Sutter Hill – The Amador Water Agency board of directors on Thursday toasted its soon-to-be-former General Manager Jim Abercrombie with a cake and refreshments. Board Chairman Terence Moore, who said he will not seek another term in office after next year, said Abercrombie’s leaving was “like a brother going away.” Moore said they had been with AWA for a long time, and started their career there at about the same time. Director Don Cooper noted Abercrombie’s bringing good utility experience from work for Pacific Gas & Electric as a regional manager in El Dorado County. Director Bill Condrashoff said: “Talk about seeing eye to eye.” He said famous disagreements between himself and Abercrombie encouraged Condrashoff to learn more about the “minutiae” of the AWA. He said it “changed (his) life” and inspired him to run for a seat on the board. Interim G.M. Gene Mancebo announced that Mountain Cascade had asked to open the footbridge over Sutter Creek on the same day that Abercrombie will have his last day on the job for the agency, before heading to be the general manager for the El Dorado Irrigation District. Mancebo said “the rest of the pipeline is not going to be running,” but Mountain Cascade asked to have a ceremony marking the bridge’s opening, because the public and the city administrators have been looking forward to using the pedestrian bridge. The bridge was put in place as a creek crossing for the AWA water pipeline from the Tanner Water Treatment Plant to Plymouth. Mancebo said they will be laying asphalt on approaches to the bridge, which then officially opens Friday, September 4th. The bridge will connect the creek-side public parking lots behind City Hall and next to the Gold Rush Ranch office. Abercrombie also introduced Erik Christeson, supervising engineer, who he called the de facto “new interim engineering manager,” and who, with Ken Hunt, has kept all of the big AWA projects very close to being on budget. Abercrombie said that includes the Plymouth Pipeline, which is less than half of 1 percent over budget. Christeson said “point-three-eight percent is my career average, by the way.” He said it was a big measure of pride in his work. That included his managing a $220 million trolley system budget in San Diego that ended at .6 percent over budget, he said, and “that blew my average a little bit.” Christeson has been handling Mancebo’s work as he takes on general managing duties. The bridge opening ceremony in Sutter Creek is set for 10 a.m. Friday, September 4th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel’s popular series of comedy shows return on Thursday, April 3, when 3 Blonde Moms deliver their high-energy, semi-scripted standup comedy show jam packed full of hysterical material about being a Mom, having a Mom, kids, schools, husbands, in-laws, and more. If you have a family, know a family, or want a family, this is the show for you!  The show is in the Grand Oak Ballroom at the Jackson Rancheria Hotel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the laughter starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the Dreamcatcher’s Club booth in the casino.

Local Supervisors Brian Oneto and Ted Novelli spearheaded a movement for more time and information regarding the Forest Service’s new Off Highway Vehicle Plan- and now their efforts are being rewarded. The Forest Service says the public comment period for the Eldorado National Forest Public Wheeled Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been extended for an additional 45 days. Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo says the public comment period will end on October 22. The extension is an outcome of public comments the Forest Service received during six public meetings held in July and August that were attended by more than 1,100 people. The DEIS was released for public review on July 20, 2007.

Are you a fan of the Discovery Channel’s number one show-a crab fishing series, The Deadliest Catch?- Well if you are hooked like the rest of America and think you recognize the Capt. Of the Wizard- new to the show this season- you are not mistaken. The Capt and first mate are Amador County natives that attended Plymouth Elementary School. Keith Colburn of Redmond, Wash., has served at the helm of the Wizard for the last 14 years. His brother Monte Colburn is also an experienced deck hand who takes over as skipper for the last half of crab season.