Blog Archives - Sierra Booster

SUPPORT YOUR FFA! GIVING TUESDAY IS DEC. 3RD!

11/29/2019

Mark your calendars, Giving Tuesday is one week from today! On Tuesday, December 3, the California FFA Foundation will join other nonprofits in a global movement, harnessing the power of people and organizations to make a positive difference.

For every $75 donated on Giving Tuesday, the California FFA Foundation will provide an FFA member with their very own jacket and tie or scarf. Your gift of any size, will provide a student with the opportunity to experience the pride and passion of wearing the iconic blue and gold jacket.

For the third year in a row, we will be partnering with Blue Diamond Growers to match donations on Giving Tuesday. That means for every $75 donation that provides an FFA member with their very own blue corduroy jacket, Blue Diamond Growers will provide another FFA member with an FFA jacket.

TREASURE MT 4H SHOWS LOVE

11/27/2019

Treasure Mountain 4H presented Betty Roen and Jane Roberti with baskets this Thanksgiving holiday.
Our members delivered a little bit of happiness and support to Betty. Johnny was loved by many. Most of these children grew up experiencing the love and generosity of this amazing man.
Eddie was happy to represent the very busy members of his club . Thanking Jane for all that she has done for our club and for nearly 35 years of devotion and dedication to 4H. We are very grateful and thankful for these wonderful members of our community!

Downieville's Weekly Warrior

11/27/2019

       Welcome back to another Weekly Warrior, you wonderful readers! Isn’t it such a nice day? So much has been happening here at Downieville School. For Patrick Wilson’s K/1st grade class they are going to be a part of Niecea Freeman’s 4th-6th grade class in their Nutcracker play. The boys are going to be toy soldiers, and the girls as sugar plum fairies. The play will be at the theatre in Downieville on Saturday December 7th. Patrick Wilson and Robert Baker are working on this sound/music studio that’s coming along great! Keep it up!
    In Mrs. Bosworths 2nd/3rd grade class, the 3rd graders are learning multiples and additions. The 2nd graders are learning subtraction and regrouping. In science everyone is learning about habitats around the world. They also made dinosaur cast molds. In art they are currently making a community tree, and are learning about leaves. Lots of art working in their class as well. Shelley Fischer has been doing a lot of art as well with them!!! Thank you!!!
    Something special going on in Niecea Freeman’s 4th-6th grade class is they are running the Nutcracker play. They will be having a friendsgiving on Tuesday. They are all studying their lines hard, and improving by the day. Also computer coding skills is what they are learning as well.
   In Amber Sainsbury’s lovely class they are doing tons of art as well! They are trying to have art days once a week with Brittany Steward. Ezra Acuna was working on this fantastic art with ONLY CHALK, unbelievable! Also art with only a compass, now that’s Classic!!!
   Now for Robin Bolle’s class. What an AWESOME teacher! Robin is teaching the 7th/8th grade class about animal diversity and art work on invertebrates and vertebrates. In Robin’s Earth Science class they are learning about earthquakes, and building structures to test the might of the earthquakes, aka the shaker tables. In Algebra 2 her students love solving systems of inequality. She wanted to mention the Nutcracker play that the Jr. High/High school will be attending, and yes to answer your question there are going to be TWO Nutcracker plays!!! Yes that’s RIGHT! This Nutcracker play will be on December 19th in Sacramento. There will be 4 acts, (whispers) it’s worth going….
   In Mr. B’s class nothing is going on there, but I know for a fact there is much learning and teaching in his lovely fantastic class. 7th/8th US history learning about life in the American colonies. 9th/10th grade class is learning about Napoleon’s rise and downfall. 11th/12th is learning about U.S. Imperialism. Fun stuff!
Mrs. Fillo’s drama class had an event last Tuesday November 19th, in the Downieville cafeteria. All students performed fantastically! It was Skits and Snacks this year. The show was phenomenal, and our community was so supportive! It was a full house! Packed full of people! “It was absolutely AMAZING!” - Mrs. Fillo 11/21/19. Robert Baker and Aaron Foster acted in the skit “Who’s on First Base” They were both very energetic and enthusiastic. New student Greg Ziegler play are great villain, he was very despicable and cringy. We can’t forget the person who ran the show, Bailey Miller. She directed the 7/8th grade skit “Sinking of the Morning Star.” Everyone did great, and thank you to everyone who showed up to watch these awesome actors!
   THAT’S IT for another lovely week of thee Weekly Warrior going on in the school of Downieville. Thank you community for all your help and have a great day!!!

By: Jacob Rust

Selecting and Caring for Your Christmas Tree

11/26/2019

By Melinda Myers
The holiday tree is the center of many family celebrations. Ornaments collected over the years decorate the boughs while brightly wrapped gifts are carefully placed underneath.
But the hunt for the perfect tree can be an important part of the tradition. Many try to find the right size and shape for the space allotted, a fragrance the whole family prefers and good needle retention for long lasting beauty. Load the family into the car or walk to the corner Christmas tree lot and let the hunt begin.
Size and shape are important. Your tree needs to fit but finding a fresh tree to last through the holidays is equally important. Here are a few tips to help you find the right tree and keep it looking its best throughout the holidays.
Buy local. You’ll support local Christmas tree growers and reduce the risk of spreading unwanted pests into your landscape when purchasing locally grown trees. Your local University Extension Service and Department of Natural Resources will provide updates on any threats.
Select the right variety. Family tradition may dictate your tree choice. Many prefer the fragrance of balsam fir and the needle retention of other firs like Fraser, white, Grand and Noble. Though not a true fir, Douglas fir needles have a wonderful aroma when crushed. White pines lack the fragrance that many prefer. Its pliable branches only support lightweight ornaments, but the soft needles have less bite than the popular Scots or Scotch pine. This evergreen has stiff branches that support heavier ornaments and its needles hold even when dry.
Check for freshness. A fresh tree will last throughout the holidays. Run your hand along the stem. The needles should be pliable, yet firmly attached to the branch. Avoid trees with lots of moss, lichens, vines, broken branches and other signs of poor care.
The right fit. Look closely at the overall shape and size of the tree. Stand the tree upright to make sure it will fit in the allotted space. Check the trunk. It should be straight and the base small enough to fit in your tree stand.
Make a fresh cut. Remove at least an inch from the base of the trunk before setting it in the stand. Straight or diagonal cuts work equally well. A diagonal or V-shaped cut may make it difficult to properly support the tree in the stand.
Proper watering is key. Fill the stand with water and check it often. Fresh trees can absorb as much as 2 quarts of water in the first 24 hours. Keeping your tree stand filled with water is the best way to keep your tree looking its best throughout the season.
Once your tree is in place you can add lights and decorations. Then be sure to take time throughout the busy holiday season to sit down, relax with your favorite winter beverage and enjoy the beauty of your Christmas tree.
Melinda Myers has written numerous books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.

If you would rather not receive future communications from Melinda Myers LLC, let us know by clicking here.
Melinda Myers LLC, P.O. Box 798, Mukwonago,, WI 53149 United States

Plumas NF Thanksgiving Day office closures – weather advisories

11/26/2019

QUINCY, Calif. – All Plumas National Forest offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Offices will resume normal business hours, weather permitting, on Friday, Nov. 29.

Due to forecast weather impacts, visitors, particularly those interested in Christmas tree cutting permits and tree cutting adventures, should consider calling ahead to ensure offices are open. Depending on snowfall amounts, many forest roads may not be accessible this week. For major routes/state highway conditions contact the CA Department of Transportation at 1-800-427-7623 or check http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov . You will also find area highway webcams on the CALTRANS website.

In the event of an emergency, telephone landlines are the most reliable means of calling 911. The increased number of cell phone calls during holidays often strain rural telecommunication systems, sometimes creating problems making a call. There are also many areas within the forest that do not have cell phone reception. Be situationally aware and have a back-up plan for emergencies, particularly if you are traveling off a major highway.

For information about the Plumas National Forest visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas and www.Facebook.com/usfsplumas.

Tahoe Forest MultiSpecialty Clinics Relocate to New Space

11/25/2019

www.tfhd.com

(Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) – Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that several of their multispecialty clinics have moved to a new location.
The following clinics and providers have relocated to the 2nd floor of the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center on 10121 Pine Ave, Truckee, CA:

Tahoe Forest Gastroenterology & General Surgery – Jennifer Racca, MD, Gerald Schaffer, MD, Allison O’Brien, PA-C, Ellen Cooper, MD, and Justin Hunt, MD
Tahoe Forest Urology and Neurology – Mark Wainstein, MD, and Cherisse Mwero, MD
Tahoe Forest Women’s Center – Shawni Coll, MD, Cara Streit, MD, Peter Taylor, MD, Steven Thompson, MD, and Janet Brooks, NP

The entrance to the clinics on the 2nd floor is located beside the main entrance of the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center. To schedule an appointment with any of the above providers, please call (530) 582-6205.

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Top 10 Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Dinner from Poison Control

11/25/2019

San Francisco, CA – November 25, 2019 – Thanksgiving is a joyful time for families to gather around the table to give thanks and celebrate. It’s also a likely time of year to send children and adults to the emergency room for food poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 76 million food poisoning cases yearly, with about 325,000 hospitalizations and approximately 5,000 deaths.

“Food poisoning is extremely preventable,” said Dr. Stuart E. Heard, executive director of California Poison Control (CPCS). “By following simple handling, cooking and storage suggestions, families can stay healthy and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, as well as the games and the nap that come after.”
Food poisoning generally causes stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea and usually appears within four to 12 hours after eating or drinking contaminated food or drink. For the elderly, children and infants, pregnant woman and people suffering from compromised immune systems, food poisoning can be severe and sometimes fatal. CPCS offers the top 10 safety tips for Thanksgiving.

Wash your hands often especially in between handling foods that are wet or dry.
Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cool running water and use a produce brush to remove surface dirt.
If you purchased a turkey fresh and not frozen, refrigerate it immediately. Do not rinse a turkey in water as that spreads salmonella. If you bought a frozen turkey, allow lots of time for it to thaw…24 hours of thaw time per five pounds of turkey. As the bird thaws, water will accumulate, so keep the bird in a high walled pan and do not let the water touch any other food. Store on a bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
It is safest to not stuff a turkey, but rather put herbs inside the cavity to season it. Exotic stuffing with meat or shellfish/oyster) is risky. Always cook these on the stove top or in the oven, and not in the turkey. After carving, remove all stuffing from the bird before refrigerating it.
The biggest risk of food poisoning comes from undercooking the turkey. You can't tell it's done by how it looks. While recipes give you hints about testing for doneness, such as a golden brown color or seeing juices run clear, these are not enough. The only way to make sure your bird is cooked sufficiently to be safe to eat is to measure the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It must reach 165 degrees F.
It may not be in mom’s recipe, but bring gravy to a full boil before serving.
Be sure to wipe down counters, cutting boards and utensils in between recipes especially if you have raw meat or leafy greens on the cutting board, both of which can carry salmonella. Use soap and hot water or, preferably, a sanitizer – especially if preparing to chop fruits or vegetables that will be served raw. Use different color cutting boards for meat vs. vegetables to avoid confusion.
Keep cold food like salads, gelatin molds and salad dressing refrigerated at 35 degrees F until just before serving. Once dinner is over, refrigerate leftovers. Food is not safe to eat if it has been sitting out for two hours or more. Toss it.
While store bought cookie dough and eggnog should be safe, be sure to purchase pasteurized eggs to use in homemade recipes.
After eating, take the remaining meat off the bird and store in a shallow container in the refrigerator. Don’t put an entire carcass into the refrigerator — it won’t cool down quickly enough.

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (number is the same in all states) for help. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available. Get weekly tips about safety by texting TIPS to 20121 for English or texting PUNTOS to 20121 for Spanish. Follow CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter @poisoninfo. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.
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A Holiday Strategy

11/25/2019

By Dr. Glenn Mollette

The holidays can be glad, sad or bad. Take your pick and choose a direction.

I choose glad. Who wants to be sad and who needs bad? I don't want either one and neither do you. There is enough in life that confronts us every day that has the propensity to get us down.

Don't go crazy eating this holiday. I hear every year from people who say, "I'm going to eat whatever I want during the holidays and I'll change in January." These are the people who gain five to ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. There are reports that some people only gain a pound during the holidays. You and I know better. I know personally that I have gained ten pounds during the holidays. My scale might be off a pound or two, but it does not lie. The sad staggering number tells me what I don't what to see and there have been times it has been bad and sad! Who needs to start January 2020 ten pounds heavier?!! You don't need it! Who does?

People literally go crazy eating during the holidays eating "pounds" of candy, cookies and eating the dining room table. You don't have to eat the kitchen just because you can. Make a determination now how you are going to conduct your eating this holiday. You can have a good plate of food and even splurge on a dessert without busting your waistline. You don't need three plates of food and four desserts. You'll be glad if you approach the holidays with some discretion or you will be sad and feel bad in January if you eat your head off. Now, don't be mad at me because you have total freedom on what you put in your mouth.

Participate in Christmas. It's more fun if you participate in life. Visit some elderly people who can't get out much. Visit the nursing home. People are lonely in those places. Last Christmas Eve my wife and I went to the local nursing home and visited the residents. Not one room in that nursing home on Christmas Eve had any family or visitors. It was a very sad, lonely place. If you want to feel good, do good. Take some of your food and give it away before Christmas. Don't take people leftovers. Maybe there is a family or two that you might help in some tangible way? Think about it and God will lead you with some good charitable ideas.

This year remember who and what the seasons are about. Focus on Joy, Peace and good will toward all. Say good words to people. Be Kind. Wish the best for others. Help others if and when you can. Don't say bad things about people and give people second chances.

Make your holiday strategy today for a season of gladness.

Click here for -> Books By Glenn Mollette , Read his latest book Uncommon Sense
Music by Glenn Mollette through iTunes and all music dealers

Contact him at GMollette@aol.com. Learn more at www.glennmollette.com Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette

Make Small Business Saturday More Than a One-Time Event

11/25/2019

By Quint Studer

November 30, 2019, is Small Business Saturday®. Starting in 2010, American Express designated this day—the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year—to encourage people to "Shop Small." The financial services company reports that since the commemoration began, "Consumers have reported spending an estimated $103 billion across all Small Business Saturdays combined."
As a community revitalization expert, I welcome every chance to shine a spotlight on the small businesses and local entrepreneurs who make up the economic engine of most small and mid-size towns and cities.
Days like Small Business Saturday can help business owners get face time with customers who might not normally shop there. And consumers get to see what they might be missing—the personal connections and experiences they may not always get from online or big box retailers.
Still, shopping small and local can and should be more than a symbolic one-day-a-year event. Anyone who wants a stronger, more vibrant community needs to support their small businesses every day. They are the key to economic revitalization. They play a vital role in creating the "sense of place" that gives a community its competitive advantage.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses create two out of every three net new jobs in the private sector. What's more, over half of all Americans own or work for a small business.
There's a symbiotic relationship between residents and small business owners. They really need each other. Small businesses provide jobs and keep the dollars circulating locally. Their owners have an active and personal interest in the well-being of the community. They live there. Their kids go to school there. They care about what happens.
When wealth is created, business owners are more likely to turn around and reinvest in the community.
In fact, small businesses have a far more important role in their communities than ever before. The old "pillars"—big institutions like banks, hospitals, media outlets, and other businesses—are no longer locally owned. The executives who work for them play a critical short-term role in the community, but often they're not there for the long haul. It's no longer a given that they'll retire there. So small business leaders must step in to fill this leadership void.
A few decades ago, the owners of these "pillar" businesses were committed to keeping their communities vibrant. They knew their economic health depended on it. But now that the owners of these former "pillars" live elsewhere, they just don't have the same intimate connection to the community.
It makes sense for small businesses to take the lead in pulling communities out of the economic slump many have been in for years. When communities are vibrant, there are more high-paying jobs, and people can afford to shop. Quality of life improves. There's more money for schools and programs that lift people out of poverty. Everyone wins.
That's what happened in Pensacola, which in recent years has seen a surge in new businesses and explosive growth in property values. Small businesses have galvanized into a solid group, and they take an active role in the leadership of the community.
The city's business leaders mentor new entrepreneurs. They've put systems in place to ensure that all small business owners are well trained in the leadership skills they need to thrive long-term. And successful small businesses give back. Hopefully other communities will use Pensacola's journey as a blueprint.
Many small businesses have made their commitment to their local community part of their brand. This is what customers want. The more chaotic and uncertain the world becomes, the more people crave a safe and stable home base. This is a huge trend, and it's taking place all over America.
This is how you, the small business owner, can compete with the mega-retailers. Create an experience for your community. Citizens will know they're being looked after, and they will want to do business locally. This can become your competitive advantage. Take care of the community, and it will take care of you.
The bottom line? Don't shop locally only on Small Business Saturday. Do it every chance you get, all year long.
A purchase from a small business owner is an investment in your community. Who better to support than those who are working so hard to create a better future for everyone?
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About the Author:
Quint Studer is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller The Busy Leader's Handbook and a lifelong businessman, entrepreneur, and student of leadership. He not only teaches it; he has done it. He has worked with individuals at all levels and across a variety of industries to help them become better leaders and create high-performing organizations. He seeks always to simplify high-impact leader behaviors and tactics for others.

Quint has a great love for teaching his insights in books and has authored nine of them in addition to The Busy Leader's Handbook. His book Results That Last also made the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. Building a Vibrant Community, published in 2018, is a blueprint for communities seeking to revitalize themselves.
Quint is the founder of Vibrant Community Partners and Pensacola's Studer Community Institute. He currently serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of West Florida.
To learn more, please visit www.thebusyleadershandbook.com, www.vibrantcommunityblueprint.com, and www.studeri.org.

About the Book:
The Busy Leader's Handbook: How to Lead People and Places That Thrive (Wiley, October 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-57664-8, $28.00) is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797. For more information, please visit the book's page at www.wiley.com.

If you would like to receive this information as a Word document, please let us know.

Winter Weather Systems Forecast This Week

11/25/2019

Expected Impacts to Holiday Travel

REDDING – The National Weather Service is forecasting winter weather systems this week that are expected to impact motorists during holiday travel for Thanksgiving. Following windy conditions with possible fire weather conditions today, rain in the valley and snow in the mountains and foothills are anticipated Tuesday through Friday, with another weather system anticipated on Saturday and Sunday.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans District 2) wishes everyone a very happy holiday and reminds travelers to be prepared for rainy conditions in the valley and winter weather conditions in higher elevations if traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to follow the weather forecast and utilize these tips for safe holiday travel:

·        Make sure to have a full tank of gas and to carry chains if travelling into higher elevations. It is also a good idea to bring water, snacks, a cell phone and charger, blankets, an ice scraper or shovel, and a spare key for your vehicle if possible.
·        Make sure your vehicle’s maintenance is up to date prior to travel. Also, make sure your tires have adequate tread and replace your windshield wipers if needed.
·        Plan extra time for travel. The Thanksgiving Holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and inclement weather travel will add time to your trip. Drive slowly and carefully in rainy and snowy conditions.
·        Check conditions prior to travel and during breaks while traveling. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and highways that may have been open when you left may be closed or develop the need for chain controls as you are on the road. QuickMap provides up-to-date highway information and is also available by free app for your smartphone. Motorists can also utilize highway information via One-Stop-Shop, which offers road conditions in the western portion of the country.
·        Look for highway information on changeable message and Highway Advisory Radio signs while traveling.
·        Certain rest areas in District 2 are closed during the winter season and others may experience closure due to inclement weather. Rest area information can also be found on QuickMap.

Caltrans District 2 Maintenance crews will be staffed and ready, as always, for these upcoming storm systems. Please drive slowly around our crews and give them plenty of room as they work. Never pass a snow plow unless directed by the operator to do so. Vehicle and truck screening are also anticipated at Fawndale Road, north of Redding, for northbound Interstate 5 travelers.

Motorists can call the Caltrans District 2 Public Information office during business hours for highway information at (530) 225-3426. Highway information can also be found on our Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as through our local hotline at (530) 225-3452 and the Caltrans Highway Information Network at 1-800-427-7623.

Recent District 2 Winter Preps Press Release

C.H.P. Tire Traction Devices Information

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