Tom
Monday, 05 April 2010 02:04
Nine Non-Profits Compete for Sutter Creek Radio Channel
Amador County - The Federal Communications Commission is in the midst of processing applications from 9 groups competing for an open radio frequency in Sutter Creek. The application window for the frequency became available February 19th and stayed open for less than two weeks, but interested parties have known of its availability since last October, when the FCC announced it would open at least 66 FM channels in towns across the country for “non-commercial, educational” broadcast purposes, or NCE. In California, channels were opened in McKinleyville, Westley, Hemet and Sutter Creek. Competing applicants for Sutter Creek are the Sonora Sierra Heritage Foundation, Hispanic Family Christian Network, Indiana Educational Broadcasting Corporation, Sutter Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Educational Media Foundation, Calvary Chapel of Amador County, Farms of Amador, Grace Public Radio and Mother Lode Public Radio. Four of these applicants have affiliations or backing from Christian groups who also support, operate or fund numerous other frequencies throughout the country. The Hispanic Family Christian Network is also applying for the Westley and Hemet channels, while Grace Public Radio has a second application in for McKinleyville. Representatives of locally-based, smaller groups like Farms of Amador have made it clear that there mission is to offer “an alternative to corporate media and its incredible influence on the information people receive nationwide.” As an example, they cited massive corporate entities like Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and Clear Channel Radio. After the FCC’s initial announcement of its intent to open low-power channels five years ago, community activists across the country hailed the move as an opportunity to give the “little man” a voice on a medium dominated by conglomerates. But the multi-step process takes years of proactive follow-up through a maze of bureaucracy, not to mention stiff competition from well-funded Christian organizations. “Church groups make up roughly half the 344 applicants licensed by the Federal Communications Commission for stations with a broadcasting range of about five miles,” according to a 2005 article in the San Francisco Chronicle. An FCC release says the Sutter Creek frequency “is designated as a Class A station, with a maximum contour distance of about 17 miles.” The FCC says it “will select from among the competing NCE FM applicants by using a point system,” although the specifics of that system are hard to verify. One source involved with the Sonora Sierra Heritage Foundation told TSPN there are a number of factors involved in the selection process, including “the existence of your non-profit organization for at least two years,” whether you have previously applied or already operate a station on another frequency, and the educational mission of your group. The local frequency, FM 107.5, will be a full-power station with the capability of reaching Sacramento once it is fully operational. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 05 April 2010 02:02
Buena Vista Biomass Power SEIR Scopes Emissions
Amador County – The Amador County Planning Department began a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report on Wednesday toward reopening the former Cogen facility on Coal Mine Road. The public scoping session began for a request by Buena Vista Biomass Power to amend the plant’s permit to no longer burn lignite as fuel, and to replace the fuel there as only wood, agriculture and other organic matter. BVBP would reopen the plant using original and updated environmental documents. Several people questioned the plans for the plant, saying they did not give enough detail. Jerry Cassesi of Jackson Valley burning all woody biomass could be “more harmful that lignite burning.” Donna Ogelvie of Camanche Parkway North worried about truck trips, particulate matter, truck noise and ambient light; and Butch Cranford of Plymouth said BVBP documents have internal contradictions, sometimes “in the same paragraph.” He said the public deserves project descriptions and more detailed plans, including the size of the fuel trucks and the quantity of fuel being burned, and how much emissions would come out. Without those, he said scoping comments were pretty much irrelevant. Kathleen Dubois worried about hazardous material, hydrology and water quality, and said the Amador Water Agency should be contacted. She also asked “what is clean urban waste,” (a fuel listed by the applicant), and who would monitor it. Dubois said the plant needs trees and slash to make money, and supplies need to be guaranteed. And with using all biomass as fuel, she wondered how far the truck hauling would occur outside a 50-mile radius. Rux Oneto, Cogen plant co-owner, said truckers pay $500 annual permits to offset their impacts of hauling heavy loads. Steve Brink of the California Forestry Association, a trade organization, said the region would benefit by the plant reducing emissions though reducing outdoor burning in national forests. He said the Highway 50 and 88 corridor would supply about 100,000 tons of slash a year, through forest management cutting. He said that would be about 70 percent of what Buena Vista Biomass Power would need to operate annually. Brink said that amount of forest management slash is now “being piled and burned.” Controlled internal combustion of wood reduces “criteria pollutant emissions” by 98 percent over open-air burning. Brink said “we have not controlled vegetation in 60 years and it shows,” in the density of air emissions from wildfires. He said wildfires are the Number 1 supplier of particulate emissions, accounting for 30 percent. Number 2 is residential wood smoke, accounting for 14 percent, and diesel fuel accounts for 5 percent. He said there is a national question about whether wood burning should be considered “carbon neutral.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 05 April 2010 01:59
ARTS Mobility Manager Mobilizes Organizations, Volunteers
Amador County – Partly cloudy skies last week over Amador County did not diminish the spirit of philanthropy at the first-of-its-kind Volunteer Fair Wednesday at the American Legion Hall in Martell. Amador Regional Transit System hosted the Volunteer Fair, in conjunction with Common Ground Senior Services, with personnel from at least 15 nonprofit organizations chatting up potential volunteers, and signing up those more willing to donate time to the causes. Mel Welsh, director of ARTS’s new “Mobility Management” department, and assistant Caitlin Grillo, spearheaded the volunteer drive. The volunteer fair was attended by representatives who gave out material about their respective groups and signed up hopeful volunteers. Some of the agencies were ARTS’s Mobility Management Center, Common Ground Senior Services, and Amador County Health Department. Lisa Heimeyer attended, representing Interfaith Foodbank; Lori Halvorson handed out information about the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency’s different programs; and Ann Methered spoke with people about the various programs offered by Hospice of Amador and Calaveras Counties. Nina Machado said she was representing 2 groups at once, including the Amador First 5 program for children ages zero to 5, and also the Amador Support, Transportation And Resource Services, for which she is a member of its volunteer board of directors. She said STARS is looking for volunteers to lead committees on its next Camp Out For Cancer fundraising walk-a-thon, coming in the fall. All of the organizations were taking volunteer information, but most were also giving out pamphlets and brochures about their programs. Common Ground talked about its “Meals On Wheels,” A-TCAA had its “Mentoring Works,” and most booths had sheets to sign up for specific programs and projects. STARS also gave info on its other fundraisers, the Coldwell Banker Golf Tournament, and Bunco For Breast Cancer. A-Pal’s booth included its “Cat Lovers” program, with head cat-lover and Feed Barn owner, Susan Manning at the booth. Public Health recruited for its “Disaster Healthcare Volunteers” program, after a successful series of volunteer-staffed clinics through flu season for the double threat of the H1N1 and seasonal flues. Another was Amador County Recreation Agency, which this year has taken over administration of the 23rd Annual Great Sutter Creek Duck Race, set for April 24th at Minnie Provis Park, and which in turn raises money for 13 different local non-profit beneficiaries. Organizations also represented included Sierra Wind Wellness & Recovery Center; Area 12 Agency on Aging; Operation Care; Senior Peer Counseling; and The Resource Connection. For information, call one of the agencies. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 05 April 2010 01:57
Specialty Crop Block Grant to Benefit Agricultural Education
Amador County - El Dorado County Ag in the Classroom has been awarded a Specialty Crop Block Grant by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to expand their specialty crop agricultural education and outreach programs in the El Dorado County region, including Amador County. Through a highly competitive process, Ag in the Classroom was selected to receive $120,000 over a two-year period to increase educational opportunities for teachers, students and the public by developing three new projects and expanding existing programs. For more information, call (530) 622-7116. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 05 April 2010 01:55
Animal Outreach of Mother Lode Seeks Donations
Amador County – Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode, which provides low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs, seeks donations as it moves its clinic. The El Dorado County-based organization provides services to El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer, Amador, Yolo and Stanislaus counties. To accommodate the increasing need for its programs, including a cat shelter and adoptions, and spaying and neutering of feral cats, Animal Outreach moved its clinic to 6106 Enterprise Drive Suite B, in Diamond Springs March 15. Items needed for the new clinic include a laryngoscope, heated top hydraulic surgery table, T-Kennels for dogs, large-capacity washer and dryer, kennel cage cups for food and water, large metal food and water bowls, collapsible cages for cats, new or lightly used cat trees of all sizes, dry and canned cat food, kitten food and kitten formula, large cat pans, non-clumping litter, letter and legal size paper, and stamps and envelopes. Monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, call Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode at (530) 642-2287, or see www.animaloutreachcats.com. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 05 April 2010 01:45
Amador County News TSPN TV with Christian Toma 4-5-10
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Friday, 02 April 2010 05:56
Fraser West - Ione Parks and Recreation Commissioner 4-2-10
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Friday, 02 April 2010 05:56
Fraser West - Ione Parks and Recreation Commissioner 4-2-10
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Friday, 02 April 2010 02:01
AFPD To Discuss Hiring Firefighters, Measure M Funds
Amador County – The Amador Fire Protection District board of directors on Tuesday (March 6th) will discuss the Amador County proposal for a county-wide fire protection services plan, and will continue discussion from its last meeting on hiring paid fire personnel. Chief Jim McCart said that last month Amador Fire Protection District’s board of directors looked at a “statement of revenue collected from the Measure M sales tax for fire protection services.” McCart said the sales tax revenue split for the fiscal year was approved by the Amador Fire Protection Authority to base allocations on populations and emergency calls in jurisdictions. McCart said AFPD is a member of the Amador Fire Protection Authority, and has one vote like the other members. He said AFPD was “instrumental in getting the sales tax measure passed.” Allocations as of February included $805,000 to AFPD; $319,000 to Jackson; $222,000 to Sutter Creek; $218,000 to Ione; $111,000 to Lockwood; and $166,000 to Jackson Valley Fire. AFPD’s Measure M Hiring Plan includes hiring a battalion chief to oversee new firefighters. AFPD in the plan will hire firefighters for Battalion 10 in Pine Grove and Pioneer; and Battalion 20, covering Plymouth, Fiddletown, River Pines and Willow Springs. The full-time firefighters will staff stations 24 hours a day. Proposed staffed stations initially would be Number 11 in Pioneer and Number 122 in Plymouth. McCart on Tuesday said Measure M revenues are expected to total $1.8 million for this fiscal year. As of Monday, $1.7 million had been collected through Measure M revenue. Fiscal year 2008-2009 estimates show population served by AFPD was 18,692 people, or 57 percent of the county population. AFPD took 1,454 calls, or 39 percent of county calls. AFPD’s population and emergency call totals include affiliate Plymouth Fire Department’s Battalion 20. Jackson Fire works for 4,051 people (12 percent of the population) and responded to 894 calls, or 24 percent. Sutter Creek and Ione fire departments both averaged 11 percent o the population and emergency calls, Jackson Valley fire averaged 8 percent and Lockwood 5 percent. County voters in November 2008 approved Measure M, to “enact a half-cent sales tax for fire protection and emergency medical response services, with the proceeds allocated to local fire districts.” The ordinance created funding that included “reallocation to reflect any changes in the number of districts,” and the funds are “to be used for paid fire fighter-emergency medical response personnel to staff existing fire stations, administrative support, and volunteer insurance, training and incentive programs.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 02 April 2010 01:54
Miss Amador Contest Open for Applicants
Amador County - Entries are now being accepted for the popular Miss Amador scholarship competition. The competition and pageant are scheduled for July 29th at the Amador County Fair on the Central House Stage. Young women ages 16 - 23 have the opportunity to compete for scholarships and to represent Amador County and the Fair as ambassadors throughout the year. The women compete in the areas of community service and fair experience, a personal and fair industry interview focusing on the entrant's sense of value, attitudes, goals and aspirations, communication skills before a live audience, and an on-stage presentation. Scholarship awards will be: $2,000 to Miss Amador, $1,000 to the First Runner-Up, $750 to the Second Runner-Up, and $500 to the Third Runner-Up. Additional awards and prizes are offered by the community. Entry forms for the pageants are available on-line at amadorcountyfair.com or from the Amador County Fair office at Sherwood and School Streets in Plymouth. They can also be picked up at local high schools. Completed entry forms are due in the Fair office by May 14, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. or more information call the Fair office at 209 245-6921. Details on qualifications are outlined in the entry forms. All young women and their parents who are interested are required to attend an orientation on May 18 at 6:30 pm in Pokerville Hall at the Amador County Fairgrounds. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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