ARP would have a champion in Assemblyman Brian Dahle. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein asked if ARP was working with Liberty Energy. Mueller stated Liberty Energy was an opportunistic buyer, and can’t legally buy from them. He said he called them first, but they are locked into a five-year agreement with NV Energy. He said he also spoke with Plumas Sierra Rural Electric who wasn’t interested. Mueller said right now they have a tender in the Southern California Public Utilities Association and thinks Placer County will use some of their power, too.
Mueller said the biomass will be employing 20-25 plus another 25-50 in transportation. ARP plans to run 24 hours a day 7 days a week and be a logistics and community based business. Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood stated he gave Jim Turner, SPI Manager, some updated capacity and availability numbers. He said having the Loyalton Biomass up and running is a “great marriage for the Forest Service.” Loyalton Mayor Mark Marin stated he was “happy as heck” and asked if ARP would be using local help. Mueller said yes, they would be using local help. Marin said he couldn’t wait to “smell the chips going in and out of the plant.” Mueller told
​him the goal was to not smell the chips.
Victoria Fisher of the Sierra County Fire Safe Council asked if there was an opportunity for other fire safe councils to bring material to the plant. Mueller said yes, and they have already reached out to others. Fisher was happy to see this waste put to good use. Mueller said they have been individually reaching out to regional landfills to let them know that they will take clean wood waste.
Schlefstein asked if they have reached out to Union Pacific (UP). Mueller hasn’t had a good experience with rail, but felt it’s an asset. Turner said the rail line out there is idle, and considered inactive. He said SPI bought the easement from UP and would need a 10-20 car change over to make it cost effective. Mueller stated there might be an opportunity in conjunction with the county and the community to change it into a short line.
Adams made the suggestion to direct the discussion to the finance committee to see what some alternatives may be available. The Board approved it by consensus. Adams stated he also reached out to RCRC to see what ideas they may have. Board Chair Peter Huebner said their main goal was to get them here. Mueller’s only request was he doesn’t want to have to drive to Sierraville every morning for breakfast. Roen said, “You create the jobs, I’ll create the breakfast.”

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