October 2020

MINERAL CALIFORNIA NEWS

Open a PDF of the October 2020 Newsletter by Clicking Here

News

►Smoky in Mineral, But Still Beautiful

There has been smoke in the skies, but it has been keeping the heat at bay. Residents continue to work to remove dead trees and fire fuels, as visitors head home. It’s been a record year for Lassen Park attendance, as people have looked to escape to the beauty of nature and the outdoors.

►Lassen Foundation Auction

Silent Auction|Live Auction|Souvenir Mugs|Live Event

Register now and start bidding on silent auction items and support Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Lassen Foundation’s camp programs. Join online free for the Lassen Foundation Peak Auction live event, including live auction on September 19th on YouTube and Facebook Live.

►Community Walk

Although the Mineral Community Walk was cancelled, t-shirt orders and sponsorships provided for a $1,000 donation to the Volunteer Fire Department and additional funds for ongoing maintenance of the Mineral signs and flag pole. T-shirts were seen throughout the weekend as individuals and families walked around town.

►Mill Creek Resort Thanks the Walkers

Mill Creek Resort reports that although the restaurant is closed, Cabin rentals are available until January. Restaurant tentatively scheduled to reopen in May 2021 by Mother's Day weekend. "To all the wonderful supporters of Mineral who walk to Mill Creek each year: We greatly appreciate the business! We'd love to host some sort of BBQ / potluck in the next season." Upcoming, Joe and Jillian's dream of having a garden and chickens may come true during 2021!

►CalTrans Submits Funding Proposal

Tamy Quigley from CalTrans reports that a proposal for the last third of funding for the Mineral path has been submitted. The proposal was submitted on Sept. 15th at 2:30 p.m. and if funded, will provide the $4.5 million needed to begin and complete the new multi-use path. Thanks to Tamy, Christina Prosperi and team!

►Mineral Path Signage & Education Grant

Jon Barrett from the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County has submitted a concept proposal to Sierra Nevada Conservancy for a planning grant to support the community’s signage, education, recreation and historical elements associated with the new CalTrans path. The anticipated planning grant period will be June 1st 2021 to June 1st 2022 and would likely be followed with additional grant requests to support the plan. Thank you to the RCD team!

►Power Outage

In recent weeks, Mineral has had at least two planned--and one unplanned--power outages. One planned outage lasted for two days. Check for upcoming power outages here.

►Sheriff’s Local Emergency Notifications

In an emergency, it is important for the Sheriff’s office to know that you need to be notified to evacuate or about potential danger. Sign up for TEHAMA ALERT emergency alerts or fill out the form & mail to the Sheriff’s OES at P.O. Box 729 Red Bluff, CA 96080.

► Prepare for Evacuation, Emergencies

Mineral was spared lightning strikes after the recent warnings. In an emergency, the Sheriff’s office plans to send people with loud speakers up and down the streets. Lightning fires can spread quickly, potentially requiring evacuation at a moment’s notice. Stay prepared for evacuation. In a local emergency, once safe, we will do our best to post information on our emergency page and open the community call Zoom room for people who want to check-in with each other.

► New Park Specific Restrictions

Lassen National Volcanic Park is open, but camp fires and wood-burning camp stoves are prohibited. Gas cook stoves and generators (anything with a shut-off valve) are still allowed. The Park’s outlying campgrounds are closed for the season, including Butte Lake, Juniper Lake and Warner Valley campgrounds. These areas are still open for day use, but Butte Lake is no longer a practical destination, since the Forest Service has closed the only road to it. The east side of the park is still closed to camping in order to prevent bears from getting food rewards, so any such hike would have to be out and back on the same day--not doable for most folks.

►Water Update - Still Under Blue Flag Watch

Thanks to conservation efforts, we got through the most challenging time for water usage spikes, Labor Day weekend. Spring 2 is still producing around 7 gallons per minute, which is not ideal, but is OK. Rain and snow are now needed to refill the springs. Meanwhile, continue to conserve.

►Air Quality

Dacite Chronicles shares that the Park’s air quality webpage has been updated to reflect new resources including temporary air quality sensors in Mineral HQ, Old Station, Shingletown, and Manton. These sensors have been added to track air quality in places without permanent sensors.

► Ongoing Mineral News

Find the latest on the news page of the website.

Preservation

►Article: "Lassen Volcanic National Park's Origin Story"

Read Pete Dailey's article in the Sept. 2020 Issue of the Lassen Park Foundation News.

►Time to Check Chimneys Before Winter

Find service providers on the website.

►PG&E's Community Wildfire Safety

Read more about PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program and their 2019 statistics.

Activities & Events

►Zoom Community Calls

Date: Wednesdays, Sept. 30^th, Oct. 14^th and 28^th Time: 6–8 pm Join the community Zoom call & spend some informal, virtual time with neighbors. Call-in information past calls’ notes are on the website’s community call page.

►Water District Board of Directors Meeting

The Board’s monthly meeting will be on Oct. 12th.

►Virtual Fall Festival

Join the virtual Mineral Fall Festival! This October, get in the autumn spirit and email us pictures to share of your decorated pumpkins, porches, pies and autumn fun. We’ll share treats throughout October, too! Email your photos to MineralCalifornia@gmail.com or post on our Facebook page and you might win a prize!

►Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

It’s not too late to visit the Park this year. Read the Lassen Volcanic Summer/Fall 2020 Guide and check the Park’s website before you go.

►Volunteer Writers Welcome

Do you want to write for the Mineral California publications? Perhaps you’re a poet, have short stories about Mineral, would like to report on the flowers or wildlife, or something else. If so, please email us about your ideas.

►Mineral Event Calendar

See the calendar for events, including if trash pick-up includes recycling or yard waste. Add the Mineral California Calendar to yours.

►Are You on Facebook?

Join the Mineral Community Group started by Jenny. It currently has nearly 50 members. Like the Mineral California page to follow our website and newsletter posts, too. Find more links on www.mineralcalifornia.com.

Shop Local

►Lassen Foundation Souvenir Mugs

While supplies last, purchase souvenir mugs from this year’s Lassen Foundation Peak Auction. Get the Camper Mug and the Volcano Mug and support the Park and camp programs.

►Virtual Garage Sale

Need to sell some items locally before the Winter? Post them on our Virtual Garage Sale page. Check to see if others have posted anything you need.

►Mill Creek Resort Sweatshirts & T-Shirts!

Mill Creek Resort has cozy sweatshirts for Fall and t-shirts at their online store.

Open a PDF of the October 2020 Newsletter by Clicking Here

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