Party On

Mount Shasta Resort is giving away free banquet room space! Throughout the year, Mount Shasta Resort has been honoring its local residents with free birthday dinners. Now the Resort is extending its reach to local businesses.

“For almost two decades, we have grown with the support of our community. What better time than NOW is there to thank local businesses and residents for their continued support,” says General Manager, Suzanne Bentley. “The number of small businesses that can no longer afford a holiday party is steadily climbing and we want to make it easier for those companies to continue the tradition of recognizing their employees this holiday season.”

During the months of November and December, any local business can reserve a banquet room for parties of 20 people or more, at no charge, Sunday through Thursday.  Reservations will be taken on a ‘first come first serve’ basis until they run out of availability.  For more information, visit their website at www.mountshastaresort.com or call the Event Coordinator, Amy Fischer, at 926-3030.

Fall Classes in Natural Resources and Sustainable Communities at COS

College of the Siskiyous

There is still time to enroll in fall courses for Resource Technology and Sustainable Communities Programs:

Forest Ecology ERRT 11 – 3 units

Study of abiotic and biotic variables in forest ecosystems.
Wednesdays 9 – 9:50 and Fridays 9 – 12:50. Started Aug 18th

Introduction to Surveying ERRT 22 – 3 units

Covers the use and applications of basic engineering equipment.
Mondays and Wednesdays 11 – 1:30. Started Aug 16th

Silviculture ERRT 30 – 3 units

Covers concepts of managing forests for establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests on a sustained yield basis, using varying techniques.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 – 11:15.  Started Aug 17th.

Introduction to Sustainable Communities ERSC 1 – 3 units

Examines the interactions between humans and global ecosystems.
Mondays 5:30 – 8:30.  Started Aug 16th.

Sustainable Communities Skills Lab ERSC 50 - 2 units

Emphasizes applied sustainability principles through integrated hands-on lab activities and field trips in various areas of Sustainable Communities.
Tuesdays 11 – 2:50.  Started Aug 17th.

Outdoor Adventure Leadership Skills ERSC 3 – 3 units

Introduction to the history and philosophy of Outdoor Adventure Education with applications to current trends and opportunities for the future.
Fridays 10 – 1.  Starts Aug 27th.

Greening Your World ERSC 51 – 3 units

Students will research and implement strategies to incorporate lower impact practices at home, at work, on campus, and in their communities.
Mondays 2 – 4, Wednesdays 2 – 5.  Starts Sept 8th.

Renewable Energy ERSC 53 -1 unit

Offers participants an overview of efficiency and renewable living options for Siskiyou County, highlighting on solar power.
Four Wednesdays 6 – 9 and Saturday Oct 23rd 9-4.  Starts Oct 6th.

Exploring Business Opportunities BA 60 – 2 units

Explores the emerging opportunities within the business, nonprofit and government sectors for green jobs and entrepreneurship.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 – 10:50.  Starts Sept 21st.

It’s Your Business BA 86 – 2 units

Participants will be given all the tools and concepts necessary to complete a creative business plan for small business success.  Yreka Campus with distance learning to Butte Valley.
Tuesdays 5:30 – 8:30.  Starts Sept. 21st.

Please Call to Register 938-5555 or go to www.siskiyous.edu Late Registration Welcome.

Check out the website: www.siskiyous.edu/cte/er

Do you have program questions? Please contact Joy von S at vonskepsgardh@siskiyous.edu

Save money and reduce carbon emissions

Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) offers FREE weatherization and minor home repair services for Income-Eligible households. RCAA’s goal is to help renters and homeowners control high home heating bills, lower their home energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. This Eureka based non-profit has expanded into Siskiyou County to address the needs of Incom-eligible households.

These services include: testing of all gas appliances for carbon monoxide and gas leaks attic, duct and floor insulation: new Energy Star rated refrigerators (must be pre-1993), weatherstripping and more.

To take advantage of this free program and see if you qualify call 530-926-4931 or stop by the office located 707 Pine Street in Mount Shasta from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm

The challenge is on…

To city of Mt. Shasta will celebrate the end of summer on Labor Day Weekend, September 4 and 5, 2010; on Saturday Cool Mountain Nights featuring a Classic Car Show ‘n Shine and a downtown street fair. On Sunday the annual Tin Man swim/bike/run Triathlon in the morning and the Blackberry Festival in the afternoon, with live music, family fun & games and lots of blackberry pie!!

Linda Valenzuela, employed by the Mt. Shasta Fitness, is now challenging all businesses to enter a team in the TIn Man Triathlon. Linda sees this as a great way to build camaraderie between businesses, support the community and improve the fitness level of those training for the event. Linda can be reached at 926-3589.

May the best team win…

Fresh eggs anyone?

Contributed by Shawna Barr

In effort to meet our community’s desire for locally produced eggs, you are invited to participate in an experimental model for connecting farmers and backyard egg producers with local consumers.

For the next 6 weeks we shall learn if this model is viable and desired in this community! Your participation, or lack thereof, will determine whether or not there is a demand on the part of consumers for locally produced eggs, whether the model will continue.

Here’s how it works:

1.       Beginning Monday May 17^th, come by 630 N Mt. Shasta Blvd. (Ridgecrest Mortgage), anytime Mon-Fri, 10AM-4PM.

2.       The first time you come, sign up to become an “Egg Buyers Club Member” by providing your name, email address and/or phone number, and a $1 lifetime membership fee. (The eggs will not be sold “retail” but rather this model is for the private sale of eggs directly from farms to buyers club members.)

3.       Choose your eggs from the designated egg refrigerator.

4. Leave your payment in cash, with the correct change. (At this time, only cash will be accepted. In time, other means of payment will be possible.)

A few questions you may have:

1. How much do the eggs cost?

Buyers club eggs cost $5 per dozen. This price fairly compensates the producer, and covers the cost of the administration and commercial space required to provide the convenience of a downtown pickup location.  It also produces a tiny profit than can then serve as capital for more infrastructure (another refrigerator, larger location, etc) should this model grow. Purchasing eggs this way allows you to invest in this project!

3. How many eggs will be available through the buyers club?

During the trial phase, we will attempt to distribute 40 dozen locally produced eggs per week. As demand grows, we will continue to add more producers to meet the demand.

4. How will I know where my eggs come from, and how they are produced?

Each participating producer will affix a label to their cartons, and will fill out a “Producer Information Sheet” detailing their growing practices and providing contact information. Information Sheets will be posted on site for the buyers to access.

5. How fresh will the eggs be?

Producers may only drop off eggs that are no older than one week.

A note about the shelf-life of eggs: Eggs kept under refrigeration have a very long shelf life of six months or more. On average, grocery store eggs are over one month old by the time they hit the shelves. Additionally, unwashed eggs wll remain fresh for 3 weeks or more unrefrigerated due to a special coating that is left on the shell with the egg is laid.  Unwashed eggs have an extraordinarily long shelf-life.

6. Will there be other local food products available?

This is certainly possible in the future if this model proves viable. We would love to see this project be the embryonic stage of a local food distribution system.

Lincoln Heights documentary takes history ‘off the blackboard’

Weed, Calif. — Local filmmaker Mark Oliver and retired Weed Elementary School teacher James Langford are hard at work on a project that will survey the history of the black community in Weed through interviews, historical narrative and vintage photos. Read more…

Free medical care for the uninsured residents of the Mt Shasta Area

A group of local area care providers, lead by Dr. James Parker, have organized an ongoing clinic to offer free medical care for the uninsured. The program, Volunteers for Healthcare Today, intends to fill the gap for many area residents who, for instance, may work in small businesses that are not able to offer health care to employees.

Local area doctor, Alan Cohn, who offers one of the clinics regularly at his office, said, “Many people do not qualify for Medi-Cal but also cannot afford the cost of health insurance. This clinic aims to serve that part of our community.”

The clinic is open the first and third Sunday of every month from 12:00 to 3:00. There is no application process and no need to qualify. Those who attend the clinic can receive care for a variety of medical issues and, in many cases, free non-narcotic medications. Patients who receive care are asked to “Pay It Forward”* by volunteering to do simple, individual acts of kindness. Information about volunteer opportunities is available at each clinic.

The clinic locations vary according to care providers in Weed, McCloud and Mt Shasta. For further information, watch for the ad in your local newspaper, contact 926-5261, or visit www.vhctoday.org.

*See www.payitforwardfoundation.org

Awards 2009: A perfect snap shot of our community!

The community building was packed March 19th as Mount Shasta’s Chamber of Commerce named its business, citizen, not for profit organization, exceptional educator and outstanding youth of the year 2009.

This years awards turned out to be a great representation of  what our mountain community has to offer: a ski resort that drives winter tourism, medical professionals who go above and beyond in their civic duty, a flourishing art community, excellent educators and young adults with great potential.

Business of the year 2009
Mt. Shasta Ski Park

The Mt. Shasta Ski Park is one of the last family owned ski parks in the nation. Everyone who visits the park has access to the owners and is greeted with a smile and genuine appreciation for their patronage. They offer ski and board runs for every level of ability and age group at a fair price and outstanding conditions.

The Mt. Shasta Ski Park employs approximately 300 people from our community, giving the locals income that they in turn support other local businesses with. The Mt. Shasta Ski Park brings in patronage from all over California and neighboring states. They support all area high schools and host the State Championships.

Citizen of the year 2009
Dr. David Holst

Dr. Holst moved to Mount Shasta in 1995 to work with Siskiyou Medical Group as a family physician specializing in obstetrics and has since delivered over 750 babies in Siskiyou County.

Holst served as the Chief of Physicians Committee for three years and as Chief of Staff for two years at Mercy Medical Center. He is also a volunteer physician for the crisis pregnancy center.

In his involvement with the community youth he coaches baseball and soccer, hosts a weekly community youth group and hosts 5th Quarters, a post game party for all Mount Shasta High School students. As a board member of the Good Samaritan’s Home Ministries, Holst went on a mission trip to India in Nov. 2008 to support their children’s home and medical clinic, widows and lepers.

As a member of the First Baptist Church, Dr. Holst teaches Sunday school, acts as a high school youth group leader, provides services to the homeless and leads mission trips to Mexico.

Not for Profit of the year 2009
Siskiyou Arts Council

The Siskiyou Arts Council has been a leading force in Siskiyou County since 1972 in encouraging and enabling artistic expression. Their mission is “to value creativity, promote education and excite our community’s participation in the visual, performing and literary arts.”

To this end, SAC has organized, funded and sponsored numerous art shows, performances and community events. Over 300 people, children and adults, participated in creating the Peace Mural located behind the Visitor’s Center.

In early 2009, SAC opened Siskiyou Arts Council Gallery & Cultural Center at 418 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. Within they have hosted art exhibits including the Patron of the Arts High School Invitational, Bras for a Cause, Artists of the Month and various art related workshops.

SAC has also been fundamental with Poetry Out Loud, Art Matters, the Siskiyou Arts Bus, Toddler Movement and Music, Juvenile Justice and the Family Fun Night Talent Show.

SAC has awarded Siskiyou County artists over $3,500 in grants in 2009 through their Grants and Gifts program.

Exceptional educator of the year 2009
Toni Erro

Toni Erro has been teaching at Mount Shasta High School for 15 years. During that time, she has taught freshman English, senior honors English and creative writing.

She was born in Weed, and attended school there from kindergarten through high school. Erro always knew she wanted to be a teacher and, as a result, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in English from Southern Oregon University. Obtaining her secondary credential and multiple subject credential was especially enjoyable because she completed her student teaching in the Mount Shasta school system.

Erro said she feels very fortunate to have lived here and to have been able to raise her family in Siskiyou County.

Erro’s husband, Mark, is also a teacher at MSHS. He teaches public speaking and physical education. They have four children and two grandchildren.

Outstanding youth award of the year 2009
Sydney Miller

Sydney has lived in Mount Shasta for all of her 17 years. She is an attendant to Innerspark, the California State Summer School for the Arts, a four year counselor at French Creek Outdoor School, the head choreographer for two Sisson Middle School plays, a Link Crew menton and peer advisor, ETS student ambassador, Associated Student Body activities director, and is the director and founder of the Bear Necessities, a community service program at MSHS.

Sydney has worked at the Siskiyou Ice Rink and at the Echo Lake Chalet as a licensed for-hire boat taxi driver for the state of California.

Sydney was honored as Rotary Student of the Month in December 2009, and has a total of 450 hours of community service during her four years of high school.

Join us at the Awards Banquet

Join us for an entertaining and memorable evening at this year’s annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Mt. Shasta Community Building, 629 Alder St. The Mt. Shasta Chamber Awards are the most prestigious and longest-standing awards given by a business or organization. Come and help support and honor all of our nominees.

Business of the Year

A business whose owner/owners/manager and staff offers the public excellent service and friendly attitude as well as community involvement. Nominee must be a Chamber member in good standing.
Nominees are: Curves, Mt. Shasta Ski Park , Seven Suns & Snip’N Save

Citizen of the Year

Nominee has made significant contributions to the local community. Nominee is an individual, resident of Mount Shasta or sphere of influence.

Nominees are: Dr. David Holst, Bill Miesse & Lorie Saunders

Not For Profit of the Year

Granted to a community organization that has significantly contributed to the Mount Shasta community in terms of economic impact, lasting legacy and/or local, regional and national exposure.

Nominees are: Hearts of Mt. Shasta, JEDI, North Valley Catholic Social Services, Siskiyou Arts Council & SSNIP (Siskiyou Spay & Neuter Incentive Program)

Exceptional Educator of the Year

A teacher with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies, and making a difference in the lives of their students.

Nominee: Toni Erro

Outstanding Youth Pride Award

Nominee is any youth in the Mount Shasta area that exhibits community involvement, dedication to goals and leadership abilities.
Nominee: Sydney Miller

The gala evening will be starting at 5:30 p.m. with no host cocktails. Enjoy mingling with board members, nominees and friends. Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the program at 7:30 p.m. The dinner menu will be hosted by Gino Fiorucci, Mike and Tony’s and will include Antipasto, Bread & Butter, Green Salad, Roast New York Strip or Vegetarian Lasagna, Penne Pasta and Vegetables, Spumoni Ice Cream and Coffee

Tickets for dinner are $22.50 per person including tax and gratuity or $225.00 for a table of 10. Seating is limited to 180 people. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at the Mount Shasta Visitors Bureau, 300 Pine Street in Mt. Shasta. The Pavilion is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

926-4865 ext. 203 or 926-6004 ext. 202.

Come support all the nominees and enjoy the evening

Look around you, nominate your peers…

Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce 2009 Awards

Deadline February 12. Download the form here

The Mt. Shasta Chamber is seeking nominations for the 2009 Annual Chamber Awards. These Awards are the most prestigious and longest-standing awards given by a business organization in Mt. Shasta.

Citizen of the Year: Nominee has made significant contributions to the local community. Nominee is an individual resident of Mount Shasta or sphere of influence.

Exceptional Educator of the Year: A teacher with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies, and making a difference in the lives of their students.

Outstanding Youth Pride Award: Nominee is any youth in the Mount Shasta area that exhibits community involvement, dedication to goals and leadership abilities.

Not-for-Profit of the Year: Granted to a non-profit organization, a club or a service organization group that has significantly contributed to the Mount Shasta community in terms of economic impact, lasting legacy and/or local, regional and national exposure.

Business of the Year: A business whose owner/owners/manager and staff offers the public excellent service and friendly attitude as well as community involvement. Nominee must be a Chamber member in good standing.

Applications forms can also be picked up at the Visitors’ Bureau (open seven days a week). If you have questions regarding the award nomination process please call the chamber office at 926-3696 ext. 201