The first part of the storm Saturday didn't bring the expected strong winds to Amador County and  the Central valley, but rain and wind gusts blew into the area Sunday. A high wind warning was in effect for the Central and Sacramento Valleys until Sunday at 4 p.m., and a winter snow warning is in effect for the western slope of the Sierra until 10 p.m. Monday. Woodland appeared to  be the worst hit area in the valley last weekend with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.

If you are a member of the community who attends county or city meetings, you may have heard public officials make references to the “Brown Act.”  For those of us who aren’t versed in the California Legal Code, the Brown Act, officially known as the Ralph M. Brown Act, was originally a 686 word statute that was enacted in 1953 by the California State Legislature in order to ensure public access to meetings and information. The Brown Act was created in response to complaints from members of the public and press that elected officials were denying them information by having secret meetings and workshops.

The Upcountry Communities Council met last Thursday in the newly-restored Veteran’s Hall on Buckhorn Ridge Road in Pioneer. The main topic of discussion was the proposed Buena Vista casino. The main concern aired by upcountry residents was how the level of service of fire and law enforcement would be impacted if officers would now be called away on calls to two casinos. Also speaking at the meeting was Amador County Recreation Agency Director Tracey Towner-Yep, who gave a workshop-style presentation in order to gather input for a twenty-two acre section of land off of Tabeau Road in Pine Grove.

Nothing feels better than a foot bath and pedicure. That is, until you’re met with bacterial and staph infections caused by dirty salons. The State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is using Assembly Bill 409 to crackdown on potential health violations in salons and day spas. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Leland Yee, was signed into law in 2006. The board began enforcing the regulations in January. The law allows the board to put a shop on probation without a hearing if sanitary conditions are not met. Salons were found with filthy foot spas, hair, skin, nails and gunk stuck in filters and jets. That prompted the new rules and a statewide crackdown. In recent years, hundreds of Bay Area salon customers have complained of infections. The Board has shut down 10 locations in the bay area, and is spreading out to investigate spas in Sacramento and the local area. Nail salons put on probation are revisited several times to ensure they're complying with the law. They must submit monthly cleaning reports to the board, take remedial training and are fined at least $500.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met with his counterparts at the National Governors Association in Washington, D.C. this weekend. Schwarzenegger arrived Sunday to meet Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and discussed their partnership on infrastructure. Last month they announced they would work together to encourage more federal spending on roads, bridges, transit systems and water projects. They say the nation needs to invest about $1.6 trillion to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure. Schwarzenegger skipped the spring meeting of the California Republican party in San Francisco so he could be in Washington. (Fox40 contributed to this story)

Ralph Nader said Sunday he will run for president as a third-party candidate, criticizing the top White House contenders as too close to big business and pledging to repeat a bid that will “shift the power from the few to the many.” Nader, 73, said most people are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties due to a prolonged Iraq war and a shaky economy. The consumer advocate also blamed tax and other corporate-friendly policies under the Bush administration that he said have left many lower- and middle-class people in debt. Nader also ran as a third-party candidate in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. He is still loathed by many Democrats who call him a spoiler and claim his candidacy in 2000 cost the party the election by siphoning votes away from Al Gore in a razor-thin contest in Florida. Nader vociferously disputes the spoiler claim, saying only Democrats are to blame for losing the race to George W. Bush. (Fox News contributed to this story.)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases numbers are rising in Amador County. According to local reports and statistics from Planned Parenthood, the number of gonorrhea cases in 2004 jumped to 10 times what they were in 2003. One Planned Parenthood official blames the local rise in statistics on a lack of education in a relatively small community, and limited access to birth control and health care providers for those living below the poverty line. In a recent panel held by State lawmakers, experts from across the state discussed preventative measures for whatUS, affecting an estimated 1 in 3 people, many of whom are not aware they carry the disease. According to a U.S. National Health Survey, an estimated 2 million non-institutionalized U.S. civilians under 39 are infected with Chlamydia. Other common STD's in the United States are Gonorrhea and Syphilis - but those are reportable diseases. Genital Herpes and Trichomoniasis are not legally required to be reported, making them difficult to keep track of. is now being labeled an epidemic. Possible actions for the State to consider will include increases in funding, providing vaccinations and screening, and protecting youth and raising awareness. Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in the

Four Chefs from Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel are scheduled to take part in the Taste of Elegance Pork Competition on Monday, March 10. The nationwide competition will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento starting at 5:30 p.m. Jackson Rancheria Chefs who will be participating include Executive Chef Michael Golsie, James McGrath, Raymond Jursnich, and Julie Munson. The event, produced by the National Pork Board and the California Pork Producers and sponsored by Cargill Meat Solutions, features top chefs from throughout the area competing before a panel of professional judges. The competition is designed to inspire innovative ways to use pork while showcasing the talents of local chefs. Cash prizes are presented to the top three chefs. The winner progresses to the regional level with a shot at the national competition. The event also includes public tasting and a People’s Choice award. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at capitolchefs.org. For more information, call 800-822-WINN or visit jacksoncasino.com.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Department has explained its position on the impacts the proposed Buena Vista Casino would have on the crime and law enforcement end of the issue, with a consensus that the level of service law enforcement could provide would be greatly impacted. Sheriff Martin Ryan said that, based upon research and statistics derived from the studies done on the Jackson Rancheria, Cache Creek and Thunder Valley, the tribe’s proposed agreement would provide law enforcement with the resources and funding needed, to the tune of four additional officers and two CHP patrol cars.