Amador County – Ione City Council on Tuesday finalized a lease extension agreement to the end of the year to save the Ione Train Depot.

Interim City Manger Jeff Butzlaff said the council also got together the nucleus of a committee to work on relocating the depot and “fundraising is going to be a key part of it.” The Council likely will appoint the official committee next month.

In early May, Ione received an “immediately available, one-year interest-free loan” of $45,000 from the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwok Indians.

Amador County Historical Society president Thornton Consolo announced the “momentous occasion” in a May 3 letter to directors of Amador Central Railroad Management Committee, the Recreational Railroad Coalition and the Society. He said Union Pacific “has graciously extended the land lease for the historic Ione City Railroad Depot. This will allow time for the city to relocate the depot to city property that is adjacent to the railroad tracks.”

Consolo said it was made possible through hard efforts of Ione staff and “generous financing and support from Rich Hoffman, CEO of the Jackson Rancheria Casino and the Jackson Band of Miwuk Tribal Council that allowed funding to save this structure.”

Consolo said Union Pacific has been generous in donating the depot and use of its property, and “today marks the true beginning of the project to save the depot.”

Butzlaff in a report Tuesday said “at literally the 11th hour, we got assured funding, and were therefore able to submit a specific timeline for accomplishment.”

To “seal the deal” Tuesday, the Council approved a Supplemental Agreement of the extension to Dec. 31, 2012. “To make the deal even sweeter,” Butzlaff said, Union Pacific also gave “approval to move the Depot across their station grounds to the City site.” Cleaning the site and moving the building allows the city to avoid “abatement” of the depot contaminants by demolition by Union Pacific.

Consolo spearheaded “the hammer and nail approach” of preservation, shoring up the Deport roof and siding, making it less susceptible to weather damage. He also applied to the Rancheria for financing. Butzlaff said the city now has a real deal and a chance to go forward and intends to get the word out and by June 19 formally establish a depot committee.

The timeline includes May 3 to July 31 “analysis of the specific location and methodology of placement of the depot on the city’s old corporation yard.” Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 is the competitive bidding process for “pre-relocation external lead abatement and actual building relocation.” Oct. 1-31 will be for completing relocation of the depot along with addressing any “ground disturbance issues” on Union Pacific land.

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-17-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Thornton Consolo about the Ione Train Station Salvation Committee and Amador Historical Society.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-17-12

• Ione City Council finalized an agreement with Union Pacific to save the Ione Train Depot with an emergency loan from the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwoks.

• Saint Sava Church plans its 57th Annual Goat Barbecue, May 27.

• Sutter Amador Hospital plans Gardens-to-Hospitals program to promote healthy meals in schools and hospitals.

• Rancheria Park Committee donated an ADA lift to the Jackson city pool.

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is bringing its “Texas Style” barbecue to Amador County.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-17-12

• Ione City Council finalized an agreement with Union Pacific to save the Ione Train Depot with an emergency loan from the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwoks.

• Saint Sava Church plans its 57th Annual Goat Barbecue, May 27.

• Sutter Amador Hospital plans Gardens-to-Hospitals program to promote healthy meals in schools and hospitals.

• Rancheria Park Committee donated an ADA lift to the Jackson city pool.

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is bringing its “Texas Style” barbecue to Amador County.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-17-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Thornton Consolo about the Ione Train Station Salvation Committee and Amador Historical Society.

Amador County – Ione City Council on Tuesday finalized a lease extension agreement to the end of the year to save the Ione Train Depot.

Interim City Manger Jeff Butzlaff said the council also got together the nucleus of a committee to work on relocating the depot and “fundraising is going to be a key part of it.” The Council likely will appoint the official committee next month.

In early May, Ione received an “immediately available, one-year interest-free loan” of $45,000 from the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwok Indians.

Amador County Historical Society president Thornton Consolo announced the “momentous occasion” in a May 3 letter to directors of Amador Central Railroad Management Committee, the Recreational Railroad Coalition and the Society. He said Union Pacific “has graciously extended the land lease for the historic Ione City Railroad Depot. This will allow time for the city to relocate the depot to city property that is adjacent to the railroad tracks.”

Consolo said it was made possible through hard efforts of Ione staff and “generous financing and support from Rich Hoffman, CEO of the Jackson Rancheria Casino and the Jackson Band of Miwuk Tribal Council that allowed funding to save this structure.”

Consolo said Union Pacific has been generous in donating the depot and use of its property, and “today marks the true beginning of the project to save the depot.”

Butzlaff in a report Tuesday said “at literally the 11th hour, we got assured funding, and were therefore able to submit a specific timeline for accomplishment.”

To “seal the deal” Tuesday, the Council approved a Supplemental Agreement of the extension to Dec. 31, 2012. “To make the deal even sweeter,” Butzlaff said, Union Pacific also gave “approval to move the Depot across their station grounds to the City site.” Cleaning the site and moving the building allows the city to avoid “abatement” of the depot contaminants by demolition by Union Pacific.

Consolo spearheaded “the hammer and nail approach” of preservation, shoring up the Deport roof and siding, making it less susceptible to weather damage. He also applied to the Rancheria for financing. Butzlaff said the city now has a real deal and a chance to go forward and intends to get the word out and by June 19 formally establish a depot committee.

The timeline includes May 3 to July 31 “analysis of the specific location and methodology of placement of the depot on the city’s old corporation yard.” Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 is the competitive bidding process for “pre-relocation external lead abatement and actual building relocation.” Oct. 1-31 will be for completing relocation of the depot along with addressing any “ground disturbance issues” on Union Pacific land.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Saint Sava Church is sponsoring its 57th Annual Goat Barbecue over Memorial Day Weekend.

Father Steve Tumbas said the Goat Barbecue regularly draws more than 100 people but a decade ago, a lot more people from the community would come. So he would like to let everyone know it is still occurring and they would like to get more people to attend.

The Goat Barbecue is open to anyone and Saint Sava Church is taking reservations. Tumbas said it is kind of “exclusive” because they must limit seating to 130 people to ensures they have enough food and seating.

Tumbas said the barbecue is made with a specially designed and built pit that holds 16 goats. Roasting begins at daybreak, around 5:30 a.m., and lasts until noon, when carving begins. Lunch begins at approximately 1 p.m.

Tumbas said “we’re trying to remind people” about the event which has been a mainstay of the local Serbian community for more than half a century. He said it got its start from the local practice of eating goats, and “50-some years ago, it’s what people ate. Goats are very undemanding animals. They eat just about everything” and “it was just cheap food.”

He said in the Mediterranean region, goat meat is commonly consumed, and more goat meat is consumed worldwide than beef or chicken.

He raises a few goats himself, not for the barbecue, but just to remove vegetation that is harmful to horses. He said goats “eat everything that our horse shouldn’t.” He rotates goats and horses into pastures to keep down the harmful vegetation.

The 57th Annual St. Sava Church Goat Barbecue is noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at the Church Social Hall on North Main Street. It will have live traditional Serbian folk music with strings and accordion.

Cost is $30 per adult, and includes a buffet with pasta and meat sauce, and Serbian pastries.

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Amador County – Adam Dalton this week said the Amador County Park Restoration committee provided a new ADA pool lift and eight new barbecue units to the city of Jackson.

The Lift was donated by the Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians, which he thanked for “standing beside me, supporting my dream and assisting us as a community in reaching our goals.”

The Park Restoration committee is already hard at work on the next park in “one of the most amazing towns ever, Volcano,” Dalton said, but he noted that the committee is still able to assist others with minor improvements.

Renovation at Mollie Joyce Park is complete and he credited the transformation and success to the dedicated people of Amador County: “Volunteers were comprised of a group of talented, hardworking and committed people who shared the same vision to begin something profound, and see it through to the end.”

He offered special recognition to them, along with donors Cannery Casino Resorts, Swinerton, Simms Metal Management, Premier Access Insurance Company, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Graninger, Thomas Graninger and Goldman Sachs & Company.

Dalton said “if you didn’t make it up to Mollie Joyce and you’ve been waiting for the right moment to jump in and volunteer, now is the time.” They will be in Volcano Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

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Amador County – A Texas-based smokehouse calling itself the world’s largest barbecue franchise announced Thursday it has signed a lease for an Amador County franchise.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will take Suite 74 in the Amador Ridge Shopping Center in Martell. 

Franchise owners are Richard Wolcott and his wife, from Pioneer, who signed a lease and will begin construction. Wolcott said he and his wife will be going to Texas for training for the smokehouse restaurant.

Dickey’s franchise support begins at “Barbecue U, an intense three-week training session where owner-operators learn how to run the restaurant from open to close.

Dickeys.com’s location finder already lists the Martell franchise on its map, on Highway 49 near Oko Sushi and Jamba Juice. 

In Dickey’s release, Wolcott said: “Amador County has a true need for a fast and friendly restaurant that serves great food and that is open regular hours every day of the week.” He said an excitement has spread as they talk about bringing a Dickey’s to town and “everyone is chomping at the bit.” 

The past 25 years Wolcott worked for a financial services company, George Ballard Company, which he eventually bought and served as president the last 15 years. Before that, Wolcott worked in numerous food service businesses and construction. 

Wolcott said: “My wife and I have been searching for a business where we can deliver a great product and service, while being an active and important part of the community. We see Dickey’s as being our avenue to fulfill this dream.”

Dickey’s Barbecue offers a quality selection of signature meats, home style sides and tangy barbecue sauce. All meats are slow smoked on-site in each restaurant.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was founded in 1941 in Dallas and after 71 years stakes claim to being the “world’s largest barbecue chain,” according to its release, and it has more than 220 franchises in 42 states.

The Martell smokehouse, not yet open, will be at 12240 Industry Blvd., Suite 74.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.