When he finished the book, he returned it to where he found it. He was delighted to see another book by the same author. He "stole" that one, too. And returned it to find another book by the same author. This happened about 5 times.
Years later, he learned that the librarian, Mildred Grady, saw him steal the first book. Mildred realized what Olly's predicament was and said nothing. But she did something -- Mildred and a friend went hunting for more books by the same rather obscure author. This way, they supported the fledgling reader.
That troubled teen is now a judge.
Here's the link to the story and audio.
]]>Important information for Smith River Fish Count 2009 (the 10th Annual!!):
1) Road Closures --Construction on South Fork Road will be stopping traffic for up to 4 hour periods on Friday July 24 --- with possible (but unlikely) 1 hour closures on the 25th. To reach Rock Creek Ranch on Friday the 24th, you will want to get up South Fork Road between 8 - 9 am, during the noon hour, or after 5 pm. So, come on Friday no later than 1:00, or miss the training and come after 5. If you can't come Friday night, you may have a one-hour delay on Saturday, so please plan accordingly. (I need to know of any expected Saturday arrivals asap).
2) Sunday Surveys -- Due to potential access limitations on Saturday, we are encouraging participation in a second day of fish counts on Sunday. These surveys are optional, of course, and may be more strenuous.
3) Cost -- The Smith River Alliance relies on donations from participants to cover costs associated with coordination, training, community food for the event, and Rock Creek Ranch. We are asking for $25/night (or what you are comfortable contributing) for a camping/use fee. However, this volunteer event will not be cost prohibitive, so please contact me about service trade options, if you are unable to contribute a night/use fee.
Gary will not be available to respond to emails past Sunday July 19. Come as you can. Gary's email is gary DOT reedy AT gmail DOT com
For emergencies or last-minute coordination, messages can be left for me at 707 954-0254 (Rock Creek Ranch).
]]>As we are well into the summer months, the Public Health Department would like to remind Nevada County residents that hot weather and heat can impact your health and safety. When the temperature is very hot outside, your body may not be able to regulate its normal temperature efficiently. This can cause you to become ill. Poor air quality days, characterized by high levels of ozone, make you more susceptible. Some individuals are particularly at risk such as children under five years of age, adults over sixty-five years of age, pregnant women, people with illness (especially lung or heart disease) and people on certain medications.
It is important to take precautions to protect yourself from the dangers of hot weather:
With heat-induced illness your body may cease proper regulation. This can result in confusion and if severe, in death. Watch for the following signs:
If you develop any of these symptoms, get to a cool environment immediately. Obtain medical care if these symptoms persist for more than an hour. If symptoms worsen and/or include a very high body temperature (oral thermometer registers 103 degrees); red, hot, dry skin or the absence of sweating; the loss of consciousness or convulsions, seek emergency medical treatment.
For additional information, view the Centers for Disease Control presentation on Extreme Heat at:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/pdf/heat_guide.pdf
]]>The Smith River Alliance invites all swimmers and wild-fish-enthusiasts to participate in the 2009 Fish Count. Come help us track the abundance of California's healthiest population of coastal cutthroat trout — big fish in every pool! We will also be on the lookout for the rare summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon, some of which are seen every year. Participating snorkelers will experience wild fish in their native habitat, and also enjoy the unsurpassable beauty of the Smith River while floating among the canyon walls and searching within the clear water.
This event contributes to an annual program monitoring summer populations of adult fish in the Smith River. Training and leadership will be provided by experienced participants. Data collection is coordinated with the California Deptartment of Fish and Game and the U.S. Forest Service.
Training and coordination will take place at Rock Creek Ranch, ideally situated on the South Fork Smith River. Camping is available to participants beginning the afternoon of July 24 and ending July 26. Donations requested for camping and food items provided.
The nearest motel and store is located in Hiouchi, 10 miles away. Children are welcome, but only good swimmers older than 12 years may participate in the count. Please do not bring your dog.
Friday Training: An "entry-level" river snorkeling and fish identification workshop will be held on Friday from 1:00-5:00. This training is fun and is required for all new participants who want to collect data on Saturday. Experienced fish snorkelers are encouraged to help with the workshop and improve their skills.
Saturday Schedule:
8:00 am — Registration begins
9:00 am — Instructions and Team Assignments — Don't be late!
9:30 am — Safety and Equipment checks
10:00 am — Depart Rock Creek Ranch in carpools
5:00 pm — All data and equipment returned — BBQ begins!
What to Bring: Mask and snorkel, full body wetsuit and dive hood. Wetsuit gloves are recommended for all but the tough, hot-blooded type. Booties with soles, or wetsuit socks and shoes to swim in Flexible fins are recommended for those with experience using them. Small durable pack with lunch, water bottle, and sunscreen. Bring camping gear, including lantern and solar shower, if you have one.Musical instruments!
Food: Bring high energy snacks for a lunch, breakfast, beverages, and cooler with own ice. Pasta and red sauce will be provided for Friday dinner. Bring bread, salad, sides, etc. Saturday BBQ will be available. Bring grill items and potluck dishes.Kitchenware and outdoor kitchen provided.
Equipment: Please come prepared. Wetsuits, hoods, masks and snorkels may be rented at Pacific Quest Dive Center in Crescent City. Call them at (707) 464-8753. The Smith River Alliance has limited equipment that we use to supplement gaps or inadequacies.
Directions: Rock Creek Ranch is located 8.0 miles up South Fork Road which starts at Highway 199, 12 miles northeast of Crescent City and 7 miles west of Gasquet. South Fork Road crosses the Middle Fork, then the South Fork, then turns up the South Fork canyon. The driveway for Rock Creek Ranch is located immediately after the signs for five small streets (Madrone, Cedar, Oak, Pine, and Fir) and will be marked.
Please RSVP by email before July 20 to: gary DOT reedy AT gmail DOT com
See you in the water!
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There will be many of us that decide to leave the area for a change of scenery or to visit family and friends this summer, and it is for those that I have compiled the list below to help you save as much fuel as possible. All of these tips can also be applied to your daily driving habits year round.
1. Stay local. Nevada County is a truly amazing community with nearly unlimited sources of recreation! By staying local, you are saving yourself money on gas and you are also providing our local businesses with much needed revenue.
2. Always accelerate and decelerate smoothly. Quick starts waste fuel; and hard stops will prematurely wear out brake pads.
3. Slow down. Every 5 mph over 60 can cost at least 10 cents per gallon at the pump!
4. Keeping your vehicles in tune and changing your oil regularly (usually every 3000-5000 miles depending on the vehicle) is an easy way to ensure good mileage.
5. Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires will quickly steal mileage and cause tires to wear out prematurely. This alone can save over 3% in mileage!
6. Clean out clutter from your car trunk or truck bed! The extra weight of clutter or seldomly used equipment and other items are causing your engine to work harder and burn more fuel.
7. Keep bicycles, cargo carriers, etc. off the roof of your vehicle whenever you can. These items impede the aerodynamic design of your vehicle.
8. Check and replace your vehicle's air filters. Replacing your air filters on a regular basis can improve mileage as much as 10%.
9. Use cruise control. Using cruise control whenever it's safe to do so saves fuel by maintaining a constant rate of speed.
10. Car Pool, use Public Transportation, or Telecommute whenever possible.
Have a great summer!
]]>Just take your old electronic devices to Hills Flat Lumber, Grass Valley location, at 380 Railroad Avenue on Saturday, June 27th some time between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Apparently everything will be recycled-- nothing will go to landfill!
Here is a list of items they will accept:
Computer Monitors and Televisions
Computer Equipment
Office / Business Equipment
Lab / Scientific / Medical Equipment
Media
Batteries
Misc.
Flourescent bulbs/tubes
Broadcasting Equipment
Since the bird seemed injured, Rachelle and Elizabeth took it to Wildlife Rehab & Release.
As I write this, I don't know how the little one is doing.
When we got close to the bird, it puffed itself up and snapped its beak. The parents above circled and made strange noises. The WR&R person told us that the parents might attack us. She said that they would bark like a dog before attacking. We were able to get the bird into a small dog crate and to WR&R without incident.
]]>Donner Memorial State Park, Emerald Bay, Bodie, Kings Beach, Malakoff Diggins, Mono Lake, South Yuba River State Park (Bridgeport), and Empire Mine State Park.
This is a huge problem for our area. Not only are these places that we love to visit ourselves, but our economy relies on people coming and visiting these places.
The Legislature's Budget Conference Committee will consider the Governor's plan to close 200 state parks tomorrow June 2.
Contact the Governor's office and your state legislators. You can do this easiest through Save Our State Parks.
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