MINERAL CALIFORNIA NEWS

JUNE 2024

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IT’S TIME TO GATHER IN MINERAL

Welcome back to the Spring/Summer 2024 season in Mineral California! Find below the latest news around town. To include information on the website and in the newsletter, email mineralcalifornia@gmail.com.

NEWS

►It’s Hot in Mineral!
It wasn’t that long ago that it was snowing, but now, it is starting to heat up in Mineral. Good news, it is still 20 degrees cooler than Red Bluff during the day!

►Let’s Support the Mineral Post Office

Jan Gravier mentions the Postmaster General is looking at smaller post offices and has asked her to get the numbers up for Mineral. If you’re able, stop by each week to pick up stamps. New at the Post Office: Ansel Adams stamps for a limited time.

►Planned Power Outage June 12th Shorter 

June 12, 2024 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Planned

The power outage lasted only half the day. Check the status of power outages on the PG&E outage website.

►Important: Mandatory Water Conservation During June/Early July 2024
The red flags at all entrances to Mineral indicate that Critical Mandatory water conservation is now in effect for Mineral County Water District customers through the month of June. On Sunday, June 2nd, customer meters were read. Residences should use no more than 100 gallons per day, which is 13 cubic feet.  Outdoor water usage is discouraged during this time; outdoor watering is prohibited from Friday through Monday.  Superior Tank Solutions is on site, and the tank will be completely offline this month for re-coating. The Battle Creek Meadow Ranch tank, which holds only 15.5% as much as the MCWD tank, is now supplying potable water needs for Mineral and the Ranch, which is also restricting use. Homeowners expecting guests should emphasize to them how critical conservation is during this period.  Flyers have been posted on every cabin. For more details, tips on conservation, and a listing of common appliance water usage, visit the Water Conservation page on the website.

►75th Anniversary of Mineral’s VFD!!!

Thank you to all of the volunteers throughout the years, as we celebrate the 75th year of the Mineral Volunteer Fire Department! Not only do volunteers respond to local fire incidents, they also support residents and visitors with many types of emergencies. We look forward to celebrating with you at this year’s pancake breakfast (information below). You might qualify to become a volunteer firefighter. Visit Tehama County Fire's website to learn more.

►Welcome to the New Park Superintendent, Roseann Worley and Husband Scott to Mineral!

Residents and Park staff were glad to spend time with Lassen National Park’s new Superintendent, Roseann (Rose) Worley and her husband, Scott at the first Tuesday Community Picnic & Softball event. Among other things, we learned that Rose has a background in Park service and Scott is an expert in preservation. Read more about Rose’s background in the NPS press release from earlier this year. Stop by a picnic to welcome them. Photo courtesy of NPS.

►Mineral’s Jim Richardson Retires as Superintendent, But Still is Actively Volunteering

Congratulations to Jim Richardson on his retirement as Lassen National Park’s Superintendent. A well known Mineral resident, Jim has been continuing his volunteer work as Firewise coordinator, raking club member and now Park volunteer, too! This photo from Paola Hinojosa shows Park alumni Jim Richardson and Karen Haner volunteering for Interpretation at the Park’s KYVC information desk.

►July Firewise & Community Meeting

For the latest in Mineral fire prevention news, come to the community Q&A with Jim Richardson on the Saturday of 4th of July weekend, July 6th at 1 PM on the Al Schneider Stadium ball field across Hwy. 36 from the National Park Service Headquarters.   Updates will include the status of the Firewise Council’s monthly meetings, RCD Updates, the recent grants to clear fire fuels from the Mineral area and various grants available to Mineral residents. All communities in Mineral work together as volunteers to make Mineral as safe as possible. Hear the latest information and how about available resources. This tends to be a big event, so you may want to bring a folding chair, cold drink and hat.

►2023 Firewise Certificate for Insurance

Our volunteer Community Firewise Council works to keep our community increasingly safe against destruction due to wildfire. This includes efforts to reduce yard waste, high-risk trees and potential issues in case of fire. In case you need the Firewise certificate to receive discounts on your insurance, you can access it on the Fire Prevention page at www.mineralcalifornia.com/news/Fire-Prevention Jim reports: "The Firewise certificate is what our insurance agents are looking for to give us a discount on our home insurance each year.” 

►Park Open?
As of May 26, 2024, NPS’ Dacite reports:

Southwest Area Snow Conditions: A few feet of snow in the vicinity of Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center remains. View trail conditions on the NPS website.

Road Access: Lassen National Park Highway is open to Sulphur Works for vehicle travel.

Facilities: The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Lassen Association Store are open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm. Lassen Cafe & Gift Shop is open daily 9:00am to 5:00 pm. A Rangers' Choice program is offered at 10:30 on Saturdays and Sundays! Topics vary and may include: volcanoes, geology, wildlife, fire, history, wilderness, night skies.

Fire Management Operations:

►Recent Prescribed Burn Across from Park HQ

Lassen Volcanic National Park’s fire management staff initiated a 10-acre prescribed fire project in the Mineral Headquarters area in mid-May. This project was located at the western edge of the community of Mineral, CA, along State Highway 36 East and encompasses a portion of the Lassen Volcanic National Park administrative headquarters area. It lies among and directly adjacent to park administrative campsites and the ballfield on the south side of State Highway 36 East.

►Rest in Peace, Ron White

We are sorry to share the sad news of the passing of Mineral resident and Saturday night shuffleboard player extraordinaire, Ron White. We all extend our condolences to his family and friends and will surely remember him whenever we gather in Mineral.

►Memorial Day Weekend Memories
Although snowing only weeks before, it was a beautiful, sunny and breezy weekend throughout Memorial Day weekend in Mineral. View the Photos page on the website for the latest snapshots.

CONSERVATION

►Yard Waste Bins Coming June 15th to Mineral School for a Month - New Location This Year!
The most popular question in recent weeks is: when are the bins coming?! This year, Green Waste of Tehama County will be providing a community green waste bin at a new location - the Mineral School, starting on June 15, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. when they will have staff on hand to help residents dispose of their yard waste that they bring to the location. Afterwards, they will leave the bin for approximately one month. Get ready to bring your yard waste over for free disposal! Thank you Green Waste of Tehama County for supporting our local efforts! Also, contact Green Waste of Tehama County to request a dumpster at your property. More information can be found on their website.

Want to help the community clean up effort? If you see green waste bags piled alongside the road, these might be from volunteers cleaning up the public walkways. If you can dispose of the pine needles properly, please feel free to take and dispose of them. Keep the bags, or return to the same location. 

► PG&E Tree Trimming
Wright Tree Trimming is trimming trees and chipping branches from trees above the power lines. Read more about the various other programs to support residents removing yard waste and minimize fire fuels on the website’s Fire Prevention page.

►Wildfire Preparedness

Read more about wildfire preparedness on our website's Preparedness page. Maintaining 100 feet of defensible space around habitable structures is a wildfire preventative practice. Landowners are required to create and maintain defensible space and those within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone are encouraged to do so, as well. 

►Defensible Space

Are you eligible to receive FREE help through the Tehama Conservation Fund's Defensible Space Assistance program? Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/rcdtc/tindersmart-dsa-application If you’ve applied, but haven’t heard the status of your request, you can apply again to trigger a current response. If you haven’t applied, you still can. A new chipper is available, so if you schedule your clean up and chipping June 15th -July 15th, you can also use the public green waste bins. To schedule, contact tcf@tehamacountyrcd.org or (530) 727-1280.

►Mineral Raking Club

Grab a yard waste bin and join the club by raking pine needles and green waste from around your property. Need help? Bring it up at the Breakfast Club and you may find some neighbors to help. Volunteers are encouraged to pick up green waste raked alongside the road during the month when the green waste bins are available in Mineral. 

►Sierra Nevada Red Fox (SNRF) Project

Lassen National Park reports in their Dacite publication that California Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff have completed the final winter season trapping Sierra Nevada Red Fox (SNRF) in the Lassen population to deploy GPS collars. Maria Immel, Biologist - Red Fox Study shares that this winter they collared two new foxes, one male and one female. Both individuals are young and appear to now be a mated pair. Over the last seven winters, they collared a total of nine SNRF, seven females and two males. Collar data has allowed them to identify territories (they are huge!), locate four den sites, gain insight into seasonal distribution across the landscape, assess longevity, and much more. This winter they were able to identify a minimum of six individuals within the Lassen population. Surveys have provided further evidence of the critically small size of the Lassen SNRF population. This summer CDFW will begin a population census across Lassen using scat surveys. Researchers are also currently collaborating to evaluate the feasibility of augmenting the current population through translocation. 

PRESERVATION 

►Water District Board of Directors Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Mineral California Water District’s Board of Directors is held the second Monday of the month at the Water District building. 

►Former Gas Station Has Holes & Fire Pits
Unfortunately, the building that formerly held the Mineral Gas Station now has holes exposing it to the elements. It appears fires have been hosted in open, makeshift pits near the wooden building and brush.

►Sewer Reminder - No Wipes

It wasn’t that long ago that we looked on at the local sewer tour as each flushed wipe was removed by hand, so remember that wipes go in the trash. Interested in a tour of the local sewer plant? Email us at mineralcalifornia@gmail.com with convenient times to schedule an event for this year.

►Beware of Falling Trees
In spite of our best efforts to keep trees maintained, sometimes they fall… on houses! This was the case this Winter, so beware of falling trees and branches, especially during windy and snowy weather.

►What’s New at the Lodge?
New light green umbrellas adorn the Mineral Lodge Restaurant patio, making it shadier and cooler than ever, while maintaining the bright light at our tables. In addition, new souvenirs have been stocked in the store and throughout the restaurant. Get a sneak peek of some of the goodies on the Shop Local page of the Mineral California website.

COMMUNITY

►Mineral Cards Game

Every Other Wednesday, 6:00 P.M. 

Come play Mineral Cards, a 37 year old tradition of a unique version of rummy played every other Wednesday. It’s free to play and snacks are provided. During the Summer, the game starts at 6:00 p.m., so that Park staff can join after work. Contact Pam for details or stop by the Breakfast Club to learn more.

►After Dinner Shuffleboard At the Lodge

Saturdays, 8:00 P.M. 

Walk over to the Mineral Lodge Restaurant for the weekly Shuffleboard game on Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. Dinner is served starting at 5:00 p.m.

►Mineral Lodge Breakfast Club

Sundays 10:00+ a.m. at Mineral Lodge

Join the locals for breakfast each week at Mineral Lodge and catch up on the latest news while enjoying a good meal. Don’t worry about being late, as people roll in throughout the day.

►Father’s Day at the Lodge

Looking forward to seeing Fathers and families at Mineral Lodge on Father’s Day when the Restaurant will have regular menu and hours (8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.).

►Softball and Community Picnic

Every Other Tuesday 6:30 PM - June 4, 18, July 2, 16, 30, August 13, 27 at Schneider Stadium Ballfield Across from the Park HQ

The community tradition continues! Join Park staff, residents and visitors for a community softball game and picnic. Feel free to join in softball, or just visit, eat, BBQ, roast some s'mores, do some crafts and/or simply enjoy the company of neighbors. Bring food to eat and if you like, bring food to share.  Volunteers: Love raking? Join early to rake around the BBQ pits.

►Summer Events in Chester and Red Bluff
From local farmers markets to concerts to themed food events and parades, Chester and Red Bluff have events each week. Check the calendars on the website for upcoming events.

►Yard Sale Weekend BEFORE 4th of July

Visit Mineral’s local community-wide yard sales as residents share what you just might need. Due to the many activities during the weekend after the 4th this year, the Yard Sale is the weekend before the 4th of July. Feel free to setup a yard sale at your location.

►Fourth of July Weekend
It’s an exciting and busy weekend throughout Mineral and Chester. The full July event calendar is available on the website to view or print, but here are the highlights:

TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2024

6:30 PM Softball & Community Picnic

Schneider Ballfield (Across from Park HQ)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2024

6 PM Mineral Community Cards

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024 

Fourth of July in Chester

8 AM Elks Pancake Breakfast 

9:30 AM Chester Fun Run

10 AM-3 PM Annual Chester Park Crafts Fair & BBQ

11 AM Chester Parade from Collins Pine Park

2 PM Chester Rotary Duck Race

9 PM Fireworks Over Lake Almanor

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2024

Community Meetings

10 AM Mill Creek HOA & Fire Meeting in Mill Creek

11 AM Mineral Stringtown HOA at Schneider Ballfield

1 PM Mineral Community & Firewise Meeting at Schneider Ballfield for Firewise Update

7 PM-9 PM "Music Under the Stars" with Decades at Lake Almanor Country Club, 600 Clifford Dr.

SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2024

8 AM- 10 AM 4th of July Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast at Mill Creek Resort

NOON Peace & Love Photo at Mill Creek Resort

►Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, Parade and Community Raffle

Sunday, July 7, 2024 8:00 a.m. at Mill Creek Resort

Celebrate the Mineral Volunteer Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary with the beloved annual pancake breakfast, parade and community raffle.

►Annual Peace & Love Photo After VFD Breakfast at Mill Creek Resort This Year

Sunday, July 7, 2024 Noon at Mill Creek Resort

►Annual Mineral Community Walk Now Going from Mineral Lodge to the Mineral Summit
August 31, 2024; T-Shirt Forms Due July 22nd

This year, we will meet at the intersection by the Mineral Lodge and begin our walk to the Summit, a new route being taken for the first time! Rumor has it lemonade might be available at the top courtesy of the neighborhood kids. Walkers can return to the Lodge after the Walk for snacks, drinks and community time with our neighbors. Want to walk part of the way? Drive to meet walkers.

►August S’mores & Crafts 

Saturdays August 10 and  August 24, 2024 5:00 pm

at Volcano Campground Behind the Post Office 

For those of any age who like roasting s’mores or crafts, stop by for some Summer Camp-like fun. It’s a busy summer, so only two dates are scheduled, but if you’re having a big party in town and want to schedule another, email mineralcalifornia@gmail.com

►Any Interest in Local Walking Tours?
During August on Fridays at 4 p.m., we are planning Stroll and Chats throughout the various areas of Mineral to talk about history, nature and conservation. These informal chats encourage residents to share their history with each other and visitors, while getting some exercise and enjoying the beauty of Mineral. Interested tour hosts, please let us know at mineralcalifornia@gmail.com. 

LOCAL SHOPPING & SERVICES

►New Souvenirs at the Mineral Lodge Store

Mineral Lodge Store has a LOT of new souvenirs. View some of the photos on the Shop Local page of the Mineral California website and stop by the store.

►Mill Creek Resort Online Store
Mill Creek Resort has cozy sweatshirts and t-shirts at their online store.

►Mineral Music Lessons with Marcus

Marcus is now offering music lessons! Start learning piano or guitar, right here in Mineral! It’s never too late to start. If you’re interested, contact Marcus at mineralmusic@proton.me.

►Chester Nursery

Chester Nursery is now open with a beautiful selection of plants and yard supplies and decor.

CALENDARS

►MineralCalifornia.com’s Google Calendar

See the website calendar for events, including trash pick-up. Plus, add the Mineral California Google Calendar to your calendar 

►Community Binder in the Post Office

Find the Community Binder in the post office on the counter. Peruse flyers and find “take one” calendars, reference flyers and postcards. Have something to share? Add to one of the empty plastic inserts. 

►Mineral Flyers & Calendars

To print out the calendars and flyers you see in the Community Binder or on walls and bulletin boards around town, find them at www.mineralcalifornia.com/flyers.

HAPPY SUMMER MINERAL!