WHERE TH’ HELL IS RICHVALE?

When I told my little blond I was writing an article about the historic milestone Richvale will celebrate Saturday June 27th, she said  “who is Richvale?”  I replied “It’s not who…it’s where.”  She asked “Where is Richvale.”  We’ve lived in Butte County since 1985 and everybody should know where Richvale is…RIGHT?  Wrong!  All I could tell her was “It’s somewhere west of Oroville.”

Richvale isn’t a city…and it’s certainly not a town.  It’s a community, and certainly a vital part of the California rice industry.  On June 27th, the community celebrates its 100th anniversary…and the public is invited to join in the celebration.

It’ll be fun for the whole family…and get THIS:  The activity-filled day is entitled “Mosquitoes, Mud, and Memories.”  That should tell you a lot about the community of Richavale of a hundred years ago.  But this is a hundred years later and they don’t worry about mosquitoes and mud anymore.

The festivities kick off at 8:00 AM with a pancake breakfast, and thoughout the day, the public can enjoy music,  check out the displays featuring antique farm equipment which toilers of the soil had to work with a hundred years ago.  A retrospective of the history of Richvale starts at 9:00 AM.

There’s no admission charge, but if you get there in time for breakfast, it’s only two bucks.  If you stay for lunch, lunch tickets range from four to eight bucks depending on how hungry you are.  The whole celebration is a community charity event with all proceeds going to the Community Foundation of Richvale, and the Richvale-Biggs Education Foundation.

Richvale is home to some of the most productive rice fields, and of course, rice is a dominant industry in the Sacramento Valley and contributes more than 1.3 billiion dollars annually to our state’s economy.

And so…back to the question “Where th’ hell is Richvale?”  It’s west of Oroville, located off Highway 99, by taking a turn at the Richvale Highway.  There are signs there, and signs pointing the way to the celebration as you approach the community off Richvale Highway.  The public is encouraged to come out and enjoy the celebration of Richvale’s 100th anniversary.  Bring the kids, too.  (Just don’t tell ‘em how educational the event will be.  Let ‘em discover that n their own.

VETERANS HONOR BREAKFAST

It’s that time again – time to honor all military veterans for their service to our country.  Each year during the month of June, the Veterans Honor Breakfast is held on the massive grounds of the Community Church of God in Chico.  It’s located on the corner of east Avenue and Ceres, right across from the 7 Eleven.

The date is Saturday June 20th, 8 to 11:30AM.  The public is encouraged to come out and enjoy breakfast cooked up by the Sheriff’s Pancake Wagon and consists of sausages pancakes, juices and coffee.   All veterans eat free.  Non veterans pay only $4.00

There will be military displays, veterans group displays, vintage military vehicle displays, color guard presentation and a Special Veteran of the Day presentation by Congressman Wally Herger.  I’ll be there as Master of Ceremonies again this year.  This is an event that can be appreciated by the whole family.

Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling 345-4300 or purchased on the grounds during the day of the event.  Breakfast starts serving at 8AM.  So why not join us for an area-wide celebration to honor all veterans who have served to protect our country.  A day for everyone – enjoy it with your family.

Its sponsored by the Chico News and Review, KNVN TV and KHSL TV.  If you have any questions regarding the event, just click on the word “comments” below.  I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

A VERY SICK STATE!

While Californians were concentrating on the special election ballot measures, our lawmakers (both Assembly and Senate) were quietly passing the “Harvey Milk Gay Day” bill which (unless vetoed by the governor) will affect children as young as kindergarten.  SB 572 directs every public school in California to conduct “suitable commemorative exercises” every May 22nd in support of the radical sexual agenda of Harvey Milk.

While only one Republican voted in favor of the bill (Sen. Abel Moldonado) not a single Republican Senator stood up to speak out against it.  So far, not one Republican has called on the governor to veto it.

What’s really interesting about this “in your face” vote by our legislature is that it runs counter to a statewide poll by Survey USA.  That poll in early March found that sixty nine percent of Californians OPPOSED creating Harvey Milk day” while only 19 percent approved.  In spite of the poll’s results, the democrat-controlled Senate and Assembly thumbed its noses at us and in effect said “screw you!”

It’s obvious that our democrat-controlled legislature is determined to promote the homosexual lifestyle as a role model for our children.  Randy Thomasson of Save California.com says “It’s absurd–the gvernment school system teaches children not to smoke or use drugs, yet SB572 will teach children as young as kindergarten that homosexuality is good and healthy.”

According to the California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report dated March 2009, homosexual and bisexual behavior causes up to 82 percent of all HIV transmissions in California…and yet…the text of SB572 states that “On Harvey Milk Day, exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk, and recognizing his acomplishments as well as the contributions he made to this state, should be conducted; specifically, all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe, and conduct suitable commemorative exercises.”

I, for one, couldn’t care less if some sicko gets his jollies by dipping his wick in a cesspool…but when that sicko tries to tell our school kids that it’s normal and healthy (and our Democrat-controlled legislature agrees) then it’s obvious….California has become one VERY SICK STATE!

IT’S ONLY ONE VOTE – BUT IT’S MY VOTE!

My DMV renewal notice arrived in my mailbox on Wednesday, May 13th.  After opening it, and seeing how much more it’ll cost me to register my 1997 Chevy, it reminded me that I hdn’t yet filled out my absentee ballot.  I immediately put the DMV renewal form down, and opened the envelope containing my ’special election’ ballot.  It was with great pleasure that I filled in the NO oval of each ballot measure except 1F.  That’s the only one that got my ‘yes’ vote.  No pay raises for lawmakers when the state faces a deficit.

Why?  Rather than cut frivolous spending, our lawmakers in their questionable wisdom decided to take more of my limited income to pay for their lavishness.  Then, they have the audacity to add a ballot measure that would increase the lengfth of time the new tax increases remain in effect.  Gawd…I hope the electorate turns these propositions down.

And yes, I’ll admit, if the props fail, our lawmakers will punish us!  They’ll see to it that additional cuts will be made that’ll be excruciatingly painful–to us, BUT NOT TO THEM!  Hopefully the pain to us will be so severe that we’ll not forget it when 2010 rolls around and it’s time for us to elect new state legislators, and a new governor.

What really ticks me off…lawmakers and the gov are telling us “We don”t have enough money to pay the state’s bills, so we’re gonna’ take more money away from you, and if you can’t pay your bills, THAT’S TOUGH.  DEAL WITH IT.”

Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed filling out my vote-by-mail ballot.  I realize it’s only one vote…but it’s MY vote…and it’s the only way I know to send the message that the incompetence of our state legislature must END, and that as a citizen and resident of this state, I’m sick and tired of being ripped off by elected officials who believe it’s their right to live high on the hog on my money.

I have to budget according to my income.  THEY SHOULD BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE STATE’S INCOME.  Hopefully, Californians will send that message loud and clear on Tuesday, May 19th.

JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT

The ever-popular “Jukebox Saturday Night” series, now in its ninth year, will return to the Paradise Performing Arts Center this Memorial Day weekend.  This nostalgia-filled event takes the audience back to the Big Band era and the time surrounding World War II. 

 The same basic show-series was originally called “Stage Door Canteen” and revived the feel of the old USO shows.  As with past Memorial day Weekend big band shows, the Skyliners, the North State’s preeminent Big Band, will be providing the music and performing specialty numbers. 

 Joining the Skyliners this year will be Paradise’s pride and joy, Don Wolheim’s Paradise Dancers. These  talented young people will, at times, be performing many of the dances that were popular during that period.

“The Best of Jukebox Saturday Night” featuring the Skyliners with special guests, The Paradise Dancers, will be at the Paradise Performing Arts Center, Saturday evening, May 23rd at 7:30.     It will be my pleasure to once again serve as Master of Ceremonies.  Tickets for the show are on sale now in Paradise at the Performing Arts Center Box Office, the Country Touch, the Senior Center and Fir Street Gallery.  In Magalia, you can purchase tickets at Whisker Pines on the Skyway.  Call 872-8454 for tickets and charge by phone.  Also, ask about the Group Savings advantage.  You can also buy tickets online at www.paradisepeformingarts.com.  Some of the local sponsors of this event include the Paradise Post nd the Town of Paradise.

FROM GOLDEN STATE-TO FOOL’S GOLD

For a scant few moments this past week, I felt that our state legislature had finally gotten the message.  Leadership begins at the top and painful cost-cutting measures should start there.  The reason for my jubilance came in the form of Senate Bill 44 which would’ve begun the elimination of those frivolous do-nothing boards and commissions which merely serve as “weigh-stations” with six figure salaries for termed out, over the hill lawmakers.  A companion bill was introduced in the Assembly.

I thought to myself…”by golly, I do believe they’ve finally gotten it.  They’re finally serious about really cutting unnecessary and wasteful spending.”  The Integrated Waste Managemnt Board would be just the beginning…then…like dominoes, the others would fall, saving the state literally millions and millions of dollars.  It would be the “blowing up of the boxes” promise made by Arnold Schwarzenneger if we would all just elect him as our new governor.

Then came the vote:  Senate Bill 44 was defeated by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and Assembly Bill 1150 was killed by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.  Here’s how Steve Weigand of the Sacramento Bee put it: “Faced with the choice of saving between 2 and 3 million dollars a year, or PRESERVING A POTENTIAL AND LUCRATIVE POST-LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT HAVEN,  Democrat lawmakers in both houses torpedoed both bills.

That action, folks, is tantamount to spitting in the face of every taxpayer in this state.  Our democrat-controlled legislature just doesn’t get it.  In the wake of forced furloughs, layoffs, home foreclosures, etc., our state legislature feels the solution to the budget problem is higher taxes on those who still have a job.  And to rub salt in the wound, they want to extend the recent tax increases an extra two years…and they’re asking voters to approve that idea by voting ‘yes’ on Proposition 1A.

Someone once told me California’s state legislature was a “laboratory for liberal ideas.”  Frankly, I believe its time voter shut that laboratory down.  Look what it’s done to the Golden State.

THE PROPAGANDA IS IN THE MAIL

The onslaught of campaign mailers leading up to the May 19th special election, are in the mail.  The latest one states “Local Leaders Agree:  It’s Time to Limit State Spending.”  Right off the bat, at first reading, I’m sure you’ll think “Yeah! Limit state spending.”  Also on the front page of the flier, it reads, “Stabilize California’s Budget and Economy.”

Yep, I certainly agree.  Limit state spending and stabilize California’s budget and economy.  (Then comes the shaft.)  “Vote Yes on Props 1A through 1F.”  So now, we take a look insde the flier to see just how voting “yes” can bring all this stabilization and limits on state spending to fruition.

The page reads “Get California’s economy moving again.  Vote ‘yes’ on props 1A thru 1F.  It states “These measures will LIMIT SPENDING, hold politicians ACCOUNTABLE and PROHIBIT PAY RAISES for legislator any time the state budget has a deficit.”

What it does NOT say:  Voters went to the polls years ago and took pay raises out of the hands of politicians and placed the duty in the hands  of a bi-partisan commission.  That commission determines when, and how much lawmakers salaries will be boosted.  There is nothing in 1A thru 1F that declares that commission’s decisions null and void– defict or no deficit.

The flier states that Props 1A thru 1F will STABILIZE THE STATE’S BUDGET by locking in a tight spending cap and force politicians to save money in a rainy day account.  Sounds vaguely familiar with Congressman  Wally Herger’s Social Security Lockbox bill.  That bill was designed to keep politicians hands out of Social Security Funds.  It passed the House…failed in the Senate.  result?  No locbox.

How about the voter-approved bill to tax the state’s millionaires to fund mental health programs?  Our lawmakers are in the process (by virtue of this upcoming election) to steal that money and transfer it into the general fund.  A spending cap?  With Democrats in control?  Never happen.  Rainy day fund, just for tough economic times?  Who and what determines when the time is ripe to raid that fund?  Democrats, who are in control?

And finally, the flier states:  GET ALIFORNIA BACK TO WORK by voting ‘yes’ on 1A thru 1F.  It states “These measures will help get our economy moving and put people back to work.”

In order to see through that charade, you must ask yourself…how does increasing state income taxes put people back to work?  Taking more money out of YOUR pocket means less eating out, less money for discretionary spending, less consumer spending altogether.  How is that suposed to get our economy moving and put people back to work ?  How is doubling the car tax going to put people back to work?  How is increasing the sales tax gonna put people back to work?

1A thru 1F, if passed by the voters, will increase the current pain of this recession.  Yes, I know, we should SHARE THE PAIN.  And I agree that we should share the pain, and I would be more than willing to share the pain if our lawmakers would share the pain equally.  But, unfortunately, they’re not even considering it.

Did you notice in the Sacramento Bee, the massive pay raises legislators have just bestowed up their staffs?  All the while, state workers are being forced to take unpaid furloughs

THE FED GIVETH – THE STATE TAKETH

On his radio address last month, President Obama said “I’m pleased to announce this morning, the Treasury Department began directing employers to reduce the amount of taxes withheld from paychecks, meaning that by April 1st, a typical family will begin taking home at least $65 more every month.  The aim is to put more money in the pockets of Americans and stimulate the economy by increasing consumer spending.”

Sounds good…but what the Fed giveth, the state taketh away to the tune of 1.8 billion dollars out of the pockets of California taxpayers.  To add insult to injury, voters are being asked to go to the polls next month in a special election and vote to increase the length of time the newly enacted state taxes will remain in effect.  We’re being asked to DOUBLE the length of time we’ll agree to be ripped off.

Being a native Californian, I would ordinarily be inclined to do my part by voting “yes” in order to help the state in its dire fiscal situation.  Ordinarily!  (Because we should all share the pain, right?)  People are losing their jobs, their homes, falling behind on their bills, while elected officials are secretly granting pay raises to their staffs.  Per diem sessions are gaveled to order in our state legislature, which adjourn, and lawmakers go home flush wth their tax-free per diem money in their pockets for having done NOTHING except show up for a few minutes.

Termed out (and defeated) politicians are given plush assignments to boards and commissions along with six-figure salaries;  boards and commissions that meet once or twice a month…sometimes only once a year.  Even the governor pointed out how the state’s Integrated Waste Management Board isn’t necessary, and recommended getting rid of it.  It’s members earn six-figure salaries–and as the Sacramento Bee pointed out, “It’s main purpose seems to be to function as a place for former legislators or gubernatorial staff members to land $132,000 a year jobs.”

A government task force put together a 25 page report recommending the elimination of 12,000 state jobs and hundreds of appointed positions, all deemed FRIVOLOUS, SUPERFOULAS AND UNNECESSARY.  The state would save 32 billiion dollars over five years.  Politicians kept most of the task force recommendations from being implemented.  Meanwhile, some lawmakers hire family members as “consultants”…at hefty salaries and benefits.

So, as of April 1st, Californians are suffering under a full percentage point increase in the sales tax, a .25% increase in state income taxes, a massive decrease in dependent tax credit (slashed from $309, down to $99.)  Translated, that’s costing you $210 per child.  On May 19th, the car tax will more than double…and yet…none of these new taxes was necessary.

There are multi-billions of dollars in obvious government waste that could’ve been slashed from state spending.  Our legislators know it, the governor knows it, the bureaucrats know it.  I personally think it’s time Californians FORCED them to do something about it instead of ripping off the taxpayers.  You can do your part by voting NO on all five ballot measures come May 19th.  At least, the rip-off would only last two years, not four or five.

SUNSET HILLS REBORN!

One of the best places in Chico to learn the intricacies of golf was the Sunset Hills Golf course.  Located on Garner Lane getween highway 99 and the Esplanade, the nine-hole 3-par course was the perfect place for the beginner.  That’s where I contracted the disease known as GOLF.

From the driving range to the putting green, Sunset Hills had it all.  Even a little kitchen where a golfer could grab a cold beer after a round, or a coffee roll and coffee depending on the time of day.  Even supplies for a golfer, from gloves to balls to clubs.

Then something happened a few years ago.  The course became dilapidated, overgrown with weeds to the point where all that was left was an unkempt driving range and a mere three holes which nobody wanted to play.  The reason of course, was the probability that Walmart would buy the site to build its new super center.  The course fell into disrepair.  It was so sad.

Sunset Hills became pretty much like a ghost town compared to it’s heyday.  Most beginner golfers eased over to Skypark, those that became good golfers became regulars at Bidwell, and an occasional prodigy, perhaps Tuscan Ridge.

I went to Skypark on Friday and counted eleven golfers waiting to tee off.  So, I went over to what used to be Sunset Hills to get in some swing work on the driving range.  To my surprise, Sunset Hills was like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.  Watson Dobbs, manager (and golf pro) had spent months breathing new life into the course.  Backbreaking work for one man, dedicated to the sport of golf.

All nine holes had been renewed, the driving range ready for all who need some work on their swing.  The putting green, eager to challenge those who need the challenge.  (Remember the ol’ saying…drive for show, putt for dough?)

Sunset Hills is back in business!!  The greens have yet to fully mature, but for beginners, it’s the best place to learn and practice the sport, from driving, to short irons, to putting.  It’ll probably be another month before the greens have matured, but for those that want to become infected with the sport of golf, Sunset Hills is the place for it to happen.  IT’S BACK!!

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

The combined chorus of those calling for a Constitutional Convention here in California continues to rise in crescendo.  You see, they feel that our current state Constitution is responsible for this state’s ills. They want to delete it, and start over, rebuilding it from the ground up.  They say too many things standing in the way of progress…(read that Progressives…and read that…Liberals.)

Since Democrats are in total control of our state legislature, I thought it’d be nice if we examined how California’s new State Constitution might look if the democrats succeed in getting the Consttution they want.

First, the Preamble would have to go.  It currently reads “We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this constitution.”

Democrats and other liberals aren’t about to give credit to ANYBODY except themselves…plus there’s that ‘Separation of church and state’ stuff.  So, the new Preamble would read:  “We, the People of the state of California, grateful to Democrats and likeminded liberals, in order to secure THEIR  BLESSING do establish this Constitution.

The current Article in the Constitution which requires a two thirds majority to pass a budget would be history.  In it’s place…I can see it all now…”a simple majority is all that is required for passing a budget, unless Republicans are in control.  In that case, only five Democrat votes are needed, and no Republican votes are allowed.

Results of Proposition 8 (declaring that only marriage between one man and one woman is legal and recognized in California) would have to go.  In its place, we’ll find “Marriage is allowed for any and all without restrictions.  All that’s required is a profession of “love”…be it with a partner (preferably same sex), a sheep, goat, horse, three partners or ten, a park bench, lamp post or a knothole in a wooden fence.”  Gee, I’ve run outta’ space…but you get the idea.

Our current Constitution has done this state well.  It’s not the Constitution that has caused the quagmire in our state.  It’s the occupants of the state legislature.  If anything needs deleted…THAT would be the best place to start.

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