Serving the communities of Valley Springs, Burson and Wallace

Jan. 25

A gaggle of geese took advantage of a break in the weather last Thursday morning to bathe in the seasonal pools between Castle Rock and Highway 12 at Lower Lime Creek Road. Recent results of the San Joaquin Audubon Society Wallace-Bellota Bird Count indicate the bird population in the area is down.

Audubon group: Number of winged-critters down locally

   Results of the San Joaquin Audubon Society Wallace-Bellota Bird Count of 2007-08 have been released and the numbers are down in comparison to the prior year.

   The count was taken Dec. 29 by 34 counters in a circle located roughly northeast of Linden and southwest of Valley Springs.

   According to count compiler Steve Stocking of San Andreas, the group located 130 different species and 30,695 individual birds. At the same time the prior year, they located 135 species and 35,351 individual birds.

   With so many variables it’s difficult to say why the count was down, but parts of the count circle area continue to build-up every year, he said, especially the eastern part of the circle, which includes greater Valley Springs, Burson, Jenny Lind and Wallace.

   One of the latest count’s surprises included the sighting of a Peregrine Falcon, which has been seen only a few times in the past.

   One of the few species found in record number was the double-crested Cormorant, which at 921 topped the previous high of 412 in 1996 and there was one more Osprey than last year's five, which was the previous high.

   A very unusual red-throated loon was observed again and there were 24 Downy Woodpeckers, which tied the previous high for the species.

   Yellow-billed magpies were at 199 this count compared to 137 in the prior survey, but way below the high number of 504 the year before. Crows and ravens are also down from their historic highs as are the various blackbird species and meadowlarks.

   House finches and house sparrows continue to show low numbers and many "corvids" - members of the crow family - were still down showing the effects of West Nile Virus.

   One of the most spectacular drops, Stocking reported, is seen in the 17 California Quail, which were at a high of 272 in 1993.  Quite possibly this has resulted from the removal of brush in the rapidly developing  urban areas and the increase in cats in those same areas, he said.

   At the same time the number of wild turkey continues to be high. In the early days of the count no turkeys were seen.

   “We recorded 10 bald eagles,” Stocking said. “The high of 14 was recorded in 2004.”

   The San Joaquin Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, has been doing the Wallace-Bellota Bird Count since 1971. The national society has been conducting the counts for more than 100 years to help record trends of bird species all over North America.  

Jan. 23

Wes Evans of Mayo Construction removes old asphalt at the new Taco Bell site in the Valley Oaks Center in Valley Springs.

Taco Bell franchise coming to Valley Springs

By Nick Baptista

   The list of fast-food establishments will increase by one in approximately three months with the addition of a Taco Bell under construction off Highway 12 at the Valley Oaks Center.

   Earthwork began in mid-January at the Taco Bell site situated across from Burger King at Valley Oaks’ Highway 12 entrance.

   American Building Concepts of Valley Springs is constructing the new restaurant.

   ABC Superintendent Dave Redfern said if all goes well weather-wise, it is anticipated the new Taco Bell will be open and serving food within 90 days.

   It’s also nice to be working so close to home, Redfern said, as American Building Concepts has done similar projects throughout the state.

   Taco Bell Corp. is based in Irvine, California, and is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain.

   Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme, in addition to a wide variety of Big Bell Value Menu items.

   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.  

Jan. 18

"Italians of the Gold Country" by Carolyn Fregulia goes on sale Jan. 28.

New book explores Gold Country's Italian heritage

   In a state known for its diversity, most people do not think of California's "gold country" as being flooded with Italians. Interestingly enough, it is. Much of its history was influenced by immigrants from Italy's northern provinces. But why did Italians come to the gold country, otherwise known as the "Mother Lode?"

   In more than 200 vintage images, local historian Carolyn Fregulia answers this thought-provoking question and more. See the lives of the early Italian settlers and their descendents, the roles they played in their community and their innumerable contributions.

   Fregulia, herself a descendent of Italian pioneers whose family has inhabited the gold country for generations, has captured the essence of the Italian experience in these pages.

   Highlights of Italians of the Gold Country:

·         Reveals never before seen vintage photographs

·         Presents a history of local families as well as prominent individuals in the Italian community

·         Portrays the amazing women who overcame adverse conditions and succeeded at rearing their children as widowed immigrants and boardinghouse keepers

·         Features the role that Italians played in the gold industry as miners and engineers

   The book goes on sale Jan. 28 and will be available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

   Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  

Jan. 16

Valley Springs Area Business Association officers, directors and advisory board members for 2008 are, front row from left, L.J. Joliff, Vicky Henkle, Chairman George Nelson, Sharon Floyd, Candace Keesey, Dave Evans; back row from left, Elaine Alves, Cindy Judson, Susan Marrone, Liz Weaver, Danielle Scaparro-Palm, Vip Hale and Norma Snyder.

ABA board selects Nelson as chairman

   Realtor George Nelson is the new chairman of the Valley Springs Area Business Association.

   The ABA board elected officers on Friday and joining Nelson as association officers are Vice Chairperson Vicky Henkle, Treasurer Norma Snyder and Secretary Susan Marrone.

   The remaining members on the 2008 ABA board are Elaine Alves, Dave Evans, Sharon Floyd, L.J. Joliff, Cindy Judson and Candace Keesey.

   Immediate Past Chairperson Vip Hale is on the ABA’s Advisory Board along with Danielle Scaparro-Palm, Liz Weaver and Michael Wietrick.  

Ron Platt 

Valley Springs man elected chair of Democratic committee

   Ron Platt of Valley Springs is the new chair of the Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee.

   The committee nominated and elected new officers at the end of 2007. In addition to Platt, the new officers are Vice Chair Patricia Guttman of Mokelumne Hill, Treasurer Sharon Romano of San Andreas and Secretary Dave Self of Murphys.

  Central Committee members were also elected and sworn in. These members are Romano and Tillman Sherman of District 1; Robert Dean, Patricia and Henry Guttman of District 2; Mary Boblet, William Paulsen and Marilyn Pinnow of District 3; Self, Tami Chesnut and Mary Salegui of District 4; Platt and Caryn Brumit of District 5.

   The Democratic Central Committee is the official representative body of the California Democratic Party in Calaveras County. The newly formed leadership is actively working on three initiatives during this 2008 election year:

To encourage and promote public interest and participation in political activity

To use every possible means to assure public understanding of the principles and issues involved in national, state and local elections 

To support the California Democratic Party and Democratic candidates for local, state and federal offices

   The Committee and Democratic Clubs will kickoff the 2008 election year with a series of free screenings of the acclaimed health care crisis documentary “SiCKO” by Michael Moore. A facilitated forum will follow each screening, giving participants opportunity to voice their opinions on challenges and solutions affecting the level of health care service and delivery in Calaveras County.

   The governor's health care proposal to help all Californians will also be highlighted, including the "Healthy Action Incentives/Rewards" program to encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors. Everyone is welcome.

   The first screening will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in Murphys at The Diggins Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 216 Tom Bell Road.

   A second screening is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Oak Shadows Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 1330 Calaveritas Road, San Andreas.

   The series will continue with screenings in Railroad Flat, Arnold, Copperopolis and Valley Springs. Dates and times will be announced shortly.

   Donations are welcome and popcorn and beverages will be served. Proceeds will benefit the M.A.C.T Health Board, operating multiple health care facilities in the four counties of Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne.

   The Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee meets monthly, on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., in the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Chambers, Government Center, San Andreas. More information is available by visiting www.calaverasdemocrats.org.  

Jan. 9

Cate Culver displays her watercolor of the Valley Springs Train Depot. Postcard reproductions by Culver and two other local artists will be sold at Train Times in April.

Full steam ahead for first-ever Valley Springs Train Times

By Nick Baptista

   Plans for the first-ever Valley Springs Train Times are coming together, according to Sal Manna of the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History.

   The event, to be centered at the revitalized Historic Valley Springs Train Depot, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Manna reports the event will feature music and other entertainment, historical presentations, an ice cream social, craft and other vendors, and many surprises. Railroad and history buffs from throughout the region are expected to join the community-wide festival. Admission is free.

   “Something like this has never been celebrated here before,” Manna said.

   Created by the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History in conjunction with the Historic Valley Springs Train Depot and the Valley Springs Area Business Association, Valley Springs Train Times is the first-ever celebration of the area’s railroad history.

   Manna suggested that local businesses could join in the celebration by decorating their locations with patriotic bunting the society has available for sale or painting their windows with a train theme.

   “We want to connect the downtown businesses with this event,” he said. He also suggested that businesses could capitalize on the festival with sales and specials on Train Times day.

   “Train Times will be history oriented, but it is going to be fun,” he said.

   The narrow gauge San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad ran from Brack’s Landing west of Lodi and reached Valley Springs on April 25, 1885. The line was soon purchased by the Southern Pacific, went standard gauge in 1904 and, while regular passenger service ended in 1932, freight was still being hauled into 1983. While no trains or tracks remain, the 123-year-old Valley Springs depot is the only original station of the SJ&SNRR still standing. The building will be re-dedicated at Valley Springs Train Times.

   “If Valley Springs is going to have an identity, the center of that is our history and the train depot,” Manna said. “By restoring the train depot, we’re making it the focus of our community and this celebration will help reinforce that in the community.”

   He said Mike and LeAnn Jurek, owners of the depot, have been very supportive of the Train Times idea.

   Items of memorabilia available at Train Times will include three large postcards of watercolors of the depot painted by local artists Cate Culver, Kathy Laughlin and Dave Gano. Manna said the postcard reproductions of the paintings will sell for $5 individually or the set of three for $12. 

   For more information, including vendor reservations, contact the SPWCH at P.O. Box 714, Burson, CA 95225, call (209) 772-0336, or email westcalaverashistory@ourvalleysprings.com  

Doug and Margie Silva of Wallace take advantage of free sand and sandbags prior to last week's big storm.

Wind, not rain, main culprit of storm damage

By Nick Baptista

   Contrary to predictions, damage from the first big storm of the New Year to hit west Calaveras County was due to wind more than rain.

   Jenny Lind Fire Chief Brian Chavez-Ochoa reported his firefighters responded to four calls of the strong winds Friday blowing trees into homes and several reports of sheds and barns being blown over and one instance of an entire roof being ripped off from a building by the strong gusts of wind.

   In all, Jenny Lind Fire Protection District responded to a record number of 22 calls on Friday and the bulk were storm-related, the chief said.

   Nearby Foothill Fire Protection District fared somewhat better. Fire Chief Mike Siligo reported his firefighters had 14 calls on the day.

   The strong winds and rain played havoc on the area’s electric system with a number of power outages, mainly attributed to trees falling on power lines.

   The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department reported that approximately 13 structures sustained damage as a result of the storm and strong winds as of noontime Saturday. In preparation for the storm, the new reverse 9-1-1 system was utilized to inform residents in Valley Springs, Jenny Lind, Rancho Calaveras and San Andreas of the availability of sandbags. In all, more than 6,000 households were contacted by the system and targeted houses included those that were located in low areas or areas with a history of flooding.

   The sheriff’s department received 76 calls for service for storm-related issues including wind, rain or falling tree damage.

   Residents along flood-prone Cosgrove Creek “dodged a bullet,” Chief Siligo said, as the heaviest rains of Friday subsided just as water was beginning to reach some homes.

   Storms are expected to continue throughout this week and Siligo said his department would continue to monitor the situation and be proactive.

   The public needs to watch the area’s storm drains and make sure they are kept clear of debris, he said.

   In addition, Siligo said District 1 Supervisor Bill Claudino was instrumental in getting sand and sand bags delivered to the area in anticipation of any flooding and he wanted to thank the supervisor for those efforts.

   “Without his help, I doubt we would have gotten them in place when we did,” Siligo said.

   The two fire departments worked well together, Chief Chavez-Ochoa said, and in one instance, he had to call Foothill in to check his law offices in downtown Valley Springs. After several intermittent power outages, the law office began to smell of something burning and there was some smoke in the air.

   “It was a group effort,” Chavez-Ochoa said of Friday’s efforts by the local volunteer fire departments. “Every call was answered and every situation handled.”   

Jan. 4

La Contenta Golf Club is expected to undergo a facelift under new management.

La Contenta changes hands; improvements in the works

By Nick Baptista

   The new year ushers in a change of ownership at La Contenta Golf Course and plans for improvements to the course and facilities.

   Builder Ryan Voorhees has purchased a major portion of the partnership running the golf course and Rod Metzler is the managing partner, said Dave Tanner of Tanner Consulting Group, which is working on improvement plans that include clubhouse remodeling.

   “We’ve already begun study sessions on clubhouse remodeling and have met with an architectural firm and a restaurant consultant,” Tanner said.

   The clubhouse is projected to be modernized with an increase in banquet facility capacities.

   In addition, they are talking with a company that does hotel marketing and feasibility analysis about the possibility of adding a hotel on-site, Tanner said.

   “We have a lot of missed opportunities when it comes to weddings and large tournaments,” Tanner said, which the clubhouse improvements and an on-site hotel will address.

   “That way people can celebrate and stay,” he said.

   Work to improve the entrance to La Contenta is also being planned.

   “We’re looking at a dramatic entrance with a turnabout and a large fountain,” Tanner said, similar to entrances at other country clubs.

   Restaurant improvements are projected to include a covered, outdoor seating area. Tanner said they want to have an Applebee’s style family restaurant and keep a sports-like atmosphere.

   Improvements to the playability of the golf course will include the addition of more ponds and water features, which is all a part of new agreement with the Calaveras County Water District to use more tertiary treated water on the course, he said.

   CCWD and La Contenta hope to be able to create a bio-filter from the existing ponds through the golf course and eventually get a discharge permit that would allow the water to run into Cosgrove Creek, he added.

   CCWD General Manager Dave Andres and staff have been great to work with, Tanner said, and the public-private sector partnership to dispose of the treated wastewater will save the district the expense of buying additional run-off fields.