April 30

Teresa Renfro and daughter Kaitlynn participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking marking constructino of their new Habitat for Humanity Calaveras home on Dunn Road in Rancho Calaveras.

Habitat breaks ground on first Valley Springs home

   Nearly 50 people were on hand April 27 as Teresa Renfro and her son and daughter turned over shovels full of dirt to mark the beginning of construction on their Habitat for Humanity Calaveras home in Rancho Calaveras.

   Sunday’s celebration marked construction of the first Habitat for Humanity home in the Valley Springs area and work is planned to begin soon on a second home in the Rancho area. The Renfro home is the eighth house Habitat for Humanity Calaveras has built since its inception.

   Participating in the ceremony were District 5 Supervisor Russ Thomas, and Lucy Thein, president of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity Calaveras. Pastor Gregory Floyd of the Valley Springs Community United Methodist Church offered a prayer, while The Rev. Alan Claassen of First Congregational Church added to the celebration by provided music for the gathering to sing to the tunes of “If I Had a Hammer” and “This Land Is Our Land.”

   Twenty-five local women are scheduled to pick up hammers, nails and wood to begin framing the house on May 10. The all-day event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch included.

   Jan Schmidiger of Sheep Ranch is construction site manager for the day. She will offer on-site training to those with limited construction experience. Schmidiger, who will be assisted by Deana Murchison of Mountain Ranch, has headed three previous Women’s Build Days. Renfro, the future owner of the Habitat home, will also participate.

   Habitat for Humanity of Calaveras provides home ownership to responsible local families who cannot afford it on their own. As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International it shares the national organization’s mission of building affordable homes for and with families in need of decent housing.

   For additional information or to participate in the Woman’s Build Day, call Kathy Heffernan, volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Calaveras, at (209) 795-7742.

   In addition, on Saturday, May 3, the new Habitat for Humanity Calaveras Warehouse, a discount building materials reuse outlet store, opens in San Andreas at 172 California St. The warehouse will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every subsequent first Saturday of the month.

   Shoppers will receive huge discounts on building materials, light fixtures, paint, appliances and furniture. Home improvements are made more affordable by shopping at the warehouse and at the same time all shoppers are helping support affordable housing in Calaveras County.

   Some of the donated material is used to build Habitat for Humanity houses. The rest is sold to the public at 25 to 75 percent off the retail price with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity Calaveras to build homes in partnership with local families.

   Items at the warehouse are donated items from individuals and organizations in the community.

   “These in-kind donations help divert waste from area landfills, often qualifying as tax deductible gifts for donors, as well as provide consumers the opportunity to buy high quality discounted construction materials,” said Thein.

   “We were thrilled to find a building to make our dream of a Habitat Warehouse a reality,” she said.

   Habitat for Humanity Calaveras will accept the following new or gently used items: appliances in working condition, double pane windows, cabinets, doors, lumber, flooring, plumbing, hardware, light fixtures, new unopened containers of paint, tools, carpet in new condition, and furniture. Tile and flooring must be at least 25 square feet.

   Call Thein at 754-1518 to donate items.

   Items not accepted are: clothing, mattresses, used mini blinds, wood windows, single pane windows, TVs older than five years, appliances older than 10 years, obsolete computers and other electronic items, soiled or damaged furniture, and used paint or stain.  

Historic Valley Springs Train Depot owner Mike Jurek, left, and Noble Grand Humbug Scott “Stickes” Nielsen of Matuca Chapter 1849 of E. Clampus Vitus celebrate after the re-created Valley Springs sign was unveiled to the public at Saturday’s inaugural Train Times event. 

First Train Times restores landmark, celebrates pioneers

By Nick Baptista

   Valley Springs’ railroad heritage took center stage Saturday as the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History in conjunction with the Historic Valley Springs Train Depot and the Valley Springs Area Business Association hosted the first-ever Train Times.

   The event, centered at the train depot located at the intersection of Highways 12 and 26, attracted approximately 1,000 people, estimated Sal Manna, society president.

   A highlight and lasting monument to the daylong celebration was the unveiling of a re-created Valley Springs sign on the east wall of the depot that greeted passengers as they boarded or departed from the train decades ago.

   The left side of the sign said “TO SAN FRANCISCO. 131 MI.”  - while the right side had “ELEVATION 672 FEET.”

   The ceremony also re-dedicated the state historic landmark recognizing the train’s arrival to Valley Springs on April 25, 1885, and recognized many of the area’s pioneer families.

   “I would like to mention just a few of the names of the pioneers of Valley Springs, names that would fade away if we do not remember them on occasions such as this,” Manna said.

   His list included Thomas Joseph French, Warren and Hattie Lamb, George and Rebecca Late, Orange and Lucy Lillie, George and Adella Lillie, John Kellogg and Margaret Pattee and Henry and Elizabeth Reinking.

   Tom Duke, a resident of Valley Springs since 1934, was recognized by Manna as the “one person who is with us today who has lived in Valley Springs the longest of anyone.”

   The society presented Duke with its first annual Pioneer Award, a framed certificate and a gold-colored railroad spike.

   Those in attendance were also entertained with live music and gun fighting skits.

   Valley Springs Postmaster Dann Myers said he issued nearly 60 “Valley Springs Train Times Station” cancellations at his booth. The special cancellation mark recognizing the event is now available at the Valley Springs Post Office for a limited time, he added.

   While most of the activities were centered at the old train depot, the Sacramento Valley Division of the Toy Train Operating Society was entertaining young and old with a model railroad layout at Sheng Chi Kung Fu.  

April 25

Valley Springs Umpqua Bank Manager Danielle Scaparro-Palm and Valley Springs Postmaster Dann Myers display the special Train Times cancellation mark on a postcard featuring the train depot artwork of Kathy Laughlin.

Postal Service recognizes first Train Times with cancellation mark

By Nick Baptista

   Valley Springs’ inaugural Train Times celebration has captured the attention of the U.S. Postal Service.

   A special cancellation mark recognizing the event has been crafted and approved by the U.S. Postal Service and Valley Springs Postmaster Dann Myers stamped approximately 60 letters with the cancellation mark at Saturday's celebration.

    The distinctive seal features a locomotive and U.S. flag with the wording “Valley Springs Train Times Station, April 26, 2008, Valley Springs, CA 95252.”

   Myers was selling a 41-cent postage stamp with the Train Times cancellation mark for $1 at the ABA booth.

   Following Train Times, individuals who would like the Train Times cancellation mark as a souvenir can go to the Valley Springs post office and make a request for the cancellation. However, Myers said at this time the cancellation mark can only go on items that will not go directly through the mail.  

April 23

Frank Gilbeau, left, begins lifting a Calaveras Chamber of Commerce ore cart to its final resting place off Highway 26 while Chamber President Jack Boeding and Ron Dwelley, far right, assist with the operation.

County Chamber expanding role in Valley Springs

By Nick Baptista

   The Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce is increasing its presence in the west portion of the county.

   The county chamber is completing installation of one of its trademark ore carts at the Highway 26 entrance from San Joaquin County and has announced plans to open a branch office in Valley Springs.

   The ore cart was mounted on its stand Thursday and Chamber Executive Director Diane Gray said the hope is to complete the project by the end of this week or the beginning of next week.

   In addition, she announced that the chamber plans to open its Valley Springs branch by the beginning of May. The branch office will be located in Mail Depot, Etc., at The Terrace, 1906 Vista Del Lago Drive, Suite L.

   Jaylene Goltz, Mail Depot, Etc. owner, will staff the branch office.

   Goltz, who has worked for the local chamber, has additional experience working with the chamber in Santa Rosa and is “the perfect person to run forward with this,” Gray said.

   The branch office will have a chamber sign and eventually a local telephone number, Gray added.

   Plans call for the new ore cart to be dedicated in early May.

   The enlarged ore carts found off many of the entrances and exits to Calaveras County have become the chamber’s trademark hospitality symbol. The ore carts welcome those coming into the county and thanks those who are leaving for their visit.

   The Highway 26 ore cart was made possible by a donation from the Bank of Rio Vista branch in Valley Springs. It is situated at a site donated by Steve Watson of Abbey Well Service. Frank Gilbeau of Gilbeau Crane Service out of San Andreas donated his time and equipment to install the cart. Ford Construction is donating the rock for the top of the cart and John Hertzig’s company is hauling the rock to the site.

   The Bank of Rio Vista will also figure prominently this Friday when the chamber ushers in its “Painted Frog of Calaveras County” effort. The bank sponsored one of the 2008 frogs and it will be unveiled at 11 a.m.

   Gray said 10 more decorated frogs will be revealed to the public at 5:30 p.m. May 9 at The Frogeteria at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds and all of the frogs will be on display during the county fair from May 14 to 18.

   “May is shaping up to be a busy month for the chamber,” Gray said.  

April 18

Pat Derby, founder of the ARK 2000 Sanctuary, with a trio of the nine elephants at the compound. Photo by Jennifer Nisbet.

Public gets rare glimpse of sanctuary

By Sharlea Nisbet

     There is an old expression that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

   So, how many villages does it take to save an elephant?  How about nine elephants, some lions, tigers and bears?

     On Saturday, April 12, the ARK 2000 Sanctuary for Elephants said thank you to many of its supporters and volunteers with a special tour and a vegetarian lunch.

     ARK 2000 is only open to the general public a few times a year and on May 10 will be one of the opportunities for a first hand look.

   Michelle Harvey, elephant keeper, put it simply, “This is their (animals) home so we respect their privacy.”

     Harvey, originally from Australia, has been working with elephants for eight years. In April 2007 she relocated from Alaska to the San Andreas sanctuary. While at the Alaskan zoo she was the keeper for a 26-year-old elephant named Maggie, whom Harvey said seemed “not quite happy in the cold weather.” Harvey hoped Maggie would find a warmer home, but never imagined they would be reunited seven months later.

     Maggie, an African elephant, has settled into her new home but still has some adjustments.  After all, she hasn’t seen another elephant since she was six months old. She was born in South Africa and her entire herd, including mother, were killed. This was a way of culling down the elephant population. Little Maggie, only 6 months old, was a sole survivor and then sold to the zoo in Alaska.

     Recently, Winky, an Asian elephant, passed away. Her constant companion was Wanda, also an Asian elephant. Because Winky had arthritis she didn’t move around very much and Wanda didn’t leave the side of her best friend. Since Winky’s death, Wanda has taken to exploring her surroundings and is checking out everything.              

     There are currently nine elephants at the San Andreas facility and they all have a story. Sometimes they are not happy stories but because of giving volunteers and generous businesses the ending will be better. It is now possible for them to experience peace and contentment in their later years.

     So many people truly care about these animals. Dan and Devra Lewis, owners of Blue Mountain Transit, have gone above and beyond donating to this special cause. They not only donate their vehicles for transportation, but also pay the gas and wages for the drivers any time ARK needs them.

     Galen Hazelhofer of Valley Springs, a watercolor and pencil artist, paints the animals of the sanctuary and then donates the art to the ARK 2000.

     Pat Derby, founder of the sanctuary, has spent her life finding ways to save these pachyderms and many other animals.  When she shares her adventures, her love of the animals radiates to all who are listening.

     As an animal lover put it, “To help a person is the act of brotherhood but to help an animal is an act beyond.”  

April 11

Staff members at Placer Title Company’s new office in Valley Springs are, from left, Bill Curnutt, chief title officer; Tami Allen, branch manager and escrow officer; Joy Littman, escrow and title assistant, and Cary Keener, escrow assistant.

Placer Title Company opens new office in Valley Springs

   Placer Title Company has opened a new office in Valley Springs. With the opening, Placer Title Company serves Calaveras and Alpine counties with three locations - Arnold, Copperopolis and Valley Springs.

   The new office, which opened March 4, is at 10 Nove Way, Suite M. The phone number is (209) 772-2832.

   Tami Allen leads the Valley Springs office as branch manager and senior escrow officer, bringing 28 years of industry experience and specializing in all types of real estate transactions ranging from new home developments to mobile homes and §1031 Exchanges.

   The Valley Springs team also consists of Cary Keener as escrow assistant, Bill Curnutt as chief title officer, Marlene Gideon as chief title officer and Joy Littman as escrow assistant. Sean Tucker and Matt Hargon are co-county managers for Calaveras and Alpine counties.

   Placer Title Company maintains a local title plant in the new Valley Springs location, allowing expedited turn-around times and streamlining transactions.

   "Placer Title Company is well known for our exceptional customer service and the Valley Springs team has a proven track record that I am certain will exceed expectations,” said Tucker. “This team complements our Copperopolis and Arnold locations so that we can best serve our customers - something Placer Title Company's excellent reputation has been based upon for 35 years. I am looking forward to this new location, and excited to maintain a team of dedicated, well-respected professionals who are known for providing exceptional service to the Calaveras and Alpine real estate community."

   Placer Title Company is celebrating 35 years of success in 2008. With more than 60 offices located throughout Northern and Central California alone, Placer Title continues to pursue its commitment to excellence. Placer Title is the only independent title and escrow agency licensed in every county in California, and is one of the largest independent title insurance agencies on the West Coast.

   With the backing of Mother Lode Holding Company, PTC offers multiple underwriters and extended resources, including a sister company for §1031 Exchanges and a National Lender Services Division. As a result, PTC is well equipped to handle any real estate transaction, including the most complex residential and commercial transactions.  

Except for a few odds and ends, the Taco Bell in the Valley Oaks Shopping Center is nearly completed and could open as soon as Wednesday.

Taco Bell prepares to open doors on Wednesday

   If all goes well on the final inspection front in the new few days, Valley Springs residents and those traveling through the area on Highways 12 and 26 might be sitting down in the dining area of the new Taco Bell and munching on burritos, tacos, quesadillas, gorditas, chalupas, or Crunchwrap Supremes by Wednesday.

   Dave Redfern, superintendent for American Building Concepts of Valley Springs, which is constructing the restaurant, said the final inspections are planned for the next few days and Taco Bell is shooting for a Wednesday opening.

   Construction and food industry workers were on site Thursday morning doing final touch-up work – such as installing the soda machine and putting up signage. Hiring is also under way.

   When completed, the Valley Springs Taco Bell will be the latest of the chain’s nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

   Glen Bell built his first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey and sold his first franchise in 1964. In 1978 the business was sold to PepsiCo Inc.

 Taco Bell now serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in the U.S.  

April 9

Michael Chavez-Ochoa and fiancée Shannon Cummings in front of his work station inside Sacred Skin Tattoo.

Dreams of being a tattoo artist, running own shop become reality for Chavez-Ochoa

By Nick Baptista

   Michael Chavez-Ochoa has turned his love of art and drawing into a profession and new business in Valley Springs.

   The new business he opened a month ago is Sacred Skin Tattoo and is located in Suite 5 at 4 Jean Street.

   The shop is open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays.

   Chavez-Ochoa's interest in art and drawing goes back to when he was 4 or 5 years old and he would look at the pictures in books and magazines and sketch out what he saw. He took art classes all four years in high school expanding his artistic talents from there into all kinds of media.

   Some of his artwork - with the help of "Sharpie" markers - would find itself on the bodies of friends and it was in high school that Chavez-Ochoa first thought about becoming a tattoo artist. The dream was put off to the side after high school and Chavez-Ochoa began working.

   The dream rekindled when he bought a tattoo machine out of a magazine and began working on friends and his brothers. It was a lot of trial and error, he admits.

   He eventually left a job in construction and started working at a tattoo shop in Stockton learning the profession and techniques from other artists and toying with the idea of opening his own shop.

   The dream became reality and Chavez-Ochoa sees a bright future for his Valley Springs tattoo parlor. He eventually sees the business including a piercer and other tattoo artists. He also has his own clothing line - Slave 2 Ink - available at the store and sees it expanding in the future. Body jewelry is also available at the shop.

   With the large influx of bikers and boaters who visit the area, Chavez-Ochoa has plans of holding special events for them and inviting tattoo artists from out of the area to visit and offer their services at those gatherings.

   Chavez-Ochoa’s said he arrived at the name for his shop about two years ago and it comes from his Christian beliefs that the skin is sacred. Before opening the shop it had to pass health department certification and Chavez-Ochoa is blood borne pathogen certified. He uses new needles on every appointment.

   The price per appointment depends on the piece of artwork, the size and detail.

   “I don’t believe in charging and arm and a leg for a tattoo,” he said. The minimum rate is $50 for a very small tattoo and he generally charges $100 each hour of work.

   He also believes that every tattoo should be a little different. The customer can have their own idea of what they want or look at artwork in his shop, but Chavez-Ochoa will redraw it so it is not exactly the same as someone else might have.

   “People appreciate that,” he added.

   Chavez-Ochoa said he likes to look at every tattoo artist’s style and see how he can incorporate it into his own work. He said his greatest influence is “Sailor” Jerry Collins, who is considered the foremost American tattoo artist of his time.

   To further his knowledge in the profession he used to work at tattoo conventions to study techniques and styles.

   “I’m always looking for advice,” he said.

   And skin care after the tattoo so it heals properly is also important to him. He provides a free tube of a care product after each tattoo and explains to the customer how to use it.

   Walk-in to the shop are welcomed and appointments can be made by calling the shop at 772-1412, or his cell phone at 471-1812.  

The Diamond Dolls & Company featuring, front row, from left, Marti Crane, Vicky Henkle, Donna Scribner, back row, from left, Debbie Rylance, Linda Mellin, Bill Crane, Beverly Pastorino and Mary Ash, will perform Saturday evening at the Calaveras Follies.

Local stars to shine at Saturday's follies

   The fourth annual Calaveras Follies – the popular lip-synch show featuring local celebrities performing to raises funds for the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program – will go on stage Saturday for its one and only show.

   "I think it's going to be our best show yet," says Terri Wilson, artistic director of the follies. "This year's cast is reaching for - and achieving - an even higher level of lip-synched entertainment than in years past.  And the dancing... you are going to want to see this!" 

   More than 50 local celebrities have volunteered their time, energy, and egos to create this year's Calaveras Follies, which will feature at least 18 different acts - each competing for the coveted Frog Oscar award, determined by secret audience ballot and awarded after the performance. County Schools Superintendent John Brophy will return as master of ceremonies.

   Frogtown's Mark Twain Hall will be transformed into a magical, star-studded affair, with abundant gourmet culinary delights and a no-host bar. Partygoers may arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. so they have time to relax, mingle and purchase raffle tickets for elegant prize baskets. This year's raffle is even bigger and better than last year's and includes an airplane ride, rafting trip, spa packages, weekend getaways, and fine art and wine. Commemorative wine glasses and DVDs of the show will be available as well.

   Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program volunteers, Frogtown, and Murphys Creek Theatre present the 2008 Calaveras Follies. Major sponsors include Jillian Day Spa & Boutique; Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital; Weber, Ghio and Associates, Inc.; Bank of Stockton-Angels Camp; Calaveras County Behavioral Health Services; Calaveras County Office of Education; Century 21 Sierra Properties; and Wayne and Sandy Fuller.

   Tickets are $50 per person and are available by calling Frogtown at (209) 736-2561 (VISA and MasterCard are accepted). Guests are encouraged to dress up for this occasion. Tickets will also be available at the door; but sponsors and early ticket buyers sit closer to the stage.

   For more information, visit online at www.calaverasfollies.com.

   The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program is a countywide program based on the Big Brothers Big Sisters model, administered by the Calaveras County Office of Education. The youth served are students in first through 12th grades who want a mentor and are referred to the program, where they are matched with safe, caring adults who offer support, guidance, and friendship and help them make healthy life decisions.

   For more information about the Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, call 736-6078, or visit online at www.calaverasmentoring.org.  

April 4

The Relay for Life special cancellation mark from the Burson Post Office.

Special cancellation at county post offices to promote upcoming Relay for Life event

   Sixteen post offices in Calaveras County are showing their support of the American Cancer Society’s upcoming Relay for Life with a special cancellation.

   Between now and April 26, the post offices in Angels Camp, Arnold, Avery, Burson, Copperopolis, Glencoe, Hathaway Pines, Mokelumne Hill, Mountain Ranch, Murphys, Railroad Flat, San Andreas, Vallecito, Valley Springs, Wallace and West Point will cancel mail, by request, with a special “Hoppin’ For a Cure” design.

   This year’s Relay for Life event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, and ends at 10 a.m. Sunday April 27, at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp.

   This is the sixth year Calaveras County has participated in the Relay for Life, but the first year a special cancellation has been included and the first time a countywide special cancellation has been attempted. 

   The artist for the special cancellation is Robert Norman, a resident of West Point and an experienced special cancellation artist.

   “To date, Bob has designed three cancellations and a cache for Angels Camp,” said Laney Henderson, Angels Camp postmaster. “I can always count on him to design the perfect cancellation. When the relay committee decided to adopt a theme for this year’s relay, I thought a countywide special cancellation would be the perfect way to spread the idea throughout the county and Bob was my first choice as artist.”  

   Once a year community members gather at Relay for Life to celebrate survivors and caregivers, remember loved ones lost and to gain inspiration for the fight. A tradition that began in Tacoma, Wash., in 1986, each of the more than 4,800 relays nationwide is a fun-filled, overnight event.  Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags, each with the same goal – keep one team member on the track at all times. Relay for Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, churches…people from all walks of life. 

   Each Relay for Life opens as cancer survivors take the first lap. This emotional time sets the stage for the importance of each participant’s contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops as participants make new friends and spend time with old ones. Highlighting the evening is a luminaria Ceremony of Hope held at dusk to honor cancer survivors and to remember loved ones lost to cancer. The luminaria candles line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.  

April 2

Bob Belmont, left, and Bob Bucy display this year’s Fireworks Quilt to be raffled off to raise funds for the Valley Springs Boosters’ Fireworks Over New Hogan Fund. The fireworks show is scheduled for June 28.

Boosters to host major event to finance fireworks

By Nick Baptista

   Tickets are now available for the cornerstone event to help finance the annual fireworks show over New Hogan Reservoir.

   The Valley Springs Boosters’ annual Wine and Cheese Reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Jenny Lind Fire Station No. 1, 6501 Jenny Lind Road.

   Tickets are $15 per person and can be obtained from Booster members, at Longs, or at the door.

   Proceeds from the wine and cheese reception support the annual fireworks show at Hogan and it is the first, and probably only, opportunity to reserve a table for the annual community barbecue and sit ringside at the Hogan Dam Observation Point to observe the lakeside pyrotechnic display scheduled for June 28.

   The limited numbers of tables for the fireworks show generally are sold out at the wine and cheese reception.

   The reception will feature a wide variety of local wines and is hosted by French Hill Winery out of Mokelumne Hill.

   The wine and cheese reception will also feature the unveiling of the always popular “fireworks quilt.” The quilt will be the sixth one prepared for the fireworks show. It was designed and sewn by Lynne Storm and quilted by Altogether Family Quilts. The quilt will be raffled the night of the fireworks with ticket sales going to the fireworks fund.

   The quilt will be on display and raffle tickets sold at various downtown locations leading up to the fireworks show. In addition, Booster Club members will also be selling raffle tickets.  

Mail: P.O. Box 1297, Valley Springs, CA 95252 
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