Liz Writes Life 

June 26, 2012

Published in Siskiyou Daily News

Scott Valley Protect Our Water will hold its next meeting this Wed. June 27^th – a different day – at the Fort Jones Community Center at 7 p.m. We will have Pie n Politics first, so bring your favorite dessert to share.

Water is still very much a topic in Scott Valley and keeping control of our wells and water rights is of utmost concern. Recently, the Karuk leadership released its bogus six-month study of ground water, done between September 2011 to March 2012, in the Scott River area and it blames wells for a reduction in Scott River flows, which they then claim is a threat to coho salmon.

Now the Tribe has contracted with the same enviro company to study the surface water flows in Scott Valley this summer. Guess what they will likely claim? That the flows diminish. Shock! And guess who will be blamed? Yes, users of wells, or pumpers, as they are called, and agricultural irrigators. Nothing from the Greenies and Karuk leadership seems to be practical or natural. Just lots of blame blasted on those who own property.

Learn more and attend the next Scott Valley POW meeting and learn the specifics of these threats, so we can decide how to move forward – as a community. For more info, contact President Tom Pease at 468-2414.

Sheriffs’ Event

Tehama County Sheriff Dave Hencratt hosted a fabulous Support Rural America Event last Saturday in Red Bluff. Eight other sheriffs participated, including our Siskiyou Sheriff Jon Lopey. The crowd numbered more than 600, including Assemblyman Jim Nielsen and Senator Doug LaMalfa.

Several sheriffs shared public safety concerns because of AB 109 that is making it mandatory for sheriffs to release jail inmates sooner. Shasta Sheriff Tom Bosenko said, “AB 109 isn’t working,” adding “we have to be safe in our homes and communities.”

For more on the Sheriffs’ Event, check out Pie N Politics.com.

Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson is hosting the next panel of sheriffs on July 14 in Crescent City.

Paul R. Houser Ph.D.

Federal whistleblower Paul R. Houser, Ph.D. responded to an opinion article from U.S. Geological Service employee Dennis Lynch. What is interesting is that Lynch did not refute the points of Dr. Houser’s integrity allegations, but focused on unrelated information.

Dr. Houser has stated that he is not for or against dam removal, but is an advocate for the best science-informed decision that meets the multi-objective of obeying the law and protecting the environment. Yet, he is being attacked because he questioned flawed science, statements by Dept. of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and the fraudulent process being used to destroy the dams.

To read Dr. Houser’s rebuttal go to Pie N Politics.com and click on the Dr. Houser tab at the top or on the Paul R. Houser category on the right side. I stand with Dr. Houser and am proud that he chose the path of “integrity” over political science.

Garden

Was sorta surprised this batch of rain lasted so long over the weekend. Sprouts from the beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, replanted cucumbers and squash are pushing up through the damp soil and looking great. That is the hardest part for me – waiting for the seeds to germinate and grow. I usually spend every morning for several weeks hand irrigating everything with a fan sprayer. Oh, I also planted some annual phlox that were already blooming near the pine tree and they have transplanted beautifully in this cool, drizzly weather.

The tomatoes are finally looking good. Began eating peas, pods and all, last week. Nope, didn’t wait until the peas were fully developed.

Sure do hope to harvest several herbs later this week. The oregano is being over-run by the wild mint and is now a much smaller batch. I want to harvest the leaves soon and then find a different place to plant some starts. Also the several plants thyme in the garden are blooming and I want to harvest it before full bloom as the leaves are better tasting. Then the volunteer horehound is huge from growing in the raspberry patch and getting plenty of water. It is about to bloom. Horehouse is touted for colds and coughs, so I’ve decided to dry some for next winter. The basil seeds I planted in six-packs are up, but the parsley is not. Some herb seeds take a long time to germinate. Patience, patience.

The deep red rose is blooming and boy it needs a major trimming of the dead wood. Perennial snapdragons are blooming by the house foundation, but the pretty spot is the blue delphinium, dark pink sweet William and perky daisies. Enjoying the colorful spot makes the hard work worth it.

Liz Bowen writes biographies, free lances and writes blogs: Pie N Politics.com and Liz Bowen.com