August 2020

MINERAL CALIFORNIA NEWS

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News

►Blue Flag Watch - Conserve Water by 10%

Mineral is under a Stage 1 Blue Flag Watch. We are asked to voluntarily conserve water and reduce usage by 10%. Blue flags are placed at the entrance to each subdivision to alert residents that the MCWD Water Shortage / Drought Contingency Plan has been initiated. Find information on the Water page of the website Thanks to John Frehse for all he does to keep Mineral’s water fresh and available.

►Letter of Intent to Buy Mineral School!

At our recent twice monthly Community Call on Zoom, Pete Dailey announced that he has submitted an LOI to the School Board to purchase the Mineral School building. Thank you Pete for your commitment to Mineral!

►CalFIRE Inspectors Visit Mineral

This year, inspectors are conducting three visits, two weeks apart, and will issue citations for properties without 100’ of defensible space. A fine of $400 accompanies the 3rd citation. If fines are received 3 out of 5 years, homeowners receive a misdemeanor. The 3rd visit is planned for Aug. 5th. If needed, ask for help.

►New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Electric Vehicle Charging Station project at the Park is being completed this week!

►Mineral Memorabilia Wanted

If you have Mineral memorabilia (especially old skis) that you are willing to donate to the Lassen Foundation Auction on Sept. 19th, contact Jennifer Finnegan at (530) 768-1110.

►Emergency Page Added to Mineral Website

An emergency page has been added to the Mineral website. In an emergency, share messages with neighbors, by adding comments.

►Sheriff’s Local Emergency Notifications

Sign up for TEHAMA ALERT emergency alerts or fill out the form & mail to the Sheriff’s OES at P.O. Box 729 Red Bluff, CA 96080.

►Fire Updates as of Sun. July 27th

The Hog Fire is burning along Highway 44, 5 miles W. of Susanville. It began on July 18 and has burned 9,545 acres and is 60% contained.

County Road A-1 is closed from North of the water tanks. Hwy 44 and 36 are re-opened. The Gold Fire is burning near the junction of California Route 139 and Lassen County Road A-2 near Adin. It began on July 20, has burned 21,870 acres and is 55% contained.

NPS photo by fire lookout Ranger Wendy of the view of the Caldwell Fire as seen from the Schonchin Butte fire lookout approximately 8:00 p.m. on 7/24/2020. Courtesy Dacite Chronicles.

The July Complex 2020 Fire (Caldwell Fire) in Lava Beds National Monument began on July 22 is at 46,082 acres and is 20% contained and the park remains closed.

►PG&E Contractors Trimming Trees

The PG&E subcontractors have been spotted trimming trees away from power lines. They’ve been friendly, introducing themselves. Thanks to all for their greatly appreciated efforts!

►New Mineral California Magazine

Dora Sanchez has agreed to join the Mineral communications team to create the Mineral California Magazine, a free digital magazine emailed to subscribers. Featuring Mineral’s people, stories and environment, the magazine will continue the themes of community, conservation and preservation. Dora will begin interviews Aug. 3rd. Please email what you love about Mineral to mineralcalifornia@gmail.com.

►Public Health

Even though the number of positive COVID-19 tests has increased in Tehama County, the hospitalization forecast has decreased. Check for updates on links at our Public Health page.

► Ongoing Mineral News

Check the latest Mineral news on the news page of the Mineral California website.

Conservation

►Dumpster Days for Green Waste Disposal

Do you have a truck or trailer? We need your help! The next Dumpster Day is August 1st! The first Dumpster Day held on Saturday, June 27th, was a great success! Thank you to Green Waste for donating dumpsters and staff at the Park Headquarters so that Mineral residents who are Green Waste customers could deliver green waste, free of charge. Many community members could be seen making multiple trips! Thanks to everyone who took this opportunity to make Mineral safer and to the Park staff for hosting the event at the Park Headquarters and working all morning. Congratulations to Amber for finishing raking at her home! Thanks to Jim R. for capturing the picture on one of his many trips throughout the day! If you have a truck or trailer and are willing to help on the morning of Aug. 1st, or if you have piles of pine needles and branches needing raking or pick up, email us at mineralcalifornia@gmail.com.

►Amanda Way Trail Clean-up Project

Jan B. and John F. spent the first Dumpster Day removing downed fuel that they and other volunteers consolidated during and after the first Amanda Way Trail Clean-up Project day. Thanks to Ralph for burning debris piles for several days after the event! Jan estimates that, in addition to Nor-Cal Tree Experts’ donation of crew for the day, the 23 other community members who volunteered on or before June 18th put in at least 220 hours! All who attended remarked on how much fun we had, how much we learned, and how great it was to be together, while still social distancing. Since many others have volunteered. Thanks to Celia for many hours of work in preparation for the 2nd Dumpster Day. Contact Jan to help remove the remaining pine needles and branches on Aug. 1st during Dumpster Day.

►The New Hwy. 36 Multi-Use Path

CalTrans will be hosting a meeting during August, but the date is not yet set. Meanwhile, send letters to advocate for the path. Read the latest on the website’s Paths page. Contact local liaison Pam B. with any questions.

►Tehama Conservation Fund Support

Many thanks to Brin Greer and her colleagues at Tehama Conservation Fund! They have been exploring Mineral’s conservation needs and interests to match us with grant opportunities.

►Post Office Flag Pole Project

Thanks again to Eric and Alethia Jablonowski of Nor-Cal Tree Experts and their hard-working crew. They have donated a second project to the community to cut down two dead trees and trim branches around the flagpole, so the new flag can be raised without interference.

Preservation

►Sewer Improvement Meeting on July 5th

Read notes from the community meeting.

►Sewer Arterials Inspections Due Aug. 30th

Reminder: videos and statements from plumbers are due to Speero (385-1462 x3025) by Aug. 30th. Check the website for plumbers offering Mineral specials.

►Time to Check Chimneys

Beat the fall rush by having your chimney checked and swept now. Chimney sweep and HVAC care providers are listed on the website.

► Martin Creek Water Intake System Improvements Completed

See Jim Richardson’s update and photos of the improvement on the website’s Water page.

Shop Local

►Mosquito Bites Bugging You?

Try Cathie Gasper’s Natures Remede for relief.

►Looking for Services Providers?

See the website’s Service Providers page.

►New Red Fox Baseball Caps!

The Lassen Association has new Sierra Nevada Red Fox Ball Caps in brown, light blue and light green in their online store. Support the Association and the Park with your purchase. (Order now while they are still in stock.)

►Calling All Junior Rangers!

While in the Lassen Association online store, check out the Jr. RangerLand North American Animal Paper Puppets Craft Kit for kids.

Activities & Special Events

►Zoom Community Calls

Date: Wednesdays, Aug. 5^th & Aug. 19^th, Time: 6–8 pm Join the community Zoom call & spend some informal, virtual time with neighbors. Call-in information and notes from past calls are on the website’s community call page.

►Aug. 1st Mineral Dumpster Day

The last 2020 Dumpster Day will take place at the Park HQ August 1st from 8 am to 1 pm for free green waste disposal for Green Waste customers. Email us if you need help.

►Aug. 1st Take a Hike!

Lassen Association's Manzanita Lake Guided Hike starts at 4 p.m. on Aug. 1st. See the flyer and register online.

►Aug. 5th CalFIRE Inspectors Return

The third and final planned visit of the season will mark the last chance for defensible space clean up before fines are issued.

►Aug. 8th & 29th Tehama County Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Dispose of HHW at the Tehama County/Red Bluff Landfill HHW Facility.

►Aug. 10th Mineral County Water District Board of Directors Meeting

The MCWD Board will hold their monthly meeting on Aug. 10th. Read previous meeting’s notes on their website. To apply to join the Board, the application is on the MCWD website.

►Aug. 14th-15th Virtual Dark Sky Festival

Join the Park in celebrating all that is out of this world at Lassen's first virtual Dark Sky Festival. There will be no on-site events in 2020, however you can still explore from your own spot under the night sky.

►Sept. 5th 9:00 a.m. Labor Day Walk!

Walk from Mineral Lodge to Mill Creek Resort and get a milkshake! Your t-shirt orders support care of the flagpole and Mineral sign. Thanks to Sharon and Vikki for coordinating for the past 17 years!

►Sept. 18th-19th Photo Workshop

Lassen Association will host the 2020 Nature Photography Workshop in the Park on Sept. 19th, with an educational class on Sept. 18th. See the flyer and register online.

►Sept. 19th 6:00 p.m. The Lassen Foundation Peak Experience Auction

Support the Foundation, the Park and camp programs when you bid on auction items at this year’s virtual Peak Experience Auction. Save the date on Sept. 19th and watch for free, live on YouTube or Facebook Live at 6:00 p.m.

►Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

Read the Lassen Volcanic Summer/Fall 2020 Guide and check the Park’s website for hours.

►Mineral Event Calendar

See the website calendar for interesting events taking place in the Mineral area or online.

►Share Google Photos of Mineral

Do you have photos in Google photos to share? Share with mineralcalifornia@gmail.com.

Open a PDF of the August 2020 Newsletter

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