Nina Machado speaks to RIchard about First 5 upcoming events. 

Anna Garcia and Natalie Vetter talk to Richard about the summer youth program and Summer Solstice, put on by Operation Care. 

Keith Sweet talks to Richard Forster about the 160th Amador County Birthday celebration at the Amador County Museum grounds. 

Free Electronic Waste Drive-Through Drop off Fundraiser to help the 

Upcountry Community Center and Save the Environment!

What: Free Electronic Waste Drop off Fundraiser, Participants won’t even have to get out of their car. Pop the trunk or open the door and we will unload for you!

Why:

to help support important community programs and services such as: ~ Angel Tree & Back-Pack 2 School Projects ~ Play Groups ~ STAR Readers Tutoring ~ After School Activities ~ Wellness workshops ~ Support Groups ~ Food Distribution ~ Internet & Computer Access ~ Family Advocate Services ~

Where: 19386 Hwy 88, Pine Grove, CA 95665

behind the Pine Grove Market

When: Saturday, June 21st, 9AM to 1PM 

Cost: Free Drive through Drop off

Information:  For more information, call (209) 296-2785

Caltrans is in the process of reviewing hundreds of applications due to an overwhelming response to its call for applications for projects that promote biking and walking. The 770 applications – more than half benefiting disadvantaged communities – have been received from cities and counties throughout California, totaling nearly $1 billion in project requests. All are vying for a share of $360 million in federal and state funding from the state’s Active Transportation Program, an excess in demand of 3 to 1.

“We are thrilled to see such a tremendous interest in promoting alternative and active forms of transportation throughout California,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This overwhelming response indicates that more local governments recognize that these projects are a good investment and will enhance the mobility, safety and health of their communities.”

The program will receive a total of $360 million, representing three year’s worth of funding. Fifty percent of that total funding ($180 million) will be awarded via Caltrans to anywhere in the state, and another 10 percent of the total ($36 million) is designated specifically for small urban and rural areas. Projects in large Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) areas (populations over 200,000) that are not awarded funding from Caltrans will still be able to compete for 40 percent of total program funding ($144 million) to be awarded through those MPOs.

Complete information on the program can be found on Caltrans’ website. The California Transportation Commission (CTC), Caltrans and external evaluators will review the projects based on adopted guidelines and selection criteria, and the CTC will select projects to receive funding at their August 20^th meeting. Applications not selected can still potentially compete for funding allocated to the large MPOs.

Eight teams are overseeing the initial review process. Each team consists of five Caltrans employees and six outside experts (representing cities, counties, local transportation agencies, MPOs, nonprofits and transportation advocacy groups). Each application requires one to two hours to review and will be reviewed by two teams. Local Caltrans offices will also be evaluating proposed projects within their districts and providing recommendations based on project feasibility and proper time and budget estimates.

Last year, Governor Brown signed legislation (Senate Bill 99, Chapter 359 and Assembly Bill 101, Chapter 354) creating the ATP, which distributes funding for human-powered transportation projects and programs. The program replaces a patchwork of small grant programs with a comprehensive program that is more efficient. Another benefit is that funds can be directed to multi-year projects to make greater long-term improvements to active transportation.

Caltrans’ California Household Travel Survey – the largest and most complex review of its kind – underscored the need for active transportation when it revealed that the percentage of trips taken by California households that involve walking, biking, or using public transportation has more than doubled since 2000.

Each year, Caltrans prepares an annual report summarizing programs it has undertaken for the development of non-motorized transportation facilities. For more information on active transportation in California see the 2011-12 Caltrans Report.

Amador Fire Safe Council

                                   Board of Directors Meeting

"The mission of the Amador County Fire Safe Council is to protect the people of Amador County and their property from the effects of catastrophic wildfire through education, cooperation, innovation, and action."

AFSC, P O Box 1055, Pine Grove, CA 95665 – Phone: (209)295-6200

                                         Meeting Agenda

                                                                        June 18, 2014                                        

3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

                                          Amador County Agriculture Department Conference Room

12200 Airport Road, Martell

1.      Call to order

2.      Approval of Agenda (Action)

3.      Introductions

4.      Approval of Minutes  May 21, 2014 (Action)

5.      Treasurer’s Report (Action)

6.      Executive Director Report

7.      AFSC invoices confirmation (Action) (see reverse side)

8.      Announcements

9.      Committee/Grant reviews (Discussion and possible Action)

·        Hazard Fuels Reduction & Maintenance Committees

·        Public Events Committee                       

·        ACCG Report – Cornerstone Project updates

·        High Country CWPP status

·        Fiddletown CWPP

·        National Forest Foundation Grant

·        Firewise updates

10.  Old Business (discussion and possible action)

·        Employee Handbook Final Review

11.  New Business  (discussion and possible action)

·        Public Briefing on Fire Preparedness and Fire Adapted Communities

12.   Public Comments

13.  Next meeting, July 16, 2014

14.  Adjournment

PLYMOUTH, CA.  Tickets for the big smash-up finale of the Amador County Fair always sell out, but if you act now you can still find seats for the Jackson Rotary Club’s Destruction Derby.  The Derby is held on Sunday night, July 27, the last day of the Fair and the multi-car collision has a packed audience cheering on their favorite drivers.

All Grandstand event tickets are available on-line at AmadorCountyFair.com and in the Fair office, or by mail. Buying early is recommended for not only the Destruction Derby, but for the Friday night Truck Pulls and the Saturday night Rodeo to avoid the long lines. Fairgrounds gate admission tickets are required for all Grandstand events and Wine Tasting.

In addition to event tickets, you can save on Fair Admission tickets and Carnival ride packages. Four general admission tickets are $25 ($40 value) or two general admission tickets are $15 ($20 value).  Carnival unlimited ride wristbands are just $20 in advance. There is a $1 processing fee per ticket on online orders.

Award winning wines to be poured for the Friday, July 25, Wine Tasting event at a special price of  $27 per ticket, includes processing fee,  or  $30 at the door.   Must be 21.

For more information and to pre-order tickets visit AmadorCountyFair.com or

call 209-245-6921.

Monique creates dorm food for the college student with help from Austin Castorena, Bev Outland, and Morgan Graziadei.

Amador Water Agency Directors agreed at their Board meeting Thursday to help drought-stricken Jackson Valley with an emergency supply of water.

Jackson Valley Irrigation District (JVID) provides irrigation water to farms and ranches in Jackson Valley, and is the only source of water to dozens of homes, including those in The Oaks Mobile Home Park in Buena Vista. The District is without sufficient water to meet the needs of its water-users this summer, after its post-1914 right to Mokelumne River water was suspended in May due to drought emergency measures taken by the State Water Resources Control Board.

The Water Agency will sell JVID up to 5000 acre-feet of water this summer and fall. JVID has an intake facility at Pardee Reservoir where the water will be diverted and metered. JVID will pay the Water Agency $10.00 per acre-foot and all legal, administrative and engineering costs associated with the water sales.

AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo told Directors that the Amador Water Agency currently has over a year’s water supply stored in PG&E-operated high mountain lakes.

“We have enough water banked for Amador County, even if there was absolutely no rain or snow next winter,” said Mancebo. “We’ll still have over a year’s supply of water if JVID buys 5000 acre-feet – and people in Jackson Valley will be hurting if they don’t get this one-time, emergency assistance.”

JVID General Manager Steven Fredrick thanked the Board, saying that drought has encouraged JVID customers to take drastic conservation measures, and that the supplemental water from AWA will allow some Jackson Valley farmers and ranchers to save their growing season, even this late in the year.

AWA has the right to stop water sales to JVID if the state or PG&E stop delivering water to the Water Agency for any reason. AWA directors approved the water sales contract, 5 – 0.

Also in Amador Water Agency news:

·        Engineering Supervisor Erik Christeson gave Directors an update on the Gravity Supply Line construction project, noting that the Highway 88–pipeline intersection was completed in only two days and with shorter-than-expected traffic delays. There is now approximately 3000 feet of pipeline in the ground and construction is nearing Tiger Creek Road, which will be closed due construction sometime in mid-June. Alternate public access to the area will be via Salt Springs Road during the closure.