Amador County – First 5 Amador last week announced a program that will bring a monthly new, free book to all children, from birth to age 5. Cheri Garamendi, school readiness coordinator for First 5 Amador, announced the program as a kickoff to September’s National Literacy Month. Garamendi said “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library”, a new program originally created in 1996, “mails a new, age-appropriate book every month to registered children from birth until their fifth birthday — at no cost to the family, regardless of income.” She said: “First 5 Amador is very excited about this addition to our community,” and she said “reading helps your child develop 4 basic thinking skills, including the ability to pay attention, a good memory, the ability to solve problems and good language skills.” Each year, one third of America’s children arrive at their first day of school developmentally behind their peers and without the skills necessary to succeed at grade level, according to reports from Jumpstart, a nationwide leader in promoting early literacy. When children begin behind their peers, catching up, especially without additional assistance, is difficult and unlikely. Garamendi said it may sound too simple to be true, but by reading regularly with young children from infancy on, parents are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will ever get. The first book that each child receives is a customized version of the children’s classic The Little Engine That Could. On a monthly basis, children will then receive a developmentally appropriate book to help build their early literacy library. When signed-up at birth, a child will receive their 60th free book the month that they turn five. Signing up is easy. Registration brochures are available at the Jackson, Plymouth and Ione branches of the Amador County Public Library. Also, get them at Amador County Public Health Department; at Resource Connection & First 5 Amador playgroups; Upcountry Community Center; Camanche Lake Community Center; Ione Family Learning Center; First 5 Amador office in Jackson; or through Amador County Public Health & First 5 Amador’s Baby Welcome Wagon Program. Parents can register online at www.imaginationlibrary.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arnold - An unusual bicycle accident and resulting concussion last Sunday left a Cupertino woman in serious condition, according to a report by the California Highway Patrol. The official Report of Collision states that Liyu Teng, 45, was riding a specialized bicycle along Highway 4 near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, four miles northeast of Arnold. The report says Teng “was riding her bicycle along the north paved shoulder of the highway” and “as she was rounding a gradual right curve, she somehow lost control of her bike’s steering and crashed. Teng was ejected from her bike onto the roadway. She was transported by ground ambulance to Crescent Cove Hospital near the town of Avery then subsequently flown to Doctor’s Hospital in Modesto via Life Flight Ambulance. Attending doctors diagnosed her with a major concussion to her head as well as lacerations and a contusion. She also complained of pain in her left shoulder. The bicycle sustained minor damage. The report indicates that she was using safety equipment. She has since returned to a more normal condition. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - It was a busy weekend for the Amador Farmers' Markets last week, with two events that added an air of excitement to the already fun atmosphere. On Saturday, August 29, the Master Gardeners held their annual Tomato Tasting event at the Sutter Creek Market. Master Gardeners competed against entries from the public to vie for titles such as “Best Red Tomato.” Six individuals won different awards. On Sunday the 30th, the Jackson Market hosted a Salsa Day with a salsa competition sponsored by Tambien Mexican Kitchen. The winner of the “Favorite Salsa” title was Johnny Lopez of Jackson, with his homegrown Tomato-chipotle salsa. Mr. Lopez won a gift certificate from Tambien. The next events at the Farmers' Markets are the Apple Bakeoffs on Saturday September 19 in Sutter Creek, and on Wednesday the 23rd in Pine Grove. Also on Sunday, August 30, the Amador Farmers' Market held its annual fundraiser with the Farms of Amador, a farm tour and dinner called “Dinner in the Walnut Grove.” Attendees received a map with their tickets to go on a self-guided tour, with a selection of several farms and two vineyard-wineries, ending the tour with dinner in Shenandoah Valley at the home of Jim and Suzy Gullett, owners of Vino Noceto. Dinner, provided by Amador Catering, was served under the shade of the beautiful walnut trees that surround the east side of the house. Diners enjoyed the live music of Herb Boxhorn, wine from Vino Noceto and Story wineries, and dessert by Andrae's Bakery. Attendees had the opportunity to try to win one of many wonderful raffle prizes or place the winning bid on several silent auction pieces. The money raised will go toward the market's operating and advertising expenses and the Farms of Amador's marketing and educational projects. For more information about this event, please call the market manager at 209-419-2503. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – Dozens of people attended a dedication of the new Sutter Creek pedestrian bridge Friday, marking its opening to the public. Field representatives for Senator Dave Cox and Assemblywoman Alyson Huber joined officials from the city of Plymouth, the Amador Water Agency, Sutter Creek, Amador County and others in marking the opening of the downtown pedestrian bridge, which serves a dual purpose of allowing the AWA pipeline to Plymouth to traverse Sutter Creek’s namesake creek. AWA Board’s Terence Moore said few presidents get to preside over the dedication of a bridge, but the ceremony was held to honor General Manager Jim Abercrombie’s end to 12 years at the agency. He passes the helm to Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo, who also spoke, and introduced some of those who helped to build the pipeline, now completed and undergoing testing. The pipeline has been fully buried and is charged with water, and the agency is now testing it. Full activation of the pipeline is projected for late October. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn said last week that he may approach his City Council about asking for activation of the pipeline later in the year, due to budgeting. He said Plymouth budgeted to have well water for 6 months of this fiscal year and pipeline water for 6 months. The project would be 3 months early if activated in October. District 4 AWA Director Debbie Dunn said she hoped the project in Sutter Creek would help “bridge the gap between governances.” Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten said she said the same things he would say. Flynn and Plymouth Councilwoman Pat Fordyce joined the AWA board of directors for photos in front of the bridge, before Moore and Wooten cut the ribbons on either side of the bridge. The bridge links public parking lots on either side of the creek, behind City Hall and next to the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort on the other side. Others stood for photos, including Sutter Creek City Council members and city administration, and AWA engineer Eric Christeson and pipeline contractors, Mountain Cascade. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Unified School District board of trustee will hear about some recent donations to the district’s schools, including a gift of 39 flat screen computer monitors, and other hardware, from the Jackson Rancheria Casino, Hotel & Conference Center. The School Board meets Wednesday and will see the donation slips from some recent gifts. The Jackson Rancheria gave a gift of computers and hardware to the Pine Grove Elementary School. An August 28th acknowledgement form listed the gifts, which included 15 new Dell flat screen computer monitors, along with 22 used flat screen monitors, 20 keyboards and 20 speakers. Pine Grove Elementary Principal Thomas Reed sent a letter of thanks August 28th to the Jackson Rancheria. Reed said he and the entire staff sent thanks. Reed said: “During these difficult financial times, keeping up with the necessary repairs, replacements and upgrades needed in our computer lab and classrooms has been impossible.” Reed said the Rancheria’s “donation will make it possible for students to access reading and math programs that” the school uses extensively at its site right from their classrooms. The Amador Community Foundation gave the gift of science to Jackson Junior High School, with an August 26th donation of $500 earmarked for the school’s science department. Jackson Junior High Principal Janet Pabst said “the eighth grade science program has been enhanced this year with the addition of a Dewar tank for storing liquid nitrogen.” She said purchase of the new tank was made possible by a “grant from the Amador Community Foundation.” She said the tank will give students the opportunity to “observe interesting and exciting phenomena to help build their understanding of the matter and energy relationship.” Plymouth State Preschool reported August 26th that Donald Scott Morford had pledged to donate carpet and installation to the school. Dorothy Putnam-Smith said in a letter prepared to be sent after installation said the school’s “children and staff will enjoy” the donation for years to come. Putnam-Smith said the school’s carpets were “not currently scheduled to be replaced,” so Morford’s “donation will upgrade the quality of … Plymouth Preschool tremendously.” The agenda this week also includes a request to surplus 41 computer monitors in the Argonaut High School business department. The reason for the request is that the monitors are “outdated and taking up classroom space.” The meeting also includes a 7 p.m. public hearing, for trustees to consider adopting a resolution of “sufficiency of instructional materials.” Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek Promotions Committee announced the hiring of a director for the city’s Visitor Center. Councilman Pat Crosby announced the hiring at the committee’s August 18th meeting. He said Pam Weatherly had been hired as the director of the Visitor’s Center, which will be based in the city’s new transit building on Sutter Hill. Weatherly, who attended a transit steering committee meeting August 25th at the Days Inn Hotel, said the Visitor’s Center was working on trying to get a winery tour, teaming with Sutter Creek B&Bs. It was also noted that in lieu of Pat Wilcher’s, move a treasurer will be needed to handle bookkeeping duties for the committee and the Sutter Creek Business and Professional Association. Committee Chairwoman Sandy Anderson will follow up on salary specifics for the 2 positions, and will further discuss the treasurer position at this month’s meeting. A financial report said as of August 18th, the committee showed a cash balance of $6,345, less committed funds. Crosby reported the Chairman’s Fund now has $3,200. The committee had received no money from the city in August. The committee discussed proposed permits and regulations for displaying banners across Main Street. Banner permits will be handled by Pat and Maurine Crosby, with Maurine in charge of keeping a log with a copy sent to City Hall. Priorities for reservations, in order, will be SCBPA and Promotion Committee city events; Sutter Creek nonprofit events; Amador County nonprofit events; and Sutter Creek individual business events. The sign installation fee of $50 will be payable to the committee. Sandy will check banner specifications with Merzlak Signs and final regulations and permits will be discussed at the next meeting. Anderson stressed the importance of getting more business people to attend committee meetings and will personally make calls. Sutter Creek Promotion Committee meets the third Tuesday of each month, and next meets 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 15th at The Annex in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Foothill Conservancy announce that the 2009 Mokelumne River Cleanup has been scheduled for September 19th. The day of fall-cleaning along the banks of Mokelumne River is an annual event. This year’s Mokelumne River Cleanup will be held at four sites on Saturday, Sept 19, as part of the Great Sierra River Cleanup and California Coastal Cleanup Day. The conservancy said volunteers would be “joining Californians from Crescent Bay to San Diego and Alturas to Bishop in restoring the gleam to the Golden State and the shine to the Sierra Nevada.” Sponsor of the cleanup are Foothill Conservancy, New York Fitness, East Bay Municipal Utility District and Camanche Recreation Company. The four staging sites along the river will be the Mokelumne Day Use Area below Camanche Reservoir, Middle Bar, Electra and Highway 26. Advance registration by site is required, and it helps the Conservancy with planning. People can participate as individuals, families, friends, and groups, but groups should call ahead. Children are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. No pets are allowed. An intergroup competition is encouraged. For information, see www.foothillconservancy.org or call Randy Berg at (209) 295-4900. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacramento – Amador County and California District 1 State Senator Dave Cox said that a modest bipartisan timber harvest plan – sent last week to the governor’s desk – will help the timber industry. Publicist for Senator Cox, Nghia (Knee-Uh) Demovic in an e-mail last week said the Timber Harvest Plan moved to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk with bipartisan support when it passed its final legislative hurdle last Thursday. The measure by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (Democrat-Norwalk) would allow for more time to complete a Timber Harvest Plan. Cox said: “Sawmill workers and their employers have had a devastating year.” Cox said: “This modest measure provides a more reasonable and efficient Timber Harvest Plan review process that will enable the state to reduce its costs.” Demovic said “Assembly Bill 1066 extends the life of timber harvest plans from 5 to 7 years and reduces regulatory costs for private foresters until 2012.” She said “by reducing regulatory requirements without sacrificing environmental protection, this measure will make California-produced wood more competitive with its neighboring states.” Cox’s release cited “burdensome regulations” in recent years that “have doubled the costs for Timber Harvest Plan developments and reviews.” Demovic said “California’s timber companies pay approximately $60 per thousand board feet while those in Oregon pay a mere $8 per thousand board feet.” In March, Sierra Pacific Industries announced the closure of sawmills in Camino, Quincy and Sonora, after which more than 436 workers were laid off. Cox said “forestry issues are important to residents of the north state.” He said groups like the Sustainable Forest Action Coalition and the Quincy Library Group have been instrumental in highlighting these issues for policy-makers. Cox said: “With the state’s high unemployment rate, this measure provides a glimmer of hope for unemployed sawmill workers.” He said “Assemblyman Mendoza, all community leaders and businesses involved should be applauded for their dedication and hard work,” Sen. Cox added.” In District 1, Cox represents residents in all or portions of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Placer, Plumas, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Sacramento and Sierra Counties. Contact his office at (916) 651-4001, or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Amador Water Agency board of directors approved changes to its water conservation policy last week, with one portion aiming to help meet state standards. The board also sent an issue raised in the public relations committee to the policy committee, for consideration of a “media relations” protocol rule, or policy. Director Debbie Dunn said she looked at the agency handbook and found “no protocol” addressing board or employee relations with the media. She said the “media is a good thing” but thought the board should consider a policy on media relations, and rules in the handbook. And she wanted to hear from her colleagues. She suggested they consider a corporate style policy. Director Don Cooper said it should be discussed by the rules and policy committee, made up of himself and Director Gary Thomas. The board sent the topic to the rules and policy committee for consideration, at its September 9th meeting. Dunn said reported on an “item in dispute” in the PR committee. The issue was whether to include the term “reuse” in the water conservation policy. She said she thought “reuse” deserved its own policy. Cooper said it was important for the term “reuse” to be in the conservation policy, for future guidance of agency policy and practices. Dunn said “the state will not recognize the Purple Pipe as a measurable conservation plan.” She said it did not mean that they should not have the Purple Pipe. The Purple Pipe program is a proposed county-wide system to reuse treated water and wastewater throughout the county. Finance Manager Mike Lee said a consultant recommended some slight changes to the policy, to help meet state best management practices. Consultant Leslie Dumas suggested AWA follows California Best Management Practice Number 13 on Water Waste Prohibition. She said if the policy statement includes “a description of agency support positions with respect to adoption of legislation or regulations consistent with this BMP,” then the agency “can take some credit for this BMP.” The change, approved 5-0, included a statement that the AWA “shall manage its water supply to assure future availability,” and and added that it will “support other local water initiatives that achieve the same goal.” Lee said that support would include city and county ordinances. The BMPs are state requirements recommended earlier this year in an effort to conserve water statewide. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 with 2 absences to submit a statement of qualifications for a chance at getting a stewardship ownership of parts of the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed lands. The paperwork shows the county’s interest in 3 lands, the Blue Lakes area, the Lower Bear Area, and the North Fork Mokelumne River. Blue Lakes would occur by coordination with Alpine County, and North Fork Moke would occur by coordination with Calaveras County for lands within that county. John B. Hofmann, a natural resources consultant for Amador County, and Supervisor Brian Oneto, attended a donee’s meeting August 20th, and Hofmann gave an update on parties that were still interested in being recipients of surplus PG&E lands, as owners, in the Pacific Land & Forest Stewardship Council Land Conservation Plan. Amador General Services Administration Director Jon Hopkins said: “We have now been directed to submit another statement of qualifications for Amador County as a potential landowner donee to the Pacific Forest” program. The rationale for seeking land ownership in the program, Hofmann said in the statement, was that “Amador County is very concerned that the lands within the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed be managed and available for the residents and visitors of Amador County.” Hofmann said several organizations have pulled out of their interested in the program, though 7 organizations, including the board of supervisors, remain on a list of prospective donees. Hofmann said “we certainly can have multiple owners of this land.” The Mokelumne Coast To Crest Trail organization was interested in ownership for a while, but has pulled out. Likewise, California Fish & Game also is no longer interested. Supervisor John Plasse said several properties span 2 counties, and asked if they are still considered 1 parcel. He also asked if the U.S. Forest Service was still trying to be a donee in the Upper Moke Watershed, despite its own bylaws prohibiting it from having trust lands with easements. Hofman said those were issues that needed to be cleared up, but the Forest Service limits against easements kept it from being a steward of Kennedy Meadows. Hofmann said there educational interest in the land. Amador donees include the Planning Department, Recreation Agency, Resource Conservation District, Fire Protection Authority, Fire Safe Council and Agriculture Department. A public meeting on the Pacific Land & Forest Stewardship program is set for Oct. 7th, at the Amador Senior Center. Hofmann said they expect about 200 people. The 3-0 vote of approval included yeses by Supervisors Louis Boitano and Plasse, and Chairman Ted Novelli. Supervisor Richard Forster was absent, and Oneto had stepped down from the dais. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.