Senior Project hopes to have you in stitches for a good cause

Caity Johnson is proud to present her senior project “Off the Cuff”, an improvisation show to benefit the Murphys Creek Theatre Mirror Project. Each cast member of “Off the Cuff” is a student from Bret Harte High School they are quick witted, wild, and wacky. They play a variety of improve games at rely on the audience as much as the players.  From the Alphabet game to Zip, Zap, Zoop the audience will be in stitches from one crazy situation to the next.

Heading up this crazy crew as director is Caity Johnson a senior at Bret Harte has the aspiration of becoming a nurse and obtaining a minor in the Dramatic Arts. Jesse Hart is also a senior who is raising money to fight Leukemia for his senior project. Cheyenne Johnson and Ashley Sierra Varn are sophomores, while Phebe Auger is a freshman who moved to California from France.   Lighting director is Emma Brown, a sophomore and behind the scenes as stage manager is Sophie Proctor, a freshman at Columbia Jr. College.

Copper cove vehicle accident update:
Vehicle upside down Copper Cove and Quail. Emergency crews at scene.

2:25
2-2-29-12
Possible Vehicle collision Copper Cove dr and Sawmill. Emergency personnel responding. Use caution if traveling in the area.

Family Play Date at the Center for Creativity

Happy Leap Day!

A leap year (or intercalary or bissextile year) is a year containing one extra day (or, in the case of lunisolar calendars, a month) in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year.^[1] Because seasons and astronomical events do not repeat in a whole number of days, a calendar that had the same number of days in each year would, over time, drift with respect to the event it was supposed to track. By occasionally inserting (or intercalating) an additional day or month into the year, the drift can be corrected. A year that is not a leap year is called a common year.
For example, in the Gregorian calendar (a common solar calendar), February in a leap year has 29 days instead of the usual 28, so the year lasts 366 days instead of the usual 365. Similarly, in the Hebrew calendar (a lunisolar calendar), a 13th lunar month is added seven times every 19 years to the twelve lunar months in its common years to keep its calendar year from drifting through the seasons too rapidly.

Source wikipedia

A Thank you from Copperopolis VFW Post 12118

2-29-12
To all the family and friends of the Veterans and Members of the James D. Piper VFW Post 12118, and to the Copperopolis Community, we thank you for attending the Instituting and Swearing in Ceremony on Sunday, February 19, 2012. This was an historic event for the entire community. After much hard work from the Veterans and support from the Copperopolis Community, and the unending support and drive by Charity Maness,  Copperopolis is the home of the Veterans of Foriegn Wars of the United States newest Post.

Post 12118 would like to thank Payless IGA Market  for their continued support and generosity, we appreciate all they have done for us and the community.

 To the Copperopolis Community Center we thank you for allowing us to use the Historic Copperopolis Armory for our  ceremony. What better place to hold our ceremony than the Copperopolis Armory, steeped in local history,  adding another chapter to it.

Memorial Day Event to raise funds for Veteran's Hospital Fisher House of Palo Alto

             SAVE THE DATE :

 FISHER HOUSE DINNER

to honor the memory of

Marine Lance Corporal Gavin Brummund, and all of our veterans

Military veterans of Calaveras County are excited to announce a huge event scheduled for May 26, 2012, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The event is being held honoring the memory of Marine Lance Corporal Gavin Brummund of Arnold, who was killed in action in 2010. The affair, expected to draw a crowd of local veterans, friends and patriots, is being held at the county fairgrounds at Frogtown. The $20 ticket price includes dinner, lots of patriotic camaraderie and multiple opportunities to win exceptional prizes. All proceeds benefit the Veteran’s Hospital Fisher House of Palo Alto.

Calaveras County Sheriff Press release: re Winter Storm Warning. Weather incoming Tuesday afternoon. Be prepared. Drive safe.

First Friday Concert 3-2-12 CANCELLED

The First Friday Concert held at Snap's Coffee House and Wine Bar in Town Square has been cancelled for the evening of 3-2-12.
Keep your eyes on the event calendar for the next First Friday Concert.

Local Youth Group raises money for mission trip

Over the weekend 'the Edge' a local youth group formed by Canyon Baptist Church open to all jr high and high school youth of Copper regardless of religious affiliation, held a spaghetti feed to raise funds for a mission trip they have planned for Spring break.

The group of 30 youth, with the support of their congregation, served over 200 plates of spaghetti. All the while smiling and serving diners with class and refreshing manners.

Letter from George Runner re:college scholarship plan

Speaker's Scholarship Plan: Too Good to Be True?

As seen in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun, Visalia Times-Delta and at Fox & Hounds Daily

By George Runner

There's an old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. When it comes to politics, it nearly always is.

Say for instance a politician told you he could lower the cost of sending your kids to college by two-thirds. You'd probably respond, "Great. What's the catch?"

Your caution would be warranted. If a recent proposal by Speaker John Pérez becomes law, you might get some help with those soaring college fees, but don't count on your kids finding jobs once they get that diploma.

The speaker's proposal, which he's dubbed the "The California Middle Class Scholarship," would impose a $1 billion dollar tax hike on "out-of-state" businesses to provide financial aid for college students. The plan targets a 2009 tax formula change that only became effective last year - after California voters rejected a November 2010 ballot measure that aimed to repeal it.

In his own words, the speaker claims: "We're closing that loophole that only benefits out-of-state corporations at the expense of the rest of us in the state. And we're taking that benefit and directing it to middle-class families who are struggling to put their kids through college."

Sounds good, right?

But there's always a "catch." This time there are at least three:

Quote from Maya Angelo

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel."

― Maya Angelou

Board of Supervisors preliminary agenda for 2-28-12

CALAVERAS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Gary TOFANELLI - CHAIR DISTRICT  1 STEVE WILENSKY DISTRICT 2 MERITA CALLAWAY – VICE CHAIR DISTRICT 3 THOMAS TRYON DISTRICT 4 DARREN SPELLMAN DISTRICT 5

JEANNE BOYCECounty Administrative officer Janis ElliottCounty Counsel MADALINE KRSKACounty Clerk / board clerk 891 Mountain Ranch Rd San Andreas, CA 95249 Tel: (209) 754-6370

February 28, 2012

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

CALAVERAS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY
CALAVERAS COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS
891 Mountain Ranch Rd, San Andreas, California

IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AN AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE COME TO THE ROSTRUM AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COMMENTS.  PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE SPECIFIC SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION.  TIME LIMITS SHALL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.

8:00  AM:  Call to Order

1.            CLOSED SESSION; pursuant to Govt. Code section 54957.6, personnel matter:  conference with labor negotiator (Director of Human Resources & Risk Management) re: Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA), Sheriff's Management Unit (SMU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Calaveras County Public Safety Employees Association (CCPSEA) negotiations; Human Resources Director - Board action:

9:00  AM:  Pledge of Allegiance

      Announcements

CONSENT AGENDA

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL.  THEY WILL BE ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD AT ONE TIME WITHOUT DISCUSSION.  ANY BOARD MEMBER, STAFF MEMBER OR INTERESTED PARTY MAY REQUEST REMOVAL OF AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR LATER DISCUSSION.

2.                                  MINUTES of meeting held on February 14, 2012 – Board action:

3.                                  CORRESPONDENCE:    February 6 – 17, 2012 (see attached) – Board action:

4.          MINUTE ORDER authorizing the Board Chair to execute a Notice of Non-renewal for California Land Conversation Contract No. 289 – Leiga Family Trust; Agriculture – Board action:

5.          RESOLUTION authorizing distribution of excess proceeds from the November 6, 2010 Tax Collector's Public Auction Sale; Tax Collector – Board action:

Copperopolis Community Plan Advisory Committee on BOS Agenda for 2-28-12

On consent agenda:

9.          Minute Order authorizing the initiation of a Copperopolis Community Plan Advisory Committee; Planning – Board action:

 

 

 

The community plan map (above) for Copperopolis is dated 2009.

 

Panini's Italian Grill & Bar OPEN 7 DAYS

Panini's Italian Grill in Town Square is now open 7 days a week, ready to serve you a meal to remember.

Every Tuesday Night: Corkage Free Night
Every Wednesday Night: Lasagna Night, House Salad, Lasagna & Glass of Wine $17.95
Daily: Early Bird Special 4pm-6pm $15.95

Mon - Thu:	11:30 am	-	8:00 pm
Fri - Sat:	11:30 am	-	9:00 pm
Sun:	11:30 am	-	8:00 pm

Antique Cars - pitstop in Copper

On our sunny Saturday afternoon a few antique car enthusiasts from Merced and Turlock area came to visit Copper and tour about.

Legislation to promote cost effective energy retrofits

State Controller John Chiang and Senator Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) today unveiled legislation sponsored by the Controller to promote cost-effective retrofits of commercial buildings throughout California.  The "Building the Economy Through Energy Retrofits" (BETER) program, co-authored by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), is expected to create construction jobs while helping business owners save tremendously on their energy costs.

Stage 4 'Amgen' organizers looking for local volunteers

Hopefully you have heard that the Amgen Tour of California is coming to the Mother Lode.  Stage 4 of this year’s race will start in downtown Sonora on the morning of Wednesday May 16.  This will be a busy time in our area as the weekend before (May 12 &13) is the Mother Lode Round Up and the day after the tour (May 17) is the opening of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to attend three distinct and unique events and we are promoting it as:  Rope.Ride.Ribbit and suggesting to groups and individuals, far and wide, that this will be an excellent time to visit the Mother Lode!   I am assisting the local effort by volunteering on the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) as Media/PR/Marketing Director and I am honored to work with an outstanding team of volunteers on my committee including representatives from the Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau (Sandy Gordon & Bruce Tepper), Calaveras County Visitors Bureau (Lisa Mayo & Cari Morgan) in addition to Daniel Richardson County of Tuolumne , Greg Falken webdancers, Kristine Willis http://www.uvskinz.com/ and Judy Grossman  JG Signs & Design.

Ironstone Vineyards 15th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show 2012

MARCH 3, 2012  10am to 5pm

“A Spring Obsession” open to public
Art in Action exhibition area
Art Show and Sale open to the public
Other activities to be announced

Artist Reception and Wine Tasting GALA
Unveiling of Winning Theme Art
Awards to Open Division Winners
MARCH 4, 2012 10am to 3pm 

“A Spring Obsession” open to public
Art in Action exhibition area
Art Show and Sale open to the public
Other activities to be announced  

Winter weather headed our way - national weather service advisory

...WINTER WEATHER RETURNS TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK...

MUCH OF THIS WEEK IS FORECAST TO BE MORE WINTER-LIKE THAN WHAT
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF
MONTHS. BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES...VALLEY RAIN...MOUNTAIN
SNOW...AND OCCASIONALLY STRONG...GUSTY WINDS ARE IN STORE FOR
NORTHERN CALIFORNIANS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

THE FIRST WEATHER SYSTEM FROM THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL MOVE THROUGH
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TONIGHT AND MONDAY BRINGING LIGHT AMOUNTS OF
RAIN TO THE VALLEY...AND A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW TO THE MOUNTAINS.
THE COLD AIR FROM THIS WEATHER SYSTEM WILL LOWER SNOW LEVELS TO AS
LOW AS 1000 TO 2000 FEET...BUT ONLY AN INCH OR TWO OF ACCUMULATION
IS EXPECTED OVER MOST OF THE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA.

Honor the Fallen 2-14-12 to 2-18-12

Air Force Capt. Ryan P. Hall

Died February 18, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

30, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; died Feb. 18 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident. Also killed were Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock and 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens.

Air Force Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock

Died February 18, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

29, of Newnan, Ga.; assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; died Feb. 18 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident. Also killed were Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, Capt. Ryan P. Hall and 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens.

Air Force 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens

Died February 18, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

26, of Bend, Ore.; assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; died Feb. 18 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident. Also killed were Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock and Capt. Ryan P. Hall.

Air Force Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten

Died February 18, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; assigned to 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; died Feb. 18 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident. Also killed were Capt. Ryan P. Hall, Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock and 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens.

Navy Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Paris S. Pough

Died February 17, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

40, of Columbus, Ga.; assigned to the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, homeported in San Diego; died Feb. 17 of non-combat causes during a port visit.

Army Sgt. Jerry D. Reed II

Died February 16, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

30, of Russellville, Ark.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany; died Feb. 16 in Pakitka province, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.

Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada

Died February 14, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

21, of Maricopa, Ariz.; assigned to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Feb. 14 as a result of a non-combat training incident in Djibouti.

Fishing fun with kids - from Glory Hole Sports

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Welcome to the Country - a humorous look at life in the country ~ by, Charity Maness

So, you’ve decided to move to the country where ‘language’ is a loosely used term...

When first moving here, you will undoubtedly hear some terms that just don’t seem to make any sense at all. Or you may overhear a conversation or two that leaves you wondering just what kind of a town it is that you have moved to.

For instance, you could be enjoying a cup of coffee one fine morning at McCartys and overhear some of our local ranchers interesting conversation. It could sound something like this;

“Hey Steve, how are your girls today?”

“Oh, they’re doin’ all right. One of ems got a tit so swollen I’m afraid to even touch er.”

“Yeah, that happened to one of my girls a while back. I just packed a warm towel where she was most tender and she calmed down right away. She actually got a bit amorous.”

“Yeah, I tried that. I thought maybe I would get one of my younger girls to try to take to her to lessen the pain.”

“That might work. But girls can sure be stubborn when you try to introduce a new young un. Lord knows my girls are real stubborn when I bring a new one home.”

Now if you have spit out your coffee and are seriously thinking of putting your brand new home on the market because you think you have moved to a polygamist community, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Those ranchers loving refer to their beautiful well endowed bovines as their “girls.”

Celebrate Nascar at the Sports Pub

Micki and Larry's Sports Pub will be celebrating the opening season of Nascar Sunday February 26, 2012 beginning at 10:00 am with bloody mary's.
785-4646

Spaghetti Dinner to support youth group

Spaghetti Dinner

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Black Creek Park

4:30-8:30 p.m

Dine-In-Or-Out

$5.00 Dinner Ticket

Dinner includes:

Spaghetti, salad, bread, cookies

Drinks available for purchase

Silent Auction Gift Baskets  

Come help support your local youth mission trip earn money to help pay for expenses.

Purchase Tickets please call Kelly Maisch @ 694-5783

Copper Canyon Baptist Church

Gov issues statement re:downed Marine helicopter

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the fatal Marine helicopter crash on the California-Arizona border yesterday:

"Anne and I offer our condolences to the families and friends of the Marines who died last night. We honor their bravery and sacrifice."

CNN news:
Seven U.S. Marines were killed in the midair collision of two U.S. military helicopters along the Arizona-California border, officials said Thursday.
Six killed in the crash were based at Camp Pendleton, California, and one was from Yuma, Arizona, the Marine Corps said.
The crash occurred during routine training operations Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m. ET, according to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Base Commander Col. Robert Kuckuk.
The collision occurred in the Chocolate Mountains on the California side of the range, near Yuma.

READ MORE

Lungren to hold Town Hall meeting in Angels Camp

Angels Camp

March 17, 2012, 10:30am to 12:00pm

Calaveras County Fair Grounds

Frogeteria Room

101 Frogtown Rd.

Angels Camp, CA 95222

CFPD Volunteer Firefighter Doug Ungari attends County Fire Academy

Doug Ungari had always dreamed of a job in law enforcement, in fact he was slated to attend the police academy and work in Stanislaus County prior to the economy's downturn and the subsequent downsizing of Police Departments. With his hopes still intact he took a job with a water delivery service and continued his efforts to find work in the civil service field.

When the opportunity presented itself to become a volunteer firefighter, the young father of two jumped at the chance to serve his community. Now enrolled at the Calaveras County Volunteer Firefighter Academy Ungari says he is really enjoying the challenge.

Ungari, having been out of school for a few years found that the classroom environment was difficult to adjust to, "a lot of information to take in and remember." The first part of the course required a substantial amount of medical training to complete certification in First Responder, while he was told this would be the most difficult part of the course Ungari found that he thoroughly enjoyed it. With his brother being an EMT and his sister a RN, Ungari can now join their ranks in the medical field as a certified First Responder. Now that the actual fire fighting section has begun he is heading into that part of the training with little trepidation and a lot of excitement.

While he stills hopes to some day be able to work in law enforcement, he is glad that he can serve his community in this capacity, joking that "everyone loves a firefighter."

His mother is excited for him. His wife Kim is very supportive and his children are proud, his son "likes to try on the gear."

Weekend Weather from the National Weather Service

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. West wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Letter from George Runnner State Board of Equalization

Sales Tax Hike Would Cost 23,000 Jobs
Governor’s Plan Would Also Destroy $267 Million in Business Investment

George Runner criticized the Governor’s plan to impose higher taxes on working Californians. He released an analysis showing that a half cent sales tax increase would cost California thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in lost investment. “Tax policy has consequences” said Runner. “As this analysis shows, a higher sales tax rate would take money out of the pockets of working Californians, destroying more than 23,000 jobs and $267 million in business investment. The projected job losses would be equivalent to every worker in a medium-sized California city like Glendora or West Sacramento losing their jobs.”

Sports Pub presents - The Santa Cruz Beach Cowboys - Live

The Santa Cruz Beach Cowboys - rock n roll blues band will be playing live at Micki & Larry's Sports Pub on March 16, 2012 from 9 pm to 1 am!

785-4646

Come enjoy the fun!

For more Beach Cowboy info click HERE

Stage 3 presents - Hamlet

Board of Supervisors preliminary agenda 2-28-12

CALAVERAS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Gary TOFANELLI - CHAIR DISTRICT  1 STEVE WILENSKY DISTRICT 2 MERITA CALLAWAY – VICE CHAIR DISTRICT 3 THOMAS TRYON DISTRICT 4 DARREN SPELLMAN DISTRICT 5

JEANNE BOYCECounty Administrative officer Janis ElliottCounty Counsel MADALINE KRSKACounty Clerk / board clerk 891 Mountain Ranch Rd San Andreas, CA 95249 Tel: (209) 754-6370

February 28, 2012

PRELIMINARY AGENDA

CALAVERAS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY
CALAVERAS COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS
891 Mountain Ranch Rd, San Andreas, California

IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AN AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE COME TO THE ROSTRUM AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COMMENTS.  PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE SPECIFIC SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION.  TIME LIMITS SHALL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR.

8:00  AM:  Call to Order

1.            CLOSED SESSION; pursuant to Govt. Code section 54957.6, personnel matter:  conference with labor negotiator (Director of Human Resources & Risk Management) re: Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA), Sheriff's Management Unit (SMU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Calaveras County Public Safety Employees Association (CCPSEA) negotiations; Human Resources Director - Board action:

9:00  AM:  Pledge of Allegiance

      Announcements

CONSENT AGENDA

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL.  THEY WILL BE ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD AT ONE TIME WITHOUT DISCUSSION.  ANY BOARD MEMBER, STAFF MEMBER OR INTERESTED PARTY MAY REQUEST REMOVAL OF AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR LATER DISCUSSION.

2.                                  MINUTES of meeting held on February 14, 2012 – Board action:

3.                                  CORRESPONDENCE:    February 6 – 17, 2012 (see attached) – Board action:

4.          MINUTE ORDER authorizing the Board Chair to execute a Notice of Non-renewal for California Land Conversation Contract No. 289 – Leiga Family Trust; Agriculture – Board action:

5.          RESOLUTION authorizing distribution of excess proceeds from the November 6, 2010 Tax Collector's Public Auction Sale; Tax Collector – Board action:

Kindness Essay winner Charis Hulbert

9 year-old Charis Hulbert is a student in Mrs. Bauers 4th grade class. Charis likes writing and reading not limiting herself to any particular genre saying that she "likes all kinds of books" but her favorite right now is the Magic Treehouse series.

Charis knew she would write about her Grandma once she understood the theory behind the assignment, but putting her feelings into words was difficult. "It was easy to know what I felt but hard to write."
Living with her Grandmother since pre-school Charis said that she has only seen her mother once, "no calls, thats it, just once for a month."

Nervous about reading her essay to a large crowd Charis has been practicing.

Click read more to read Charis's essay.

Bicycle Race photos

Photos from the Topsport Cycling race 2-19-12 in Copperopolis.

Copperopolis VFW Officer Installation Ceremony - Copperopolis History in the making

At the James D. Piper VFW Post 12118 Copperopolis institution and installation of officers ceremony officiated by the State Jr Vice Commander Ed Ford from Sacramento, the group of Veterans of Foreign Wars stood tall and proud as their names were called from the roster answering "Sir, here, sir."

As each member was asked to hold up their right hand while placing their left hand on the shoulder of the veteran in front of them, thereby touching the American flag held with dignity and respect by Commander Gilbert, they swore the oath to the office they would hold, the VFW, and the Constitution of the United States. Though some were with walkers and others were with injuries, this did not stop them from standing at attention, shoulders squared, pride in their eyes as they spoke clearly and steeped in military pride.

VFW 12118 Post Commander Al Gilbert addressed the crowd of 200 attending the ceremony at the Historic Copperopolis Armory by saying, "From Bougainville and Iwo Jima, to the battlefields in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan" explaining the diversity of theaters represented in the Copperopolis Post. Al thanked visiting VFW Post Commanders- some that had traveled great distances- recognizing their support. He also thanked Sheriff Kuntz and District 4 Supervisor Tryon for attending the event and showing their support.

The officers were recognized by Assemblymember Kristen Olsen's office with certificates of recognition for the office they now hold with Post 12118. The officers are as follows:
Commander Allen Gilbert
Sr. Vice Commander Bill Skellenger
Jr. Vice Commander Donald Shand
Quartermaster and Adjutant Ralph Murphy
Advocate Richard Dost
Chaplin and Service Officer Richard Westberg
Surgeon Larry Phillips
Trustees Anthony Alexander, Jay Hennel, and Robert Bradway
Officer of the Day Danny Thomas

At the end of the ceremony, in a moving tribute, James D. Piper's younger brother Gary Piper sang a song he had written for his lost brother Jim, 'We all cry on your birthday'- there were few dry eyes in the house, as the song transcended not only the battles fought but also time. Many of James Piper's relatives were present, his brothers Dennis, Gary and Tom, with their spouses, children and grandchildren, all of whom Jim had not lived long enough to know. James Piper's widow Micki Phillips, owner of Micki & Larry's Sports Pub, addressed the veterans of foreign war thanking them for the honor of naming the Post after the young husband she lost April 11, 1967 in the jungles of South Vietnam.

Trustee Jay Hennel receiving his Certificate of Recognition from Assemblymember Olsen's office

Chaplain and Service Officer Richard Westberg receiving his Certificate of Recognition from Assmeblymember Olsen's office

Commander Allen Gilbert officially receiving Command of Post 12118

Swearing in of Officers

Swearing in of all Foreign War Veterans

Pledge of Allegiance

Ken, Charity, and Abel

Ken and Abel attended High School with Jim Piper and served in Vietnam; Ken in the Army Abel in the USAF.

Gary Piper sand to the crowd the song he wrote years after Jim's death as a way of dealing with the loss,

"We All Cry on Your Birthday"

For more pictures click HERE

Sonora Wedding Faire

Griff's BBQ accepting resumes

Griff's BBQ is now accepting resumes for line cook.
Please bring them to Griff's at :
304 Town Square Rd
Copperopolis, CA  95228
209-785-4745

New Melones Fishing report - from Glory Hole Sports

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Kindness Hero Essay Winner Kaily Hulbert

Kaily Hulbert is a bubbly 7 year old first grader who proudly announced as soon as she sat down for the interview that she was reading at a third grade level. When asked her favorite subject, which seemed mute at this point it was a bit of a surprise that she said her favorite subject was homework with Math running a close second. Her favorite part of school is that "I get to learn."

When she was told about the kindness hero essay she immediately thought of her Grandma "cause she took me and my sister out of really bad places." This cherubic little girl continued by saying that when her mother had dropped her and her sister off at ther Grandma's house "I didn't know we wouldn't see her for a really long time."

Click read more to read Kaily's essay.

Russ Thomas to meet with Angels Camp residents

Gov Brown announces more appointments

Ashleigh Aitken, 36, of Anaheim, has been appointed to the 32nd District Agricultural Association, Orange County Fair Board. She has been of counsel at Aitken Aitken Cohn since 2010. She was an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California from 2008 to 2010, an associate at Morrison and Foerster LLP from 2005 to 2008 and an associate at Nossman Guthner Knox and Elliot LLP from 2002 to 2005. Aitken earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Aitken is a Democrat.

Gov Brown proclaims February 19, 2012 as "A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation"

Seventy years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, an act that set in motion the forced evacuation and internment of many thousands of United States citizens and legal immigrants because of their Japanese ancestry.

Despite their internment, Japanese Americans remained loyal throughout the Second World War and served with distinction in famous units like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. It is a testament to the patriotism of Japanese Americans that they gave their lives for American ideals even as they themselves were being deprived of their rights as Americans. While we can never repay them for the sacrifices they made and the injustices suffered, we can take this opportunity to reflect on the fundamental principle that even in the midst of war, our Bill of Rights remains our guide to a free and open society.

Sonora PD press release re: burglary arrest

18 Feb. 12, the Sonora Police Department responded to a reported burglary at a residence on the 500 block of S. Stewart Street. A large amount of property was removed from the residence including a laptop, jewelry, cell phone, collectable coins and other items.
Officers spoke with neighbors, who reported seeing Lisa Beaty, 31, who is homeless, in the area during the time of the burglary. Neighbors also reported that Beaty was carrying a large bag which appeared to be full of items.

Top Sport Cycling press release re:Copperopolis Bicycle race

Top Cyclists Visit Copperopolis for Town Square Circuit Race

(2/19/12) More than 400 cyclists came to Copperopolis on Sunday February 19^th to compete in the 3^rd Annual Copper Town Circuit Race. Top finisher among the men was Charles Hutcheson from Sacramento, and the fastest female finisher was Rikke Preisler from Los Gatos.

 Complete race results were as follows:

Sheriff Press release re: Advisory: Jackson Couple Arrested for Robbery, Criminal Threats, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon following incident in Valley Springs

On 02/16/12 at approx. 7:50 PM, Calaveras County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to 8503 Hautly Lane for a report of a physical altercation. The victim reported that that she had been assaulted by her son, Travis Solo and Travis’ girlfriend Colleena Allee. The 46 year old victim was inside her house when she heard someone at her front door. When she opened the door Colleena attacked her with a stick and a metal deodorant can, causing injury. The duo then reportedly stole several prescription medications belonging to Eleanor prior to leaving the residence.
Jackson Police Department Officers, after receiving a be-on-the-lookout arrested Colleena and Travis at their residence. The couple was turned over to the custody of Calaveras sheriff’s deputies, who booked the two into the CCSO jail on the charges of 211PC, 245 (a)(1) PC, 422 PC, and 182 (A)(1) PC.

Poll results

At the time of the closing of the poll a total of 28 votes were cast. The results for the following question was:

How will you cast your vote for District 4 Supervisor?
5 Tom Tryon
17 Russ Thomas
6 None of the above

Hovey Winemaker tasting - Bellisimo!

Snaps Coffee House and Wine Bar hosted Chuck Hovey - winemaker- and his distinct brand of Italian infuenced Gianelli wines  on Friday 2-17-12. According to Randy Bresee, the "wine was great, Chuck was perfect and the music was fantastic!"

For more pictures click HERE