July 31, 2018
Liz Writes Life
Fires
Oh my goodness, the devestation to the south in Redding area
is horrific, terrible – just awful! The Manzanita, scrub oak and other brush is
so thick. What a gigantic fire hazard! Many of us have family and friends that
live down there. I’ve heard that some have lost their homes and others are
waiting to hear the verdict.
I saw Cole Laustalot Saturday at the gas station and he said
the Denny Bar Co. is gathering hay to take down for evacuated livestock. What a
great idea!
Sunday night, I checked on the Denny Bar Co. facebook page and
copied this statement: “What an amazing community we live in! Thank you all for
the unbelievable generosity, donations & help filling the trailers
yesterday & today with hay, bottled water, blankets and other essentials.
Today we are taking the first load of hay to the Rolling Hills Equestrian
Center in Corning – with the other supplies heading to the Shasta College
emergency evacuation center. We have another flatbed trailer parked across from
the distillery for more hay or donations the community would like to drop off
today (Sunday). We will be back tomorrow (Monday) to collect and shuttle down
the next load of supplies to the Carr Fire victims. A special shoutout &
thank you to – Kraus Trucking, JH Ranch, Jeff Fowle, Brian Morris, etna
rodeo.calif (Pleasure Park Rodeo) Dowling Ranch & the many anonymous
others! Please keep up the great work by donating hay & supplies – and we
will continue transporting them down.”
Cole said he and wife, Patricia, own a house in Redding, but
it is on the East side and so far was safe. I mention this, because Cole has
connections in Redding and knows how to get donations to the right places. Sounds
like Scott Valley folks jumped on the bandwagon and began donating. Super! To
help, call Denny Bar Co. at 530-467-5115.
Many times we want to help and do not know the best way to do
it. I read an article on Redding.com, which explained how best to help.
Unfortunately, care packages of stuffed toys, second-hand clothes, canned food
and blankets really are not the best.
So, much of the time, money or gift certificates to big outlet
stores are the best bet. Clothes, hygiene items and exact needed items can be
purchased in a hurry. It is difficult to
predict what is needed. Cole knew that hay and bottled water would be paramount
and organized the transportation knowing where to take the donations. Good job!
But, fraud is rampant and we need to be careful to whom we
donate.
Do not give money to anyone knocking on your door or making
phone-call pleas. I think most of us appreciate the American Red Cross and
Salvation Army. Both are reputable and put boots on the ground to immediately
help the victims. Neither are sending anyone door-to-door asking for donations,
so do not donate that way.
Also, Tri Counties Bank has opened a Carr Fire Fund 2018
account with an initial $25,000 deposit and has already raised more than
$50,000. The article said that funds will be distributed through the United Way
of Northern California and local nonprofits to help the fire victims with
immediate needs. You can also give online at a GoFundMe account.
I don’t know which organization it is, but victims returning
to blackened or damaged homes are provided with a kit containing shovels, tarps
and gloves to help them in recovery efforts. I wouldn’t have thought of that.
Haven Humane Society had to evacuate hundreds of animals to
other areas. It is asking for donations. A list of needs can be found on Haven
Humane Society’s facebook. It is another reputable non-profit.
The Salvation Army is accepting new clothing and underwear
items. It does not have the manpower to sort second-hand items.
Anyone who suspects any fraud should immediately call
National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721. Our hearts go out to those
in need, but let’s do it sensibly and in a manner that will get the donations
to those who really need it.
Klamathon benefit
On that note, a benefit dinner for our local Klamathon Fire
victims is being planned. It will be held on Sat., August 18, 2018 at the
Miner’s Inn Convention Center in Yreka. Grill Master Dave Tyler will barbecue
pulled pork with all the fixins. Friends of the Fair will offer a no-host bar. Save
some extra funds and a bit of room in your belly for the Unique Dessert
Auction. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m.
All proceeds will go to the Klamathon Fire Relief Fund set up
at Mechanics Bank. This benefit dinner was quickly organized by Walt Moody,
Siskiyou County Republican Women Federated and the Siskiyou Co. Veteran’s Leadership
Council. Even if you can’t attend, we can donate at the Mechanics Bank, which
recently purchased the Scott Valley Bank.
Smart meters
The Mount Shasta City Council is holding a special council
meeting on Thurs., Aug. 2, 2018 at the Mt. Shasta City Park, Upper Lodge on
Nixon Road. More than 80 concerned individuals attended last week’s council
meeting complaining about the installation of smart meters in the city and
surrounding unincorporated area.
Apparently, the company replacing the analog
meters, has not been notified by Pacific Power regarding residents that have
opted-out of having the new techy smart meter installed -- resulting in smart
meters being installed against their wishes.
At the request of Vickie Gold, the city council is allowing a
remote presentation that will be given by Willliam Bathgate, who has
investigated the meters. Bathgate says this newest meter Aclara I-S210 is a
proven fire hazard with health risk issues and even privacy and hacking risks.
With the real threat of fires, more people are looking at the issues alleged towards
smart meters.
Garden
The pickling cucumbers are really producing. I like them, cuz
they are nearly always sweet, no matter how big they get. Potatoes are about
done growing, so we are no longer watering them. They need to be mulched. The
one sunflower is about seven-feet and starting to make a head.
I was surprised to see one tomato that is almost ripe. It was
hiding down low. I didn’t pick it, but it might be ready by Aug. 1st,
which is surprising for us to have a ripe tomato that early.
Sadly, my large Shasta daisies are almost done blooming along
with the yellow coreopsis and the orange day lilies. But, the pinkish Echinacea
cone flowers, lavender flocks, multi-colored
ice plants, maroon cosmos, white four o’clocks, purple morning glories, pink
begonias, pale-pink anemones, tall bright yellow yarrow and some burgundy amaranth
are in full bloom. Red bee balm is growing with bright pink hollyhocks. At
least, the bees and hummingbirds are very happy.
Be safe in this dry, hot summer!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near
Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at:
LizWritesLife.blogspot.com
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