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Mendocino County Today: Monday, Oct. 25, 2021

Showers | 128 Watch | Russian Rushing | Flood Warnings | Park Closures | Babbling Brook | Just Rain | Open Studios | Downpour Welcome | Heron/Egret | Montana Podva | Covid Testing | Parade 1938 | Soroptimist Scholarship | AV Museum | Comptche Places | Eagle | SF Sports | High Rent | Westport Whale | 3000 Miles | Lotta Water | Redistricting/Fans | Lichen Art | Wrong Questions | Yesterday's Catch | Uh oh | Quit Whining | Christian Heretics | Persecuting Assange | Italian Seamstress | Tytler Cycle | Snowstorm | Rainy Days

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SHOWERS WILL LINGER across the area through Tuesday night. Drier weather will return later in the week. (NWS)

RAINFALL over the past 24 hours: Yorkville 6.12", Willits 5.43", Boonville 4.86", Laytonville 4.73", Leggett 4.12", Ukiah 3.87", Hopland 3.32", Covelo 3.13"

RAINFALL over the past two days: Yorkville 8.96", Boonville 6.76"

THIS WEEK will bring large tidal swings due to the phase and orbit of the moon. This means the highest tide of the day will be higher than normal and the lowest tide of the day will expose more beach areas than normal. Although this can be a fun time to visit the beach, remember, a rising tide can cut off your access to safety. Use the tide predictions to plan your visit to the coast this week. Tide predictions are available at https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov. High Surf Warning from Cape Mendocino to the California/Oregon state border. High Surf Advisory from Cape Mendocino to Point Arena. (NWS)

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NICK WILSON WRITES:

The NWS Navarro River gauge forecast chart now shows the river starting to rise quickly after noon today, and I expect Hwy 128 will be closed by 1 to 2 PM due to shallow flooding at the west end.

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=eka&gage=nvrc1

A major crest peaking at 15.3 ft. is predicted about midnight tonight. That major flow will go up against a massive seasonal sandbar blocking the river mouth since last spring. There's no doubt that the river will break through the sandbar by the time the level reaches 5 or 6 ft. or so, after which the flooding near the Hwy. 1 bridge will recede.

Although the highway flooding will probably end by 9 or 10 PM, CalTrans and CHP may wait until daylight to reopen it.

Check the link below for official information about the highways: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

On Hwy. 20 there is one-lane traffic near Whiskey Springs due to slide removal.

Staying home warm and dry is a good plan for today.

N.Wilson

UPDATE: As of 7:30 PM Sunday: The river rose more than 5 ft. between 4 PM and 6 PM and began flowing over the pavement at the low point near the intersection with Hwy. 1. The river began flowing over the sandbar about 5 PM in a wide but shallow area centered on Pinnacle Rock. The outflow is reducing the rate of rise of the river in the estuary, but the latest NWS Navarro River forecast now forecasts a 25.1 ft. crest at 8 PM. 

At that level there will be 2 ft. of water over parts of 128 between Flynn Cr. Rd. and the coast. That means the highway will be closed overnight and stay closed until CalTrans crews can clean up the mud and debris carried over the road. The official state website for highway conditions says 128 is still open at 7:30 PM, but that site usually lags a few hours behind real time. Here’s the site to check: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/?roadnumber=128&submit=Search

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UPPER RUSSIAN RIVER FLOWING INTO LAKE MENDOCINO, NOON, SUNDAY

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NWS FLOOD WARNINGS FOR PORTIONS OF MENDOCINO COUNTY

NWS warns of potential for small stream and urban flooding as light rains continue through the evening. Anticipate flooding along roadways, debris, and downed trees. National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches for the following two areas: 

Russian River at Hopland (HOPC1): https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=62846280

Navarro River at Navarro (NVRC1): https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=62859196

Possibility of flooding on HWY 175 and HWY 128. 

Road Closures: State Route 1 closed near Garcia River at post mark 17.5 - 18.5 due to flooding. No estimated time of opening. 

CalTrans and Mendocino County DOT have been responding to debris throughout the day. Remember, never drive through flood waters. If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. PG&E continues to restore all power outages as they occur. Go to https://www.pge.com/ to view latest power outages and preparedness information. 

Debris Flow Warning Signs: Listen and watch for rushing water, mud, and/or unusual sounds. Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris. A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as landslides near. Movement of fences, retaining walls, utility poles, boulders, or trees. Report debris flows to 9-1-1 Again, please use caution if you’re driving and stay home if possible. Don't Drown, Turn Around!

(Caltrans Presser)

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PARK CLOSURE

Due to flooding and large ocean swells, the following PARK CLOSURES are in effect:

MacKerricher - Campground and Mill Creek Dr. 

Van Damme - Campground and Parking Lot 

Navarro Beach - Campground and Parking Lot 

Big River - West End of Parking Lot 

Russian Gulch - Day Use 

Hendy Woods - Day Use 

Stay tuned for updates on these closures as these locations will be re-assessed in the upcoming days. Stay safe and dry out there!!

(CA State Parks Presser)

* * *

THE STREAMS ARE RUNNING AGAIN.

(photo by Dick Whetstone)

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IT'S JUST RAIN

Editor:

It is Sunday afternoon and it is raining and I am glad for that. Perhaps this means that we can stop worrying about fires for a while, but just now I want to focus on the rain, and the overblown hype about it. It rained in the 70’s and in the 80’s while Peggy and I were building our place on the Holmes Ranch. We worked outside in the rain building fences and mucking out the barn, taking care of the pigs and the goats. We came into our house and dried out near the wood cookstove, we fixed dinner and settled in for the night with our kerosene lamp. One afternoon during an especially heavy downpour TJ Nelson and the guy who subdivided the Guntly Ranch came slogging into my yard on foot, looking like the drowned rats they were, because their pickup had sunk into a spring in the middle of the road that nobody had noticed. I do remember a winter when we had EIGHT feet of rain at our place, and I do wonder what the grape growers who have planted up and downhill will do when that happens again. 

My point is that it rained back then just like it is raining today, and nobody mentioned “Atmospheric River” or “Bomb Cyclone.” There is all this fear being created, and all this hype around it—but folks it is just rain. We will get through this just fine. Go and look at how your garden loves it. 

Tom McFadden

Boonville

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ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

Radar shows all dark green and yellow over much of Northern California - pretty much the max downpour extending across the entire Jackson Forest, up and down the coast for many miles. The noise on the roof is almost deafening. What a beautiful day!

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MONTANA PODVA

Montana Podva was born November 21, 1947 to James M. and Dr. Alta Fidler Podva in Sacramento, and died October 2nd, 2021 in Sacramento due to complications of a stroke. Montana was many things. He was a football player and wrestler at El Camino High School, Sacramento ’65, California State Scholarship winner to U.C.Davis 1970, SAE fraternity president, graduate of McGeorge School of Law 1977, United States Supreme Court law clerk to Justice William O. Douglas for three years, attorney in Willits defending the constitutional rights of his clients, advocate for the legalization of marijuana, Democratic candidate for the California State Senate, 1994, Law Professor, grand orator, public forum organizer. 

Amongst all these things, Montana was also at different times a lifeguard, bartender, Bed & Breakfast innkeeper, substitute teacher, Unitarian Universalist Congregation member, and served on countless committees, and at debates.

He was a unique character dedicated to the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Survived by his children, Anna Rivett, Sierra Acevedo, Forest Podva and granddaughters Lailah and Raya.

Condolences and remembrances may be sent to fpodva@gmail.com

* * *

NO OPTUM TESTING MONDAY: 

No optum serve COVID testing tomorrow from the county due to weather and road conditions. We will have our regular testing on Wednesday morning at the senior center.

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MARSHAL NEWMAN WRITES: Another old Anderson Valley photograph from ebay: 

Apple show parade, 1938

Interesting that the “Fair” was in October back then.

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SCHOLARSHIP FOR A WOMAN HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD

Soroptimist of Noyo Sunrise has a $1000 scholarship reserved for a woman head of household seeking to further her education. Applications are due November 15. For more information or to apply, please paste this link in your browser: http://bit.ly/LYDA-apply or see our website at: www.si-noyosunrise.org on the awards page.

Eligible women.

Are providing the primary financial support* for themselves and their dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings, and/or parents.

Have financial need.

Are enrolled in or have been accepted to a high school equivalency, vocational, technical, or undergraduate degree program.

Do not have a graduate degree (BA/BS or higher).

Are motivated to achieve their education and career goals.

Have not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award or Live Your Dream Award

Are not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas, or immediate family of either. Immediate family is defined to include spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children, or grandchildren by adoption, blood or marriage

*Note: Receiving government support, child support, living in subsidized housing or in someone else's home does not negate a woman's primary financial responsibility for her dependents or disqualify a woman from being eligible for the program.

Tess AlbinSmith

<tkasmith@hotmail.com>

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KATY TAHJA NOTES:

In Brad Wiley’s review of Maurice Tindall’s Book “Down to Earth” Wiley confessed to not knowing place names around Comptche. In question were the Halfway House and Hayslett School. The Halfway House was indeed halfway between Ukiah and Comptche if you were on a stagecoach coming west over Low Gap Rd. Today the area is called the Leonard Ranch, about six miles west of Orr’s Hot Spring resort on Comptche Ukiah/Orr Springs Road. The Hayslett Hill School was about three miles northeast of Comptche corners in an area now called Sky Ranch. The school existed from 1895 to 1916 and there is no trace left as it burned in the 1931 Comptche Fire.

— from historian Katy Tahja

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* * *

PAUL MODIC: 

Rain! The nice thing about the new quarterback is that even if the 49ers are losing it’s entertaining to watch him run. Joe Montana was great but Steve Young was exciting.

The Giants! They gave me a series! A team of retreads and rejects cobbled together with analytics and multiple vets, the Brandons and Posey, having career years, beaten by the best team money can buy.

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JEFF FOX NOTES: Re: the $9,400 per month rental in Mendo and the editor’s note that it can’t be true. This originally appeared a few days ago on the Mendocino County 5th District Facebook page. I searched for the post this morning, but it seems to have deleted.

The $9,400 figure is true, however it’s being advertised as a short term vacation rental, not one for permanent tenancy. The owner was commenting on the post and stating that she lives there part of the year, and rents it part of the year, but she didn’t refute the rental amount. Of course there were plenty of outraged commenters, but also the usual cadre of apologists defending the whole concept of the commoditization of housing, ignoring how the vacation rental industry is impacting the local housing market and the critical shortage of permanent rentals available. It seems lost on these people that sooner or later, without affordable housing the service caste they’re relying on will have to move on and they’ll have no one around to make their lattes.

It’s actually still being advertised here: https://www.apartments.com/45340-little-lake-st-mendocino-ca/g03j2qw/

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Westport Whale Sculpture

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FLIPPED A COIN, MOVED 3,000 MILES

by Tommy Wayne Kramer

So I semi-temporarily left Ukiah for a town even more dismal, and live on a street with traffic worse than North Dora. 

Historically I have done my important planning, as in finding a new home, using the following strategies: A) Research poorly if at all; B) When in doubt follow a vague hunch, and C) Leap before you look, regrets to be determined.

People ask how it was I came to live in Ukiah; my stock answer: “One mistake after another.” Now, unable to learn from (my own) history, I’ve apparently repeated it. 

I’m now where there’s one (1) bar in town and it doesn’t even meet the definition of the word “bar.” There’s not a pizza joint or fast food franchise for miles. At least the carwash is better.

Here you can wash your car with eight quarters; in Ukiah eight quarters gives you time to reach back into your pocket for more quarters. You know the carwash I’m talking about.

A forever sore spot for Ukiah is her downtown. Actually the entire State Street stretch, glamorous bulbouts notwithstanding, is a six-mile panorama of small town planning gone hopelessly wrong. Back here, the buildings are old, classic brick babies with fancy glass, turrets here and there, with a 19th century brick courthouse boasting a shining gold dome five stories in the air.

Trouble is, the town is deserted. It’s several blocks, dozens of buildings, most of them dark and empty. Windows are cobwebbed and clouded with dirt. Old faded hand-lettered signs say “Coming Soon! Pepino’s Pizza Palace!” and “Ginger Twins Bake Shop Opening Summer 2014.” And so on. Ukiah, despite never having transformed itself into the long-promised “vibrant” downtown, still manages to score higher on the “lively” index.

About that so-called “bar.” If you’ve been waiting for the next big thing in taverns, saloons and such wait no longer. Here it is. At the corner of my street stands The Courthouse, which is a big beer & wine vending machine. It has two stainless steel walls with dozens of spigots and you stroll around with a pint glass and pull your own.

It’s like the old New York Automats, where nickels and quarters got dropped in slots and you opened small glass doors for a glass of milk or tuna sandwich. If the future of bars is a wall of spigots, may they go the way of Automats. 

Town traffic is a longstanding problem in Ukiah, and I should know because I lived on North Dora Street 20-plus years. It gets busy. But the narrow strip (in the Historic District, yet) where I live today makes Dora look like a country lane out the other side of Burke Hill Road.

This mini-highway is a potholed ribbon of two narrow north-south lanes; you’d think it was a 101 on-ramp in LA. When fire trucks roar one direction and 18-wheelers come the other down a road barely wider than your dining room, it’s quite thrilling. If you’re keeping score, Ukiah wins the roads competition.

There isn’t a Starbucks in the county as far as I can tell. If you’re hoping to find the nearest shop selling Chanel cosmetics or a nice cashmere men’s sport coat make sure your gas tank is full.

I don’t consider a shortage of Mercedes dealerships or Kate Spade outlets a drawback. My interest in hanging out at trendy coffee shops has dwindled to zero. I might visit a neighborhood bar for a World Series game and not return until next October. I feel comfortable heading into the fall fashion season without consulting Tommy Hilfiger for advice on socks and t-shirts.

What’s nice but a shade peculiar about the southern part of the good ol’ USA is how doggone polite and pleasant everyone is. I get lots of smiles and “Why g’mornin, hon!” greetings on daily walks. They ask about my house and my health and my family. I suspect there once was a really fine fellow who looked a lot like me who lived here but moved away. The neighbors have us confused and think he’s back. 

The guy across the street, with no warning, bought us two tickets to the symphony orchestra. Dotty lives next door and has us over for Sunday dinners at 2 p.m. when she gets back from services. 

At least once a week Trophy gets invited to garden club events. Around the corner, an elderly Black gent who spends his days polishing up a trio of vintage (mid-‘90s) Ford Crown Victorias asked if I’d like to accompany him to church.

In Ukiah, gardening classes means cannabis, and the last person to invite strangers to church was Jim Jones. But at least the bars have bartenders, and you can order a shot.

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* * *

REDISTRICTING; COUNTY RESPONDS TO WEED FAN COMPLAINTS

by Jim Shields

What About a 6th Supervisorial District?

There is a possibility that Laytonville could be moved from the 3rd District to another District due to Redistricting. One of the possible scenarios for redistricting would be moving the Laytonville area from the 3rd District to the 4th District, among other scenarios, which would not be a popular decision.

If this occurs it will definitely impact the Laytonville Area Community and our historical ties to Inland Mendocino County.

Some folks have asked me if a 6th District could be created in the Redistricting process. The answer is no, here’s a quick summary of why.

The California Constitution recognizes two types of counties: general law counties and charter counties. General law counties adhere to state law as to the number and duties of county elected officials. Charter counties, on the other hand, have a limited degree of “home rule” authority. There are currently 44 general law counties and 14 charter counties. Mendocino is a general law County.

Government Code Section 25000 requires each county to have a Board of Supervisors consisting of five members, thus five supervisorial districts. The section applies to general law counties and to charter counties, except where the charter provides otherwise. For example, both the City and County of San Francisco are combined under one charter that established an 11-member Board of Supervisors and one mayor.

Theoretically, Mendocino could make application to convert to a charter county, but the process most likely would take a number of years to accomplish. So we’re definitely stuck with the current configuration of five supervisor districts during this redistricting process.

Update On Henry’s Original Turbine Weed Fans

Have good news on the turbine frost fans being used by Henry’s Original at their Laytonville 101 Ranch grow site.

Mendocino County Code Enforcement responded to numerous public complaints about the high decibel fans being run all night that disrupted people’s lives, peace, and sleep.

Here’s the County’s response to one citizen’s complaint:

"I wanted to reach out to you concerning the complaints you logged with us regarding the loud fan noise at the Henry’s Original site on Mulligan Road. I wanted to assure you that the County is fully aware of the problem, and that Code Enforcement is (and has been) actively investigating. Both our department and the Cannabis Program have been addressing the issue with the responsible party. He has assured the County that the fan should no longer be in use. I would also like to assure you that the Cannabis Program will be pursuing a number of accountability measures with the responsible party, and that moving forward the County will be ensuring that all codes are strictly followed at this site. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions or comments. Best Regards, Michael Campling, Administrative Assistant, Code Enforcement, County of Mendocino.”

More On Henry’s Fans

Thought you might be interested in some comments about my recent column on Henry O’s noise assault on the Laytonville Community

Former County Supervisor John McCowen had this to say:

Regarding use of frost fans for cannabis Jim Shields wrote: “California, like other states, has a Right to Farm Act that is intended to protect agricultural activity, and many counties have their own local right to farm ordinances as well. The intent of these types of laws is to protect farmers who use accepted and standard farming practices from nuisance lawsuits in certain circumstances. In California, at the state level, cannabis cultivation is not considered “agricultural” such that it would be eligible for protection under the Right to Farm Act. But in some counties, local ordinances do define cannabis cultivation as agricultural activity, giving cannabis cultivators protection under local right to farm ordinances. I discussed this situation with 3rd District Supe John Haschak on my Saturday radio program, and he’s also looking into it, and will get back to me.”

McCowen explained that. “Mendocino County specifically excludes cannabis from protections under the Right to Farm Act. Given that the State has excluded cannabis cultivation from the definition of agricultural activity it’s not clear if a local ordinance extending Right to Farm protections to cannabis would be upheld if it were challenged.

George Hollister, President of the Mendocino Farm Bureau, offered his opinion:

“All good points. My question, from someone who knows less than he knows, why a fan? Isn’t the maximum area for cannabis a 1/4 acre? Seems some tarps would do better for frost protection. I know there is added labor cost, but the profit on a quarter acre of cannabis is pretty big, too. And labor cost does not seem to be an issue for cannabis.”

Here’s my reply to both John and George:

I agree with John McCowen on the questionable legality of local ordinances that extend RTFA insulation to cannabis farmers. I don’t believe it would withstand scrutiny of the courts. Also, George Hollister is correct about the efficacy of frost fans and weed. It makes no sense. As I pointed out, I could not find a single pot farmer who was aware of this practice other than what’s occurring with the Henry’s Original situation.

My long-time colleague and work friend Mark Scaramella, of the Anderson Valley Advertiser, summarized the Henry O’s situation this way:

“COMPARE & CONTRAST:

“Complaints in Laytonville about one pot grower turning on one loud wind fan for his chilly buds.

“County Code Enforcement: We’re on it. They’re not exempt. That’s a nuisance.

“Pot Grower: Apologies.

“Complaints in Anderson Valley about dozens of wine grape growers turning on dozens of loud wind fans keeping thousands of people from an ordinary night’s sleep.

“County Code Enforcement: Yep, there are a lot of ’em. Loud too. But too bad, even though they’re new to Anderson Valley and did not pre-exist the residents there, they’re exempt because these fans were used on pears in Ukiah in the 1950s. It’s ‘Farming.’

“Grape Grower: My grapes are more important than your sleep.”

My response: As always Mark, you got it right.

(Jim Shields is the Mendocino County Observer’s editor and publisher, observer@pacific.net, the long-time district manager of the Laytonville County Water District, and is also chairman of the Laytonville Area Municipal Advisory Council. Listen to his radio program “This and That” every Saturday at noon on KPFN 105.1 FM, also streamed live: http://www.kpfn.org.)

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PETER LIT ON REDISTRICTING

It seems to me that the basic issues are geographical and commercial overlain by the political requirements. Here we have a coastal population and an inland one and trying to balance them, population-wise, seems almost impossible. (Beth Bosk, as reported in the AVA, made a good point about increasing population in Fort Bragg if the former mill site issues get resolved and more housing is constructed). 

There are also economic considerations; agriculture, both legal and not, resource extraction, tourism, and other businesses and trades. 

Quite frankly, to make 5 districts, with more or less equal populations, and more or less separate but coherent geographical and commercial equivalence is probably impossible. I hope the county does not fall into a complex and unworkable frame. C.F. Measure B, the Marbut report, marijuana regulation, Supervisors exercising control over the county departments, bureaucratic bottlenecks coupled with lack of enforcement (and downright c.y.a. obstruction) to name some examples. 

The lack of common-sense shown by the county (the Sheriff suing the County, the constant hiring of outside legal counsel, the proposed new courthouse are only a few examples) is stupefying. 

As Pynchon wrote: If you can get them to ask the wrong questions, the answers don't matter. 

Belaboring the obvious, apologies 

Peter Lit

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CATCH OF THE DAY, October 24, 2021

Delacruz, Kelley, Madrid, Schoenahl

JOEL DELACRUZ, Santa Rosa/Ukiah. Rape-unlawful sexual intercourse with person under 18.

ERIN KELLEY, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-alcohol.

DEANNA MADRID, Ukiah. Protective order violation.

ROGER SCHOENAHL, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-intoxicated-drugs with alcohol.

Valdez, Williams, Wolfe, Wright

PALOMO VALDEZ-CEJA, Ukiah. DUI with prior, suspended license, probation revocation.

KRYSTAL WILLIAMS, Willits. Domestic battery, assault with deadly weapon not a gun, failure to appear.

SHAWN WOLFE, Ukiah. Controlled substance for sale, paraphernalia, probation revocation.

ANDREA WRIGHT, Ukiah. Failure to appear.

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LET’S FIX WATER PROBLEMS

Editor,

Daily we read and hear of the ravages wrought by years of drought. And what solutions are being proposed? Even partial ones. No one is even asked to pray for rain or do a dance.

If Israel can get over 50% of its water by desalination from the sea, why aren’t we building desalination plants up and down the coast?

And why aren’t ego-driven billionaries, instead of promotiong circus rides into outer space, investing in solutions to rescue our great agricultural economy, refurbish our drained-dry aquifers and refresh our beautiful lakes? After all, these billionaires need to serve the very people that made them wealthy.

It is time to quit whining and find workable solutions.

John D. Poynter

San Francisco

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BRITISH HIGH COURT SHOULD DENY EXTRADITION Because CIA Planned to Assassinate Assange

Why is Joe Biden’s Department of Justice continuing Donald Trump’s persecution of WikiLeaks founder, publisher and journalist Julian Assange?

truthout.org/articles/uk-high-court-should-deny-extradition-because-cia-planned-to-assassinate-assange/

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Naples, 1957

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THE TYTLER CYCLE

One of the first mentions of the Tytler Cycle is from a 1951 edition of the Daily Oklahoman.

Two centuries ago, a somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this profound observation: “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy”.

Read this block commonly attributed to Tytler:

A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.

Tytler is famous for The Tytler Cycle which shows the pattern that democracies tend to follow from start to demise to rebirth and repeat.

The Tytler cycle says a democracy only lasts about 200 years.

Will America last 200 years or will we break the cycle?

(via Marilyn Davin)

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RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems I always wind up here
with you
Nice to know somebody loves me

Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

— Paul Williams, Roger Nichols 

12 Comments

  1. Stephen Dunlap October 25, 2021

    Nick Wilson, thank you for the easy to understand & complete report on the Navarro River & sand bar !

  2. Harvey Reading October 25, 2021

    IT’S JUST RAIN

    Yes, children, never you mind. All will be well. Go out and chop some trees down. Buy a gas guzzler and two or three ORVs. Catastrophic climate change is just a myth.

    By the way, how’s the Sierra snowpack, o blind ones?

  3. chuck dunbar October 25, 2021

    “FLIPPED A COIN, MOVED 3,000 MILES”

    Nice piece today on small town observations by TWK. Made me smile–thanks.

  4. chuck dunbar October 25, 2021

    A fine sunny morning, sweet moist air after our wonderful rains. Trees and all are happy, and our too long fire season is over–we can relax a bit. Listening right now to Laura Nyro’s great song, “Brown Earth” (not widely played or known, from the album “Christmas and The Beads of Sweat”). Bless her deep, lovely soul–she was a spirit out of the streets of New York City. This song always makes me smile–Try it if you’ve never heard it, turn it up loud.

  5. Bill Pilgrim October 25, 2021

    re: Rainfall Total.

    I live in the hills west of Philo, off Signal Ridge Road.
    Our total for the past 24 hrs. = 12.5 inches.

    • Christine Chambers October 26, 2021

      Are you related to Ira Pilgrim? He was my Aunt Betty’s first boyfriend, probably around 1940 in the the Bronx.

  6. Craig Stehr October 25, 2021

    Please know that Craig Stehr needs a to & from ride to check mail at the Redwood Valley post office. Have sent a letter to the postmaster there asking that they check my p.o. box 938 to see if the Federal stimulus checks have arrived, and then contact me either at the Voll Motel by phone, or email me at craiglouisstehr@gmail.com.

    I need to get those checks and deposit them. Otherwise, am paid up at the Voll Motel through October. The future awaits, although it will have to wait! ?

  7. Joe October 25, 2021

    Short on water?

    Just spotted, millions of gallons of fresh water headed out to sea. Should we should save some of it before we have to desalinize it?

    • Pat Kittle October 26, 2021

      How many rivers do you propose dam(n)ing before you run out of rivers?

      And multiplying humans need more rivers?

  8. Marmon October 25, 2021

    President Trump:
    -Make America Great Again

    Democrats:
    -Lower your expectations

    Marmon

  9. Craig Stehr October 25, 2021

    The reunion potluck at the Mendocino Environmental Center with co-founder Betty Ball indeed was held, beginning at 4pm on Monday October 25th. The woman whom I sat next to in the circle, revealed that she made an error in sending in to the AVA the flyer with the date changed to Saturday. In addition to long time eco-warriors, the mayor of Ukiah attended, wishing to hook up his group which gives empowerment to the Latino population with the radical environmentalists. The get together went over two hours, and we reminisced, sang songs, told stories, and had a beautiful heart felt get together. It was nice! Postscript: I did ask Betty Ball (for Marco) to turn on KMEC radio station again. The response from many was this: Firstly, it is possible because the FCC license is still current. Secondly, much depends on the MEC coming back to life as a fully operating center. Thirdly, money is needed because although the building owner has been amazing in letting the MEC remain at 106 W. Standley Street for many many months while COVID-19 related closed, some day he has to get something again. In other words, it all depends on the community. That’s the way it is.

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