Liz Writes Life 4-28-21 -- Some Scott Valley history

April 28, 2021

Liz Writes Life

Garden

Last weekend’s rain and cooler temperatures were certainly welcome. I picked-up my grandson, Bryce, one day after school and we got most of the garden area grubbed-up.  The weeds were not too bad.

The law clippings that I gathered from a local lawn (not mine, I don’t have a lawn) provided good protection to the soil throughout the fall and winter. I am pleased. The clippings are deteriorating into the soil, which is good and dandelions seem to be 90 percent of the weeds. Luckily, they dig up pretty easy. I believe the clippings smothered most of the mallow weeds that were such a problem in one area of the garden. I mulched the lawn clippings a good three-inches deep in that spot.

Even though I am grumbling at needing to hand-irrigate every few days, I will admit that once I get out there it is very pleasant. And there are perks! One late afternoon, I was sitting in a lawn chair irrigating the rhubarb and munching fresh raw asparagus. The breeze was just right for a 70-degree-plus day. Black cat ducked under the fence, I looked to the blue sky and noticed three golden eagles floating in huge circles. They were likely looking for food, (they typically grab the road kill pretty quickly) but I think they were having fun playing, swirling and catching the updrafts with just slight tilts of their wings.  I watched for a good 10 minutes. My point: I shouldn’t grumble. This is a pretty good life out here in God’s country. Yep, sure do love my open space!

Local history

Well, I don’t know how to do this justice so I will just jump-in. I recently read a family history book that Scott Valley’s Tery Timmons Drager authored. It is self-published and hardbound. The layout is enticing with generational charts, lots of photos, short bios and local historical stories. I am impressed!

Yep, she has Siskiyou pioneers in her heritage. For many years, Tery gathered information with the hopes of putting a book together. But, she said it was the Covid-19 lockdown that finally pushed her into doing the lengthy project. I love history and to me it is important to get it written and recorded.

Tery was able to trace families back to Scotland, Ireland and the Azores. She actually titled the book with a joke: Did you hear the one about the Irishman and the Portugee? It really isn’t a joke, cuz these Irish, Scotch and Portugee families did very well after arriving in Scott Valley.

With the help of a genealogist and family, she traced one clan back to 1370 in Scotland. Several families sailed to the Virginia Colony and served in the Revolutionary War. I like the story about Orpha McMechen, who was born in 1796 in Marshall County Virginia, and married James Davidson. In 1830, the couple moved with their children to Indiana. Eleven children were born to them and I think ten lived to adulthood.

In 1854, Orpha was well-worn in years, but would not be left behind, when several grown children moved by wagon across the plains and Rocky Mountains during the early California gold rush era. They landed in Scott Valley, which was just beginning to be settled. In fact, a single house marked the spot where now stands the town of Fort Jones. Orpha was one of a handful of white women in the area at the time and was known to open her home to the “orphan and wanderer.”

Orpha Davidson died in 1876. One of her son’s Dr. David M. Davidson, born in 1822, purchased an old hand-press and printed the first newspaper in Fort Jones called the “Scott Valley Mirror”. In the early 1850s, David became the first Siskiyou County supervisor for the Scott Valley area.

Another son, William D. Davidson, born in 1827, mined in Deadwood down present-day McAdams Creek Road. He engaged in merchandising and began a butchering business to supply meat to the Fort Jones area. In 1854, in company with his brother David and Charles McDermit, he built Old Etna (flour) Mills at a cost of $35,000. He then built a store in Etna and the Etna Hotel. In 1857, they built the Scott Valley Distillery. He also owned a cattle ranch in the Fall River Valley in Shasta County and moved there in 1872. He was then elected to two terms as Shasta County Supervisor.

A daughter of Orpha and James was Hanna Jane Davidson born 1829. She married Charles McDermit, who was the first sheriff of Siskiyou County.

Oh, this is a good one, James A. Davidson, born 1838, settled on the home ranch in Fort Jones and married Amanda Quigley in 1867. They raised eight children and an orphan girl. James, a Democrat, served as district supervisor for 32 years (beginning in 1925) and worked to preserve the history of the county by helping to found and maintain the Fort Jones Museum.

Well, there are lots more stories of these talented and rugged men and women. I haven’t even gotten to the Irish Timmons, Samon and Sullivans or the Portuguese Simas, Simmons and Valin. Then there is the larger-than-life Manuel Browne, who claimed he was born at sea and was saved by the ship’s First Mate, who was Portuguese, when the ship went down in the English Channel drowning his parents. His father was the ship’s captain. Tery said they are not sure of his heritage, but Manuel spoke five European languages, when he came to Siskiyou County after jumping ship in 1861 in San Francisco.

I’ll try to share some of this history every-so-often. It is fascinating what was accomplished without our 20^th and 21^st century technologies.

May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it makes you feel better!

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 4-21-2021 Klamath Project farmers are up against a wall

April 21, 2021

Liz Writes Life

Frustrations are mounting in our neighboring Klamath Basin regarding the huge reduction of irrigation water that the government decreed 1,200 farms will receive in the Klamath Project. Last week, the federal Bureau of Reclamation announced that the Klamath Project will receive about six percent of its needed irrigation water for more than 220,000 acres in the Project. Nope, not enough!

That hurts a lot of farmers and also means six wildlife refuges will lose water that gives life to 433 species, including ESA-listed bald eagles. Also, the Klamath Bureau of Reclamation announced it would not allow any irrigation until after May 15, 2021.

But, perennial plants and the soil need irrigation now. Crops raised in the Klamath Project provide a multi-million-dollar economy and include sugar beets, potatoes, onions, garlic, horseradish, wheat, barley, mint, pasture and hay.

Because of a dry winter and spring, farmers are up against the wall. After much discussion, the Klamath Drainage District decided to rely on a permit, acquired from the Oregon Water Resources Dept. in 1977, and opened the headgates of the North Canal and the Ady Canal -- last Friday.

Please note: For decades, this supplemental water right that is obtained from the Klamath River has been treated as independent from “Project” water. And, recently, the OWRD determined that water is available at KDD’s headgates.

Scott White, general manager of KDD, said that drastically needed precipitation has not arrived and the dust is unbearable. Winds are devastatingly eroding the soil.

Within hours of opening the headgates, the federal Klamath Reclamation acting area manager, Jared Bottcher, sent a letter to KDD demanding an immediate cease to the water diversions. The statement said that if KDD does not stop irrigation, the federal employees will access Reclamation-owned property to close the gates; and that water users within the KDD boundary may no longer be eligible for Drought Relief Act funds. Also, the United States may take other legal action against KDD and its members.

So, the carrot has been dangled and the stick has been shook. But are there enough federal assistance funds to financially save the hundreds of farmers, who would much rather work for their income? Not likely.

The USDA recently announced the availability of up to $10 million in assistance from its Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program to help agricultural producers impacted by drought conditions in the Klamath Basin.

California Dist. 1 Congressman, Doug LaMalfa, said the additional funds comes at a critical time and is appreciated. But, once again, reiterated that the Bureau of Reclamation is not delivering legally-owned water to the farmers.

LaMalfa added: “Much more remains to be done for our Klamath Basin farmers, ranchers, and wildlife refuges, and helping them continues to be one of my top priorities in Congress.”

Klamath Project farmers own their property and through their deeds own the rights to water that has been stored in Upper Klamath Lake and other areas with the purpose of seasonal irrigation. It is the Bureau of Reclamation that manages the infrastructure and releases the water. In the past 25 years, Tribes have demanded more of the farmers’ water for sucker fish listed to the Endangered Species Act. But, as LaMalfa referenced, recent court decisions state the farmers do have the right to water from these man-made or man-enhanced storage areas.

There is a myth that I wish to dispel. You see, there is plenty of water in the Upper Klamath Lake. A recent photo, sent to me by a friend, shows it is to the brim. The lower-elevation-part of the water is designated for the suckers, but a legal portion is decreed to the farmers.

So, why isn’t the federal government following the court order and releasing the farmers’ water? Upper Klamath Lake is huge at about 25 miles long and eight miles wide.

Another myth proven wrong, time and again by Ph. D scientists, is that ironically more water does not increase the population of sucker fish. The truth is that the suckers actually do better in less water and like to live at the muddy bottom of lakes and reservoirs. Believe it or not, the suckers and the farmers can and should be able to share the water. Unfortunately, this drought is exaggerated by what looks like anti-farmer bias of the Bureau of Reclamation.

Garden

The soil is so dry at my place that I am irrigating the few garden plants every two to three days. The 25 garlic are 10-inches high, some volunteer lettuces are up to five-inches, newly transplanted chives look OK and the comfrey is bushing out and a foot tall. The rhubarb didn’t start growing until I began irrigating consistently a month ago. It looks great at three-feet tall, so I should be able to start harvesting in a week or two. Rhubarb needs lots of water!

I see some asparagus are finally poking-up several inches. I only have five plants.  I found the chocolate mint is spreading well after I pulled out weeds that were covering it. Last year, I harvested the chocolate mint for the first time and I love it as a tea. It is much stronger than the wild mint I have been using for years. The chocolate is more in the aroma than in the actual taste.

The perennials like columbine, tansy, Oriental poppies, iris, hollyhocks, red bee balm, day lilies and Shasta daisies seem to always be thirsty and where I have irrigated, several gladiolus are spiking up. Can’t believe the weather stations are claiming the temps will be so warm that it shouldn’t freeze at night this week. No wonder things are dry.

Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek for it -- especially for our hearts and minds. Smile – just cuz it will make you feel better!

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 4-14-2021 Little to no water for Klamath Project farms in 2021

 April 14, 2021

Liz Writes Life

Twenty years ago, 1,400 farmers in the Klamath Project were told by a federal government agency (Bureau of Reclamation) they would not receive any irrigation water for the entire 2001 production year. The culprit was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that updated a Biological Opinion claiming the Endangered Species Act-listed sucker fish living in Upper Klamath Lake needed the legally-stored water. So, the suckers took precedence over any water slated for the farmers.

That year marked large rallies of peaceful protests in support of the farmers. On May 7, 2001, more than 15,000 individuals and elected politicians protested by holding a bucket brigade in the city of Klamath Falls. On June 15, 2001, the largest “field hearing” that had ever been held by members of congress met at the Event Center in Klamath Falls. But, more than 230,000 acres became a dust bowl.

Since then, there have been many meetings, lawsuits, court decisions and lots of hand-wringing.

So, it is with a very sad heart that I learned the now 1,200 farmers in the Klamath Project will not receive irrigation water this year. Quite often, I try to bring updated information about the Klamath Project to you. It is an integral part of our economic region. And, I also try to explain the complicated situation, when Tribes have filed lawsuits over the stored water and water right decisions have been made by courts.

This year, the loss of irrigation water has quite a lot to do with the drought. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a Drought Declaration for Klamath County last month. A certain amount of water must also be stored, because of court rulings in favor of the Klamath Tribe and water for the ESA-listed species of fish.

With this short preface, I will now include a letter that went out to the Project farmers on April 8, 2021 explaining the present situation. It was titled, “Little to No water for Klamath Project Farms in 2021” and was sent by the Klamath Water Users Assoc. combined with several water districts.

Keep in mind that Siskiyou Tulelake area farmers are part of the Project and will lose their livelihood. Also, the Tulelake Refuge will also lose its water as it is part of the Klamath Project. Yep, this is a frustratingly sad situation.

Dear Editor and Dear Neighbors: 

Klamath Project irrigators find themselves in a situation that is eerily similar to 2001.

Unfortunately, there will be extremely minimal to no water from Upper Klamath Lake for irrigation this year. This will not change for the 2021 crop season, regardless of current efforts in various venues to make things work for irrigators. Upper Klamath Lake has been breaking records for low inflows every day for the past month and the forecast shows no meaningful precipitation. There are other problems that we all understand and on which we will be heard. Here we are simply being the messengers for extremely bad news.

Farmers and ranchers do not receive salaries. They pay mortgages, property taxes, irrigation districts assessments, and try to provide for their families. They provide good jobs for good people. They share this place with abundant wildlife. If the farms and our community survive, it will take upwards of eight good irrigation years to financially recover, not to mention the legacy effect on the future of our farming families.

With the efforts and cooperation of districts, irrigators, and our community, the Project has made the most of many poor situations in the past. This year, the tools to make this work simply are not sufficient to align supply with demand. Unfortunately, our only hope as a community is to seek federal funding to get the most out of any water that can be had, prevent foreclosures, and to keep a core workforce employed. We thank Senators Wyden, Merkley, and Feinstein, who are working hard to help in that effort. And we are grateful for the ongoing support from Representatives Bentz and LaMalfa.

We are well aware of the impact to the business community that is reliant on agricultural production in the basin, and we are very sorry for the pain they will experience. We will continue pursuing strategies to correct fundamental problems in the basin, advocate common sense, and begin work with responsible parties so that we are not in this impossible and unnatural situation again in the future.

There will be much more to say, but our message today is that we must assume that our farms will receive no meaningful amount of water from Upper Klamath Lake this year, and plan accordingly.

We ask our communities to do what we can to get through this year, and fervently hope that we can weather the storm together. We must not support or tolerate action that is counterproductive or unlawful, which only tarnishes the image of this remarkable community. Take care of your families. Take care of your neighbors.

We are united in our commitment to preserve this community, provide for our posterity, and feed the world.

Sincerely, Ben DuVal, President Klamath Water Users Assoc.; Ty Kliewer, President Klamath Irrigation District; John Crawford, President Tulelake Irrigation District; Jason Flowers, President Klamath Drainage District.

Genealogy tours

For something fun to do try one of Siskiyou Co. Historical Society’s Walking Tours that will be held in Yreka. A tour will be held each day Friday through Monday, April 16-19. Two tours will be at local cemeteries, one is about Miner’s Street and the Gold Rush; and one will showcase architecture on 3^rd St. and N. Oregon St. All start at 5 p.m. Due to Covid-19, they are asking participants to wear masks and there is a small charge of $5 per tour. For more info call 530-572-1099.

Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek for it -- especially for our hearts and minds. Smile – just cuz it will make you feel better!

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 4-7-21 -- Snowpack and freedom to choose

 Liz Writes Life

April 7, 2021

Snowpack – locally and Sierras

The results of snowpack surveys have been released and Siskiyou County is doing better than the rest of the state.

Unfortunately, the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountain range is estimated at about 59 percent of historical average. San Francisco just recorded its driest two-year period in its recorded history – they just didn’t have much of a rainy season.

Adding to the bleak outlook is the fact that California reservoirs are at about half of their normal capacity, according to Sean DeGuzmen, who is Chief of the California Dept. of Water Resources. I also noticed the Deseret News in Utah reporting that many of their reservoirs are at about half capacity as well. The West is hurting.

So how did the mountains around Scott Valley fair?

The Klamath National Forest employees performed the surveys last week and came up with 80 percent of the snowpack historic average. Those early-March snowfalls did add some much-needed snow, the KNF report said.

Dynamite Meadow at 5,700 ft. above sea level (south end of the valley) came in the highest at 102 percent of average with 45 inches of snowpack. Middle Boulder #1 at 6,600 ft. had 55 inches of snow, which is an historical average of 78 percent. Middle Boulder #3 at 6,200 ft. had 54.5 inches making it 86 percent of average.

Near the top of Etna/Salmon Mt. at 5,900 ft. the measurement was 42 inches giving a 61 percent and Swampy John on Salmon Mt. at 5,500 ft. had 49 inches making a 62 historical percentage.

Scott Mt. at 5,900 ft. had 41 inches for an 85 percent of average and the KNF employees also skied into the Box Camp location, which is in the Marble Mountains, and found a whopping 81 inches giving the area a 96 percent of average.

I decided to check several Sacramento River Basin snowpack locations on the CA. Dept. of Water Resources website and found that the Mt. Shasta spot was very low at 51 percent of average with 68 inches at the 7,900 ft. elevation. But there was a nice above average in the Gray Rocks Lakes of the Castle Crags area of the basin with 73 inches recorded at the 6,200 ft. level giving that location 109 of the historical average.

On April 1^st, I noticed ranchers were turning their legal water right allotments out on fields and pastures. I do believe the warm spring temps have dried-out the soil more than expected. Right now, it looks like I will need to hand-irrigate every two to three days. Because it could still freeze my plastic pipes, I will not turn on the garden water for a while yet. The 25 garlic are six-inches high, rhubarb is really starting to grow and the volunteer lettuce is about an inch tall.

The lettuce seeds that I planted a month ago have not come up. I think I didn’t irrigate them at the right time. Those warm temps caught me off-guard. But, I am hoping for some May color as the Oriental poppies sprinted into new growth after several irrigations. Yep, the perennials are thirsty.

Conservatives meet

The Siskiyou Conservative Republicans will meet, tomorrow, April 7, 2021 at the Montague Methodist Church at 150 S 12^th St. in Montague. Tom Del Beccaro, a leader in the effort to recall CA. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be the featured speaker via Zoom. Tom is an author, writer and commentator for Fox News, Fox Business and Epoch Times. He has served as Chairman of the California Republican Party and even ran for CA. U.S. Senator, but lost to incumbent Barbara Boxer.

Tom will provide an update on the effort to recall Gov. Newsom. The meeting is free to attend; and if you would like to enjoy lunch, call Annie at 530-842-2350. Grill Master, Dave Tyler, is barbecuing Cornish game hens and ham. There will also be scalloped potatoes, fresh salad, spring inspired muffins and dessert by Jackie. Yum! Lunch is $13. Meet and greet is at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon and the speaker soon after.

LaMalfa pushes back

I have pretty much kept my opinions regarding Covid-19 to myself, but will now spout. I do believe Covid-19 has been a terrible threat to humans, but I am seeing too much politics involved with an over-abundance of regulations demanded by government agencies. So, I was thankful to learn that our Dist. 1 CA. Congressman Doug LaMalfa has introduced a bill that, if passed, will prohibit the use of “Covid-19 Vaccine Passports.”

Yes, the new Biden Administration caronavirus team has been actively working with specific private entities to institute Covid-19 related passport requirements.

While some may praise the idea of a proof-of-vaccination passport for travel, it reeks of tyranny to me. Many folks want to be vaccinated, so get them vaccinated! But, others may feel the successful use of therapeutics has also saved many lives. Not surprisingly, I have yet to see any statistics on the positive outcome of these therapeutics and lives saved.

My bottom-line is this: People should have the freedom to choose.

LaMalfa is of a like mind. He said, “It is unacceptable in this country that someone might be denied service because they are unable to receive a vaccine injection due to legitimate health reasons, availability, or simply because they choose not to receive one. This country was founded to protect individual freedoms, and my legislation will ensure that Americans do not have their health decisions forced upon them by the federal government or private companies. We cannot allow the fear and uncertainty of 2020 to justify authoritarianism and increased government control.”

Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek for it – especially for our hearts and minds. Smile!

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 3-31-21 High-tech wood fiber infused concrete benefits Hibbard Baseball Field in Yreka, CA.

March 31, 2021

Liz Writes Life

High-tech concrete

Grace Bennett, a past Siskiyou Co. Supervisor for (Yreka) Dist. 4, called me early last Friday morning. She wanted me to know that -- finally -- the high-tech-long-lasting concrete was going to be poured at Hibbard Field that afternoon. She was excited. Would I like to show-up and report on the innovative process that will aid the youth program and possibly Siskiyou County? Sure!

Back in my Nov. 18, 2020 column, I wrote about this new technology that is comprised of nano-cellular wood fiber mixed with cement, gravel, sand and makes a stronger, yet lighter concrete. Last November, Siskiyou County replaced a wooden bridge over Moffett Creek on Scarface Road with the micromaterial product, which was a first in California. Through the new technology, the new bridge’s lifespan is 100 years!

Grace, and current Siskiyou Co. Supervisor Board Chairman, Ray Haupt, had learned about the new technology that was becoming available at a workshop six years ago. Utilizing the byproduct of wood fiber was instigated by the U.S. Forest Service through a U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Community project. Grace and Ray saw the technology as a practical solution for both wood byproducts produced in the Klamath National Forest and utilizing the enhanced concrete in many projects by local businesses.

The pouring of the concrete, last Friday, at Hibbard Field was a combined volunteer effort to truly begin using the technology in Siskiyou County.

Grace is chairman of the Friends of Hibbard Field. The group needed to pour a concrete sidewalk and slab by the newly-replaced grandstands. Deborah Baird, who is also on the Friends committee and the Yreka City Council, added support to the project. Rich Leach, the concrete contractor, and Micah Nichols of Mountain Ready Mix coordinated with other committee members and the micromaterial-infused concrete was poured.

Grace and Deborah hope the new technology will soon be a new business venture in Siskiyou County and more concrete will be infused with the nano-cellular wood fiber in a variety of projects.

CCW classes available

Distinguished Firearms.com will be holding classes to obtain a California Concealed Weapon permit in April. The first one is April 17, 2021 and will be held in Etna. It starts at 9 a.m. Cost is $85. You must already own a legal firearm. It is so nice to have classes available this close to home!

There are two more classes that will be held in April. One is “Ladies Only” and will be held in Redding as a two-day course. It will start on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 5 p.m. Cost is $85.

Another class will be held near Grenada on April 24, 2021 at 9 a.m.

Get more information and reserve a place by going to the Distinguished Firearms website. Yep, it works. I signed-up and paid for my CCW renewal on-line last year. Oh, and I passed! Smiley face.

Etna Rodeo May 2

Now is the time to support the Etna Rodeos by joining the Scott Valley Pleasure Park Association. The Pleasure Park Assoc. incorporated as a non-profit back in 1948 and continues to maintain a horseback riding arena and hold baseball and softball activities throughout the year. Because insurance is a modern-day issue, those who would like to use the arena or grounds need to be a member.

It is easy to join. Go to: ETNARODEO.COM on the internet, where you can find the membership form. Download it, print it, fill it out and mail it with your check. Family memberships are available for your immediate family for $50. A couple is $35 and single adult is $20. Senior couple is $15 and senior single (must be 65 and over) is $10. The 2021 membership fee is due by April 24, 2021.

Membership does not include admission to the rodeos, reserved times or other public events.

There are new officers for the association. They are: Kory Hayden as president; Alyssa Scala-Burrone is vice president: Arnoud de Villegas is secretary; Emma Iannios is treasurer; Demetrious Iannios and Niki Gomes are directors.

Entries for the May 2^nd rodeo events are open. Get entered by going to the ETNARODEO.COM website, check the menu for May Rodeo Entries and do it all online!

Garden

Noticed several inches of rhubarb green leaves and garlic growing, so I decided to check out the garden. It was dry. Too dry. So on Thursday, I drug out several hoses and attached them to the frost-free faucet and started irrigating. The comfrey is also up four-inches and the hollyhocks are coming to life. The chives and two Echinacea that I transplanted earlier this month also needed water. Don’t see any sign of asparagus yet, but I soaked the patch anyway.

Saturday was such a warm nice day, I realized I should irrigate again and spend time irrigating the perennials like iris, day lilies, Shasta daisies and Sweet William. When I was finished with those, I put a sprinkler on the oregano, mint and iris that are outside the fence. I think I will need to harvest oregano this year, so I wanted to help it along. The water sure perked-up the blooming daffodils and lungwort.

I am still happy with the lawn clippings that I used to mulch the entire garden last summer. It has packed in some spots, but so far has not molded and is now deteriorating rather quickly. Anyway, the soil under the clippings was moist and soft, until recently – but it is still providing some protection. Unfortunately, there are lots of vole or mole tunnels pushing up the soil, so I am not looking forward to battling those little varmints this year.

Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek for it -- especially for our hearts and minds. Smile!

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 3-24-21 Doug LaMalfa voices opposition

 March 24, 2021

Liz Writes Life

Garden

Early daffodils are blooming as are the little purple violets and blue and pink tiny flowers on the lungwort! Yay! Spring is here!

Some folks are likely getting fidgety wanting to start their gardens, especially on warm sunny days. Because, I am (publicly) admitting that arthritis is slowing me down, I have decided that I must reduce my workload and make things simpler. Yep, I am gonna try. Ha, ha. My biggest goal is to lay-down soaker hoses and do very little hand-watering. I have found the black material-like soaker hoses work well, sometimes seeping so fast that the length of irrigation time can be greatly reduced. I will also ask my grandkids to help me more, which they will gladly do. They are good helpers!

Because I really do like flowers and I don’t need the volume of vegetables that I used to produce, I am planning for just two long rows of soaker hoses in the garden. One will provide water to perennial and annual flowers and the other to several giant pumpkins, six tomato plants, cantaloupe and cucumber plants. Oh, and just one zucchini this year. Finding takers for zucchini from three plants kept me busy last year. I like to share, but that was ridiculous. Luckily, I did have several takers that liked zucchini a lot more than I did!

So, happy “planning” for your garden. Darn, it looks like we will have another long warm spring.

Crazy stuff

Most of my readers know that I am a conservative. I find it interesting that many names of legislative bills and other policies will actually do the opposite of what their titles insinuate. A friend recently pointed out that there is a new bill in the California Assembly, called AB 655 that sounds like a good thing. But, when you read the description -- uh-oh! It is titled “California Law Enforcement Accountability Reform Act.”

The bill is set for its first hearing on April 6 in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The California Family Council is asking those who oppose the bill to contact California Assembly legislators. Ours are Assemblywoman Megan Dahle and her husband, Senator Brian Dahle.

This bill, if passed, will ban police officers and officer candidates from serving as cops that are members of violent hate groups or have used hate speech. Sounds like a good thing, right? But, AB 655 defines a “hate group” or “hate speech” so broadly that if these individuals have expressed conservative religious or political views on abortion, marriage, gender, or belong to a church, synagogue or mosque that has – they will be disqualified. Yep, in today’s cancel culture we are seeing the loss of free speech. If you are concerned, call or write to our state legislators.

Doug LaMalfa

Congressman LaMalfa is working hard opposing bills that I certainly believe should be stopped. One is the House bill H.R. 6 that will grant mass amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants and does nothing to improve boarder security. The name of the bill is “American Dream and Promise Act of 2021”.

Here, I will say that I am not against immigrants, but the overwhelming mass of illegal immigrants, at the southern border, is not safe for our country or many of the people seeking entry, especially the children that are being sent. The stats show that drug trafficking and human sex trafficking are hugely on the increase. My heart breaks for those that get caught in those situations. Yes, it is a crisis on our border.

LaMalfa issued this statement in his opposition: The Department of Homeland Security has told Congress it expects over 115,000 unaccompanied children to arrive in the United States this year alone, and legislation like this one is a major reason why. We must stop sending signals to the rest of the world that we will give temporary protection followed by a shortcut to citizenship to those who cross the border if they are a minor. We need an orderly, fair immigrations system that starts with complete control over our border.

Congressman LaMalfa also opposes bill H.R. 1620 that will “reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.” Yep, another bill that will do the opposite of its title.

LaMalfa said: “This outrageously partisan bill contains numerous issues that would end up harming women rather than protecting them. The most glaring example is it would force women’s shelters to accept men who claim to be women or lose federal grant funding. This puts women who are fleeing abusive and dangerous situations in harm’s way rather than offering protection.”

He then explained about a situation in 2018, when nine women sued a women’s shelter in Fresno claiming they were subject to sexual harassment by a transgender individual and staff failed to take action to stop it. The transgender was a pre-operative male (dressed in women’s clothing), but engaged in showering, sexually harassing activities and inappropriate comments, while nude. The women felt threatened.

I searched the web to learn the result to this lawsuit and found some decisions were made June 28, 2019 and the women (plaintiffs) lost on every count. I don’t think this was the final decision. And, I don’t always understand how lawsuits work, except judges tend to decide opposite of my opinion.

Patriots meet

The Siskiyou Patriots will meet tomorrow, March 25, 2021, at the Covenant Chapel Church at 200 Greenhorn Rd in Yreka at 6:30 p.m. Steven Thornburg, president of the Siskiyou Co. Chapter of the Civil Grand Jury Assoc., will speak about the Grand Jury and its processes. Richard Marshall, president of the Siskiyou Water Users Assoc. is also slated to speak. The meeting is free.

Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek for it -- especially for our hearts and minds. Smile!

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 3-17-2021 Siskiyou Co. Sheriff gives update on dept.

 Liz Writes Life

March 17, 2021

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hope you remembered to wear green, whether you are Irish or not.

Etna Rodeo is May 2

The Scott Valley Pleasure Park will hold its annual rodeo this year on May 2, 2021. Yep, it was canceled last year, because of the pandemic. But the group is moving ahead with the festivities this year and will hold the 73^rd rodeo since its beginnings back in 1947.

This is an open rodeo and contestant registration is underway. To enter, go to www.etnarodeo.com to fill out the entry form and pay your fees online. Entries will close on Friday, April 16, 2021 at midnight. Boy, technology has certainly changed some things!

Events include: Mutton Bustin’ for young kids and Calf Riding for ages 8 to 12. Both are buckle-winner events only. Junior Steer Riding is also only a buckle-winner event for teens. Events with added money, payout and buckles for first place are: Ranch Bronc Riding, Open Team Roping, Tie-down Roping, Girls Breakaway Roping, Girls Barrel Racing, Bull Riding and the local crowd-pleaser Wild Saddle Cow Riding.

The May 2, 2021 Rodeo begins with the youth events at 1 p.m. and the Grand Entry of Cowboys at 2 p.m. General admission is $10 for everyone, except kids 10 and under at free.

Writing contest

I also want to remind folks to get their stories finished and submitted to the Fort Jones or Etna Libraries in honor of National Library Week April 4-10. This year there two themes from which to choose.

One is Silver linings -- is there a surprisingly good or special affect resulting from Covid-19, the pandemic, wildfire, or another tragic event.

Two – is there an aspect of isolation, “social distancing” or quarantine that you want to explore?

Your true-life, which is non-fiction or imagined (fiction) work may take any form you choose from essay, story, poem or play. 

All authors are expected to read or present their work at either an in-person or virtual Fort Jones Library Open House tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Details will be determined by the Siskiyou Co. Public Health Advisories. For more information, contact Celeste McFall at 530-468-2383.

It’s almost here

Yep, spring will officially start this Saturday, March 20, 2021. Luckily, we can say that our weather has been typical of a rainy, sunny and snowy March. I had five inches of soppy snow one morning last week, three inches on Thursday morning and at least another four on Monday.

On Saturday, I decided to get those chives and two Echinacea transplanted, while the soil was moist and the air temperature was a nice 62 T-shirt degrees. Also scuffed-up a little foot-and-a-half spot and scattered some butter crunch lettuce seeds. Then, found a small area with volunteer lettuce growing and cleaned it up a bit. Wow, I am out of shape!

For those that look forward to fresh peas, now is a good time to plant them.

New sheriff in town

Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jeremy LaRue spoke at the Siskiyou Conservative Republicans meeting last week and, boy howdy, was I impressed. Yep, he is fairly young at age 36, but he has been a law officer since age 19, when he went to work for the Yreka Police Dept. Yes, that was after he completed the police academy. Then, at age 21, Sheriff Rick Riggins hired him into the sheriff’s dept. Oh, LaRue is a local having grown-up in Dunsmuir and graduated Dunsmuir High School.

Because, Sheriff Jon Lopey announced an early retirement during his third term, LaRue decided it was time to take the plunge and apply for the position as sheriff. His goal had been to eventually run for sheriff, but was a bit surprised the opportunity came at this time. Because an election was not in the near future, it fell on the Siskiyou Co. Board of Supervisors to appoint a sheriff. After interviewing a handful of candidates, all five voted to appoint the young guy.

LaRue believes in the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and said he indeed values the people he is serving.

“My burden is to make things better for my community and the department,” said LaRue, who was quite fun to interact with as he spoke. “As a Christian, we put value on life,” he added.

LaRue has been working at a good clip. He appointed a new undersheriff, has promoted three individuals to the office of lieutenant and hired five new deputies. He still has five more openings to fill. As an aside, LaRue said other county departments have had retirements and new hires, so it feels like the county is in a positive growing phase.

The sheriff’s office is quite busy with around 1,300 calls for service each month along with an average 5,000 telephone calls to the office and 1,000 calls made to 911. The officers also issue 130 subpoenas each month. The sheriff’s dept. contracts for law enforcement with the cities of Montague, Dorris and Dunsmuir.

He will continue the DARE program with reserve officer Jim Jacobson. LaRue brought back good memories, when he recalled the DARE officer of his youth was die-hard Dennis Melum. And, increasing the department’s social media presence is also a focus. He has already put up a “facebook live” video.

Now, for the nitty-gritty. The question was asked: What is the biggest problem for his department? LaRue’s answer is “organized crime” associated with marijuana and illegal drugs. He said county officials discuss the issue quite often and are alarmed at increased crime, problems on private property and increasing number of deaths from meth and heroin and fentanyl.  

“A massive amount of illegal drugs go through I-5 and 97,” LaRue said, adding he is forming a target enforcement team specifically to address the drug traffic.

Several in the audience told stories of intimidation from marijuana growers. LaRue said it is important to report any concerns and visual oddities to dispatch. Reports of activity helps to build cases and emphasized “the more reports we get the better.”

Apparently, his first five months have been good, because LaRue announced he will run for sheriff in 2022. The audience seemed quite pleased with enthusiastic applause voicing agreement.

May we all feel peace and calm in our hearts. Smile!

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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