The Amador Branch of the American Association of University Women is offering $10,000 in college scholarships to local women in 2015. The purpose of the AAUW Scholarship Program is to support Amador County women who are currently working toward a bachelor or graduate degree, or plan to attend a California Community College in Fall 2015. For more information about Community College Scholarships, contact Kelli Garcia at 304-4800. Upper Division/Graduate Scholarship information may be obtained by calling Kathy Guletz at 296-4336. Information and applications are available online at www.amador-ca.aauw.net and at the Amador County libraries in Jackson, Pine Grove, Ione, Pioneer, Plymouth and Sutter Creek. All applications must be postmarked by March 15.

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park and the Chaw’se Association invite you to a presentation by basketweaver Jennifer Bates on Saturday, March 7, 2015, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.  Indian Grinding Rock, Amador County’s only state park, is located approximately ten miles from Jackson on Pine Grove – Volcano Road.  The program is free with your paid admission to the park.

Jennifer Bates, founding board member of the California Indian Basketweavers Association, presently lives at the Tuolumne Rancheria.  A life-long learner, this former Yosemite resident will share her experiences and knowledge of traditional methods of gathering and processing raw materials, weaving technique, early village life, and preparation of native foods.

The program will include a brief introduction about the Volunteer Program at the park.  It is only with the help of volunteers and the support of the Chaw’se Association that we can bring educational programs like this to the park for your enjoyment. 

For more information about volunteering at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, the Chaw’se Association, or Jennifer Bates’ presentation, contact the Museum office during regular hours (Friday through Monday, 209-296-7488.

Sacramento/San Joaquin - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will perform a full highway closure of State Route (SR-12) from Interstate 5 (I-5) to SR-160 in Sacramento/San Joaquin County to perform bridge repair on the Mokelumne River Bridge.

Work will begin Friday, March 6, 2015, from 10:00 p.m. until Monday, March 9, 2015 at 5:00 a.m.

Detours will be posted.  Motorists should consider I-80 and I-5 as alternate routes and should allow additional travel time due to the detour.  The signed detour for the area will be SR-160 north to Walnut Grove Road, then to I-5 (a 30-mile/45-minute detour).

Current truck restrictions apply.  CA LEGAL with kingpin to rear axle over 30 feet are not recommended on SR-160.  Trucks are encouraged to use I-5 and I-80 as an alternate route. 

No through traffic will be allowed through the area, however access to local residents, businesses, and emergency services will be allowed.

Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible.

The 55-hour closure is part of the Mokelumne River Bridge Project, which is reconstructing the

bridge deck and the rehabilitation of the control house. The $6.7 million project is expected to be completed November, 2015. 

This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials and construction related issues.

For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Slow for the Cone Zone.

IONE,CA—February 20, 2015—The Rotary Club of Ione will sponsor its second Show & Shine car and vintage aircraft show on Saturday, May 30, 2015. The location is the Eagle’s Nest Airport located in Ione, CA off Michigan Bar Road. This venue is a private airport ideally configured for this event. The show expects cars from throughout California and Nevada, and will feature vehicles in all categories from street rods to stock pre-1960, modified, foreign cars and more. Some trucks will also be on display.

Last year, over 600 cars were on display and an estimated 3,000 people were in attendance. In addition to the car show, vintage WWII aircraft will be on display for the public to view. An expanded air show is also planned. Arrangements are being made for registered show vehicles to have the opportunity for a professional photo to be taken alongside one of the vintage aircraft. Many improvements have been made to accommodate both the car show and public attendees. A new show T-shirt will be for sale on-site, and can also be pre-purchased by car owner at time of registration.

Food, beverage, auto accessory, and gift vendors will be on site to accommodate all attendees. A pancake breakfast will be served by the local Boy Scout Troop 477 from 7:00 to 10:30 AM. All proceeds from this breakfast will be donated to the Troop. Other food vendors, including food trucks will include a variety of tasty faire. The event is open to the public from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

All proceeds will go to local youth organizations the Interfaith Food Bank and other non-profit organizations. The food bank currently serves 6000 individuals and 2400 families. They experience lower donations during the mid-year months and this event will help to ease that burden.

General admission for the public will be $10.00 per car. Pre-registration for display vehicles is $26.75, day of registration $35. To register a car or for general information log on to www.ioneshowandshine.org.

Monique Graziadei gets help from Wendy Harrington with cooking up a white bean chicken chili. Don't forget to add three cans of white beans. Part Two.

Monique Graziadei gets help from Wendy Harrington with cooking up a white bean chicken chili. Don't forget to add three cans of white beans. Part One.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

STATE ROUTE 12 FROM BRANNON ISLAND ROAD

TO THE MOKELUMNE RIVER BRIDGE

IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

San Joaquin County– The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the eastbound and westbound #1 (left) lane on State Route 12 from Brannon Island Road to Mokelumne River Bridge to install temporary traffic Signals for the upcoming Mokelumne River Bridge Rehab Project.

Work will begin on Monday, March 2, 2015, through Friday, March 6, 2015, from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.

Motorists should expect 10 minute delays.  Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible.

This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/ or materials, and construction related issues.

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For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Slow for the Cone Zone.

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www.dot.ca.gov

Mother Lode Harvest (MLH), a local food and farm products association, is having its winter quarter Open House at one of its member farms, Butte Mountain Farm in Jackson, on Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 4 pm. Farmer Carolyn Boyd and her helpers will conduct tours of the farm, which will include the sheep barn, the deluxe chicken coop, the greenhouse, and the extensive garden, and will discuss farming using sustainable methods. Information about Mother Lode Harvest will be available, and there will be light refreshments featuring local foods. All are invited to attend the Open House. This event is free, though donations to Mother Lode Harvest are welcome (suggested donation $5.oo per adult). Butte Mountain Farm is located at 17336 Butte Mountain Road, 3 miles down Butte Mountain Road from the intersection with Clinton Road. Please call 209-223-4814 for more information.

On Thursday, March 26, Mother Lode Harvest will hold a seasonal cooking class at Amador 360, 18590 Hwy 49 in Plymouth, at 5:30 pm. Eating food that is local and seasonal this time of year means eating lots of wonderful greens. Chef and MLH member Shelly Hills will demonstrate several mouth-watering ways to cook the tasty greens that are available locally now. Brian Miller of Amador 360 will give wine pairing tips for the dishes featured, and attendees can enjoy tastes of the food and wine. The class is open to the public, with limited seating, and is $10 per person. Please call Michelle Grondin at 209-419-2503 to reserve your seat.

Thanks to everyone who celebrated PG&E's "Big Check" award this morning!  This project is for hazard fuel reduction to reduce wildfire in several targeted neighborhoods in Amador County (KC Ranchettes, Toyon Road Association, and Woodland Road Association).

Ed reads jokes sent to him on Twitter with cohost Jason Gibson and special guest Martin Ryan.