Dec. 29

The new year ushers in a number of new laws for California motorists.

State's motorists face new laws in New Year

   More than 900 new motor vehicle and transportation laws will go into effect when the New Year begins.

   "The goal is not to write a bunch of tickets," said Sean Comey, spokesperson for AAA of Northern California. "The purpose of many of the new regulations is to increase the safety and convenience of our transportation system."

   For more than 35 years, AAA has teamed up with the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Motor Vehicles to teach police officers and drivers about imminent changes in state law.

Here are highlights of new transportation laws. All go into effect Jan. 1 unless otherwise noted:

Underage DUI

   AB 2752 increases penalties for underage drivers under the influence of alcohol. Drivers under age 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 percent to .04 percent would be subject to a fine (including penalty assessments) of up to $340 for a first offense, up to $680 for a second offense and up to $850 for a third offense. Fines have also been increased for underage drivers with a BAC of .05 percent or greater. Authored by Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange.

Vehicle Trunks

   AB 1850 makes it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle with knowledge that a person is riding in the trunk and makes it an infraction for a person to ride in the trunk. Putting passengers in the vehicle trunk has become a growing practice among teen drivers attempting to circumvent the Graduated Drivers Licensing passenger restriction. Authored by Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy, R-Monrovia.

Smog Check

   AB 1870 requires a visible smoke test be included in bi-annual smog check program. Under the new law, any visible smoke from the tailpipe or crankcase of a vehicle during an inspection will result in a failure. Authored by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View.

Cell Phones

   SB 1613 prohibits the use of handheld wireless phones while driving except to call emergency services personnel or a public safety entity. The law exempts emergency personnel while operating an authorized emergency vehicle and until July 1, 2011, exempts tow truck drivers and other specified commercial truck drivers who use a two-way radio service device that utilizes a wireless telephone, which operates by depressing a push-to-talk feature. The fines (including penalty assessments) for a first violation is $68 and $170 for a second or subsequent violation. Takes effect July 1, 2008. Authored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto.

Emergency Vehicles

   SB 1610 requires freeway drivers, when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or tow truck that has its emergency lights activated, to make a lane change so that the driver is not traveling in a lane directly adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck. The new law also prohibits tow trucks from displaying flashing amber warning lights on a freeway unless an unusual or extreme traffic hazard exists. Authored by Sen. Simitian.

Unauthorized Towing

   AB 2210 increases protection against unfair vehicle towing practices. Currently, some towing companies illegally tow vehicles and then demand exorbitant fees for their return. The law makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $2,500, three months in county jail, or both, for a person to charge a vehicle owner an excessive towing or storage rate, which is set by the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over that area. Authored by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles.

Global Warming

   AB 32 requires the Air Resources Board to establish a mandatory reporting system to track and monitor greenhouse gas emission. The law establishes a limit on greenhouse gas emissions in California, reducing them to 1990 levels by 2020. Takes effect Jan. 1, 2008. Authored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley D-Agoura Hills.

Car Keys

   SB 1542, co-sponsored by AAA of Northern California, will make it easier for motorists to obtain replacement keys for their car when the original has been lost, stolen or broken. Taking effect Jan. 1, 2008, the new law requires manufacturers to provide the codes that are necessary to make a replacement key 24 hours, seven days a week to registered, prescreened and bonded locksmiths. Under the current system, motorists stranded at night or on the weekends are frequently forced to wait until car dealers' service departments open for business. The passage of SB 1542 means that AAA can better serve its members when they need help with a vehicle replacement key and benefits the motoring public overall. Authored by Sen. Carol Migden, D-San Francisco.

Transportation Funding

   Passed by a 77 percent majority, proposition 1A prohibits the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline, which currently raises about $2 billion a year, from being used for any purpose other than transportation improvements.

   Approved by 61 percent of voters, proposition 1B authorizes the sale of $19.9 billion in bonds to relieve traffic congestion, improve air quality, repair streets and roads, upgrade highways, improve the seismic safety of bridges, expand public transportation and improve anti-terrorism security at shipping ports.  

Dec. 27

Bundy Francis, left, and Terry Clark in their new office at 10-A Nove Way.

Farmers office moves to Valley Springs Plaza

   Terry L. Clark Insurance Agency of Valley Springs has moved to a new location at 10-A Nove Way.

   For the past 11 years, Clark’s Farmers Insurance Group office had been at the Thomas Center, 15 St. Andrews Road, Suite 10.

   Owner-Broker Terry Clark and Agent Bundy Francis provide all lines of insurance including personal, business, life and financial services.

   “If we don’t write it, we’ll find someone who does,” said Clark, who is ending her term as president of the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Rotary Club of West Calaveras County. She is a Certified Insurance Counselor, which requires five annual tests and continuing education.

   Francis, a licensed agent, has been in the insurance business for nine years, five years with Clark Insurance.

   Clark cited more office space, a more convenient location for clients and better parking for clients as the reasons for the move.

   She added that Farmers has reduced rates the past two years and has become really competitive in the marketplace.  

Dec. 20

Steve Kearney

Thomas nominates Kearney for planning commission

By Nick Baptista

   A man with an extensive civic service resume has been nominated by Supervisor-elect Russ Thomas to serve as District 5’s planning commissioner.

   Steve Kearney, the store manager at Longs Drugs in Valley Springs and president of the Valley Springs Boosters, has been chosen by Thomas to represent the district on the Calaveras County Planning Commission.

   Kearney’s nomination will go to the full Calaveras County Board of Supervisors at the Jan. 2 meeting for consideration. It will be Thomas’ first meeting representing District 5 since his election to the post in November.

   If the board approves Kearney’s appointment he would begin his duties as District 5 planning commissioner at the planning panel’s Jan. 4 meeting.

   “I’ve been involved in a lot of things in Calaveras County and a chance to do this is really exciting,” Kearney said of his nomination. “There’s some really exciting things going on and it should be an exciting time in the county’s development, especially in this part of the county.”

   In addition to Kearney’s appointment, Thomas said he would like to see the supervisors adopt a resolution at the Jan. 2 board meeting commending current District 5 Planning Commissioner Wes Hodgson for his years of service to the county.

   “He’s in a unique club of being both a supervisors and a planning commissioner and I think he’s proud of that as he should be,” Thomas added.

   In nominating Kearney, Thomas said he was looking for someone who was knowledgeable, well respected and well known in the community. In addition, he was looking for someone from the Valley Springs area of the district to help provide a balance and diffuse any election rumors that the area would not have adequate representation.

   “In reality, Steve knows Valley Springs and Rancho Calaveras and with me on the board it provides the best of both worlds,” Thomas said.

   Thomas said he spent several months talking with various people about serving and in Kearney he found a candidate who was well qualified, ready, willing and able to serve.

   Kearney is a graduate of the University of California, Davis with a degree in political science and public service. He has been with Longs Drugs for 29 years, almost 12 of which have been as the manager of the Valley Springs store. He has been the store manager since the opening of the Valley Springs location.

   He has lived in Rancho Calaveras for six of those years and spent five years residing in Mountain Ranch.

   The fact that Kearney had lived both inside and outside of the district was another aspect that influenced Thomas.

   “It’s another attribute he brings to the table,” Thomas said. “He has more breathe of knowledge about other areas of the county and that should help him perform his duties.”

   A significant factor in the selection Thomas said was Kearney’s involvement with the Valley Springs Boosters and its major undertaking of putting on the annual fireworks show at New Hogan Lake.

   Thomas said the effort demonstrated Kearney’s ability to organize, execute and perpetuate a program.

   Kearney said he is proud of the annual fireworks show, but it is not the only thing the Booster do. The organization awards an annual grant to help area schools fund special programs, donated $1,000 to purchase a new grand piano for Calaveras High School, sponsored the fireworks program at the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life and donates bicycles to needy children in the community.

   Longs is supportive of Kearney’s interest to serve on the county planning commission.

   “They have supported me in all of the community activities I do,” he said.

   Working through the Longs Foundation, Kearney has helped secure grants for playground equipment at Jenny Lind Memorial Park in Valley Springs and for construction of Turner Park in San Andreas.

   Kearney has also been a past president of the Valley Springs Chamber of Commerce, an interim board member on the county Chamber of Commerce and served on the Calaveras County Fish and Game Commission.

   The planning commissioner grew up in the Lodi area and spent much of his recreation time in nearby Calaveras County. He said he could remember the days when Camanche was a town before it was flooded to make way for the lake.  

Patrick, 6, and Tatiana, 2, Carvalho visit with Santa Claus during his Monday evening ride-along with the Jenny Lind Fire Protection District.

Santa, firefighters comb area for last-minute lists

Efforts continue Thursday, Friday nights

By Nick Baptista

   If the initial night is any indication, the Jenny Lind Fire Protection District might have a new Christmastime tradition.

   Engine 116 was all decked out with Christmas lights and a wreath for Santa Claus’s arrival and ride-along Monday night through portions of the fire district. St. Nick was accepting any last-minute requests from children in the fire district’s neighborhoods.

   Fire Chief Brian Chavez-Ochoa said the response was overwhelming. The fire district and Santa will also team up for ride-alongs on Thursday and Friday.

   “It was absolutely incredible,” the chief said, with children and their parents waiting at a number of street corners for the engine. In addition, the phones were ringing off the hook at the fire station with requests for Santa to stop by at particular addresses.

   “The volunteers were really stoked and excited when they got back,” the chief said. “Nobody envisioned the response we got. It was absolutely fabulous.”

   So much so, the district might make the Santa ride an annual tradition, he said.

   The engine plans to go down Hartvickson Lane, Rippon Road, Cox Drive, Dunn Road toward Highway 26, Berkesey Drive and Blake Lane on Thursday, Kirby, Gabor, O’Reilly, McAtee streets, Owens Way, Pardini Place, Redman, Sparrowk and Hedgpeth roads on Friday.    

Dec. 15

The Printz Dance Project from the Bay Area will present its vibrant athleticism at a Feb. 3 Ovations performance.

Ovations' series begins Jan. 6 with the New Christy Minstrels

   Five performances will be featured this winter in the “Ovations” performing arts series presented by the Calaveras County Arts Council.

   The series, which begins Jan. 6 with two performances by The New Christy Minstrels, will also feature Pacific Coast Horns on Jan. 21, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir on Feb. 3, Printz Dance Project on Feb. 17 and Duo Concertante on March 18.

   For 26 years the non-profit arts agency has been presenting a variety of high quality concerts to the rural residents of the Gold Country.  All performances in the series will be in the Bret Harte Theatre, 323 Highway 49, Angels Camp. 

   Call Calaveras Arts at (209) 754-1774 for the season tickets, which are now on sale for $105 per adult. Single tickets for individual concerts are $25 per adult and will go on sale Dec. 15. Single tickets can and be ordered on line at www.highsierratickets.com.  There are reduced rates for children up to age 18 and for groups of 12 or more.

   The New Christy Minstrels are back for a pair of Ovations concerts at 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 6. You may recall the sixties when their chart-topping “Green Green”, “Today”, and many other hits kept them admired for decades. Founder and Artistic Director Randy Sparks, who resides in Calaveras, will be joined by seven “minstrels” to perform their fresh pop-folk music, still popular around the world. Expecting a large audience, two shows will be presented.  Re-live the excitement.

   The Pacific Coast Horns will perform at 3 p.m. Jan. 21. This brass quintet performs classical to swing and everything in between, and because the group also sings, you can expect barbershop melodies and more. Talented and personable, they’ve toured the world at Walt Disney theme parks, and have performed at the Grand Ol’ Opry, Monterey Jazz Festival, and for the Holland American Cruise Lines. Their music is on the soundtracks of many TV shows and movies.

  The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir performs at 3 p.m. Feb. 3. This energetic 16-member ensemble choir with band has the power to uplift people from all walks of life. Regardless of your faith, the music is healing. Their reputation has led to performances with Linda Ronstadt, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Carlos Santana, and at jazz festivals in New Orleans and Monterey, and at an Oakland concert for Nelson Mandela. Leader Terry Kelly has twice won the Gospel Academy Award for Outstanding Director.

   The Printz Dance Project will take the stage at 3 p.m. Feb. 17. The 8-member Bay Area company performs in a style from joyous to playful, and sensual to fierce, blending dance techniques that include modern, jazz, ethnic, ballet and hip-hop. Movements are fascinating to watch, and many of their dances, which show strong, vibrant athleticism, focus on the emotional issues of daily life, even the humorous parts.

   Duo Concertante will perform at 3 p.m. March 18. Classical music talent runs in the family. Pianist Wolfgang Fetsch and his daughter, violinist Anita Fetsch Felix, are an awesome pair who play as one, elegantly and smoothly, as if commanded by one mind, one heart. Their imaginative interpretation and seamless playing of violin and piano duo literature have them appearing before appreciative audiences from Mendocino to San Diego.  

Dec. 13

Tillie Soyland, left, presents the Valley Springs Area Business Association's Citizen of the Year plaque to Dolly and Bob Paden.

ABA selects Padens as 'Citizens of the Year'

By Nick Baptista

   Bob and Dolly Paden were honored Sunday evening as the Valley Springs Area Business Association’s Citizens of the Year.

   The presentation was made by ABA Past President Tillie Soyland at the organization’s annual Christmas Dinner held at La Contenta.

   Bob and Dolly have been on the ABA’s board or advisory panel from the mid 1990s to 2005, Soyland said. Bob was instrumental with the ABA’s highway clean-up efforts, while Dolly was the chairman or co-chairman of the ABA’s annual Christmas Parade for five years through 2004.

   In addition, Bob was in charge of organizing and cleaning the ABA’s box car storage unit at the park, maintaining a new flag at the ABA’s flagpole in downtown Valley Springs, and hauling the ABA’s tent and sugar shack to a variety of events for many years, Soyland said.

   Family and friends joined the Padens for the presentation.  

Dec. 8

Tom Coe outlines the property San Joaquin Delta College is seeking to obtain from his family for a satellite campus near Valley Springs.

Delta College pursuing land

for campus in Valley Springs

By Nick Baptista

   One man’s vision for Valley Springs to serve as a center for higher education and the vocational arts reached a milestone earlier this week when the San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees decided to pursue the purchase of property along Paloma Road.

   Delta trustees on Tuesday voted 6-1 to authorize Delta Superintendent/President Raul Rodriguez to begin the real estate purchase and donation option process with the Tom Coe family to acquire the property, which is located between Highway 12 and Campo Seco Road.

   The college intends to use the property for a Calaveras County educational center and Coe has additional plans to integrate the proposed community college satellite campus with his vision of a private vocational arts learning center and industrial park.

   The college is seeking the acquisition of approximately 60 acres, 40 of which it would purchase for the negotiated price of $1.4 million.

   Coe has approximately 700 additional acres in the area for use as the trade school and a number of other related activities. The property is zoned M-2 for heavy industrial and includes the sawmill off Paloma Road and the clay pits known as the Flintkote Foothill Quarry.

   “It’s a dream coming true,” said Coe, who purchased the property in 1989.

   There is no timeline for construction in Valley Springs, said President Rodriguez. He said it would take a year to 18 months for the college to complete the due diligence process before purchasing the property and at that time college officials would begin developing a construction timeline.

   A decision earlier this week by the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors to place a temporary moratorium on new development in the county would have no impact on the college’s pursuit of the property, Rodriguez added.

   “We’re not worried about it,” he said. “You have to let infrastructure catch up with growth. It’s a good thing to slow down at times.”

   In the long term, the area will have the necessary population to support the satellite campus, he said, and it will also draw students from outlying areas such as Amador County.

   In addition, actual construction of the college would be exempt, he added, although he did not believe there would be a moratorium when the college is ready to build.

   Coe foresees the entrance to the campus in the vicinity of the old Gerberding Ranch. After a small rise off Paloma Road, the property levels off to serve as a parking area.

   In addition to the community college’s offerings, Coe, who began his career as a tool and die maker, envisions his private apprentice program for students of manufacturing and machinery who will be in an apprentice program for five to seven years and work with small- to medium-sized manufacturers who will have facilities on the property.

   He also foresees an interrelated system where students will learn the culinary arts by handling food services on campus, landscaping by maintaining the grounds, fire safety and health services.

   The combined facilities will serve as an incubator for productive and creative people and foster the spirit of the entrepreneur, he said.

   Coe, who is a member of the Friends of Valley Springs LLC, is working closely with the development group and will donate right-of-way for a proposed trail system, which could extend from La Contenta to Lake Pardee.

   “Tom’s support and cooperation with the Friends of Valley Springs has been tremendous,” said Dave Tanner of Tanner Consulting Group and Friends of Valley Springs LLC.

   “Enrollment at the campus will come with good positive growth,” Tanner added.

   Coe said he is simply a steward for the land created by God and he wants the community and the whole world to enjoy it.  

Dec. 6

More Christmas Parade Photos

Sheng Chi Kung Fu took best cultural demonstration and best of show at Saturday's annual Christmas Parade.

Sheng Chi wins best entry at ABA Christmas Parade

By Nick Baptista

   The multi-cultural demonstration by Sheng Chi Kung Fu of Valley Springs captured the attention of the judges Saturday to capture the grand prize trophy for the 23^rd annual Valley Springs Area Business Association’s Christmas parade.

   Sheng Chi’s block-long demonstration included a traditional Chinese dragon and gold-laced Foo Dog, along with students performing their martial arts.

   The event, which traditionally kicks off the holiday season in west Calaveras County, attracted 32 entries and a large crowd along Daphne Street and in front of the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial Hall where the annual Crafts Faire was under way.

   The VSABA’s Citizens of the Year – the Belmont family, Bob and Virginia Belmont and daughters Gail Belmont and Diana Gigliotti - were the parade’s grand marshals.

   The remaining parade winners were, by category:

Mail: P.O. Box 1297, Valley Springs, CA 95252 
A Division of B&H Publishing