Serving the communities of Valley Springs, Burson and Wallace

Aug. 29

The first phase of a major facelift and remodeling at LaContenta Golf Club is under way with construction of a new pro shop. 

Remodel project begins at La Contenta Golf Club

By Nick Baptista

   Work is moving quickly on a new pro shop at La Contenta Golf Club and once completed, the existing clubhouse will undergo a major remodeling.

   Concrete work on the 1,600-square-foot pro shop at the north end of the La Contenta parking lot began last Thursday and framing has been completed. Siding is going up on the new structure and completion of the building is scheduled for the first of November, if not sooner.

   The existing pro shop is approximately 1,000 square feet and the expansion means La Contenta will offer a larger variety of soft goods, such as more golf apparel, said Rod Metzler, La Contenta’s managing partner.

   When the pro shop moves to its new digs, work will begin at the old pro shop and the rest of the clubhouse, said Dave Tanner of Tanner Consulting.

   That work will give the clubhouse a major facelift with a much larger banquet facility, able to accommodate 300 guests, an outdoor wedding and event area, patio dining, a redesigned cocktail lounge, and a grand entrance to the facility, Tanner said.

   The outdoor wedding and event area – which will include a gazebo - will be very beneficial for the Valley Springs area by providing a much larger venue for community activities, Tanner said.

   “It will help advertise Valley Springs as the place to come for events and we haven’t had that ability before,” Tanner said.

   Beginning with the new pro shop, La Contenta’s exterior will take on the look of “Modern Mission Style,” Tanner added. It will include c-style tile roofing, a lot more ceramic work and inlays in the walls and just “a very clean and updated look overall,” he said.

   The public will get a good idea of what the entire facility will look like when the new pro shop is completed to the updated style, Tanner said.

   Changes to the golf course are also in the works. Improvements to the playability of the golf course will include the addition of more ponds and water features, which is all a part of recent agreement with the Calaveras County Water District to use more tertiary treated water on the course, Tanner said.

   The move to improve La Contenta comes after builder Ryan Voorhees purchased a major portion of the partnership running the golf course at the beginning of the year.

   The goal is to make the property a first class facility, Tanner said.

   Negotiations are also under way for the addition of an on-site hotel at the golf course.

Aug. 27

County's first West Nile virus case of the year reported

   The California Department of Public Health has informed local public health officials that a bird from San Andreas has tested positive for West Nile virus.

   The notification, made Aug. 20, is the first indication of West Nile virus in Calaveras County this year. There have been no reported cases of humans or horses infected with the West Nile virus in Calaveras County thus far this year.

   "This positive finding is a reminder that WNV is present in Calaveras County and the public needs to continue precautions against infection," said Dr. Dean Kelaita, the county’s health officer.

   Many California counties are reporting increases in West Nile virus activity. Statewide there have been 78 persons reported with WNV infection and no deaths. Two human cases have been reported in San Joaquin County.

West Nile virus affects the central nervous system and can cause a fever, body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting.

   "Most persons who are infected with the virus will not develop any symptoms; however some people (less than 1 percent) become sick and debilitated with symptoms of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and disorientation," Dr. Kelaita said.

   Persons over age 50 and persons with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious disease or death from infection with West Nile virus.

   The virus is spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

   "West Nile virus infections is preventable, by avoiding mosquito bites," Kelaita said.

   Actions recommended by health officials include:

   • DEET - Apply insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus containing insect repellents should be applied when outdoors. Follow directions on the package.

   • Dress - When outdoors, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and other protective clothing.

   • Dusk and dawn - Avoid spending time outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks at dusk and dawn. Exclude mosquitoes from your home with tight fitting screens on doors
and windows.

   • Drain - Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property to reduce mosquito breeding. Sources may include children's wading pools, empty flowerpots, buckets, barrels and other containers.

   Horse owners are reminded to make sure that their horses are current on immunizations to protect them from West Nile virus.

   The Vector Control Program of the Environmental Health Department offers mosquito control services. These include mosquito fish and limited spraying for mosquito control.

   "The public is encouraged to report swimming pools with green standing water as a mosquito breeding source," said Brian Moss, Environmental Management Agency director.

   Unattended pools in unoccupied homes are a source of mosquito breeding and need to be sprayed. The Vector Control Program can be reached at (209) 764-6383, or at www. ccvector.com for assistance with reducing mosquito-breeding areas.

   The public can report dead birds and tree squirrels for possible testing by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473), or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Additional information is available from the Public Health Department at 754-6460, or at www.co.calaveras.ca.gov.  

Aug. 22

The Calaveras County Planning Commission last week rejected a proposal to place more billboards between Burson and Valley Springs.

Planning panel rejects plea for more billboards

By Nick Baptista

   A majority of the Calaveras County Planning Commission rejected a staff recommendation and voted against a proposal by a media firm out of Davis to place three large billboards on Highway 12 between Burson and Valley Springs.

   The planning panel on Thursday voted 4-1 against the request by Rogers Media for a conditional use permit to erect the billboards at 1201 Highway 12, approximately 1.5 miles west of downtown Valley Springs.

   Planning Commissioner Bill Mason, representing District 4, which includes Angels Camp and Murphys, was the lone commissioner to support the project as proposed. Commissioners Ted Allured, Steve Kearney, Suzanne Kuehl and Fawn McLaughlin voted in favor of rejecting the request.

   Matt Rogers, president and CEO of Rogers Media Co., indicated he would appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors.

   However, District 4 Supervisor Tom Tryon, addressing the planning panel earlier in the meeting on a sign request concerning the Murphys Hotel, said a Planning Commission decision on the Murphys matter and even the Valley Springs item would have “wide-ranging implications” while the General Plan update is under way and the Board of Supervisors needs to make some policy decisions before the sign requests move forward.

   Planning staff and the commission had received nearly three-dozen letters protesting the proposal and another 42 letters and emails were received after the planning packet was finalized.

   Before voting on the request, members of the Planning Commission said the number of citizens who took the time to let the county know how they felt about the proposal overwhelmed them.

   Rogers was the first to speak and he said his company has 57 signs in 17 Northern California and Nevada communities. He said his company takes great care to vigorously maintain their “high quality” signs, which will meet every requirement of the county’s sign ordinance.

   Rogers said 100 percent of all available billboards in Calaveras County now are operated by CBS, the national television network. Since CBS has a monopoly in the county, businesses are paying a substantially higher rate than normal to rent those signs, he added.

   By following the county ordinance, the proposed billboards along Highway 12 would be “the smallest we’ve ever built,” Rogers said.

   The proposed sign faces would measure 16 feet wide by 8 feet high for a total of 128 square feet each. The base of the signs would be 14.5 feet above grade, with an overall height of 25 feet to the top of each.

   Highway 12 resident Joyce Techel disagreed with Rogers’ opinion that the signs would be small. She said those sizes were substantial in size. She also echoed Supervisor Tryon’s comments that the county is in a General Plan and community plan update and a decision now on the signs would “take away some of the options we have.”

   “Once up, it will take an act of god to get them down,” she added.

   Valley Springs business owner and District 1 supervisor candidate Zerrall McDaniel also questioned the wisdom of moving forward on the billboards while the county is updating the General Plan.

   “This forecloses any opportunity to create the type of downtown Valley Springs we want in the future,” she said.

   Valley Springs Area Business Association President George Nelson said the 120-member business group also opposes the billboards. The signs likely would not bring more business to the community, would not create jobs and would be an eyesore.

   Rogers took offense to those comments and said only Calaveras County businesses would be on his billboards and he has a three-year waiting list of Calaveras businesses with a desire to advertise on the three billboards. He also said the billboards do create jobs and pay property taxes. He also said there were no studies or evidence that billboards distract drivers and are a driving hazard.

   Several people who addressed the board disagreed with Rogers’ highway safety comments.

   They pointed out that the signs would be in a curvy, ravine portion of Highway 12 and any distraction along such a road could prove to be dangerous.

   “We have a constitutional right to be in business,” Rogers said.

   He added that Caltrans has already looked at the proposal and approved it “by any measure and standard.”

   Rogers Media had waited 17 months to get the project to the Planning Commission and did not want to wait another three to five years for consideration while the General Plan is being finalized, he said.

   Property owner Kevin Gause of Copperopolis said he bought the property when it was a junkyard and he has made substantial improvements to it in the meantime. He said he was impressed with Rogers Media and thought they would do a good job maintaining the signs.

   Commissioner Allured said he normally is a land rights advocate “until it affects neighbors.” As such, he said he could not support the project.

   Commissioner McLaughlin said the applicant may be well intentioned but was fighting “a perfect storm.” Perception of Rogers’ request was impacted by the quality of previous signs installed in the area, she said, and people were concerned about the tone those signs set in a gateway through the county.

   Commissioner Steve Kearney said he was going to vote against the billboards because they were not the right fit for that particular area.

   Commission Chairwoman Kuehl said she did not think billboards were compatible in Calaveras County. She said the county depends on tourism and billboards detract from the county’s open space and rural environment.

   Although the applicant has met all of the county’s requirements, issuance of the permit is still discretionary, she added.

   Mason said the number of people commenting on the proposal overwhelmed him, but the area is zoned for industrial use and the signs would be “a step up” from the others in the area.

   Mason made a motion to follow staff recommendation to approve the project, but the motion died without a second.

   Allured made the motion to reject the request and it was seconded by Kearney.  

Aug. 20

Bill Souza, left, of Valley Springs talks to members of Rod & Custom magazine on Friday at the New Hogan Observation Point and describes the work involved in completing his hot rod.

Hot rod caravan visits New Hogan

By Nick Baptista

   There was a parking lot full of shinny chrome Friday afternoon at the New Hogan Observation Point as the Foothill Classics car club hosted a barbecue for a caravan of hot rods making their way from Burbank to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

   The dozen-or-so car caravan, organized by Rod & Custom magazine, was tripping through the Mother Lode along Highway 49 before diverting down Highway 12 to the lake and breaking bread with other hot rod enthusiasts.

   From Valley Springs, the Rod & Custom contingent moved to Highway 88 and took a scenic trip to South Lake Tahoe where they spent the night before moving on Saturday through Carson City and eventually Winnemucca, Nevada, where they visited the soon-to-be-opening America’s Car Collection Museum.

   They expected to be in Wendover by Sunday evening and checking out the action at the salt flats on Monday.

Aug. 15

Youngsters will have an opportunity to learn when it is the right time to harvest vegetables at Saturday's Open Garden Day.

Open Garden Day to focus on preserving techniques

   Home gardeners who planted vegetables and other edible plants in the spring have been anxiously waiting for this moment.

   August and September is the time when their hard work pays off with bushels of vegetables and fruit.

   But now what? How can the home gardener prevent their harvest from spoiling and instead enjoy their wonderful garden bounty for months to come?

   The answer is: learn proper preserving techniques. Those techniques will be highlighted at the Master Gardeners’ Open Garden Day on Saturday, Aug. 23, at their Demonstration Garden in San Andreas.

   At 10:15 a.m., on Master Gardeners will present a demonstration on “Safely Preserving the Harvest”.  Dorothy Smith, nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension, will discuss ways to safely preserve the harvest and demonstrate some tasty, healthy ways to prepare vegetables.

   She will discuss three food preservation methods: drying, freezing and canning. Handouts and sample products will be available. She will also provide recipes to take and test at home. 

   At 11 a.m., the Children’s Garden will be open and Master Gardeners will teach youngsters when it is the right time to harvest vegetables and enjoy tasting a few.

   The Open Garden Day will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden at the Government Center, 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas.  The garden is located on the west side of the Historical Society’s Red Barn along Mountain Ranch Road.  The garden is accessed through the Government Center and attendees may park there. 

   Gardening information is offered free of charge. In addition, the learning center will be staffed by Master Gardeners to answer questions and give out handy reference “Quick Tips” cards on controlling yellowjackets. Tours of the Demonstration Garden will also be available.

   When the garden is not open, home gardening assistance is offered by Master Gardeners through the Help Line at 754-2880.  The public may call the number, leave a message regarding the problem, and a Master Gardener will return the call.

   The Demonstration Garden is a project of the Calaveras County Master Gardeners whose primary goal is educating the public about home gardening. The garden has been under construction for several years with all funding coming from Master Gardeners, UC Cooperative Extension, grants, and private donations. 

   For additional details, contact the UC Cooperative Extension office at 754-6477.  

Aug. 13

The “Community Shopping Center” sign has been on the southeast corner of Highway 26 and Hogan Dam Road for several years as the project goes through the planning process.

Planning panel OKs center despite Caltrans' objections

By Nick Baptista

   A proposal for a new shopping center in Valley Springs received the backing of the Calaveras County Planning Commission on Thursday, but it appears Caltrans will appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors.

   Planning commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of the planned development permit for the Valley Springs Community Shopping Center off Highway 26 at Hogan Dam Road.

   New Hogan Community Investors – consisting of Norried Family Properties of Valley Springs, Guy Meyers of Valley Springs and Roy Hifai of Los Altos – is seeking the permit from the county to build a nearly 14-acre shopping center, which calls for seven buildings totaling 91,849 square feet with one of them – a potential supermarket - at 51,108 square feet.

   Much of the discussion at Thursday’s meeting centered on Caltrans’ concerns about traffic in the area and realignment of a section of Highway 26.

   Meyers countered that he has been doing business in the Valley Springs area for 30 years and the need for traffic improvement has been recognized for many years, so if Caltrans believes the property earmarked for the shopping center is the desired solution, they should follow “proper procedure.”

   The proper procedure, Meyers said, would be for “Caltrans to take the necessary action to legally acquire the property.”

   Meyers said he and the rest of the shopping center’s investors “would be happy to sell the property to Caltrans and move forward.”

   However, Meyers told planning commissioners he doubts Caltrans is prepared to fund and build substantial highway improvements in Valley Springs “in our lifetimes” and the shopping center proposal should not be held hostage in the meantime.

   Tim McSorley, executive director of the Calaveras Council of Governments, said the county “is beginning to see things happen” in regards to a Valley Springs traffic project.

   A portion of the project is close to being fully funded, he said, but admitted it could be 15 to 20 years before the bypass or connector route becomes reality.

   “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan for that facility,” he said, and “it would be shortsighted to preclude one of the alternatives (property at the proposed center).”

   McSorley presented diagrams of eight possible alternatives. Some of the diagrams increase the present-day Highway 12 alignment into a four-lane roadway with an island through downtown Valley Springs, while other alternatives re-align the highway to the south and through the site of the proposed shopping center.

   Meyers questioned the need for such an elaborate plan given changes in the economy.

   Valley Springs’ recent development was based on reasonable commute costs, he said. Those days are gone.

   “You will not see the past pace of development for a long time,” Meyers said. “The growth picture honestly does not look near as rosy as it did two years ago.”

   Instead of making plans to move traffic past Valley Springs as quickly as possible, it makes better sense to offer more shopping opportunities in Valley Springs instead of Jackson or Sonora, he said.

   It is estimated that the shopping center will create 150 jobs; about 30 percent will be full-time with benefits.

   Caltrans representative Michael Robinson said the report used to determine traffic levels for the project significantly underestimates those levels.

   Meyers said their consultants were using data accepted by the county and Caltrans was overstating new trip generations.

   Marti Crane of Valley Springs expressed her concern about additional runoff from the proposed center.

   “There ought to be a lot of places where the water can get back into the ground,” she said.

   Mark Jones of Valley Springs expressed concerns about the traffic hazard at Highway 26 and Hogan Dam Road.

   “I hope there is some way everyone can come together on the traffic situation – especially that intersection,” he said.

   Carol Barzee of Valley Springs was concerned with what impact the proposed center will have on traffic at Highway 26 and Vista Del Lago. She also questioned the need for extra staffing from the sheriff’s department and how that will be funded, and was concerned about flooding in the area.

   “I just want it done right,” she said.

   Colleen Platt outlined MyValleySprings.com’s position on the proposal. Although MyValleySprings.com is not against the project, she said, the group is concerned with the inadequacy of the planning report.

   “As it stands before you, we feel it is unfinished,” she said.

Aug. 8

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rachelle Whiting, center, and Community Services Representative Patricia Ross, right, visited with the public and provided safety advice at last Tuesday evening’s National Night Out gathering at the home of Bob and Virginia Belmont on Stabulis Road.

Neighbors gather to celebrate anti-crime successes

By Nick Baptista

   Advice on home security, steps to take to prevent identity theft and what to watch for concerning drug and gang activity were outlined when members of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department met with Neighborhood Watch groups last week in connection with annual National Night Out activities.

    National Night Out was observed Tuesday across the United States and is designed to celebrate the public’s participation in anti-crime efforts through organizations such as Neighborhood Watch, said Patricia Ross, the department’s coordinator for Neighborhood Watch and community services representative.

   National Night Out gatherings were held Tuesday and Wednesday in the Valley Springs/Rancho Calaveras area and additional ones are scheduled for next week in San Andreas and West Point, Ross said.

   Ross’s presentation included a 48-point home security checklist for residents to use, an update on the sheriff’s department’s efforts to curb gang activity in the county, what to do when members of the public believe they are witnessing gang and drug activities in their neighborhoods, and what can be done to prevent being a victim of identity theft, or what steps to quickly take if you believe you are an identity theft victim.

   “National Night Out is an opportunity for us in law enforcement to congratulate the Neighborhood Watch programs for what they’ve done to fight crime in their areas,” she said. “Their input is invaluable to our department.”

   The public’s help has been used to solve several recent crimes, she said, and assist in some on-going investigations.

   The sheriff’s department also uses National Night Out as an opportunity to listen to the public’s concerns and answer their questions, she added.

   “It’s a fun event for us in law enforcement,” she said. “It’s a way to boost neighborhood spirit, and at the same time pay attention to crime awareness and prevention.”

   She also uses the gatherings to talk about the department’s Tip Line. All calls are anonymous and the public can use the number to alert the department if they see suspicious activities.

   No information is collected to find the caller’s identity. The calls go straight to a voice mailbox and are not answered. The number is (209) 754-6030, but crimes in progress should be reported by dialing 9-1-1.

   The department also has materials – a DVD and brochures – to help the public prevent identity theft. They can be obtained by calling Ross at 754-6500.

   If a person’s wallet or purse is lost or stolen, she encourages them to quickly call Social Security, the Department of Motor Vehicles, their credit card and checking institutions and be sure to put a watch on all banking accounts and other banking assets.

   She also said a person with lost or stolen ID and credit cards should call all three credit bureaus and put a watch on their credit accounts. The toll-free numbers are 888-397-3742 for Experian, 800-685-1111 for Equifax, and 800-916-8800 for Transunion.  

Aug. 1

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, left, during a visit earlier this year at the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner congratulates Mark Twain St. Joseph’s Hospital representatives Ryan Thompson, chief of staff; Kathy Dodge, foundation president, and Feliciano Jiron, hospital president, for the hospital being selected as the chamber’s Business of the Year. 

Calaveras native plans to make run at state's highest office

   California voters might have a choice between a Calaveras County native and The Governator for the state’s highest office in 2010.

   Lt. Gov. and Mokelumne Hill native John Garamendi announced last week that he is a candidate in the 2010 governor’s race. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not said whether he will seek re-election to the office he’s held since Nov. 17, 2003.

   “If we really believe in California, then we must fight for it. I am prepared to lead that fight,” Garamendi said in his announcement. “I know how to bring people to the table and solve problems. That’s because I’ve worked every part of the problem solving equation as a legislator, state insurance commissioner, deputy interior secretary under President Clinton and as lieutenant governor.”

   Garamendi, the state’s 46th lieutenant governor, is making his fourth run at the state’s highest office. He ran unsuccessfully in the 1982 Democratic gubernatorial primary, where he was defeated by Tom Bradley, who lost later that year to Republican George Deukmejian.

   Garamendi’s second attempt for the governor’s office was in 1994 when he lost the Democratic primary by 15 percent to then state Treasurer Kathleen Brown, who in turn lost the General Election to incumbent Republican Gov. Pete Wilson.

   Back in 2003 prior to the gubernatorial recall election of Gray Davis, Garamendi announced his candidacy for governor, but dropped out two days later in favor of Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante.

   Garamendi, an Eagle Scout and former Peace Corps volunteer, began his political career winning a California State Assembly seat in 1974. He won election to the State Senate in 1976 and was re-elected for three more four-year terms.

   In 1986 he ran for State Controller, but lost in the Democratic primary to Davis. Four years later, Garamendi was successful in his campaign to become California’s first Commissioner of Insurance.

   Garamendi joined President Bill Clinton’s administration in 1995 as Deputy Secretary of the Interior, the second-highest post in the U.S. Department of the Interior.

   After four years in the private sector, Garamendi returned to politics in 2002 and was elected to a second term as state insurance commissioner.

   Garamendi said his record proves he delivers results.

   “I developed a universal healthcare plan in 1991 that sparked the debate nationally and statewide, negotiated the Headwaters compact in 1998, built the workers compensation plan called ‘roadmap to reform’ and forced the insurance industry to return billions of dollars to consumers. Currently, I’m working to keep the doors of California’s higher education system open to all students by protecting education funding.”  

A cover shot of Doni Jones' recently published book, "Divorce L.A.P.D. Style."

Rocky relationship with LAPD officer subject of new book by former Valley Springs resident

By Nick Baptista

   Former Valley Springs resident Doni Jones is scheduled to make a return visit to one of her favorite places – La Contenta Golf Club - to sign her recently published book, “Divorce L.A.P.D. Style.”

   Jones lived in Valley Springs from 1995 to 2005 where she taught Sunday school at Community United Methodist Church, was active on the links playing with her friends belonging to the La Contenta 18 Holers, and is a long-time friend of Valley Springs’ most recent Citizens of the Year, Bing and Barbara Stanley.

   But life was not perfect.

   “I was going through some emotional problems at home so I decided to start writing at night during my lonely time,” Jones said. “The book is about my marriage to a L.A.P.D. police officer. I used the writing for therapy and to help me sleep at night.”

   An insert from the book describes Jones’ ordeal:

  “How does a woman feel when her husband uses the Badge to harass her and then goes above the law to terrorize her.  The Badge she also respected for the fifteen years of marriage.  The Badge she slept, ate and drank with. Hours of listening to the ups and downs of the job. Hours of waiting for him to come home from work wondering if he is on the job or just out fooling around. It was also the Badge she learned to hate.”

   Jones’ book signing is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

   The book, published by Book Surge through Amazon.com, has been out for two weeks and 400 copies have been sold, she said.

   In addition to Valley Springs, Jones will have a book signing in Placerville, where she also lived prior to returning to Southern California where she make her home today.

   But Jones, 59, has dreams of returning to Valley Springs.

   “Valley Springs is a great place to live and I’m hoping to move back.”

   Jones, who was in Tuesday’s magnitude-5.4 earthquake in the Los Angeles area, said life is too busy in Southern California and the people are not as friendly.

   “I miss all of my friends in Valley Springs,” she added.

   Although the main setting for the book is Los Angeles, Jones writes about her life in Valley Springs, along with the foothill communities of Jackson and Placerville.

   Once she finishes her Northern California book-signing tour, Jones will beginning marketing “Divorce L.A.P.D. Style” in Southern California.

   In addition to holding down a job and marketing her recently published book, Jones is busy writing a sequel.

   “I’ve been so busy lately, neighbors are calling me the Energizer Bunny,” Jones said.

   Jones downplayed the idea of her book being movie material, but she said friends have told her Cameron Diaz would be ideal to play her if her work makes it to the silver screen.