Press "Enter" to skip to content

MCT: Wednesday, October 16, 2019

* * *

A FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA this afternoon through this evening, generating light to moderate rain. Cooler weather with a chance of showers will follow Thursday and Friday. More widespread rain is expected late Friday night through Saturday morning, followed by possible showers through Sunday. (National Weather Service)

* * *

Fred Martin – Physicist, Bottle Bill Architect, Mountaineer

Frederick Martin died on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 at his home in Santa Rosa, California. He was 86 years old and died of a heart ailment.

Fred was born Dec. 2, 1932 in Los Angeles. His mother, Margaret Martin (nee Meiners), was Dutch-born, and his father Reginald Martin, was born in England.

Education/Work – Fred was a keen scientist from a young age and received a scholarship to California Institute of Technology, where he graduated in physics in 1955. After a stint at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he got his masters in physics from University of California at Berkeley in 1959, and he also worked toward a PhD at the University of Maryland. He went on to work as a research physicist at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), where he participated in the first experiment on the accelerator, scattering neurons off of protons.

“We were looking to see if there was a difference between scattering a neuron off a proton or an electron off a proton,” he said. “There wasn’t.”

In 1969-70 he lived in Meyrin, outside of Geneva, Switzerland, while he did an 18-month stint at CERN, building a film measuring device. He returned to SLAC, where he was in charge of scanning and measuring bubble chamber film and participated in a number of experiments on the side, working with Ben Chertok’s group in the late 1970s.

After leaving SLAC he worked briefly at TCI and then joined GTE (later Verizon), where he worked in laser communications until his group was disbanded in the early 1990s.

He was co-founder and co-owner of Nest Environmental Services, a firm that measured auto dismantlers’ and other companies’ run-off water for compliance with storm water pollution control regulations. Nest was founded in the early 1990s and sold in 2012.

In 1998 he lived in Falls Church, Virginia for a year while serving as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) fellow advising lawmakers in Washington, D.C. It was a challenging year to try to engage people on the Hill about science. “The only thing anyone was interested in was Monica Lewinsky,” he said.

Outdoors and environmental activism – In the 1950s Fred got into rock climbing and was active with the rock climbing section of the Sierra Club. He climbed with Royal Robbins and other leading climbers of the era and is mentioned in a number of climbing memoirs from that period. His early climbing trips were to the Tahquitz rock east of Los Angeles.

In the 1950s he summited Mt. Whitney several times, including the East Buttress. In 1957 he traveled with a climbing expedition to Peru, where his group made several attempts at 16,000-foot peaks in the Cordillera Blanca. Another major expedition was to the Saint Elias Mountains in Canada, where his group made first ascents of the highest unclimbed peaks, including Mount Slaggard. He climbed extensively in Yosemite, and he climbed Ship Rock. He climbed a number of the 14,000-plus peaks in the Sierra Nevada, and he also climbed in the Canadian Rockies.

Fred was an active member of the Sierra Club for many years and served as chairman of the Loma Prieta Chapter around 1977-1978.

He was a founding member of Californians Against Waste, a group that successfully pushed for beverage container deposit legislation that became known as the California Bottle Bill.

Retirement – After living most of his adult life in Menlo Park, California, Fred moved to Philo, Mendocino in 1999, where he lived on his 40-acre property he called L’Hermitage, with a view of the Anderson Valley. In his retirement he volunteered with the Anderson Valley Fire Department, with a Navarro River conservation group and as a science and math tutor at Anderson Valley High School. He placed his property into a conservation easement to preserve the redwoods and wildlife. After moving to Santa Rosa in 2018 he continued to tutor math and science at Maria Carrillo High School and Roseland University Prep.

Hobbies – Fred was passionate about the mountains and continued hiking and skiing for many years. He also loved classical music, opera and the ballet, and played cello with a number of groups and amateur symphonies. He was an accomplished wood worker and made many pieces of fine furniture in his wood shop. He was an avid photographer during his climbing days and donated to a Peruvian historical society his 1957 photos of the town of Yungay, Peru, which was buried in an earthquake and avalanche in 1970. He traveled throughout Europe and Latin America. He did extensive research on his English roots, traveling several times to the Clee Hill area in Shropshire, where his father’s family was from.

Family – Fred was preceded in death by his son Geoffrey Howard Martin, in 1999, and by his first wife, Frances Sylvia Martin, in 2010. He is survived by his second wife, Janet Morris, and her large and loving family. He is also survived by two daughters, Fiona Ortiz of Chicago and Stephanie Martin of Oakland, two grandchildren, Sherlock and Magali Ortiz, and by his sister Frances Osborne and niece Victoria Osborne, both of Grants Pass.

Fred requested that donations in his memory be made to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County.

* * *

MAN MISSING FROM SANTA ROSA MALL; COULD BE TRAVELING ON FOOT ALONG 101

Have you seen Dylan Kurtek?

Dylan Elias Kurtek, a 27-year-old man from Santa Rosa, went missing last Thursday, October 10. His last confirmed sighting was outside the Santa Rosa Plaza Mall around 5:30 pm wearing a dark blue/black polo shirt, khaki pants, black shoes, and possibly a black hat embellished with the “Charley’s Philly Cheesesteak” logo. His family is gravely concerned and asks if he is sighted please contact the Santa Rosa Police Department at (707) 543-3600.

[Photo from his half-brother Ian Bryan]

Dylan’s Thursday disappearance mirrors an incident that occurred approximately 6-8 weeks ago. According to his half-brother Ian, “he kind of sort of did this to us. He got overwhelmed in his head, he doesn’t talk about what’s bothering him and he walked on foot from Santa Rosa for seven hours. He started walking and continued walking.” He wound up in the town of Sonoma on the doorstep of his father’s girlfriend who then drove him back home.

Ian posited that Dylan could be heading south to visit a half-brother in San Francisco. This theory was corroborated over the weekend when Dylan’s father was distributing fliers in Santa Rosa and a homeless man told him he had seen Dylan and he was heading to San Francisco.

The black hat Dylan had with him when he went missing would have this logo from the restaurant he worked at in the Santa Rosa Plaza Mall.

The last text messages exchanged between Dylan and Ian the day he went missing [Screenshots from Ian Bryan]

Dylan worked two jobs at the mall including Macy’s and Charley’s Philly Cheesesteak. On the day Dylan went missing he had worked a 7:00 am-3:00 pm shift at Macy’s and was asked to cover a shift at Charley’s directly after which he obliged. He clocked into work at 3:30 pm, worked until he was given a break at 5:30 pm, and according to his half brother “I got a call from his manager asking if I’d seen Dylan because he never showed back up to work.”

Ian is concerned about his brother’s well being. He described Dylan as “ timid, polite, and calm” who “won’t say much unless you’re speaking to him”. He shared Dylan’s mother had medical professionals evaluate her son for various mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities. He described Dylan as having “bright, big hazel eyes,” “a boyish face,” weighing 185 lbs, about 5’10”

Another factor that has made locating him particularly difficult is the fact “he got his phone cut off a few days before he went missing,” Ian explained. “We were going to go this past weekend and put him on my plan.” Direct contact with Ian is not possible because his phone “can only use WiFi.”

At the encouragement of his half-brother Ian, Dylan relocated to his brother’s downtown Santa Rosa home in June from New York state where he had lived with his mother. Ian observed, “Dylan got honest with not doing much on his day-to-day. He was playing video games, drawing, playing guitar, he wanted to come out and prove he could do grown-up things.”

Ian and his wife reached out to the Santa Rosa Police department last Friday night to report Dylan missing. Cold Case Mendocino sought comment from SRPD regarding their search for Dylan and left a message with the appropriate investigative units. No personnel reached out in response.

If you see Dylan or know anything about his disappearance, email us at coldcasemendocino@gmail.com, message us via Facebook, or call in a tip at (707)560-1543. Other reporting options include calling the Santa Rosa Police Department (707) 543-3600 or Dylan’s half-brother Ian, (707)710-4408.

(Cold Case Mendocino works hard to tell the story of the missing and murdered. If you appreciate our efforts, please consider donating.)

* * *

* * *

SUPERVISOR GJERDE WRITES:

Between now and March, all of us on the Coast need to grapple with the future of the Mendocino Coast District Hospital, when we will vote on affiliation with Adventist Health. At a discussion held today, the Coast hospital's leadership expressed optimism that affiliation would be mutually beneficial for all three hospitals in the county. Not only would it keep the Coast hospital's doors open, they believe it would ensure greater services on the Coast. You can learn more at upcoming meetings next Monday at Fort Bragg Town Hall or next Tuesday at Caspar Community Center. Both community gatherings run from 6-8pm.

* * *

https://www.sfexaminer.com/features/jorge-arguetas-caravan-of-dreams/

* * *

POLICE 'CONTACT' LARGE ENCAMPMENT IN NOYO HARBOR

The scanner said (8:38 am) the Fort Bragg Police were dispatched to North Harbor Drive, the area directly underneath the Lt. Charles L Larson Memorial Bridge, for the report of a "large homeless encampment with RV's and subjects having aggressive canines."

This was reported to be "an ongoing problem."

According to a report from the scene, two police patrol units were dispatched.

They reported, "Two subjects counseled and will be leaving." They were told not to return.

CalTrans will also be asked if they could provide some signage down at the base of the bridge.

(Via MendocinoSportsPlus)

* * *

(WHITE HERON GIRL) is a well known heroine in Japanese traditional literature. From old graphic magazine of the theater.

* * *

SPARKS FLEW

To the Editor:

Re: AVA 9/18/2019: The Ranch fire was part of the Mendocino complex fires in 2018. It originated in Mendocino County, thus the name. Mr. Shields’ front page article stating that the Ranch fire started in Lake County is incorrect. It may have started "near" Upper Lake (whatever "near" means), but it clearly erupted in Mendocino County and could just as easily have been "near" Potter Valley. Hopefully Mr. Shields was more accurate in revealing the perpetrators name.

I note that Mr. Kyle faced no liability for the whole event. I often marvel at the stupidity of people making sparks at the height of the day with a red flag warning in place.

Gwyn Jones

Lakeport, Lake County

* * *

* * *

ON OCTOBER 10, 2019 at approximately 11:03 p.m., Officers were dispatched to the Mendocino Coast District Hospital Emergency Room for the report of a female sexual assault victim. Officers conducted a preliminary interview with the female victim who stated she had been sexually assaulted in the restrooms on the South Coastal Trail. The Officers learned that the victim had known the suspect, Vincent Galvan, for several months intermittently.

During the day prior to the assault, Galvan and the victim had been together several hours before deciding to camp in the restrooms for the evening. The alleged sexual assault occurred while both parties were camping in the restroom, and the victim was able to fight off her attacker and escape.

Officers responded to the South Coastal Trail and discovered that the suspect had locked himself inside the restroom. Officers worked along with City of Fort Bragg Public Works in order to access the suspect safely. Once Officers gained access to the restroom, the suspect failed to obey Officers’ verbal commands and he had to be forcefully extracted. The suspect received minor injuries during the arrest.

The suspect was transported to Mendocino County Jail on several charges including those listed above. All indications are that this was an isolated incident and our investigation is continuing.

Questions regarding this press release or information related to the case may be forwarded to Sergeant O’Neal at (707) 961-2800 ext. 120 or e-mailed to toneal@fortbragg.com.

* * *

GOOD OLD AMERICAN JOCKEY Jr Briefs underwear ad from the 50’s.

* * *

JUST IN FROM THE WINE SPECTATOR

by MaryAnn Worobiec

Jackson Family Wines has announced the purchase of Balo Vineyards winery, vineyard and tasting room on Highway 128 in the heart of Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. The purchase includes the 14-acre property, with 6.5 acres planted to organically grown Pinot Noir, a winery with a 7,000-case production capacity, and a tasting room, but not the brand or existing inventory. The purchase price was not disclosed, but the property had originally been listed at $4.6 million by realtor Mark Stevens.

Tim and Michele Mullins founded Balo in 2003. They sold grapes to local vintners and made wine from their estate under the Balo and Avenging Angel brands. The site of a former sheep pasture, the Balo brand takes its name from the Latin term for "bleat like a sheep." The cozy tasting room was a popular spot for visitors who liked to gather around the fireplace in the cabinlike tasting room, or play bocce ball on the court outside. The Mullins were not available for comment.

The Jackson family first invested in Anderson Valley in 1988 when they purchased the Edmeades Estate. The company owns or farms more than 300 acres in the valley today, including Edmeades, Skycrest, Sable and Maggy Hawk. Most of their Anderson Valley vineyards are planted to Pinot Noir, but they have recently expanded their Chardonnay holdings. Today, the entire company produces an estimated 6 million cases per year across 40 brands and five continents.

"Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke fell in love with Anderson Valley in the late '80s, when only a handful of wineries were in existence in the region at the time," said Rick Tigner, CEO of Jackson Family Wines. "With the purchase of the winery and tasting room we have enhanced our presence in the valley, adding a resource for our small-lot winemaking and the opportunity to host wine lovers in the region."

The Balo vineyards and winery will be used for Jackson Family's core Anderson Valley wines, including bottlings from Copain and Maggy Hawk, as well as other wineries that work with Anderson Valley grapes like Hartford Court, Kendall-Jackson, La Crema and Siduri.

A major factor in the deal is the hospitality center, which will give the family a space for guest experiences and direct-to-consumer sales in the area. Jackson Family plans to upgrade the winery and tasting room over the next year.

* * *

AS THE SHROUDS OF FOG roll over the fields, frost cannot be far behind.

* * *

FEW PEOPLE would argue against life without the possibility of parole for a range of heinous crimes. No need to list them here but we all have our favorites, mine being violent crimes against children. But there are crimes that get their makers life without that were committed at a very young age and whose circumstances warrant another chance at life beyond the walls. There are several of these in Mendocino County, one of which I've often written about is Tai Abreu's case. New legislation has given Abreu a good shot at freedom because the law now says that if you are simply present when a murder occurs, only the killer gets life without the possibility of parole, not the people who happened to be present when it happened.

DA EYSTER has announced he'll re-try Abreu for the 2001 murder of Donald Perez, although there's no evidence against Abreu (or his co-defendants) that he was the killer and no evidence there even was a murder, the remains being so deteriorated that the cause of death could not be determined. There was, however, a surmise that Perez had been stabbed in the throat.

IF YOU CAME IN LATE, Perez, who'd driven to Fort Bragg from LA in anticipation of a second tryst with Stuckey, was robbed and duct-taped to a tree a few feet from the A&W Logging Road less than a mile from the Fort Bragg Police station. Abreu's two associates, August Stuckey and Aaron Channel, each received 25-to-life with, in Stuckey's case, the stipulation he must satisfy the parole board he is no longer the dangerous psycho he was when Perez was killed.

If Perez was stabbed in the throat while he was secured to the tree, Stuckey is my nominee for most likely perp assuming Perez, already strapped to the tree, was finished off with this wound to his throat. This drawing accompanied an abusive letter Stuckey sent me from prison.

LEIF BERKSON'S case is more problematical. As a very young man roaming Covelo in 1993, Berkson murdered 67-year-old Harvey Boynton, the popular owner of Perko's Restaurant in Willits. Berkson, driving a stolen Ford Bronco, encountered Boynton at the Boyntons' Hill Road property, Covelo. Boynton, armed with a shotgun, confronted the much younger Berkson who wrested the shotgun from Boynton and shot and beat Boynton to death with it.

BERKSON'S defense? He said he was afraid Boynton was going to shoot him, in which case it would have been enough for Berkson to simply take the gun and drive off. But he didn't, and here he is in prison where he has become an entirely different person, a person I would say should get a chance at parole.

Berkson's sister and Berkson write:

"My older brother, Leif Berkson was convicted of murder 25 years ago, when he was not yet 25 years old. He received a "Life Without Parole" sentence. In prison, he has educated himself, earning several degrees.

He mentors at risk youth as part of the Youth Diversion Program. He is a vegetarian, studies yoga and meditation, is a trained facilitator for the "Alternatives to Violence Program," and is a certified Drug and Alcohol specialist (Level I and II).

My brother Leif, and many others who were incarcerated at a young age, are hoping that Gov. Jerry Brown will make it possible for him, and others like him, to have their sentences commuted from LWOP to 25 years to Life. If [then] Gov. Brown were to grant this request, my brother would be eligible to appear before the Board of Parole Hearings—something that is not possible with an LWOP sentence.

As stated by Leif in his letter to Gov. Brown:

"It is difficult to express in words the great remorse and shame I feel for what I did. I cannot undo the events of that terrible day, I can only stay true to the vow I made to never create another victim, and to be a part of the solution instead of the problem. I'm involved in a number of groups which has not only helped me to re-humanize myself, but helps bring healing to others -and hopefully makes the communities we live in safer in the long run.

…I do not believe I 'deserve' or have somehow 'earned' a commutation of my sentence. How could I possibly use such terms when I am guilty of murdering a human being? Some things like redemption and a second chance can only be gifts freely given. I pray that God's mercy will allow you to see that I am not the same broken, and lost young man I was 25 years ago. I hope that you will sign this petition. Thank you for your time, and God Bless."

Please sign this petition, and email/write or call Gov. Jerry Brown if you feel that LWOP prisoners, who have shown they are ready to become contributing and positive members of society, deserve a chance to appear before the Board of Parole.

With sincere thanks,

Erika Haynes


Write to:

Governor Gavin Newsom

c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173

Sacramento, CA 95814

https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov39mail/

* * *

STEAM POWERED ELEVATOR, St Petersburg, 1903, Russia

* * *

GOVERNOR NEWSOM: PG&E MUST PAY FOR OUTAGES:

* * *

CALIFORNIA GETS ITS FIRST STATEWIDE RENT CONTROL, EVICTION PROTECTIONS

sfchronicle.com/politics/article/California-to-get-its-first-statewide-rent-14501172.php?

* * *

CATCH OF THE DAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019

Clontz, Donahoo, Fischer

JAMES CLONTZ, Marysville/Hopland. DUI.

CHET DONAHOO, Willits. DUI-drugs&alcohol.

TIMOTHY FISCHER, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-alcohol, probation revocation.

Hoaglen, Kostick, Maciel

TEVIN HOAGLEN, Covelo. Domestic abuse, protective order violation, probation revocation.

JEFFREY KOSTICK, Fort Bragg. Disorderly conduct-alcohol, probation revocation. (Frequent Flyer)

RAMON MACIEL, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-alcohol, probation revocation. (Frequent Flyer)

Martinez, Secker, Wyatt

ANDREW MARTINEZ, Ukiah. Metal knuckles, concealed dirk-dagger, community supervision violation, resisting.

NATHANIEL SECKER, Santa Rosa/Fort Bragg. Animal cruelty, trespassing/refusing to leave, probation revocation.

GARY WYATT, Ukiah. DUI.

* * *

WHAT EVIL EMPIRE?

by Jonah Raskin

When did the Cold War begin? In 1917! When, if ever, did it end? Never! What is its most dramatic moment? The dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki! Who if anyone won? No one!

These and other questions (and the answers that follow) are prompted by the publication of a big new book titled Cold Warriors: Writers Who Waged the Literary Cold War (Custom House; $32.50) by Duncan White, a book reviewer for The Daily Telegraph and an assistant director of studies in the history and literature department at Harvard, where Professor F.O. Matthiessen committed suicide in part because of the climate of the Cold War that touched nearly every aspect of academic life in the U.S. after the end of World War II.

Cold Warriors is an odd book, indeed. At times one wonders if the British Foreign Office hasn’t enlisted White. But perhaps it’s just that he has written for The Daily Telegraph for so long that he’s adopted the paper’s view of history.

White is the author of one previous study, Nabokov and His Books, and, while it’s not hard to see why he went from writing about the author of Lolita to writing about the Cold War, it’s also a huge and surprising leap. (Born in Russia, Nabokov lived most of his life in the U.S.) Lolita might be considered a product of the Cold War, though White doesn’t go there. White does include dozens of writers and some spies on both sides of what was called “The Iron Curtain” that influenced writers, readers, critics and philosophers on all sides of the divide, including the French existentialists who tried to forge a “Third Way” independent of East and West.

White would probably say that he aimed for objectivity, or at the least not to take one side over another. He would also probably say that he adhered to his game plan. One can find some even-handed comments throughout his book and criticism of both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R from the 1950s to the present day. But on the whole it does seem that he is more critical of Soviet authorities than he of their American leaders.

While he sees the suffering and pain caused by Stalin and Stalinism he doesn’t also see clearly the suffering and pain American writers and readers experienced under McCarthyism, The Red Scares, Nixonism, the Black List, the arrest, imprisonment, deportation and self-imposed exile by U.S. writers such as Richard Wright, Dalton Trumbo, Jules Dassin and by journalists who lost their jobs.

White would probably say that the Soviet Union and the Russians deserve harsher treatment than the U.S. and the Americans. He points to the gulags which were horrendous, though he doesn’t also point to the prisons in the American that had what amount to slave labor and that cast a dark shadow on the South and all across the nation. He also downplays the persecution of U.S. Communists, and their kindred on the Left: Socialist, Anarchists, Trotskyites and plain old-fashioned liberals.

Part of the problem with this book is that White didn’t live through the Cold War from about 1945 to about 1970, when American school kids lived in fear of the atomic bomb, which was the key weapon of the Cold War that prompted some of Allen Ginsberg’s best poems, including Howl and “America” in which he addressed the nation and said, “Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb.”

In the 1940s and 1950s, there was also the fear of a Russian invasion and subversion by internal enemies. Moreover, library books were burned all over the U.S., though President Eisenhower who warned of the “military industrial complex”—a product of the Cold War—and lambasted the “book burners.” Anyone who actually lived through that whole period would probably testify to the corrosive influence of Cold War thinking, the demonization of “the enemy” and black and white thinking that was greatly diminished by the radical movements of the Sixties.

In his Introduction, White writes that “One of the biggest challenges of this book was deciding which writers to focus on.” He adds, “some selections seemed obvious for the indispensible influence they exercised over the Cold War: George Orwell, Arthur Koestler, Boris Pasternak, and Alexander Solzhenitsyn.” There are more than a dozen other writers in this book, including Howard Fast, Stephen Spender, Mary McCarthy and Andrei Sinyavsky. Sartre is mentioned only in passing, though his international influence was immense.

What seems like “indispensible influence” to White could seem like less than indispensible influence to other scholars and writers. Had this book been written in, say, 1970 one could easily understand the major attention given to Koestler and Mary McCarthy. They did enjoy a brief moment in the pages of cultural history, but as we have moved away from the period that followed the end of World War II, their role and influence seem much smaller. Koestler created a commotion with Darkness at Noon, but beginning in the 1960s the darkness he wrote about faded fast. Once dominant figures, including Howard Fast, who reinvented himself as a novelist of historian novels, have become footnotes.

The sections on Mary McCarthy, Spender and Koestler don’t make a strong case for them to be rediscovered these days. Moreover, while Pasternak and Solzhenitsyn made big splashes in their day, they now seem like writers whose books became popular in large part because they were banned and censored. So was James Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice.

White argues that with the making of the film, Spartacus, the “the blacklist was broken and the specter of McCarthyism was finally exorcised.” Unfortunately one blacklist followed another.

Persecution based on political beliefs continued after McCarthy’s brand of McCarthyism faded, only to be replaced by Reaganism and Trumpism. White lambasts Putin but hardly says a word about the current U.S. president and he also totally ignores the phase of the Cold War that began in 1917 with the Bolshevik Revolution and that classic of Cold War literature, John Reed’s Ten Days that Shook the World, which Lenin endorsed and that was an opening salvo in the battles between the USSR and the USA.

In his epilogue White argues that, “Literature is no longer conceived of as a weapon to be deployed in cultural warfare.” One wonders how he could miss the partisan books, movies and TV shows that have been published since 9/11, and the start of the so-called “war on terrorism” that has in part replaced the Cold War.

Cold Warriors could be regarded as evidence that the Cold War has not ended, but rather has taken yet another turn, that includes the Beatles classic, “Back in the USSR” and the recent TV show “The Americans” which is about despicable Russian spies in the U.S.

(Jonah Raskin is the author of For The Hell of It: The Life and Times of Abbie Hoffman and American Scream: Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Howl’ and the Making of the Beat Generation.)

* * *

MAGAZINE COVER (October 1980) by Jean-Jacques Sempe

* * *

MONDAY MO MEMO

One Council member’s update for the week.

Last week the City of Ukiah Disaster Council hosted a meeting on Earthquake Preparedness and although attendance was low the information was valuable. The presentation will be made available on the City website soon. It's likely that the attendance was low because folks were concerned about the PSPS by PG&E. The City of Ukiah did not lose power during the PSPS (this time) and I am grateful for that but what I would like to mention is what a great job our team did to prepare. We had all hands on deck from our Emergency Services Administrator, our Electric Utility Director, our Public Safety Personnel, to our City Manager's office they met multiple times a day and were prepared to handle any kind of challenges. They also worked collaboratively with the County of Mendocino Office of Emergency Services to make sure that the information that was going out to the public was timely and correct. For more information about how you can prepare for a PSPS you can visit the City website: http://www.cityofukiah.com/psps/

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. If you haven't had a chance to see the mural being created by artist (and former Mayor of Point Arena) on the Church Street side of the Ukiah Valley Conference Center I highly recommend that you stop by when you have some time. The project is about half way complete and you can view the website here: https://goddess.graphics/mural-section. One of the most amazing things about the mural is how Lauren has incorporated the history of the Native Americans in Mendocino County in to the 200 ft mural. Each panel draws you more into the heritage of the people of this county.

Have a great week!

Maureen Mulheren mmulheren@cityofukiah.com

* * *

DONALD TRUMP’S ACTUAL RECORD on ending useless wars is not consistent with his actions. He has sent more soldiers to no good purpose in support of America’s longest war in Afghanistan, has special ops forces in numerous countries in Asia and Africa, has threatened regime change in Venezuela, continues to support Saudi Arabia and Israel’s bloody attacks on their neighbors and has exited from treaties and agreements with Russia and Iran that made armed conflict less likely. And he has five thousand American soldiers sitting as hostages in Iraq, a country that the United States basically destroyed as a cohesive political entity and which is now experiencing a wave of rioting that has reportedly killed hundreds. Trump is also assassinating more foreigners using drones based mostly on profile targeting than all of his predecessors. These are not the actions of a president who seriously wants to end wars even if one does not consider the economic warfare that is currently taking place through the use of sanctions that is reportedly killing tens of thousands."

— Phil Giraldi

* * *

MAJOR FELTON (1904 - 1975) American artist and illustrator of books and posters.

* * *

'GOD BLESS AMERICA'

AVA & Friends,

According to my local neighbor’s TV turned on at 11 AM Tuesday morning, a national poll says 51% of we American citizens want President Trump impeached and are thankful that this Thanksgiving someone else will be our president.

Yes!

Diana Farina Bangladesh Vance bangs her dish: Yes.

Fort Bragg

* * *

* * *

THE MENDOCINO CANNABIS ALLIANCE (MCA), a trade association serving cannabis businesses in Mendocino County, launched its membership drive on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 at the Town Hall Forum which MCA co-hosted with the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Cannabis Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee. During the event, County Supervisor Ted Williams asked, ‘How many of you are members of MCA or plan to become members?’ and hands went up throughout the crowd. Within three days the association has grown to more than 50 members.

MCA is firmly establishing itself as the leading organization representing the cannabis industry in Mendocino County during this existential shift to a regulated market, and the association is dedicated to advancing policy positions that will strengthen the local economy, protect the environment, and prepare local cannabis businesses for the opening of national and international markets.

Only MCA members will be eligible to nominate, or be nominated and elected to, MCA’s Board of Directors and Policy Committee. Additionally, MCA will be providing a growing array of benefits, resources and tools to foster a thriving cannabis industry in the county. Member benefits will include but are not limited to: discounted or free access to educational forums, workshops and presentations; Members-Only networking events; listing in the MCA Member Directory; up-to-the-minute updates on local, state and national policies; participation in member surveys on hot-topic areas of interest.

All types of cannabis businesses may join MCA online at MendoCannabis.com/join and pricing is tiered based on the number of full-time employees, except for ‘Legacy Cottage Outdoor’ cultivation businesses which pay a reduced rate of $25 per month regardless of the number of employees they have. Individual memberships are available for $15 per month for non-business members, and membership is free for patients and veteran supporters of MCA. Cooperative members and elders (60+ years old) receive a 25% discount. Membership and sponsorship opportunities for ancillary businesses and other non cannabis businesses will be available soon.

The Mendocino Cannabis Alliance serves and promotes Mendocino County’s world-renowned cannabis cultivators and businesses through sustainable economic development, education and public policy initiatives.

Press release from the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance

* * *

* * *

ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

As an American living in Canada, the Canadians I know sometimes ask me to explain all this.

I try to tell them that, even though Trump is a know-nothing blowhard, he has been working to expose the evil deeds of his opponents.

The fact is, Biden’s son got a payoff position from a Ukrainian energy company after being bounced out of the US Military for cocaine use; Fact is, Biden bragged about strong-arming the Ukrainians, and this footage is still available on YouTube. All this was reported here, and is uncontested.

Trump does not have to be virtuous or competent to be correct about the corruption in his opponents. People are having real trouble here, wrapping their heads around that.

They, and Americans, also seem to be losing respect for the rules of due process and evidence. I often hear, “I don’t care if the first whistleblower is only repeating hearsay–They should use what he says to get Trump out of there.” And, “Trump needs to go, and soon–Whether it happens legally or not makes no difference to me,” and, “Of course the whistleblowers have to remain anonymous, so Trump can’t have them killed.”

US Politicians have a long history of finding out dirt on their opponents and using it to promote their own political fortunes. Trump is not doing anything unusual in this respect.

The only ways I can see to get Trump out of power and maintain civil order are 1) if he voluntarily resigns in a way that convinces his followers that he did so of his own free will, or 2) if he loses the coming election by a clear majority.

If he is forcibly ousted, I feel that there is a significant risk of civil war. And while we are talking, the ongoing militarization of police departments around the US tells me that government agrees with that assessment.

* * *

FOUND OBJECT

21 Comments

  1. Lazarus October 16, 2019

    FOUND OBJECT

    I guess I should call Roto-Rooter…

    As always,
    Laz

  2. mr. wendal October 16, 2019

    re: RESTROOM ASSAULT

    He’s already out of jail and back on the street. And no bail paid? I don’t understand how that can be the case.

  3. Shitbird October 16, 2019

    I found out that i have no control over the display name portion for editing profile.
    So, i am requesting that my new christening from Father Lazarus enter on the record.

    I am “Professor Cosmos”, and was trained by Professor Irwin Corey.

    When my name gets changed, I will properly thank Mo for finally getting an item on Lauren’s mural in the news column of the AVA. Your Christmas stocking gifts will be upgraded.

    • Lazarus October 16, 2019

      I agree with the name change request of the Professor. How about it Mr. AVA, can you help the guy out?
      As always,
      Laz

      • AVA News Service Post author | October 16, 2019

        All subscribers have control over how their name appears by clicking on their account name in the upper right corner.

        • Professor Cosmos October 16, 2019

          Finally figured out how to go up to the name fields and change the options in the drop down list. Or, Mike K added the extra options, not sure.

          • Lazarus October 16, 2019

            Interesting, on my page, it says, “Usernames cannot be changed”.
            As always,
            Laz

            • AVA News Service Post author | October 16, 2019

              True: usernames cannot be changed; however, you should have three fields (below that) that you can change: first name, last name, and nickname. Make changes in any of those and see what options appear in “display name publicly as”.

          • AVA News Service Post author | October 16, 2019

            Well done, Professor (with no help from me).

  4. chuck dunbar October 16, 2019

    Today is International Cat Day–a day when cats can have their way– but of course that’s every day. Bought a little cat toy for my cat–a bird-mouse, against my wife’s advice. She was right, gave it to him this morning, with a little fanfare–he ignored the darn thing and hurt my feelings. But he’s a fine cat in his prime, and we love him a lot. Going out to the garden to work, maybe he’ll join me for a bit as he does sometimes. Happy special cat day to all cats everywhere!

  5. Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

    “And while we are talking, the ongoing militarization of police departments around the US tells me that government agrees with that assessment.”

    That’s been going on since long before Trump was president or even in politics.

  6. Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

    There are a lot of cats running loose in my neighborhood. Undoubtedly part of the reason the local songbird population has declined.

    My dog Diamond’s cat is one of them and is named Pancake. He’s castrated, so he can’t knock up the loose female cats. He belongs to my neighbors to the north. He’s nice enough, at least for a cat, and sometimes comes to me and lets me pet him if I meow at him, but only if Diamond is inside. Pancake loves to hang out in Diamond’s back yard– again, when Diamond is inside. If Pancake is present in the back yard when Diamond goes outside, Diamond gives a gruff woof and chases him off in a hurry.

  7. Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

    FOUND OBJECT

    Aint Kaputalism Grand!

  8. Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

    https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/10/16/wildlife-killing-contests-are-unethical/

    Here in Wyoming, they have what’s called a one-shot antelope hunt each year, which is a chance for rich people and politicians (often in the same person) to get together to shoot and kill antelope, with supposedly one shot. From what old-timers tell me, the antelope are often penned before the hunt and released after the “sportsmen” are in place, and ready to shoot. To me it’s a vicious, stupid activity that would be expected of those with a conservative mindset

    A one-shot fascist hunt contest would be a step forward.

    • Michael Koepf October 16, 2019

      “In the evening (before the one host hunt) an impressive Indian Ceremony is held in the which the hunters hear the “Legend of the Hunt” and are made blood brothers of the Shoshone Indian Tribe. Each hunter is given an Indian Name, which usually corresponds to his vocation. He is also given a sacred Indian Medicine Bag and his bullet is blessed for the hunt.”

      As usual, ex-pat Californian, Harvey Reading, does not know what the hell he is talking about. American hero, Chuck Yeager, has participated in the past, and it’s doubtful that he or members of the Shoshone tribe could be considered “fascist” as screwball Reading contends. Yeager downed 11 Nazi aircraft in WW2.

      • Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

        If you prefer PR to what multi-genmrational Wyoming natives have told me, that is your choice, dearie. Either way, the practice is brutal and primitive. I guess that makes it something a Zionist would adore. And, no insinuation was made toward the tribe in my comment. Yeager is YOUR hero, not mine.

        • Harvey Reading October 16, 2019

          generational, not genmrational, in my 1650 comment.

  9. Jim Armstrong October 16, 2019

    Gwyn Jones” letter about the Ranch Fire is correct about inaccuracies in Jim Shields’ article. I pointed them out at the time, but never could find where Mr. Shields might have addressed them.
    I have also contacted him about what I perceive to be mistakes in his writing about Daylight Saving Time legislation. it appeared in the UDJ, but I am not sure about here.
    No reply there either, perhaps his way of doing business.

  10. Marshall Newman October 16, 2019

    Gosh, the 1980 New Yorker cover price was a $1.25. The good old days. Today it is $8.99.

Leave a Reply to chuck dunbar Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

-