Liz Writes Life 12-2-2020

 Liz Writes Life

Dec. 2, 20202

Garden

Nope, my garden is not cleaned-up. Actually, I was so tired of taking care of it that I haven’t touched it for a month. So, it looks a mess with frozen, disintegrated zucchini, rhubarb and tomato plants. Luckily, I pulled the cucumbers and cantaloupe vines in October. I didn’t harvest the last of the torpedo purple onions and they look pretty bedraggled, too. The flower garden areas have also been ignored. Yep, hope to get my grandson over to help me clean-out the old plants.

The rain from several weeks ago did soften-up the soil a bit. And it is past time to get the garlic planted. Hum, better get that done. Also need to dig for potatoes.

I caught the end of a Medford TV station’s special segment on this year’s winter weather and El Nino or La Nina -- whichever it is that may be occurring. Anyway, it mentioned we will be fairly dry through December, but January and February will have colder and wetter weather for us. Sure do hope we get tired of the rain in early 2021 -- but remember to appreciate it! Ha, ha, but we should.

On that note, I have read several California news articles about the damage from wildfire smoke to wine grape growers. Writer Bill Swindell, of the Press Democrat, wrote on October 22, 2020 that Sonoma County wine grape growers are expecting to lose over $152 million from this year’s poor harvest. That’s a lot of money. Don’t know if this estimate includes the wineries that burned in the wildfires a few months ago.

It is estimated that up to 30 percent of the 2020 grape crop was left unpicked because of smoke that seeped into the fruit. Apparently, smoke causes a burnt-like or cigar smoke flavor in the wine. I don’t drink wine, so I wouldn’t know a tasty one if I tried it.

Because vegetation is way too thick everywhere, wildfires are here to stay until the forests are thinned and managed back into health. Also brush and grasslands need to be addressed with thinned and mowed vegetation.

Sure seems like there are a number of industries that should be powerful enough to lobby governments to change regulations, so forests and brush lands would be managed and thinned. The wine industry could lead the way. I’ve been told that a lot of people like wine.

Supreme Court rules

Good news for churches!

With all the restrictions and lockdowns of the covid-19 pandemic, churches have been frustrated over what looks like bias over their closures or greatly-reduced sizes of congregations. One lawsuit recently made it to the U.S. Supreme Court and, last week, the court blocked New York’s Covid-19 restrictions on houses of worship. It was a 5-4 ruling that argued the state’s restrictions “strike at the very heart of the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty.”

Of course, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, disagreed and called the ruling “irrelevant,” because he will appeal the decision to the Second Circuit Appeals Court. For now, he claims the decision is not final or legal.

But, Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that religious groups are being treated differently from secular entities. In his opinion, Gorsuch wrote: “It is time – past time – to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops, but shutter churches, synagogues and mosques.”

This specific case was brought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America. The court said the case is likely to succeed through appeals, because the restrictions violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and that would cause irreparable harm. Boy, do I appreciate this decision by the Supreme Court.

The Thomas Moore Society that has been fighting covid-19 religious restrictions praised the Supreme Court’s decision. The Society supports religions and has joined a variety of church lawsuits in several states.

Turkey Funeral

Time for some fun!

Newly-elected Colorado Congresswoman, Lauren Boebert, 33, is anti-big government and has railed against the strict covid-19 regulations. So, she decided to hold a “Turkey Funeral” for Thanksgiving before eating the turkey. Currently, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has the state locked-down to only 10 individuals that were allowed to attend Thanksgiving Dinner. Boebert bristled and decided that she would hold a funeral, because it is permissible for up to 30 people to attend an end-of-life activity. But, Boebert didn’t stop there and announced she added two more animals to the funeral – a pig and a duck.

Boebert has already raised eyebrows because of her pro-stance on the Second Amendment. Colorado is an “open carry” state and she typically wears a Glock pistol on her hip, especially at her restaurant in Rifle, CO. The renowned gun-themed restaurant is named “Shooters Grill,” where waitstaff pack.

Boebert said she intends to apply for a permit to carry a concealed handgun in WA. D.C. She wants to meet with Capitol Police to talk about carrying her gun throughout the Capitol complex.

I did a quick search on the internet to see if any law enforcement showed up to stop her Turkey, Pig and Duck Funeral. Nope, didn’t find any articles on that subject!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Klamath dams destruction is not a done deal! 11-25-2020

Liz Writes Life

Nov. 25, 2020

Possible destruction of the Klamath dams is back in the headlines after California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Karuk and Yurok Tribal leaders and PacifiCorp announced they will be moving forward with their project to remove four Klamath River hydro-electric dams. Yes, this does sound like it is a done deal. But, it isn’t. Don’t let the rhetoric fool you. Perspective and knowledge of the legal process is what we need.

Yes, in this new agreement, California and Oregon will partner with the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corp. to assume liability for the dam removal project. This includes encouraging the transference of the license to operate the dams from PacifiCorp to the non-profit KRRC. But, it hasn’t happened yet. It could, but it hasn’t.

The immediate caveat is that back in July, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced KRRC would not be allowed the sole ownership of the dams as the licensee. Why you ask? Because FERC claimed KRRC has “limited finances and no experience with hydropower dam operation or dam removal.” Oops. Apparently, FERC wanted to tie KRRC to PacifiCorp, which has extensive experience with hydropower and dam removal.

Yes, those of us who believe the Klamath dams should be saved hoped this would slow the possibility of dam destruction. FERC also stated, in the July announcement, that the destruction of the dams had known and unknown liability costs. Environmental and private property liabilities have not been fully addressed through federal regulations and environmental laws under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Although advocates for dam destruction have claimed an Environmental Impact Statement (study) was done, it was not signed by the correct federal agencies and published in the Federal Register. As such, it was not vetted and has no legal standing.

Siskiyou County has been fighting the dam removal project for years.

Ray Haupt, Siskiyou Co. Supervisor for Dist. 5, is my go-to guy regarding the environmental process that must be followed for dam removal. He works closely with Siskiyou County attorneys and the environmental consultant firm hired to protect the county. Ray also has extensive knowledge of EIS and the federal NEPA process, because of his years working in leadership positions for the U.S. Forest Service.

So, Ray first told me: “We don’t know if FERC is going to accept these terms,” that were agreed to last week. FERC was not in on this recent agreement. And FERC is the ultimate decision maker for relinquishing the dams to KRRC.

Next dam destruction can’t happen until the federal EIS is completed, commented upon by the public, a decision made, published -- and everyone then has the chance to appeal the decision and or file lawsuits.

You see, dam removal advocates have hung their hat on the 2012 EIS that was started by the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, but it was not completed. So, KRRC must start over and updated science and facts must be utilized or lawsuits will easily point out the flaws.

Ray explained that the process to complete an EIS and the resulting final decision is long. “The short ones take at least two years,” he said, adding, “Yes, this is an extremely complicated EIR process.”

“Our consultants have written reams of unaddressed issues that will affect the environment, our citizens and property owners,” Ray said. “They are substantive comments. Under the NEPA process, they will have to be considered in the new EIS.”

So, it may take years, especially since the county, grass roots groups like the Siskiyou Co. Water Users Assoc., and neighboring private property owners have questioned a multitude of issues including the cost and various liabilities.

“We’ve still got a long way to go,” said Ray, before dam destruction will happen.

Pacific salmon

Meanwhile, new science is being brought forward. On Oct. 30, 2020, the “Science Journal of Fish and Fisheries” published an article of a study on Pacific salmon. In a nutshell, the scientists found salmon survival rates seem to be much the same in rivers throughout the entire Pacific Northwest coast. This included rivers with dams and those without dams like the wild-flowing rivers in Canada and Alaska.

An intense study also analyzed the salmon survival rates within the Columbia River system of the Snake River populations. The Snake River is often singled out with claims of poor survival rates. But in fact, the study showed higher estimates of salmon in the Snake River compared to other regions of the Pacific coast that lack dams.

Dam destruction advocates have long claimed that dam removal will increase the population of salmon, especially Chinook. This new research brings that theory into question. The study is not off-the-wall research, but was funded by Kintama Research Services as part of a separate research effort to assess the credibility of the critical period concept in Pacific salmon. The study was quite specific and can be found online.

The next nutshell, from the study, points to theories and lack of information about the ocean; and the complexity of known and unknown factors that affect salmon from smolt age to adult. A quote from the articles states: “Unfortunately, our understanding of (salmon) survival during the marine phase remains extremely limited, so there has been little change in management strategy beyond the essential first step of reducing harvest rates in the face of falling marine survival.”

Personally, I would like to see an unbiased, full-blown environmental study and EIS completed regarding the Klamath dams. New science, data and facts must be utilized – not just theories.

Luckily, it looks like our Northern California Dist. 1 Congressman, Doug LaMalfa, has won re-election, with 56 percent of the votes. LaMalfa fights tooth-and-nail to save the Klamath dams and pointedly questions bureaucrats for any bias towards dam destruction. He predicts there will be multi-billion – get that BILLION – dollar costs for the “liability and inevitable environmental damage this project will cause.”

LaMalfa recently cited that the Klamath hydropower generation is a benefit to our overloaded power grid and “removing these dams will do nothing to help fish, but will destroy water storage needed for firefighting and will bankrupt Siskiyou County.”

Dam removal advocates will bristle at my column, today. Yet, these are the facts. Take a deep breath. Klamath dam destruction is not a done deal.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 11-18-2020

November 18, 2020

Liz Writes Life

High tech bridge

Siskiyou County is on the cutting-edge of utilizing a new super-strong technology developed from wood. This technology makes things like cement lighter, yet stronger and was instigated by the U.S. Forest Service through a U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Community project. And just to prove the technology works, Siskiyou County volunteered to replace a well-worn bridge over Moffett Creek on Scarface Road. The new bridge was put in place on Nov. 3, 2020 and is expected to last 100 years! That will certainly save time and money replacing wooden planks every decade or two.

There are a number of participants working to develop this lighter yet stronger technology infused with wood byproducts. Siskiyou County began its support of the technology five years ago, when then, Dist. 4 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, Grace Bennett, and Dist. 5 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, Ray Haupt, attended a coordination meeting between a USFS Forest Research program and the county. Both Siskiyou supervisors were looking for ways to utilize the excess wood in the local Klamath National Forest.

Ray, who is retired from the USFS as a District Ranger and is also a California Registered Professional Forester, was interested. But, he says Grace was the driver that kept this on-the-ground project going over the years, although she is now retired from her county position. Grace explained the technology was “fascinating” and wanted to see it fleshed-out and utilized in Siskiyou County.

In a nutshell: “Woodchips are ground super-fine and added to products like cement to make them lighter and stronger,” she said. Grace hopes more experiments will be conducted so the technology can be used in products like sheet rock, plastics and even fruit coatings, where the natural protective coating washes off easily. Yes, quite the variety of uses. Grace also said Siskiyou County has been designated as a place, where it could be manufactured.

For the Moffett Creek Bridge project, Knife River Materials, in Oregon, manufactured and poured the 29-foot long cement slabs at its Harrisburg facility.

The county’s bridge crew removed the old wooden-plank and steel-framed bridge and rebuilt the access points, engineered and poured new abutments. Two semi-trucks hauled the four 29-foot-long high-tech cement slabs and the giant crane operator from Anderson, CA. placed the slabs in about an hour.

Ben Haupt, Timber Management Officer for KNF, was also in attendance, when the cement slabs were laid. He is a major part of the coordinated project and worked with the local Timber Products business to transport locally-grown pine, white fir and Doug fir to the USFS research facility for testing.

“We hope to take a low-value product of small diameter trees and turn it into a high-value product,” Ben said. He explained the research portion of the technology breaks down the wood fiber into nano-crystals and “we wanted to prove it could work for Siskiyou County and KNF.”

Scott Waite, director for Siskiyou Co. Public Works, has also been active in the project and worked closely with the Oregon State University at Corvallis on testing the cement slabs. So, after five years, the coordinated-effort needed to actually complete a project. The worn Moffett Creek Bridge up Scarface needed replacing. So, Scott went for it.

Mountain Ready Mix in Yreka is also involved in the project and will begin utilizing the new nanotechnology for other local projects, including cement slabs.

Ray said, “It is exciting to bring this innovative technology to the county. Siskiyou County is on the cutting-edge of this development for a world-wide market.”

I was invited to the placing of the cement slabs on Nov. 3^rd and was impressed with the coordination of everyone involved. Grace was especially pleased the long-research process was successful and that Siskiyou County obtained a new very long-lasting bridge. Cheaper and easier-to-maintain bridges will be welcomed by the county – that’s for sure.

Meetings canceled

Apparently, there is a spike in local covid-19 cases, especially at the Siskiyou Courthouse. Siskiyou Co. D.A. Kirk Andrus and Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue had been asked to speak at the Siskiyou Conservative Republicans meeting, last Thursday, but needed to go into quarantine along with some employees from their departments. So that meeting was canceled. The Siskiyou Patriots also canceled its meeting. Boy, I sure hope the cases are not severe. I know of several people that didn’t even have any symptoms, but tested positive. Frustrating virus for sure.

Election

The General Election on Nov. 3, 2020 has still not been certified by all the states, although re-counting in many counties and some states is complete enough to claim winners and losers.

For the U.S. Presidential election, the current counts show that Biden has won the popular vote with 78 million votes to Pres. Trump’s 72 million. But, Trump and the GOP have brought a number of lawsuits in counties and swing states alleging voter fraud and manipulation of votes, so the election has not been certified as completed. There are also many sworn affidavits claiming voter fraud. Yep, still a waiting game.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 11-11-2020 -- Can we agree to find respect and peace?

 Nov. 11, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Veterans Day

Be sure to thank our veterans for their service to our country – today and every day! May God bless America and those who serve and have served this country!

D.A. and sheriff to speak

Siskiyou Co. District Attorney Kirk Andrus and the newly appointed Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue will be speaking during the Siskiyou Conservative Republicans meeting tomorrow, Nov. 12, 2020. The meeting will be held at 308 S. Broadway in Yreka. Time is 11:30 a.m. A luncheon of deli sandwiches, soups, dessert and drink will be available for $9. To reserve your lunch call Jackie at 530-340-9102 or Annie at 530-842-2350.

Siskiyou Patriots meet

Sorry, I thought there was a Siskiyou Patriots last week and put a notice in my column. I was wrong. They did not meet last week, but will be meeting tomorrow night, Nov. 12, 2020 at the Covenant Chapel Church at 200 Greenhorn Rd. in Yreka. Time is 6:30 p.m. Mark Baird will speak on the status of the lack of representation lawsuit by the State of Jefferson movement.

The Patriots will also complete their raffle on two hand guns, two rifles and a $3,000 gun safe. Each ticket is $125 and they are still available for purchase before the drawing at the meeting. For more info, contact Louise at 530-586-1430.

Support for Trump

Well, even though most media outlets have announced Joe Biden won the U.S. Presidency last week, most states have not officially certified their final results. Believe it or not, each county must certify its election results, before each secretary of state can certify a state’s results. There are also states whose legislature actually votes for the candidate that will receive the Electoral College votes -- after the popular vote is certified. So, current announcements are not official or final.

Yes, the race seems to be extremely close and, just as in past elections, there are reports of fraud, illegal ballots and manipulation of certain voting machines in many states. Biden may win, but I agree with Republicans and the White House that we need to wait until each state has finalized and certified the winner, including other election races, before announcing the official winners. Then, it will be up to the Electoral College to officially vote and announce the presidential winner.

Remember back in 2000, Al Gore was given 37 days for lawsuits with his demands of recounting ballots before it was announced George W. Bush was officially elected through the Electoral College. This is the election process in the United States.

To show support of President Trump, rallies were held throughout the nation -- and Californians also held rallies this past week. Locally, organizers of the big 100-plus vehicle Freedom Tour on Nov. 1, 2020, in Scott Valley, held a Trump Train last Saturday afternoon. It started in Yreka with about 60 cars, trucks, pickups and trailers and drove over Forest Mt. through Fort Jones into Etna waving Trump flags and signs.

Hope is still alive for a Donald Trump win.

Lawsuits have been brought by Trump and Republicans in the states of Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia with state Attorney Generals in several other states also checking into alleged voter fraud. Unofficially, Republicans overturned more than a dozen U.S. House seats with several Republican women candidates coming out on top. These elections are still being counted or recounted as well, so the results are not final. But, it looks like the alleged “Blue Wave” of newly-elected Democrats did not happen.

This has been a very divisive and stressful election, especially after the last four years of constant hatred towards President Trump by a significant portion of our country. I wish we could tone down the rhetoric and name calling. Both sides should want to see a recount and as fair of an election as possible.

I do hope that rioting and destruction of businesses will not follow the official results, whether it is Biden or Trump. I oppose the Antifa and any group that is blatantly terrorizing our inner-cities. It is interesting that Antifa demonstrators targeted the Democrat campaign office in Portland, last Sunday, shattering windows and spray-painting graffiti against Joe Biden. One scrawled statement claimed “no presidents.” Yes, these riots are not just against Republicans and President Trump, but are truly trying to destroy the United States and its Constitution. Democrats are also a target of those who hate the United States.

I can’t imagine being a police officer dealing with these thugs, who are organized and well-funded. Because President Trump spoke out against the rioters and destruction, significant police unions endorsed Trump.

Biden is calling for “unity” of Americans. This means Democrats and Republicans must agree violence and hatred is extremely harmful and will destroy us.  

Can we do this? Can we demonstrate peacefully? Can we all voice our opinion in a civil manner? Respect is the key. For the sake of our nation, I pray we will all choose peaceful actions and statements. May we look past those who would destroy us with hate and find our common ground, which is love of freedom, liberty and the guarantees that are in our Constitution.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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Liz Writes Life 11-4-2020

 November 4, 2020

Liz Writes Life

Honor Veterans

This is a reminder that the American Legion Perry Harris Post #260 will be holding Honor Guard Ceremonies at local Scott Valley cemeteries on Wed. Nov. 11, 2020. The public is invited to support the ceremonies and honor our military veterans. Times are: Callahan Cemetery at 10 a.m., Etna Cemetery at 11 a.m. and Fort Jones Cemetery at noon. I will be at Callahan at 10 a.m.

Because of the pandemic and California State regulations, the annual Etna Veterans’ Parade was not held this year. It is expected to return in Nov. 2021. All veterans are encouraged to participate. Plan on it!

Freedom Tour

What a sight! More than 100 cars, pickups, trucks pulling horses trailers, hay and boats drove through Scott Valley last Sunday afternoon in a show of patriotism. My second-hand information (about the event) related the organizers said it was non-partisan. Fabulously, American flags were waving in abundance. A vast majority of the vehicles also boasted Trump-for-president flags and signs, thin-blue-line flags and there was a Black Voices for Trump sign. It didn’t take much to deduce most of the drivers were Trump supporters. What a peaceful, fun way to show love for our freedoms and the United States!

Yes, yesterday, Nov. 3, 2020 was Election Day. I hope everyone exercised their freedom to vote. I write this on Monday morning, so I do not have any results and hope that results will be finalized quickly.

Garden

There have been several hard frosts that have taken out the gardens. A few friends have mentioned that like me, they were ready for the season to be finished. Yay! Not that we didn’t enjoy the bounty, it is just that we also enjoy the seasons. Now it is time for autumn rains and winter snows to hit. Yep, it is time for this drought to be over. Over!

I haven’t started cleaning-up the garden yet. During October, my extra energy went to getting my wood organized. I asked my teenaged grandson, Bryce, to split a cord of cedar wood that I purchased last spring. It baked under the summer sun and is now split and stacked under-cover along with several other cords of wood. Yay! Let the rains begin! Please!

Food programs

Last week, I talked with Barb Craig, who is the administrator of several food bank and food giveaway programs in Scott Valley. She and her fellow volunteers are trying to get the word out about the programs, because they don’t want anyone to go hungry. So, please utilize these programs and let your friends, neighbors and acquaintances know about them.

Both of these programs are coordinated locally by the Fort Jones Community Church and the Scott Valley Berean Church. The first program is called Feeding America. Barb said that a volunteer picks up food from Wal-Mart in Yreka every Monday through Friday. Wal-Mart is a major contributor. There are four local drivers that rotate driving to Wal-Mart. The food is bought back to the Fort Jones Community Church where is it organized.

The food is distributed every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on tables behind the Fort Jones Community Church and again on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Last Saturday, there were frozen packages of chicken and hamburger along with a variety of frozen milks available. Fresh vegetables of zucchini to celery and kiwi fruits were also available along with breakfast oatmeal pouches, cookies and other items.

After putting your items in a bag or two, a volunteer weighs the food. This is how they are able to show how much food is utilized. There is a one-page form to fill out with your name, address and financial status. But, Barb said that anyone can participate in this program.

The second program is funded through a California block grant to the Modoc Siskiyou Community Action Agency. It is a monthly box of food for lower income individuals and families. But, Barb said that most anyone (in Scott Valley), especially seniors, seems to fall into the program.

There is a one-page form to fill out with more than 40 items from which to choose. Much of the food in this program is contributed by WinCo in Medford. A local volunteer drives to Medford every Friday to pick-up this food. Each participant’s food box is also weighed.

Barb said that right now, because of the pandemic of covid-19, the program is offering a twice a month food box.

Food is available for those in need. Barb hopes it will be utilized. This is a local ministry and volunteers are not paid. Call Barb for more information at 530-468-2200.

I looked up the Feeding America program on the web and learned it is a United States-based nonprofit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks. Through coordinated efforts and businesses, this program is feeding more than 46 million people utilizing food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community agencies and groups. Forbes ranks it as the second largest U.S. charity by revenue. Previous to August 2008, Feeding America was known as America’s Second Harvest.

The Modoc Siskiyou Community Action Agency receives its Community Services Block Grant funding from the State of California, Department of Community Services and Development. Modoc Siskiyou issues a request for proposals to fund projects that assist low income community members residing in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Current funded projects include: Four food banks, TEACH Senior Services, The Dorris Lion’s Club Meal delivery program and Scott Valley Focus Lunch Program.

I sure am grateful for caring volunteers and organizations that work these and other needed programs in our community. Thank you!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 

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