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 2nd 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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