Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association News & Updates

WOOHOO! SNOW THIS MORNING!

2012-02-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

Finally, again, we have a bit of snow. It might not last, but it's white this morning.

Straight out towards Lama Hisum Road, 8 a.m.

To the left, toward Stanislaus Forest, 8 a.m.

Ooops, Russ's laundry was out overnight. Weathermen missed their mark. The clothes are now in the dryer! :) 8.30 a.m.

9 a.m. Typical view across our backyard. This is my standard-measure-the-snowfall-photo.

My stampin' studio, over our garage. Around 9 a.m.

Here's OUR current forecast:

This graphic comes from my favorite LOCAL weather site, which isolates the weather to OUR latitude and longitude. You can check it out here.

And here is some info from the Sacramento Weather

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM PST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 4500 FEET FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 7 PM PST THIS EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: TODAY...UP TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 3000
  FEET...WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 6500 FEET. TUESDAY NIGHT AND
  WEDNESDAY...6 TO 12 ABOVE 3000 FEET...1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE 6500 FEET.

* ELEVATION: FOR BOTH STORMS SNOW ABOVE 3000 FEET...HEAVIEST ABOVE
  6500 FEET.

* TIMING: TWO PERIODS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED. THE FIRST TODAY
  THROUGH EARLY EVENING. THE SECOND WILL BRING MUCH HEAVIER SNOW
  TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: TODAY...HEAVIEST AMOUNTS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE
  80...INCLUDING INTERSTATE 50. TUESDAY NIGHT AND
  WEDNESDAY...INTERSTATE 80 OVER DONNER PASS AND HIGHWAY 50 OVER
  ECHO SUMMIT.  My pet peeve:  no mention of Hwys 88, 4, or 108!

* WINDS: SOUTHERLY 10 TO 20 MPH TODAY. TUESDAY NIGHT AND
  WEDNESDAY...SOUTHERLY WINDS 20 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS OVER 60 MPH
  POSSIBLE OVER THE RIDGES.

* IMPACTS: HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS POSSIBLE DUE TO STRONG
  WINDS AND HEAVY SNOW CREATING POOR VISIBILITIES. DIFFICULT
  BACK COUNTRY TRAVELING CONDITIONS. TRAVEL DELAYS POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS

Short Term Forecast

SHORT TERM FORECAST...COR SNOW LEVEL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA 949 AM PST MON FEB 27 2012 CAZ067-069-271930- MOTHERLODE-WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA- 949 AM PST MON FEB 27 2012 .NOW... AREAS OF SHOWERS ARE MOVING NORTHWARD THROUGH THE MOTHER LODE FOOTHILLS AND ALONG THE WESTERN SLOPE OF THE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA RANGE THIS MORNING. THESE SHOWERS ARE FALLING AS SNOW ABOVE 3500 FEET...WITH MOSTLY RAIN BELOW. HOWEVER...ISOLATED SHOWERS OF GRAUPEL OR SOFT HAIL HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN SOME OF THE STORMS MOVING THROUGH THE FOOTHILLS AS LOW AS 3000 FEET. A SNOW ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE WEST SLOPE OF THE SIERRA THROUGH 7:00 PM FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4500 FEET FOR SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 6500 TODAY. PEOPLE PLANNING TRAVEL THROUGH THE SIERRA TODAY ARE ADVISED TO BE PREPARED FOR WINTRY CONDITIONS...CARRY CHAINS...AND PLAN TO TAKE EXTRA TIME TRAVELING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.

Have a great and safe day!

WE FINALLY HAVE SN*OW

2012-02-13T07:14:00.000-08:00

Would you believe? Snow? There are 3" - 4" on the railing of our deck this morning. And I was home to experience it!!

7:00 a.m.

I've been home only 2-1/2 days since leaving here on 16 January for a conference in San Antonio TX. Since then, with the exception of those few days, I've been in the Bay Area with my daughter and family. Their home is just a 'base' as most days have been spent in San Jose where Russ and I are alternating time with his son, 41, who has ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. His "progress" is requiring extra care these days. And we are glad to have the time with him.

Below is a clue of what we might be experiencing for the next few days:

It has been quite a while since I've been to that site so here's the url for you, if you'd like to check it out sometime:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.08052761936274&lon=-120.18562316894531&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

The link (copy and paste it into your browser) takes you right to the Mi Wuk elevation forecast. You can tweak it to get other areas you'd like to check out.

Have a great and SAFE day.

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

2012-01-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

Isn't one of your New Year's Resolutions to be prepared and organized for 2012? Let me help you. :)

Add these Fire Auxiliary* dates to your Calendar (Community Events) and come on out to support your community and meet your neighbors:

Friday, May 18th          FASHION SHOW
Friday & Saturday, May 25th and 26th    RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, June 30th     PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Saturday, Sept 1st        SPAGHETTI DINNER

These events are all fundraisers for our fire department. Please come out in support of this great community and our great fire fighters!!!!

*The Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary is the largest, most active, and most supportive in the Mother Lode. Chief Randy Miller loves us and the support he and the department receive from us. At our meeting yesterday we approved a large expenditure for 'turnout' equipment for the 6 interns who are a now part of our station. They can't fight fires without proper (fitting) clothing and gear! And they are our future fire fighters.

We can always use, and we always need, new members. New members mean new ideas and new energy. Contact Pat Bremicker, 209-586-7347, for a Membership Application OR go into the Fire Station on Hwy 108, and pick up a set of forms. They're near the desk as you walk into the Great Room. It's only $15/year and we would love to have you join us as active (if/when you're "in residence") or inactive (when you're away from the area) members.

And I'm wishing for this:

C.A.S.T. MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE FIRE STATION

2012-01-10T22:50:00.000-08:00

A C.A.S.T meeting will be held at 7:00 pm, Thursday, at the Hwy 108 fire station.

Contact your neighbors, friends and family, who might be interested in this program. We all know how much it takes to support our Community and Fire Department and provide assistance to assure that we get the biggest bang for our tax dollars.

When our department goes on a call or needs assistance during storms and/or power outages, we can help by answering phones, going to the scene, when directed, to provide transportation of equipment or personnel, etc. When we have major storms or power outages we can assist by manning warming centers or advising where road problems are.

We can't help if we are not trained and know how to handle a situation.

The CAST program (Community Assistance and Support Team) is one way we can be prepared, trained and ready to assist.

This may be the last time we can show that there is interest in the Community to get this program off the ground and functioning. Hope to see you and other interested people at the meeting.

Kirk Wallace is heading up this effort. Russ and I will be out there for the meeting, and hopefully you will be too!

HIGH WIND -- NO BURNING -- ADVISORY!

2012-01-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

INFORMATION
The National weather service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for our area.

The wind advisory is now in effect until 6 pm pst this evening.

Winds: Northwest to north wind 15 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph.
Timing: Strongest winds will occur from late this morning through mid afternoon with the wind starting to decrease by this evening.

Strongest wind will be along western portions of the sacramento valley towards the coastal mountains and into the delta and will include Sacramento International Airport, Vacaville and Fairfield. (comment from Blythe: I heard on the TV news that that wind area does include the Sonora area.)

Precautionary/preparedness actions:
A wind advisory means that sustained wind of 25 to 39 mph are possible with gusts to 40 mph or greater. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Residents should secure outdoor items that may be affected by the wind.

Please do not discard any fire place ashes out side unprotected. TODAY IS A NO BURN DAY. Don't plan on burning till we see a significant amount of rain or snow.

Stay Safe
-----------------------

MY INFORMATION CAME FROM FIRE FIGHTER NEIL GAMEZ WHO IS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FOLLOWING FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE.

MI WUK SUGAR PINE F.P.D

Neil frequently posts articles/comments of interest to our area so if you are on FaceBook, put that name, MI WUK SUGAR PINE F.P.D (<<--no period after the D) in the search box at the top of each FB page and ask Neil to 'friend' you.

Have a great and safe weekend.

HAPPY NEW YEAR---A DAY LATE ALREADY!

2012-01-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

I hope you have all enjoyed a safe and sane New Year and that you're ready for 2012. I don't think we are!

I got some good information from our neighbor Bob Feretta in an email today:

After being down for 13 months, Weather Underground MiWuk weather is back on line. There are also links on this site to Cal Trans road info, Cal Fire info and the Dodge Ridge snow report. There is also a web cam for the area of the station. Info is updated every 30 minutes.

Check it out here. It looks like it's going to be partly cloudy all week. That's depressing. The url is http://www.miwukweather.com

Bob and his wife and Russ and I finally actually MET at the MAHA Holiday Gathering at the Mi Wuk Library and Community Center early in December. After chatting for a few minutes, we started to connect the dots and realized that HE was BOB and I was BLYTHE from the Mi Wuk Blog! Just like old home week!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY MI WUK BLOG READERS AND FRIENDS

2011-12-25T00:32:00.000-08:00

It's been a wild and crazy year for the Klipple household but we're finally slowing down for a day or two to relax and enjoy a little Christmas coziness.

I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas. Thanks for following our blog, offering ideas and incident updates, and just being good neighbors!

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

2011-12-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

The following was posted by Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine and Sonora Fire Fighter of the Year, Neil Gamez on the Mi Wuk Fire Protection District FaceBook home page. Just put Mi Wuk Sugar Pine F.P.D in the FB search box and click to "add as a friend". Neil is always posting good information for all of our benefits.

If you are thinking of burning gift wrap paper, ribbons, cardboard boxes, scrap lumber in your fireplace DON'T.

Christmas tree can create excessively large and hot fires, which can damage fireplaces and chimneys—or suddenly flare out of control. Each year, people lose their homes to these unexpected, fast-moving fires.

Burning improper items can also create embers that bypass missing or damaged spark arresters. These embers cause roof and attic fires that can destroy your home and everything in it. Burning improper items in a fireplace can also create fumes that make people ill and harm the environment, according to the fire department.

The winter holiday season is also time to pay special attention and care to the lighting, placement and disposal of candles. Leaving lit candles inside a home packed with flammable items and holiday decorations is an invitation to disaster. Anyone or anything can knock over a candle—including a pet, a wayward toy, or a distracted adult.

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. Be safe. Ask for snow for Christmas (yeah, really).

WHEN IS IT A BURN / NO BURN DAY?

2011-12-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

From our FireFighter of the year, Neil Gamez:

The number to call for Burn Day information is Air Pollution Control 209-533-5598. Also please remember that the county has not seen rain in some time now. We need to be very careful about keeping an eye on burn piles and making sure they are completely out before we leaving them unattended. Also if you are going to discard your fire place ashes, make sure they are in a metal container and not a paper bag or other flammable container. The department has been to a number of structure fires with that being the cause.

Keep Safe! Thanks Neil! :)

WINTER'S COMING

2011-12-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

And with that flash bit of information, here is a paraphrase of a comment Fire Fighter Neil Gamez, this year's fire fighter of the year, posted on FaceBook today:

With the up coming snow season now would be a great time to check the batteries in your flashlights, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

Also with the high volume of fire calls lately it is a good time to get your chimney cleaned and checked and clear all leaf litter from gutters and roof.

Have a safe holiday season from the Staff of the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District.

Good advice for sure!

MI WUK COMMUNITY HOLIDAY GATHERING ON SATURDAY!!!

2011-12-06T21:09:00.000-08:00

Mi Wuk

Area Homeowners'

Association

Holiday Gathering

2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Mi Wuk Community Center

(aka Library)

** Bring an appetizer or dessert to share**

Coffee, cider and Punch will be provided . . . and Door Prizes!

Don't forget a canned item or two to donate to Interfaith's Food Bank.

Come, join your neighbors and be festive!

Even if you're just up for the weekend, stop by and say HI! I know I'd love to meet "my" blog readers and we'd just like to have you stop in.

See you

on Saturday!

MORE WIND RELATED PHOTOS

2011-12-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

No 'events' in our area, equals nothing of interest to report. No news is no news! But, when we have news it's not always good for the homeowners.

These are photos of the house on Lama-Tamalin Road in Mi Wuk which has been damaged by the very recent wind storm:

I'm not sure what portion of the tree went into the house but it's obvious that something did. If the owner happens to read this blog, it would be great if you could or would update us on what you have found inside.

A tree also fell across two roofs of the Mi Wuk Mutual Water Company, their warehouse and another (I don't remember which it was). There was not a lot of damage and no one was injured.

Again, please let me know (blythek@mac.com) if you have any interesting photos or incidents where you live. If you have a question about your property, ask me and I'll try my best to check it out.

the Klipples are still without power. It's a little over 36 hours and counting. PG&E says some areas could be restored later tonight and the others maybe tomorrow afternoon. Hmmmm, what will it be for "Section 5" of the Village? I think we're the Mi Wuk Heights Water Company area.

At any time, if you have something you'd like me to post here on this blog, please let me know. When the BLOG is quiet it's because I have nothing of community interest to share. Right now, there's lots to post about.

Have a great weekend!

STILL NO POWER

2011-12-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

Just a little FYI that there is still no power in the Lama-Hisum, and further along the road, area of Mi Wuk Village.

PG&E's next suggested time to call for an update: 11 p.m. tonight, Saturday. In case you want to call for your location: 1-800-743-5002.

HOW ABOUT A NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

2011-12-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

I started this post on the day after Thanksgiving and just realized I hadn't actually sent it! Does that explain a bit about how my 'mind' sometimes works???

After that big meal yesterday are you all heading out to get that Christmas shopping underway----or even finished? Think about this before you hit the stores. I received the thoughts below in three separate emails and deem it great food for thought.

"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse ......that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

"It's time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

"Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

"Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

"Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

"Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

"There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

"How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

"Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

"My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

"OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

"Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater.

"Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

"Honestly, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

"You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas. Spread the Christmas cheer!"

HIGH WINDS AND NO POWER IN THE MOTHERLODE

2011-12-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

As I drove home late Thursday afternoon I dealt with strong winds all the way from Dublin. Once in Mi Wuk I saw one home on Lama Tamalin Road with a gaping hole in its roof and accompanying power lines dangling low over the road. They had already been marked with streamers so that tall trucks (like maybe PG&E?) would see them.

With the help of our generator we saw this on the evening news:

This is the Twain Harte Family Dentistry Office which was sliced in half (!!) by a falling tree. Miraculously and thankfully, although the tree fell within inches of a patient, Dr. Grossman reported that no one was injured! I think my husband's upcoming appointment will be moved back a few weeks. Can you imagine???

Check out this link to a FOX 40 (all I could find on line) video review of the office. You'll have to get beyond a commercial (ugh) to get to 'the news'. Just stick with it. And if you're using WildBlue Satellite internet it'll be a slow connection.

Let me know if you had some damage or an interesting story on your property that can be shared here. Although the trees are still swaying, it's not nearly as bad as yesterday.

The report from the 1-800-743-5002 PG&E Information Line is that: be expecting an "extended outage" with no end date mentioned. Wanna take bets??? Fortunately I had been at my daughter's at a Wildtree Party, packing up ten 'pre-packaged' meals, so our dinner prepping needs are d-o-n-e. Pull out the baggie of choice, add a veggie and a starch and we're good to go. Last night it was Spanish Style Garlic Shrimp; tonight Chipotle Lime Fajitas.

Three cheers for a generator and a fireplace. At 8.45 a.m., it's still only 57 in the house. Should be up to 73 by the time we go to bed tonight. Remember---we had lots of practice perfecting this warming skill in February---this time without snow.

I wish you all a great day.

IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES AND EVENTS

2011-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Coming up in the month of December:

December 6th: Fire Fighters Appreciation Dinner at the resurrected Kelly's Kitchen. Pre-purchased ticket. Sorry I neglected to get this posted earlier.

December 10th: Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Holiday Gathering at the Mi Wuk Community Center and Little Library in the Pines. 2-4 p.m. Please bring an appetizer, sweet or savory (dessert-ish or dip/chip/protein-ish)

December HOLIDAY Library Hours:
December 21, 21, 28, 29: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. WEATHER PERMITTING (smile now)

If any other events come to mind, I'll post them. If I've omitted YOURS, please send me an email and I'll get it posted.

2011-12-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

WELL FOLKS, the trees are playing tag with each other this morning!!! Do you know what a "head fake" is??? One tree will sway to the left and the tree behind it is swaying to the right! Hmmmm. How do they do that?

Yes, the wind this morning is an attention grabber.

By the way, remember last Thanksgiving and early December with the oak tree leaves weighted down by the snow? Well this year, thankfully, because of the wind and Mother Nature, there are only a few leaves (countable) on the oak trees so we won't have "oak tree LEAF branch" damage when the snows fall.

Also, at least our part of Mi Wuk Village is experiencing "an extended power outage" according to the 'plastic lady' on the PGE call-in line. Who knows what that means!!

Have a great day in the wind. I'm in Dublin and will be driving home shortly. My husband Russ is holding the fort.

THANKSGIVING IS HERE!

2011-11-24T06:46:00.000-08:00

November has been a quiet month up until now. And now......hold on cuz life gets crazy!

Today I wish you the love and warmth of family.

Wherever you spend your Thanksgiving Day, enjoy it. Our family tradition, rather than a prayer at the dinner table, is to take a moment, each person, to say what we are thankful for this year. This year, my daughter and family are in Georgia and my son and family will remain in San Jose, coming up to Mi Wuk on Friday. We'll have a second Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday where we'll share our thoughts of thankfulness.

Russ and I will be spending Thanksgiving with his ex-wife (yes really) and his sons and my cousin, in Murphys. His oldest son has AmyoLateralSclerosis, aka ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's disease. I'm not quite sure how we'll work in the "what are you thankful for" conversation this year since Jeff is now immobile. But, our thankfulness could be that their original family is together for this Thanksgiving Day, something that hasn't happened for nearly 20 years.

Be safe everyone.

WEEKEND WEATHER DETAILS (Thursday - Sunday)

2011-11-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here are the weather details from my favorite VERY LOCAL weather site:

Today: (THURSDAY, Nov 3, 2011) A chance of rain showers after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 10 to 13 mph increasing to between 20 and 23 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain and snow showers likely before 11pm, then snow showers. Low around 29. Southwest wind 17 to 20 mph becoming southwest 5 to 8 mph. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. East wind 7 to 11 mph becoming west northwest. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind between 9 and 11 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming southwest.

Saturday Night: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.08052761936274&lon=-120.18562316894531&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

That long url above is the exact locaton for MI WUK VILLAGE!

WHAT A POTLUCK!

2011-11-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

Huge kudos must be extended to ALVENA LEAL and her helpers for coordinating the most well-attended Auxiliary Potluck (and Bingo) event at the Mi Wuk-Sugar Pine Fire Station in years!!!!

I think, in the excitement and amazement, NO ONE took a photo! If you do have one, let me know so I can put it up here on our blog.

The theme was a Thanksgiving Dinner. The request was to bring side dishes for a Thanksgiving Dinner. Over 70 residents and a few guests flooded the room (which was filled to capacity), and we socialized, laughed, reunited and just had a great time. And the food! It was delicious and I challenge any restaurant to create tastier treats! My husband, Russ's, comment: These people know how to cook. So true!

Thank you Alvena, for phoning everyone on the roster, rousing such a fabulous turn out and coordinating this event -- with heart. It was an amazing evening.

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA COMING TO SONORA IN 2012

2011-11-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

That's right. Check out that map!!! And put May 16th on your 2012 calendar. The AmGen Bicycle Tour of California will be coming to the Motherlode, SONORA to be exact, on May 16, 2012. I'm sure there will be a lot more details coming in the spring. Just how cool is this!?

PAY ATTENTION.....SIERRA NEVADA WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

2011-11-03T05:58:00.000-07:00


Yosemite - Half Dome From Glacier Point

November 02, 2011 03:25 pm, Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada from Thursday 5 PM through Friday 5 AM.

Two to four inches of snow accumulation may fall above 4000 feet. Three to six inches are possible above 7000 feet.

Steady winds of twenty to thirty mph are likely. Wind gusts of up to fifty mph are expected over the Sierra crest.

Could this really mean............... snowflakes??? We've put the plow on our Jeep, just to be ahead it.

MI WUK AREA WEATHER FORECAST FOR OCTOBER and NOVEMBER 2011

2011-10-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

FYI from http://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/zipcode/95346

My husband, Russ, was looking around the web for weather for our area and this is what he came up with this morning. Let's check back at the end of November and see just how accurate the Almanac really is.

2012 Long-Range Weather Forecast for Mi Wuk Village, California

Free 2-Month Weather Forecast

OCTOBER 2011: temperature 66 ° (1 ° above avg.); precipitation 0.8" (0.4" below avg. north, 1" above south); Oct 1-2: Sunny, warm; Oct 3-5: Sunny, warm north; t-storms south; Oct 6-10: Sunny; cool north, warm south; Oct 11-13: Sunny, Santa Ana winds; hot coast, warm inland; Oct 14-16: Sunny, cool; Oct 17-19: Sunny, Santa Ana winds; hot coast, warm inland; Oct 20-26: Sunny; cool, then hot; Oct 27-31: T-storms, then cooler.

NOVEMBER 2011: temperature 59.5° (4° above avg. northeast, 1° below southwest); precipitation 4.5" (3" above avg.); Nov 1-6: Occasional rain and drizzle, cool; Nov 7-9: T-storms north, sunny south; warm; Nov 10-11: Sunny, mild; Nov 12-19: Rain and t-storms, then sunny, cool; Nov 20-24: Showers, mild; Nov 25-30: Stormy, mild.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2011 to October 2012

Winter temperatures will be below normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid- and late December, mid-January, and early February. Precipitation will be much above normal in the north and below normal in the south. The stormiest periods will be in early to mid-November and December, with mid-January being the snowiest period in the mountains.

April and May will be cooler and rainier than normal.
Summer will be warmer than normal, with near-normal rainfall. The hottest periods will be in mid-July and much of August.
September and October will be warmer than normal, with slightly below-normal rainfall. Expect hot weather in early and mid-September.

WE COULD USE YOUR HELP...........

2011-10-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

As a result of last night's C.A.S.T. meeting (Community Assistance & Support Team), a high priority request from our chief, Randy Miller is a 10' x 12' wooden shed.

If you happen to have one on your property that you'd like to get rid of, or if you have materials you'd like to donate for a shed to be placed on on the fire station property, please let me know at blythek@mac.com.

As a part time or full time resident, this is a great way to help out our fire department.

If you have any framing skills to help make this happen, it would sure be fun to see you out there when the time comes to swing the hammer! (And if you don't have framing skills come on out and get some on-the-job-training.) When we have the materials, a work day/days will be announced. We'd love to have you be a part of the TEAM and the history of our great department.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYTHING DIFFERENT IN FRONT OF THE HWY 108 FIRE STATION???

2011-10-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

Or should I ask: have you noticed anything missing?

Last Monday, the 10th, a pickup truck, with travel trailer attached, was gassing up at Zak's. The driver went inside to pay. The truck left the pumps...............

...........and traveled down the left shoulder of 108, past the parking area alongside the fire station missing the parked vehicles, into the apparatus parking and staging area AFTER DRIVING THROUGH THE BULLETIN BOARD AND SMASHING IT TO SMITHEREENS:

........on through the area in front of the bays heading right toward the trucks until the grade in the tarmac changed the truck's trajectory, pointing it toward the lower driveway exit ready to get back onto 108 heading downhill--or directly across the highway.

Mind you, there are parents waiting across the highway to meet the school bus and their children.

Into action jumps firefighter Steve White, who along with firefighter Jeff Santi, was distracted from his work inside the bays, heard unusual noise and looked out from the bays in total amazement. Steve chased the truck, and on his second attempt, safely jumped into the open driver's door and finally brought the truck and trailer to a halt in front of KELLY'S KITCHEN!

So, what's different in the fire station 'front yard'? No bulletin board. Lady Luck was sitting in that truck, ensuring that no vehicles or people were harmed during this adventure.

C.A.S.T. MEETING TONIGHT AT THE FIRE STATION

2011-10-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Kirk Wallace will be facilitating a meeting for the proposed C.A.S.T. program at the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Station on Hwy 108 in Sugar Pine tonight at 7 p.m.

C.A.S.T. is Community Assisted Support Team. (or something very close to that!) Team members will support our fire department in many many ways as needed. That could mean:

filing
manning the phones
helping build the new bathroom for the crew quarters
greeting neighbors who are using the station during a time of need--such as a warming station during power outages
delivering coffee/sandwiches to 'on-site' fire fighting crews
making those sandwiches
retrieving fire hoses and delivering dry hoses to fire fighting crews
any other help the chief requests

Anyone and everyone can help in one manner or another. If you have any special skills, let us know!!! Come on out and see what it's all about. Your community needs YOU!

"WEATHER" IS ON IT'S WAY BACK TO THE MOTHERLODE

2011-10-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

And just to be prepared, I thought I'd post the site where I get what I feel are the most accurate weather reports for our area:

Your National Weather Service Forecast for 4 miles East of Twain Harte

Click on the image for a larger view!

Rain for the next few days with a possibility of snow on Thursday, down to 4900 feet, rising to 5400 feet during the day. Little or no accumulation expected. Good news.

Welcome fall.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN MI WUK

2011-10-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 5, 2011
Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Auxiliary monthly POTLUCK at the Highway 108 Fire Station, 6 p.m.--be there by 5.45 because we start serving promptly at 6:00. Just bring any dish that will serve 6-8 diners.

OCTOBER 12, 2011
Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Auxiliary monthly meeting at the Highway 108 Fire Station, 10.30 a.m Brunch! The Meeting will begin at 11 a.m. If you are interested in coming but haven't been before, give me a call: 586.1962 and I'll be glad to pick you up, bring you and introduce you.

OCTOBER 13, 2011
C.A.S.T. Meeting at the Highway 108 Fire Station, 7 p.m. C.A.S.T. is a proposed Community Assistance Support Team, designed to assist our fire chief and department in any time of need. Kirk Wallace is the fearless leader.

I hope to see you at one of these community events. Even if you're a part-timer--or especially if you're a part-timer, come on out and meet some fellow community members.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions!

PROPOSED: COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE and SUPPORT TEAM MEETING

2011-09-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

A small group met at the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine fire station tonight to consider the formation of a Community Assistance and Support Team, C.A.S.T. for short.

This Team will consist of citizens who are interested in providing assistance and support to the Fire District as directed by the District Fire Chief. This is a great opportunity to come together and support your community in ways that fit your skills.

Responsibilities could include (with proper training and certification as necessary)

operating department non-emergency vehicles and equipment---this would include retrieving departmental personnel from out of District locations--such as a firefighter who has accompanied someone down to Sonora to the hospital and now needs a ride back up the hill. A C.A.S.T. volunteer could pick the firefighter up rather than sending another firefighter and fire truck to bring him/her back.

retrieve District hoses and equipment from fire and other emergency response sites
move tables and chairs to event locations

Other assistance and support could include administrative and clerical duties

find and write grants
assist the District Secretary in filing, copying etc
answer phones when all station personnel are out on a call during time of emergency

Miscellaneous duties could include

Fire Station maintenance, construction (new bathroom/tiling), and housekeeping
be a greeter during a time when the station is being utilized as a warming shelter/center
prepare coffee, etc. when station is being utilized as a warming shelter/center

Grounds keeping

equipment maintenance etc.

During and after emergency situations, CAST could provide Team support through

establishing communication links by ham radio and telephone
provide onsite information of road conditions
checking on stranded residents
assistance at evacuation and warming centers
provide coffee, nourishment, water, etc. for fire personnel at or near scene of an emergency

These are tasks that community members can provide in times of need or emergency. Remember last winter??? This is what we're talking about.

The next C.A.S.T. formation meeting will be held at the Mi Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Station on Thursday, October 13th, at 7 p.m. Just show up. Please. We need YOU!

In the meantime, you can pick up an informational packet at the fire station (Secretary's office). If you choose to you can also fill out an interest form, stating your name, email, skills, interest areas etc. This will be the beginning of a contact list for when C.A.S.T. gets off the ground and is called in to service.

Questions? Just send me an email, blythek@mac.com , and I'll forward it to Kirk Wallace who is pulling this Team together. This is an effort whose time has come.

(yes, today is the first day of Fall)

THE "YELLOW" IS BACK IN MI WUK VILLAGE

2011-09-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Once again we can give visitors road directions within Mi Wuk Village like

follow the broken yellow line to the 4-way stop; then turn right onto the double solid line and ..............
stay on the broken yellow line until 'xyz' Court/Road/Lane
follow the solid yellow line to Chief Fuller Road, turn left or right and you'll be at Hwy 108.

Yes, the 'powers that be' came into the village yesterday or Wednesday and finally restriped the naked 'major' roads in Mi Wuk. I don't know about you, but directions I give to visitors incorporate those yellow road lines.

This photo was taken around 6 p.m., Thursday, September 8th, with my iPhone (not hands free!!) through a dirty windshield as I returned from 2 days of babysitting in the Bay Area. I was so excited to see these fresh yellow lines once again and just had to capture a quick picture to share with you all.

Now hopefully the snow doesn't wipe them out and we have to live another 6-7 months without adequate road lines. This is cool and I'm a happy camper.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR MI WUK / SUGAR PINE FIRE STATION FUND RAISER

2011-09-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

Community participation for our Spaghetti Dinner, put on by the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary, yesterday afternoon so warmed my heart! It was fabulous. Tables were FULL, chatter was constant, workers were busy, diners left full........and as always, the committee who pulled it together learned a few things. If all goes well we'll be presenting another SPAGHETTI DINNER next September, on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

I was chairman of the event and I must thank my awesome committee members: Margie Bowen, Linda Clark and Alice Smith. Together we are a real t-e-a-m. But then we couldn't have made it happen without the super support of Auxiliary Members, women and men. There were over 25 Auxiliary members helping with set up, cooking, serving and clean up----all those things that just "miraculously happen". THANK YOU TO ALL for supporting our fire department and our community.

Thanks also goes to the gals who donated items for and then created our great raffle baskets. They were a hit and they brought in nearly $500 which will be used to purchase necessary safety equipment for our department upon their request.

It takes a VILLAGE to make it all happen!

Below: The Committee, who put in many hours behind the scenes, ahead of the event:

Blythe, Linda, Margie, Alice

And finally (woohoo!) thank you to Dave and Cindy Zbin and Monica, faithful blog readers, for finding me and introducing yourselves. That meant so much and it was just great to meet local part-timers with whom I've exchanged a bunch of emails. You guys made my day. And Loretta, you're included in that group as well.

Making it all happen:

Russ Klipple and Denny Bowen (and Blythe) were at the station at 6 a.m. getting the sauce going: 50 diced onions sautéd first:

Above: the garlic is added. Below: diced tomatoes and puree were added, followed by the herbs.

Below: Firefighter Neil Gamez (new daddy) took care of all of the bread after Jessie, Marti and Karin buttered it.

Below: Three of my grandchildren plus my son put the ice cream into the cooler. Thanks Zion, Austin and Nora. And adult supervisor, Jason.

Thanks again for coming out on this lovely warm September evening.

SPAGHETTI DINNER NEXT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd!

2011-08-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

YUM YUM, the Mi Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary's famous SPAGHETTI DINNER is back.

Saturday, September 3rd 2011

4 - 7 p.m.

Adults $10 Children ten and under, $5

Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad, Dessert, Water/Lemonade/Coffee/Tea

Please join us.

Proceeds benefit our Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Protection District.

Bring the little ones so they can get their photos taken with the fire trucks! I know my children and grandchildren will be here this year. It'll be easy cooking for one dinner meal on Labor Day Weekend for the Klipple household.

IMPORTANT THIS RELATES TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

2011-08-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

(I have made this post a "sticky post" so it will stay at the top of all subsequent posts until August 8th. You haven't lost your mind when seeing that date above!)

Have you heard about the "SRA" fee that has been passed by our California State Legislature? It was signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on July 7th, 2011.

The SRA fee is a 'fire prevention fee' of up to $150 for each "structure" on a parcel within the "State Responsibility Area".

The bill language defines a structure as "a building used or intended to be used for human habitation" including but not limited to a mobile home or manufactured home.

The bill directs the Board of Forestry to adopt emergency regulations to establish the fee which the State Board of Equalization will be responsible for assessing and collecting.

A lot of details of the bill are still unknown. (Blythe [BK]--editorial: "oh really!?") The Governor has asked a working group to address many of the complexities and issues.

The legislature requires the Board of Forestry to adopt emergency regulations to establish the fee in an amount not to exceed $150.

HOW CAN I VOICE MY OPINION ON THIS ISSUE???

The public can provide written comment to the Board prior to 5 p.m., Monday, August 8, 2011

You can also send a letter to your state legislators. I have 4 letters that you can print out and send to Senator Tom Berryhill, Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, Stan Dixon (Chair of Forestry and Fire Protection) and The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Since I can't put an attachment on the blog, please email me, blythek@mac.com, for these letters which I will email back to you a.s.a.p.

Here is what the letter says:

Date___________

Addressee (see way below for names/addresses)

SUBJECT: AB 29 - State Responsibility Area Fees

Dear ________,

We/or I live within the Mi-Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District (MWSPFPD). MWSPFPD provides fire service to its rural customers in the Sierra Foothills. Our full-time, fully staffed and equipped fire and rescue department is experienced in wild fire and structure fire suppression, as well as most type of rescue opeations. To support this level of fire protection and rescue service, the MWSPFPD Board of Directors, supported by a majority vote of the people within our community, authorized a special assessment of $170 per dwelling unit per year in 2010, and said assessment currently sits at $172.58. In addition, we have a mutual aid program with Tuolumne County Fire Department and neighboring fire services.

The community was distressed to hear that the Governor signed AB 29 on July 7th, authorizing a $150 assessment to support the California Department of Forestry fire service (CAL FIRE), a service that only operates for a portion of the year in our area. Our rural community cannot afford any additional special annual assessments for fire and rescue. We urge you to initiate and support legislation that would exempt rural property owners from this special state SRA assessment when they are currently supporting a dedicated local fire and rescue program, such as that offered here by MWSPFPD.

Thank you for your consideration of my/our concerns.

Sincerely,

You are more than welcome to copy the above letter and send it to the following:

Senator Tom Berryhill
6215 N. Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93710

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen
3719 Tully Road, Suite C
(~~State Capital, First Floor~~ <-- delete this line)
Modesto, CA 95356

Stan Dixon, Chair
Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
PO Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Governor, State of California
State Capital, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Be sure to get your letter sent so that it arrives by Monday, August 8th. This affects us all!!

COMING SOON!!! AUGUST 13, 4-7 p.m., OUR FAMOUS SPAGHETTI DINNER!

2011-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

The Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary will be presenting their now 'famous' SPAGHETTI DINNER, on Saturday, August 13th, 4-7 p.m.

Same great sauce, pasta and yummy Pugli garlic bread! Make a note to join us for dinner on the 13th. Dine in (our lovely tables will be waiting for you in the Bays that normally house our fire apparatus) or take out.

Price: $10. Children 10 and under: $5.

We hope to see you there. Yes, I'll be there. (I'm the chairman!!!) Tell your friends. Bring your friends.

MI WUK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!

2011-07-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Check it out by going to MI WUK SUGAR PINE F.P.D (no period).

When you enter MI WUK SUGAR PINE F.P.D it will be just like being 'friended' on FB......you have to be approved. But, by doing so you will be kept up to date on the latest happenings with our Fire Protection District. Fire Fighter Neil Gamez is the administrator of the group and will approve you when he is on duty or on line.

I think this is pretty neat and is yet another way to keep abreast of what's happening in our community.

If you have any problems with joining the group, either persist, or let me know and I'll check with Neil. I know I had a bit of trouble getting to the right place, pushing the right letters and buttons.

Check it out.

SONORA PASS on JULY 3rd

2011-07-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

The day after the Pancake breakfast, part-time Mi Wuk resident Carol A. went up to Sonora Pass, and, as promised sent me a photo (on July 23rd). Still a lot of snow up there.

Nice that the snow is UP THERE and not here in MI WUK in July!

VERIFYING ADDRESS...... Corrected address below

2011-07-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

I am verifying Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen's address. I don't think (but I don't know for sure either) that the 3rd line: State Capital, First Floor, is right. I should be back with the answer shortly after noon.

Thanks for your patience.

ADDENDUM: Per her website:

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen
3719 Tully Road, Suite C
Modesto, CA 95356

Delete First Floor...........

JULY 2nd, PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

2011-06-29T06:12:00.000-07:00

The Auxiliary of the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Protection District is hard at work preparing the Pancake Breakfast for your enjoyment on Saturday, July 2nd. Stop by on your way up the hill, down the hill, or as you wake up for a relaxing day at your cabin or home.

Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea, orange juice and milk

7 a.m. - 11 a.m.

$7 adults $3 ten and under

And your local friends and neighbors for table mates.......... What else could you ask for? You won't have to dirty your pots 'n' pans or dishes. You won't have to clean them up!

Come on over to Station 77, your Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Department and show your support!

Ah, REFRESHING RAIN

2011-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

Oh, you can't imagine how nice the sound and smell of the rain is tonight! The thunder is rumbling, the lightning is a bit too close, but the pattering on the roof is wonderful music. Perhaps is will wash away that icky yellow/green pollen from our roads, decks, driveway, roofs and cars. And then perhaps summer will know it's ok to stick around.

Music to sleep by........

PANCAKE BREAKFAST COMING ON JULY 2nd

2011-06-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

If you'll be coming up to your cabin during the 4th of July weekend, or if you live in this glorious spot on earth full time, be sure to stop by the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Station 77 Fire House for a yummy pancake breakfast.

The breakfast, an annual July 4th Weekend fundraiser, is being presented by the Auxiliary to the Fire Dept. Come on out and have some great food and support your fabulous fire department. And meet or see some of your neighbors. The camaraderie around the tables makes your heart sing.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

7-11 a.m.

Adults $7.00

Children 10 and under $3.00

I hope to see you there!

PS. Happy second day of SUMMER, the season that finally arrived in the Mother Lode! It was 84 degrees at my house yesterday afternoon.

BODY OF MI WUK FISHERMAN FOUND

2011-06-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

MyMotherLode.com June 16, 2011 02:25 pm Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Miwuk Village, CA-- The body of a Mi Wuk Man who fell into a river near Lyons Reservoir last Saturday has been found.

According to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office, 21-year-old Ian Brandow had been fishing with family members when he fell into the water.

Just before noon today, search teams located Brandow's body in a pool in the South Fork of the Stanislaus River.

In a cooperative effort, personnel from several search and rescue teams and fire agencies identified numerous areas where Brandow might be recovered. The water flow was then shut off at Lyon's Dam for about 30 minutes.

When the water level receded enough for an effective search, teams entered predetermined areas and Brandow's body was recovered within minutes.

Agencies involved in the search include the Mi Wuk District, PG&E, Forest Service, Tuolumne County Search and Rescue, Calaveras County Search and Rescue, Tuolumne City Fire, Tuolumne County Fire, Ebbett's Pass Fire, Calaveras Fire, Groveland Fire and Sonora Fire.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note: Ian is the son of Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Protection District firefighter Paul Brandow. Our hearts, love and prayers go to Paul, his wife Mary Ann and their other two sons. I will post if there is anything we, as a community, can do. No further information is known at this time.

I post this with great sorrow.

TAIKO DRUMMING -- SATURDAY, JUNE 18th -- 11 A.M.

2011-06-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

If you're in town this coming Saturday, June 18th, you won't want to miss this exhibition presented by the Stockton Taiko Drumming Troup.

No clue what Taiko Drumming is? Check this out by clicking here. I'm trying to figure out how to insert a little video into this post but "Blogger", our host, doesn't seem to want me to do so. In the meantime, click on the link above.

The performance is sponsored by our Fire Department, MAHA, and the Mi Wuk Little Library in the Pines. It will be held in the parking lot in front of the truck bays. For sure, the backdrop won't be as stunning as in the photo above!!! Chairs will be available in the bays.

Hungry or thirsty? Cookies, soft drinks and water will be available.

The antique wash stand, being raffled by the Little Library in the Pines, will be on display. Don't forget to get your raffles tickets there. Raffle will be held on June 30th at the Library's 2 year birthday party, 1-3 p.m.

Carbon monoxide sensors will also be on display. They will be sold by the MWSP Fire Protection District Auxiliary.

Come out and support the drummers, our Fire Department and our community! :) Scroll down to June 9th's entry to see more about the drumming.

YOSEMITE FLOOD WARNINGS.........

2011-06-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

My Motherload.com June 14, 2011 06:03 am Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Merced River at Pohono Bridge from Tuesday evening until further notice.

The warmest temperatures of the snowmelt season are expected over the next several days. This will cause the Merced River at Pohono Bridge to reach flood stage Tuesday evening.

This will bring flooding to campgrounds and trails in Yosemite Valley and visitors should pay close attention to Park officials for any closures.

Additionally a flood watch remains in effect for the Sierra Nevada through at least the end of the week.

Rafters and recreationalists will need to stay alert and be aware that all rivers and streams will become increasingly hazardous as the fast flowing and very cold waters continue to rise. Hypothermia is a deadly possibility.

Boaters on area lakes should be alert to floating debris, such as branches and logs that have washed into the lakes from high waters upstream.

MI WUK/SUGAR PINE FIRE FIGHTER'S SON LOST WHILE FISHING

2011-06-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

MyMotherlode.com June 13, 2011 01:15 pm B.J. Hansen, MML News Director

Mi Wuk Village, CA -- The Tuolumne County Search and Rescue Team is continuing a search today for a man that fell into a river near Lyons Reservoir. (BK: South Fork of the Stanislaus River)

19-year-old Ian Brandow had been fishing with family members on Saturday when he fell into the water. The Sheriff's Office received a call from Brandow's family reporting the possible drowning at 6:02pm. Lt. Ken Diaz says that rescuers spent Saturday night and Sunday walking along the shorelines, but Brandow could not be located.

Lt. Diaz notes that the water is high right now in areas around Lyons Dam Reservoir.

Ian Brandow is the son of Paul and Maryanne Brandow. Paul is one of our beloved fire fighters.

We don't know the final outcome yet but it does not look good. I will post more information as it is known. My heart it broken for this wonderful family.

A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT RECYCLING......A FEW YEARS AGO

2011-06-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

"THE GREEN THING"

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should
bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the
environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the
green thing back in my day."
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did
not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles
to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and
sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So
they really were recycled.

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator
in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and
didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two
blocks.

But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the
throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling
machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes.
Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always
brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her
day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every
room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen
the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred
by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you.
When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded
up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the
lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by
working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that
operate on electricity.

But she's right; they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup
or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled
their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the
razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just
because the blade got dull.

But they didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to
school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour
taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank
of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a
computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in
space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks
were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Food for thought shared by Mi Wuk resident Terri McKinsey.

STOCKTON BUKKYO TAIKAS DRUMMING DEMONSTRATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 18th

2011-06-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

Don't miss this demonstration of these drummers who are coming to Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine from Stockton, 11 A.M. Local resident, Robert Crawford, is a member of the drum team.

The Fire Department, Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Assn., and the Little Library in the Pines/Community Center are all working together to bring this cultural and fun event.

Cookies and coffee/water will be served by MAHA and the Library folks.

A display of Carbon Monoxide alert devices will be presented by Chief Randy Miller and the Fire Department. Do you know that it will be a LAW, effective JULY 1st, to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home!? Come and be enlightened.

JUNE 30th: Ice Cream Social at the Little Library in the Pines, celebrating it's 2nd birthday. Details will be coming.

BE ALERT! BREAK-INS ARE RECURRING IN OUR AREA.

2011-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Our community seems to be, once again, at the mercy of a 'low-life, needs parental guidance' group. There has been a spate of break-ins in the Lama-Tuemete/Hekeke area as well as a second break in on Kalana Court.

Be alert. Report ANYTHING to the Sheriff's Dept. so they at least have a record of attempts or activity other than normal or desirable. 209.533.5601. Neighbors: keep alert. Watch the homes of your part-time-neighbors. If you can, install motion lights around your property. They are a deterrent.

Our part-time neighbor, Bob, keeps me, the full-time resident, posted on break-in activity!
From June 7th: Another residential burglary in our neighborhood. 24200 block Kalanu--same area as last time--Reported Tuesday at 4:40pm. Details should be in the paper in a couple of days.

And from Joyce in the Hekeke area:
"We got a call a few weeks ago at 2 in the morning from the alarm company that our alarm was tripped. The sheriff called us around 5 to say that it was an attempted break in. Someone had gotten a basement window off the track but hadn't entered the house. We went up over Memorial Day to find that 4 door screens and one window screen had been cut and one window was broken. It looked like someone had tried every door and screen until they were able to get a window open."

Joyce said she hates to hear that others are having the same problem but that hopefully these culprits will be caught soon.

May 27th paper - A vacation cabin on the 20400 block of Hekeke Lane was broken into and a television set was taken.
May 31 paper - A window on the front door of a vacation home was broken on the 24000 block of Paipu Road.
May 31 paper - A man arrived at his vacation cabin on the 23800 block of Pine Lake Road and saw that it was broken into via a door and things were missing.
June 1 paper - A cabin was broken into and items stolen on the 23800 block of Yellow Pine Road.

Be alert. Report anything suspicious. These reports could eventually show a pattern and help towards arrests.

NO SNOW IN THE FORECAST!

2011-06-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering what we'll be having for weather at 4500 feet in the next few day, here it is:

(click on the photo for a larger view)

Our very local weather can be found at my favorite weather source:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.08052761936274&lon=-120.18562316894531&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Or, to make that long url (internet address) look nicer: http://1.usa.gov/dTyJ2j (this abbreviated version of a long url comes from http://bit.ly/ )

And remember: It's JUNE, late SPRING. We need to be reminding Mother Nature about this little bit of information. :)

More proof of Ma Nature getting confused:

June 03, 2011 04:52 pm Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA--

Due to another wet weekend, two area mountain passes will remain closed.

That's according to Caltrans Spokesperson Chantel Miller who says the closure of Highway 108 Sonora Pass and Highway 4 Ebbetts Pass will be in effect until Monday when maintenance crews can reassess the roads.

My sister-in-law, from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, visited the fabled 'sunny California' the last week in May. We drove up to the pass on the 26th, the day after Sonora Pass opened 'for the season'...... Turned out that is was just a few days before it was re-closed. We did experience light snow while up there!

The National Weather Service says that Saturday, a quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain is expected in the Sierra Nevada.

On Sunday, an additional quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain is likely in both the Motherlode and the Sierra Nevada. The possibility of showers will also continue on Monday.

Snow levels will remain above 7500 feet with several inches of accumulation expected on Sunday.

Highway 120 Tioga Pass has still not opened for the summer season.

Enjoy your weekend...............

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ON JUNE 30th save the date

2011-06-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

With many thanks to the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine communities, their volunteers and their energy

The Little Library in the Woods/Community Center,

once known as the Mi Wuk County Library,

will celebrate it's 2nd birthday on Thursday, June 30th.

Put the date on your calendar!

Come on by, 1-4 p.m., for ICE CREAM,

generously provided, cones and all, by

Andy's Mountain Grill & Deli.

This celebration would not be possible without the support of our fabulous community!!!

TAIKO COMES TO THE MOUNTAINS

2011-06-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

Stockton Bukkyo Taiko

will perform at the Mi Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Station, 24247 Highway 108, Sugar Pine, Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11a.m.

This event is co-sponsored by Mi Wuk Community Center/Little Library In The Woods, MAHA (Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association) and the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District and is free to the public.

In addition to the drum concert, attendees will have the opportunity to observe a drum making display, sit in a fire truck, and interact with firehouse and library staff who will be available to outline current programs and services.

Anyone wishing to donate cookies/brownies for this event, please contact Jeanne Crawford at 586-4266 or synergy43@yahoo.com

HAIL IN JUNE?

2011-06-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

HAIL YES! 2.45 p.m. and we've just had a "down pouring" of hail. What kind of June 1st is this!?

REMEMBER THESE DAYS???

2011-05-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

It's been so quiet and 'dull' lately that there hasn't been much to talk about here on our Mi Wuk village area blog. But, some people have been reading their Smoke Signals and have been sending me some of their photos to be added to those for the scrapbook that will be compiled about the Winter of 2011.

Today's photos are thanks to Teri McKinsey. See what happened to their cute little shed?

More great photos to come in the next few days.

Now as for the signature. It's the 28th of May. It is this???

Or is it this!? After all, it IS mid-spring!!!

WE CAN'T RELAX YET! "OLD MAN WINTER" PLANS ENCORE THIS WEEKEND

2011-05-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

May 12, 2011 05:45 am Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

"Old Man Winter" plans an encore appearance this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in the Motherlode will be ten to fifteen degrees below normal on Saturday and as much as fifteen to twenty-five degrees below normal on Sunday.

The cold low pressure system will be unstable and bring showers and possible thunderstorms from Saturday night into Monday.

In the Sierra Nevada, snow levels are expected to lower significantly and snow accumulation is possible.

From my favorite weather website: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php

And when I looked on Monday, the dogwoods hadn't even bloomed in Mi Wuk Village. UGH. What's it all mean?

This is the third article posted today, May 12, 2011. Be sure to scroll down to the previous two.

STORM ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HIGH COUNTRY RESIDENTS

2011-05-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

IF you know of a neighbor who needs assistance and doesn't have a computer, please share this information with them and lend them a hand.

From a press release issued by Helping Hands Volunteer Storm Clean Up Group:

Do you have downed trees and woody debris from this year’s winter storms; and are you in need of help to clean it up? An eclectic group of organizations and volunteers are banding together in order to offer assistance to the elderly, disabled, and low income individuals/families who continue to struggle with storm-related yard debris cleanup at their primary place of residence in Tuolumne County.

The clean up of storm debris will begin in June for those applicants who qualify. Pre-registration at one of the Local Assistance Centers listed below is required.

For more information please call Area 12 Agency on Aging @ 532-6272

May 04, 2011 06:03 pm

Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA-- A group of Tuolumne County organizations and volunteers are banding together to help residents affected by this year's winter storms.

These groups will be offering assistance to the elderly, disabled and low income individuals and families who continue to struggle with storm-related yard debris cleanup.

For more information on filling out an application or on volunteering, visit the following local Assistance Centers from May 9th through May 21st:

Monday, May 9th Church of the 49ers, Columbia; 12 noon - 7 pm
Tuesday, May 10th Sonora Senior Center; 11 am - 2 pm
Wednesday, May 11th Tuolumne Memorial Hall, Tuolumne; 12 noon - 7 pm
Thursday, May 12th Sonora Senior Center 11 am - 2 pm
Friday, May 13th Sonora Senior Center 11 am - 2 pm
Saturday, May 14th Mi Wuk Fire Department, Mi Wuk; 12 noon - 7 pm
or Groveland Little House 12 noon - 4 pm
Monday, May 16th Mi Wuk Fire Department, Mi Wuk; 12 noon - 7 pm
Tuesday, May 17th Mi Wuk Fire Department, Mi Wuk; 12 noon - 7 pm
Wednesday, May 18th Tuolumne Memorial Hall, Tuolumne; 12 noon - 7 pm
Thursday, May 19th Sonora Senior Center 11 am - 2 pm
Friday, May 20th Sonora Senior Center 11 am - 2 pm
Saturday, May 21st Mi Wuk Fire Department, Mi Wuk; 12 noon - 7 pm
or Groveland Little House 12 noon - 4 pm

Applications can also be filled out and dropped off at the Area 12 Agency on Aging located on Standard Road in East Sonora, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm starting May 9th.

You can click on the photo/flyer above to see it better. I'm not savvy enough yet with this blogging platform to successfully attach a pdf flyer. Lessons welcome!

SODA CAN TEST???

2011-05-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, really..........a soda can test. Read on and you'll be enlightened.

Do you receive the Smoke Signals, MAHA's quarterly newsletter and community update? On page 18 in the May (current) issue, in the Mi Wuk blog article, I requested photos from a different vantage point than the routes I usually drive in the village. Terri McKinsey was kind enough to send me some great photos and a little get-acquainted paragraph:

I have been coming up to the area with my family since 1962 and camping first at Pinecrest and then at Clark Fork. My Uncle Bill introduced the family to Clark Fork in 1963 when Pinecrest (camp ground) was full. It has become an annual Family Reunion for us ever since. We have added and lost members of the family, but we still go. Uncle Bill introduced us to the mountains we LOVE. When my husband and I were looking to buy a vacation home, we found one in Cold Springs. We had that house for 10 years, purchase in 1990. Because of the snow and STEEP driveway, we decided to move down the hill. My husband said, "Our next house needs to pass 'The Soda Can Test". I asked what that was. He said, "You lay a soda can on its side in the driveway and if it does not roll down the hill - THAT is the house for us." :-) We found the perfect house in MiWuk. We bought in 1999 and have loved it ever since. (Editor's note: our driveway would not not not pass that soda can test. You could have soda can races instead!)

Here are some photos from their home:

Their shed, pre-storm of March:

Their shed, post-storm:

The shed, after the snow melted, about 2 weeks later.

Remember the berms?

Thanks to Terri and her husband for their great photos.

If you have any photos you'd like to share on the blog, just send them to me at blythek@mac.com.

~ ~ ~

Also, someone at the Community Center/Library is putting together a scrapbook of the historical storm of 2011. If you have hard copy photos, please send them to

MAHA

PO Box 46

MI WUK VILLAGE, CA 95346

Be sure to put some type of information on the back of each photo--with a sharpie marker that won't smear--so it can be identified in the scrapbook.

CAUTION WHEN USING AN ATM IN OUR AREA !!

2011-05-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Union Democrat's "For the Record" Column has been full of complaints of unauthorized/fraudulent usage or attempted usage of ATM cards from Jamestown to Mi Wuk Village the last two days.

May 6, 2011:

Fraudulent ATM Purchases Reported
05/06/11 07:30 PM | Tina Falco | 13 Comments

Sonora, CA-- Recently the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office has received multiple calls from the public regarding fraudulent use of their ATM cards.

"Many of the victims are here in the Sonora area," said Sgt. Jeff Wilson. "The purchases are taking place in most of the southern states but some have also been reported in Nevada. We're asking the public to report any information like this so that we can send it to our investigation's people and make some headway on this case."

Wilson says the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department has received 17 reports from residents regarding fraudulant ATM use.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com

If you have used an ATM in the Jamestown or Sonora areas in April or May, please check your banking statements for unauthorized usage. If you find anything out of line, be sure to contact the Sheriff's Department. (209)533-5855.

HASN'T THE SPRING-LIKE WEATHER BEEN REFRESHING?!

2011-05-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

It has been just wonderful having a cluster of warm days that remind us why we choose to live up here at 4500 feet. But........Ma Nature has a little more in store for us. Hopefully, this event noted below will "bring the snow to the dogwood blossoms" to fulfill the myth that we'll be done with winter --- spring and summer can now take charge.

From www.mymotherlode.com this morning (Saturday)


Yosemite Snowfall
Enlarge

May 06, 2011 03:35 pm Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Sierra Nevada from 2 PM Sunday through 11 AM Monday.

The snow level will lower to around 5000 feet. Up to three inches of snow accumulation is expected around 6000 feet, with higher amounts above 7000 feet.

Winds of fifteen to twenty-five mph are likely with some gusts reaching thirty-five to fifty mph.
In the Motherlode, the chance of rain will begin late Saturday night.

Cold unstable air will move through the region on Sunday, bringing much cooler temperatures, the chance of rain showers and even isolated thunderstorms. Precipitation amounts will likely be less than half an inch.

The chance of showers could linger through Monday before the system fully moves to the east.

In addition, area rivers and streams will be running very cold and very fast for the next several weeks. Everyone going into the water should wear a life vest or personal flotation device. Children who are even just wading aolng a waterway should wear a life vest. Even the strongest swimmers can suffer from hypothermia.

EASTER EGG HUNT TODAY!

2011-04-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is today.

1 p.m.

Zerga property on Pela Road, along the old golf course

How do the Easter eggs get filled? With the help of Easter elves of course! Students, members of the MAHA (Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Assn) board and passersby helped, in the 'great room' of the Mi Wuk Village Community Center, to fill around 1,000 eggs with candy for the hunt .

We hope you come out today, cool and rainy as it may be, and enjoy the hunt, refreshments, and prizes along with the kids. Don't forget:

THE EASTER BUNNY WILL BE PRESENT FOR PHOTO OPS!

I wish you a safe and wonderful Easter Weekend.

MEET WITH EVAN ROYCE, OUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR

2011-04-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

Our District 3 Supervisor

Evan Royce

will be at the Mi Wuk Library on Wednesday, April 20th,

1:30 - 2:30 pm.

for his monthly 'office hours'

with Mi Wuk, Sugar Pine, Sierra Village and other local area residents.

Evan will also be at the MAHA Spring Meeting

on Saturday, April 30th.

Got questions for Evan?

Got comments for Evan?

Let's show him some support by showing up to talk with him.

* SAVE THE DATE * for the MAHA SPRING MEETING

2011-04-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Spring Meeting of the Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association

will be held on

Saturday, April 30th, 2011, 10 a.m.

at the Mi Wuk Community Center and Lending Library.

Come early for coffee and cookies.

Fire Chief Randy Miller will be present.

More information as I know it.

Please join us if you're in town.

Please join us if you're a full time resident!

You are a member of this community and we'd love to see you at the meeting. Meet your neighbors.

ARE WE BEING NEGLECTED?

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I attended the monthly meeting of the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary, as known as the Fire Auxiliary. Fire Chief Randy Miller gave us a very juicy Chief's report based a lot on the past storm and accompanying outages, downed trees and unplowed roads (took 2 days to get most of Mi Wuk's roads even begun to be plowed).

Here are some of his points:

When a storm hits down in the lower elevations, i.e., Sonora, all of the resources are directed there first. People down there aren't prepared for snow and generally don't know how to drive in it.
Suggestion:

Divert one snow plow to Mi Wuk for both highway and village roads
Divert one snow plow to Twain Harte for the same usages

Communication between the Tuolumne County Emergency Operations Center and the communities needs to be improved!

This relates to distribution of information to and from Cal Trans, County Roads, and PG&E.
There was frequently no response to calls.
Calls had to be made multiple times before they were acknowledged or acted upon.

There were several LARGE generators 'up the hill' that were available for community usage. No one in Mi Wuk was made aware of these generators although the power to the Mi Wuk Water Company was out and the warming center at the Word of Life Center had to be closed down and the patrons evacuated. The generators went unused during the outage. What a shame.

What can we as a community do? Contact your county supervisor who in our case is our District 3 Supervisor, Evan Royce. Evan can be reached at 533-5525. E-mail: eroyce@co.tuolumne.ca.us His local office hours are on the third Wednesday of each month at the Mi Wuk Community Center and Lending Library. I plan on being there this month, April 20th (although I have a class this same time in my stamping studio). I'm really concerned about these issues.

(eerie music).........IT'S BA-A-A-A-CK!

2011-04-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

At least for a few hours this Wednesday afternoon, the snow is back. We had a bit of rain, some heavy hail/corn snow, and then abound 3/4" of snow. As I write right now, the sun is shining brightly. Who knows!?

This Afternoon: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind between 3 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west southwest.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North northeast wind between 5 and 9 mph.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. West northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Yesterday, my visiting-from-Switzerland-cousin Nate, his sister Christy, Russ and I took a day trip, in beautiful sunshine, to Yosemite. What a perfect day.

Upper Yosemite Fall

Half Dome and the Merced River

Blythe & Russ braving the wind and mist at Lower Yosemite Fall

Half Dome around 5.30 p.m. Today's clouds are beginning to come in.

Hwy. 120, headed out of Yosemite Valley, homeward to Mi Wuk Village. How nice it is that we live so close to this National Wonder.

Please stayed tuned for important community announcements in the next few days. Chief Randy Miller from our Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Department has some community activities to report about and request participation in. LET'S BE SUPPORTIVE! It's all for our benefit.

A LITTLE SNOW HUMOR

2011-04-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Since we obviously have no power over Mother Nature, we might as well share a little humor. These cartoons are compliments of Russ (Klipple):

Click on the images for larger views so you can read the words.

WELL........IT'S BACK!

2011-04-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

Mi Wuk Village woke up to a few inches of snow this morning with more added during the morning. I have 5" - 6" on the steps outside my window.

Today

Snow
Likely
Hi 33 °F

Tonight

Chance
Snow
Lo 22 °F

Friday

Chance
Snow
Hi 34 °F

Friday
Night

Chance
Snow
Lo 24 °F

Saturday

Chance
Rain/Snow
Hi 44 °F

Saturday
Night

Mostly
Cloudy
Lo 31 °F

Sunday

Partly
Sunny
Hi 51 °F

Sunday
Night

Slight Chc
Rain
Lo 36 °F

Monday

Mostly
Sunny
Hi 48 °F

Today: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 5 and 8 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind becoming northeast between 4 and 7 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. East northeast wind around 8 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 34.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

And here's the funny from our back yard here on Tobacco Mountain (as opposed to Tobacco Road!).

We weren't thinking!

LIBRARY OPEN WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY AS USUAL

2011-03-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Mi Wuk Lending Library, aka Little Library in the Pines, will be open for business as usual this week, Wednesday and Thursday, 1-4 p.m.

Bookclub will be meeting on Thursday as usual.

For those of you who might not know, Joan Henderson, our esteemed librarian/volunteer has been at Sonora Regional since the Saturday before the big storm hit. She was in intensive care much of that time. Today a report has been given the she is showing significant improvement. Please do not call her. But you are more than welcome to send her a card, c/o Sonora Regional Medical Center, 1000 Greenly Road, Sonora, CA 95370.

Cards will be also be available at the library tomorrow and Thursday for you to come in and sign. One of the volunteers will take them down to Joan.

Yeah for the sunshine!!! No power outages in Mi Wuk Village. But--a lot of cleaning up to be done. No complaints!

ONLY 2 MORE POWER OUTAGES IN THE VILLAGE

2011-03-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

As of 9.30 p.m. there are only 2 more outages to be repaired in Mi Wuk. I do love that PG&E website. Although it doesn't say where they are, we know they are there.

95346:
2 outage(s) affecting 1 to 49 customer(s)

Outage Number: 285089
Affecting: 1 to 49 customer(s)
Cause: PATROLLING
Status: Awaiting T-Man
Start Time of Outage: 03/20/2011 11:48:58 AM
Est. Time of Restoration: not available
Last Updated: 03/27/2011 09:38:31 AM

Outage Number: 295985
Affecting: 1 to 49 customer(s)
Cause: STORM
Status: Awaiting T-Man
Start Time of Outage: 03/26/2011 04:41:44 PM
Est. Time of Restoration: not available
Last Updated: 03/27/2011 08:39:05 PM

The power at our home was restored at noon today. Strange not to hear that generator, be lighting those candles, oil lamps and lanterns, cooking on the Coleman stove or adding wood to the fireplaces. Now it's clean up around here, and unfortunately for many of our Mi Wuk neighbors, a lot of clean up around their homes.

We can look forward to a somewhat sunny week with warmer temperatures. Thank you Mother Nature.

~Blythe

WHAT GREAT LUCK ONE TO FORTY-NINE MI WUK HOMEOWNERS HAVE!!!

2011-03-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

We (yes, WE) are still without power. At least for my home, this is a new record: 8 days. Our last record was 7 days, 3 hours.

I think this is the major culprit (from the PG&E outage map at http://pge.com/myhome/customerservice/energystatus/outagemap/zip.shtml:

Outage Number: 285089
Affecting: 1 to 49 customer(s)
Cause: PATROLLING
Status: Awaiting T-Man---can someone tell me what a T-Man is please?
Start Time of Outage: 03/20/2011 11:48:58 AM (9.30 per Russ)
Est. Time of Restoration: not available
Last Updated: 03/27/2011 05:48:45 AM

It's the only outage remaining from last Sunday. And I know we've been out since last Sunday morning. Sigh.

From the National Weather Service, detailed forecast for our immediate area:

Today: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southeast wind between 6 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming northwest.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east northeast.

NO SNOWFLAKES in the picture! I love snow but we do need a break.

DAY 7 OUT OF POWER

2011-03-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

I just checked the PG&E power outage report:

Down from 14 outages to 10.
Down from 1500 people affected to 50-499 affected.
There have been several new outages today and yesterday.
Outages from the 20th or 21st are estimated to be repaired at or around or by 10 p.m, Sunday night, the 27th.
Wouldn't that be nice!!!???

So for today:
...no snow
...little or no rain
...many tree bombs
...no power
But I'm really getting used to it. How about you? And if you've stayed away from Mi Wuk, how smart you are! We should be back to normal next week sometime???

I'd love to hear some comments and see some photos from some of you who have "weathered the storm", sitting tight here in Mi Wuk, without power. (Just email your photo/s to me and I'll get them up on the blog.) I think we're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What have you learned?
What piece/s of equipment do you wish you'd had on hand?
What piece/s of equipment are you going to purchase in preparation for the next outage?
What was the most helpful equipment you've been relying upon?
How'd you cook?
What hints can you share so we can all be better prepared?

LATEST STORM UPDATE---it's looking better!

2011-03-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

From: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick

Friday, Late Afternoon: Snow showers. High near 40. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow. Low around 30. Southeast wind between 7 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow before 11am, then rain. High near 38. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind between 8 and 11 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

It's beginning to look like a safe venture from wherever you live, up to Mi Wuk Village will be a real option next week! You should probably be prepared to doing some shoveling though.

March 25, 2011 06:05 am Mark Truppner, MML Reporter, My Motherlode.com

The Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada has been extended until 7 PM Saturday.

Three inches to two feet of snow accumulation is likely from 3,000 through 7,000 feet.

Winds of twenty to thirty-five mph are expected in the Sierra with gusts ranging from fifty to sixty mph.

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 1 MI WEST OF LONG BARN TO 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO)

Woohoo, it seems as if next week is looking up!

PG&E OUTAGE STATUS

2011-03-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

http://pge.com/myhome/customerservice/energystatus/outagemap/zip.shtml

I just checked the PG&E outage status for our zip code, 95346.
There are still 14 outages.

Two are given the estimated restoration time of today, 25 March, 10 p.m.

Four are given the estimated restoration time of Sunday, 27 March, 10 p.m.

For the remainder the estimated restoration time is not available.

Most outages began on March 20th, with one additional outage each on the 21st, 22nd, and 24th.

I'm really enjoying the availability of this site and hope you check it out as well. While the outage locations are not given, the general data, such as time of occurrence, crew availability and cause are given.

FRIDAY'S FOLLIES -- OR FRIDAY'S MI WUK DRIVING ADVENTURE

2011-03-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

ALSO KNOWN AS DAY 6 OF THIS POWER OUTAGE

Friday morning borderlined on blue sky. It hasn't lasted but it also hasn't snowed more than a teeny bit around 12.30 p.m.

IF my half of the garage was cleared out (mostly my stuff), which it isn't, I wouldn't have had to clean off my car before setting out on today's adventure: Post Office, Zak's: new belt for the snow blower, Twain Harte Lumber: new wick for the oil lamp, and, since I was out, medicine from the Twain Harte Vet for our cat. Everyone was operating on generators, and since Zak's computers were out, I couldn't get gas for our generator. Repairman was on site.

Below: Lama-Tamalin, just beyond Hiapo driving towards the 4-way stop intersection:

Below: Diamond Jim's parking lot from Sierra Park Drive:

Below: Worker's trucks parked in front of Alicia's and the still-closed "Kelly's Kitchen":

Below: coming back up the hill from Twain Harte, following a sand truck/plow combo, "Kelly's Kitchen parking area:

Below: parking area on north (left!) side of 108, across from Alicia's:

Below: following another snow plow (and PG&E truck), this one tidying up the berm on the road side.

Below: Diamond Jim's parking lot:

Do you have a car port? Your berm might be this high too!

Below: bottom of our driveway....snowplow (my day for snow plows) had just gone up Susu Court, first time since Sunday.

Below: Here she comes, down the court, in reverse. Kinda like Ginger Rogers---in high heels and backwards! Cabin fever do you think??

And away she goes.......probably making Lama-Hisum and Lama-Tamalin almost 2 lanes wide. There are still some lines in the road though beyond Hiapo near Lama Court.

PG&E OUTAGE STATUS WEBSITE

2011-03-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

http://pge.com/myhome/customerservice/energystatus/outagemap/zip.shtml

Scroll down the list of zip codes and double click on 95346.

One of our part time neighbors, Bob Feretta, just sent me the above link for checking out outage status. GREAT resource, especially if you don't think they're doing anything. They are!!!

Currently there are 14 outages in Mi Wuk--identified by number only, not location. Most are awaiting crews or a specific category/specialty of crew member.

Main causes for outages:

equipm + t fail (???)
storm
wire down
broken pole
not available

It's a great site for reference and much more informative than a phone call to PG&E! Check it out.

MI WUK VILLAGE-SPECIFIC FORECAST

2011-03-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

I really like this website a gentleman at the library shared with me last week:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.08052761936274&lon=-120.18562316894531&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

On the website, you can move the icon to your area of interest.

The forecast specifically for Mi Wuk Village:

Today: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Temperature falling to around 27 by 2pm. Breezy, with a south southeast wind between 23 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow showers and areas of blowing snow. Low around 26. Breezy, with a south wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

Friday: Snow showers. High near 37. South wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow before 11am, then rain. High near 40. South southeast wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

THURSDAY'S CHECK IN

2011-03-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

From MyMotherlode.com

March 23, 2011 08:32 pm Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Twain Harte, CA-- There has been little change in the number of power outages in the Mother Lode this evening. Just under 5,000 Mother Lode residents still remain without power.

According to PG&E Spokesperson JD Guidi, Tuolumne County has the most reported outages with 4,580 mainly in the Twain Harte and Mi Wuk Village areas. There are 1,783 customers in Twain Harte without electricity, 1,350 in Mi Wuk Village, 390 in Sonora, and the remaining outages are scattered throughout the county.

In Calaveras County there are less than 500 customers without power mainly in the Arnold area.
"There's a lot of access issues and with current weather conditions, crews are having variables that are preventing restoration, said Guidi.

There are still no estimated restoration times available. To report an outage or to receive information on a specific neighborhood, call 1-800-PGE-5000.

MOTHERLODE WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED:

March 23, 2011 03:47 pm Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Motherlode from Thursday 3 PM to Friday 11 AM.

The Winter Storm Warning now in effect for the Sierra Nevada, also continues until 11 AM Friday.

Half a foot to a foot of snow is possible above 2000 feet. One to four feet of snow foot is likely above 3000 through 4000 feet. Three to five feet of snow is expected above 7000 feet.

Additionally, a High Wind Warning has been issued for the Motherlode on through 5 PM Thursday. Winds of twenty to forty mph are expected with strong gusts from forty-five to seventy mph. This could lead to more downed trees and power outages. This will also create difficult driving conditions, especially for small cars and high profile vehicles.

In the Sierra, winds of twenty-five to thirty-five mph are expected with gusts up to sixty mph.
Thunderstorms are also possible Thursday afternoon and evening. Funnel clouds will be possible along with weak tornadoes. These storms will most likely contain a lot of hail mixed with heavy rainfall.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Motherlode now through late Thursday night. Periods of moderate to heavy rain will lead to rapid rises of small rivers and streams. Smaller creeks could overflow their banks. Flooding of low-lying areas in both urban and rural locations should be expected. Rock, dirt and mud slides are also likely.

More wet weather is possible late Friday night and Saturday, as another storm system approaches the region.

2011-03-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Contribution from my husband, Russ:

Spring has sprung

Fall has fell

The snow on the ground

Is cold as.........

all get out!

There now, don't ya just feel a wee bit better????

These 2 photos are of the trees that laid across Lama-Tamalin on Monday and part of Tuesday. Although they were trimmed to allow traffic to pass there are lines on the roadway which should not be driven over. As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the lines were still on the road, although crews are at the corner of Lama Court and Lama-Tamalin working on lines, most likely those same lines.

This cedar is on our property. We've been trying to keep it upright for several years as you can see by the ropes attached. Hopefully it'll pop back up after the snow lets go of it.

PHOTOS TAKEN WHILE ON AN OUTING TO THE POST OFFICE AND MEANDERING BACK HOME 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon

Hi Kathy!

Below: The action seems to be at Lama Teuemete/Nuke Trail, just beyond Nupa Court

Next group of photos: Hekeke Lane, just off of Teuemete:

To the left, as Hiapo intersects Lama-Tamalin:

Right turn from Hiapo onto Lama Tamalin/Hisum. The low hanging snag of branch hanging from the line on the right of the photo was right above my car. I certainly didn't daudle.

Lama-Hisum

A snow removal vehicle of some sort came through while I was out (finally--first time since Monday) and pushed the center 'berm' to the sides of the road. Now it's definitely ONE LANE CLEARED with ice blocks on either side. Fortunately I didn't encounter a driver going the other directions.
Those poor guys just can't win.

No berm to scrap the undercarriage of the car!

After navigating back up my driveway (I always back up so I'm ready to go), curbing my tires and putting on the parking brake, my car skooched about a foot-and-a-half until it was happy where it was. It'll be interesting to see where it is in the morning. Can't go far due to the wheels being curbed.

Again, drive gently and courteously, yield to oncoming traffic just to be nice, be kind to the repair crews........ I know, talking to the choir. I'm just very impressed with the way they are attacking the jobs that are waiting for them.

By the way, it's snowing quite seriously right now, 4:25 p.m. And I have to go back out and clean the satellite dish before I can sign off. Not a pretty site! (these photos were from yesterday, the day of reprieve) First: Dish Network's dish.

Wildblue's dish.......a nice little stretch, but 'Webster' makes it all possible for short people.

POWER OUTAGES, WARMING STATION CLOSED, WEATHER ALERTS, ROAD CONDITIONS

2011-03-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

The following three articles are from MyMotherlode.com

March 23, 2011 07:25 am B.J. Hansen, MML News Director

Sonora, CA --

The number of remaining power outages in the Mother Lode is shrinking.
In Tuolumne County there are 5,965 PG&E customers without electricity. There are nearly 1,700 in Twain Harte, 1,500 in East Sonora and close to 1,500 in Mi Wuk Village*. In Calaveras County there are only 260 remaining customers without power. They are mainly in the Arnold area.
Crews continue to work around the clock, and there is still not an estimated restoration time.

Editorial comment: I had to laugh when I saw that close to 1500 are still without power in MWV. How many residents do we have according to the green highway sign announcing Mi Wuk Village??? 1500!! It just struck me as funny.

March 23, 2011 07:17 am B.J. Hansen, MML News Director

Mi Wuk Village, CA -- The Mi Wuk Village Warming Station at the Word of Life Fellowship Center is now closed.

Unfortunately they have lost water at the location. Those in the high country without power are encouraged to go to the Moose Lodge on Longeway Road in the Soulsbyville area. A second warming station is open in South Tuolumne County at the Groveland Community Hall.

March 23, 2011 06:15 am Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada continues through 11 AM Friday.

In addition, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Motherlode from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.

Half a foot to a foot of snow is possible above 2000 feet. One to four feet of snow foot is likely above 3000 through 4000 feet.

Wind gusts of forty to sixty mph are possible near the Sierra crest.

Additionally, a Wind Advisory is in effect for the Motherlode through 3 PM this afternoon.

A High Wind Watch has been issued for the Motherlode from late tonight through Thursday afternoon.

Winds of fifteen to thirty mph are expected with gusts up to thirty-five mph today. On Thursday, those gusts could range from forty-five to sixty-five mph.

This could lead to more downed tree limbs and difficult driving conditions, especially for small cars and high profile vehicles.

Thunderstorms may be a possibility this afternoon. Any local thunderstorm would most likely contain a lot of small hail mixed with heavy rainfall.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Motherlode through late Thursday night.

Periods of moderate to heavy rain will lead to rapid rises of small rivers and streams. Smaller creeks could overflow their banks.

Flooding of low-lying areas in both urban and rural locations should be expected. Rock, dirt and mud slides are also likely.

IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA

(IS CLOSED FROM 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY TO 5.3 MI WEST OF THE JCT OF US 395 /SONORA PASS/ (TUOLUMNE,MONO CO) - FOR THE WINTER - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE)

CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM EAST TWAIN HARTE TO 3 MI WEST OF LONG BARN (TUOLUMNE CO)

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3 MI WEST OF LONG BARN TO 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO)

-------------

I'll be taking a drive around 2 p.m. today, checking the area between our home, the PO, Diamond Jim's and back. If you have a particular area/home you'd like me to check, just ask. I'll do so if I'm able. It's my pleasure to be as informative and helpful as I can. I'm only going to be online as long as our generator is running. No need for the generator, no internet. :)

Stay dry, stay safe. Do NOT drive over downed power lines! Take an alternate route.

DO NOT DRIVE OVER DOWNED LINES!!!!!

2011-03-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

Per Fire Department PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE OVER DOWNED LINES! Many lines are down and crews are unable to get to them to either disable them, mark them or create a safety zone barrier. Find an alternate route!

Make a call to the non-emergency phone for the sheriff: 209-533-5815.

WARMING STATION AT 'WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP' 8.am. - 7.30 p.m.

2011-03-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2011 02:00 pm

Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Soulsbyville, CA-- There are now three warming stations available in Tuolumne County.
In the Soulsbyville area, a warming station is open at the Moose Lodge off Highway 108 at 20921 Longeway Road.

A second warming station is available at the Word of Life Fellowship Center in Mi Wuk Village on Highway 108. The Word of Life Fellowship will assist people in getting to the warming center.

At 2:00 pm, a third warming station opened at the Groveland Community Hall at 18720 Highway 120 in Groveland.

Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services Coordinator Kathleen Rustrum reports that local members of the American Red Cross will be operating these shelters. She advises residents to bring any prescriptions or medical equipment they may need in the coming days.

The shelters will remain open from 8am until 7:30 pm daily until the power outages are restored.

HOLY TOLEDO! Stay where you are if you aren't already in Mi Wuk or nearby villages!

2011-03-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

I've just ventured out to the Hwy 108 Fire Station (thank you) so I can post a few photos I took as I drove home yesterday. Suffice it to say, "Mi Wuk is a mess." Still beautiful, snow covered, but not a user friendly place at the moment.

Near upper Twain Harte entrance---at least we know they're here working on the many problems:

Mi Wuk entrance:

Diamond Jim's:

Just beyond Diamond Jim's:

The POST OFFICE has no power, has a small generator for a single bright lamp, can take items for which you have exact change. They cannot accept Priority Mail at this time since it has to have a metered strip. Flat Rate Priority Envelopes: yes.

The LIBRARY wifi doesn't seem to be working. It only took a short time of sitting in the parking lot to determine that I wasn't going to get a signal. :)

There ARE lines down all over the village. Power IS out and we'll be able to get an update Thursday evening. It doesn't look good.

The large snow plow was stuck at Lama/Lama-Tamalin yesterday afternoon with a ruptured (?) hydraulic line. She wasn't going anywhere soon and the mechanics arrived just as I was talking to the driver. It's not there today so it's either fixed or out plowing. LOTS needs to be plowed.

Lama/Lama-Tamalin, the 4-way stop:

Lama Court/Lama-Tamalin:

Yesterday afternoon, 2 large cedars across the road, so I had to detour back to the 4-way stop sign at Lama/Lama-Tamalin/Palapete, Lama to Hiapo to Lama-Tamalin and finally onto Lama-Hisum and home after 3 days gone. Tuesday, 3 p.m., both have been trimmed to allow traffic to pass. ONE WAY TRAFFIC at that point.

Various other hanging limbs or lines between Hiapo (my detour route) and Lama-Hisum/Susu Court:

So, if you're considering coming up---be prepared. If you're 'iffy' about coming up, wait a week or so.

By the way Nola, your house is fine!

GOT SNOW??? MI WUK'S "GOT SNOW"!

2011-03-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I left home today, Friday, midday, and by 4 p.m. Mi Wuk Village was beginning to get a good dumping of snow. The rain I'd been driving through en route to Dublin had hit Mi Wuk and environs. Here's what's coming, at a glance:

Here is a weather report, from the National Weather Service for "Mono Vista" (between Soulsbyville and Phoenix Lake/Cedar Ridge but adapted for our elevation. Point Forecast: 7 Miles NE Mono Vista CA 38.08°N 120.16°W (Elev. 4618 ft) for Friday evening through Monday evening:

Hazardous weather condition(s):

Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 27. South southwest wind between 15 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. South wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow before 11am, then rain. High near 37. Windy, with a south southeast wind 17 to 20 mph increasing to between 28 and 31 mph. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Snow showers. Low around 28. Breezy, with a south wind between 17 and 26 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Monday: Snow showers. High near 38. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

You can click here for the National Weather Service's Advisory and Warnings. Most of the details seem to be for north of Hwys 80 and 50 but the reference is to the Motherlode so that means us as well.

Click here for the interactive "click here" map that I referenced at the beginning of this article.

All in all, if you're not already up in the Mi Wuk Village/Sugar Pine/Sierra Village areas, count on a slow trip up the hill and some good shoveling once you get here.

Russ, my husband reported that the snow began around 4 p.m. and by 8.30 p.m. there was 8" at our house. I'm sure that's what's happening all around the village.

I'll be home Sunday--after attending an all day/evening scrapbooking session in Pleasanton on Saturday. Safely inside, out of the elements. BE SAFE PLEASE!

WINTER HAS PERMISSION TO LEAVE NOW!

2011-03-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

(Format of photo will be strange but I wanted it to be large enough to see.)

Just in case you can't read the captions:

PANEL 1: Trudge, trudge, trudge, trudge, trudge
PANEL 2: (falling in the door into the house)
PANEL 3: Tromp, tromp, tromp, tromp, tromp
PANEL 4: WINTER HAS MY PERMISSION TO LEAVE NOW. Person on computer: I'll alert the media.

FIRE AUXILIARY MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9th

2011-03-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's meeting will be at the Highway 108 Fire Station in Sugar Pine. Lunch at noon. $5. Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. If you're a part timer and in town and are interested in coming to the meeting, please give me a call (586-1962) and I'll pick you up or see that you get a ride and have a buddy.

Members, PLEASE BUDDY UP with a friend since parking will be very limited! Look at the previous blog post for snow conditions around the fire station.

WHY CAN'T YOU PARK AT THE HIGHWAY 108 FIRE STATION RIGHT NOW?

2011-03-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a case where a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words.........

Driveway on the back side of the station

Back parking area to the left

Back parking straight out and to the right. See the car waiting for an "extraction" class?

So, this is why we can't hold our meetings at the fire station right now. Be sure to watch this blog for the location of the Fire Auxiliary meeting on Wednesday, March 9th.

WASH ON MONDAY........IRON ON TUESDAY

2011-03-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

What is this contraption you ask??? It's an antique washer stand, complete with an old-fashioned wringer. This washer stand was donated to the library with the idea that it be used as a fund-raiser. A dollar donation will award you a chance to win and you can enter as many times as you like.

Come by the library to enter and view the prize!

Drawing: Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.

You do not need to be present to win. All proceeds benefit the Mi Wuk Little Library in the Woods fund.

Library hours: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays (snow permitting).

MAHA BOARD MEETING TODAY

2011-03-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

The board of the Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association will be meeting at 1 p.m. at the Mi Wuk Community Center today, Friday, March 4th. If you have an issue you'd like discussed, please leave a comment on this blog or send an email to me at blythek@mac.com. I'll take it with me.

SAFETY TIP--IS THE FIRE HYDRANT NEAR YOUR HOME BURIED UNDER SNOW?

2011-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Do you know the location of your nearest fire hydrant? Is it buried under 2 or more feet of snow, 3 feet from the edge of the road? How long will it take emergency services, i.e. the fire department, to dig out that nearest hydrant should it be needed?

Look for the roadside marker that indicates the location of a hydrant and unbury the hydrant. You'll be a few steps ahead in safety.

PART-TIMERS: ARE YOU THINKING OF COMING UP THIS WEEKEND???

2011-03-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I just went out and took some photos so you can see how it's looking. Snowplows came through yesterday and did a lot of cleaning up of the road, widening them from one lane and a little bit more to pretty much two lanes, where opposing cars can safely drive on by each other. They didn't clean up any berms though!!!

These photos were all taken on Thursday, March 3rd, between 12.45 and 1.15.

Lama-Hisum Rd. near Olo Win Trail

Lama-Tamalin Rd. at Lama. Palapete across intersection.

Mi Wuk Community Center and Little Library in the Woods on Sierra Park Drive. Isn't is neat to see how much it is utilized even when closed? People are in their cars using the free 24/7 internet. Add 4 to your daily tally Joan and Alice. :)

Post Office

Koteo Lane

The pile of snow surrounding Diamond Jim's parking lot

Pela > Kome

Blurry (sorry) Lama/Muheli intersection.

Susu Court

Run-off from Susu Court.

Semi-buried truck along Lama-Tamalin Road

Olo Win Trail

Berm across the road from us....it's about 4' high and thick. Not user friendly since its been scraped up from the road and been rained on and is quite icy.

Peek-a-boo garden (?) gnome reappearing on the retaining wall in our back yard

The thunder and lightening were interesting around 10.15-10.45 Wednesday night! We did get a good soaking but no damage that I'm aware of in Mi Wuk. It's slated to be sunny and cloudy over the weekend, some rain late Saturday, and in the 40s to low 50s. Not bad.

If you haven't been at your home for a week or so, be prepared to shovel some berm and driveway

and then kick back and enjoy yourselves. It's beautiful this afternoon.

WEDNESDAY FIRE AUXILIARY POTLUCK CANCELLED FOR MARCH

2011-03-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

Have you driven by the Hwy 108 Fire Station lately? You might have noticed that it is PILED with and SURROUNDED by snow. That means there is no place for parking. And with another storm due in Tuesday night and Wednesday it will be even worse. Therefore, March's Potluck and B-i-n-g-o has been cancelled.

April 6th's potluck is a GO unless we have more snow then. It'll be nice to see everyone since our last Potluck was in November!!!

If you're a part-timer and not usually in Mi Wuk mid-week, but you find yourself here on the first Wednesday of the month, please join us at the Fire House, 6 p.m. (5.45 is a good time to arrive). Bring any kind of dish: salad, casserole, bread, soup, dessert, to be shared. We usually bring something that will serve 6-8 people. Believe me, we eat very well at the potlucks! Bingo follows and we're usually on our way home no later than 8 p.m. Let's hear it for a wild night out on the town!

Due to this same parking issue, the March 9th Auxiliary Meeting location is still to be announced. Tentatively it will be at the Mi Wuk Community Center (aka Library) but please wait for the final announcement of location. Part-timers are more than welcome to check it out. $5 for lunch (at noon); meeting promptly at 12.30. IF the March meeting is at the Community Center it will be a brown-bag affair beginning at noon. Stay tuned to this blog for more news.

MORE "WEATHER" DUE LATE TONIGHT.

2011-03-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome March!

March 01, 2011 06:05 am Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada from midnight to 4 P.M. on Wednesday.

Additionally a Wind Advisory has also been issued for the Motherlode on Wednesday from midnight through noon. Periods of rain and winds of twenty to thirty mph are expected, with gusts ranging from forty to fifty mph.

Half a foot to a foot of snow accumulation is likely from around 4000 through 5000 feet. Eight inches to a two feet of snow could fall above 6000 through 7000 feet.

For chain control conditions click on http://www.mymotherlode.com/traffic/

Written by mark@mlode.com

Snow covered window, in my stamping studio, with a small 'window' of melted space. Pretty cool!

ONLY 50 TUOLUMNE COUNTY POWER OUTAGES THIS MORNING

2011-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

AND hopefully it stays that way! Right?!

February 25, 2011 07:48 am B.J. Hansen, MML News Director

Sonora, CA -- There are some power outages across the Mother Lode this morning due to the weather.
In Calaveras County over 500 PG&E customers are currently without electricity. In Tuolumne County there are less than 50 customers without power. Areas with outages include Tuolumne, Soulsbyville, Mono Vista, Mi-Wuk Village, Avery, Arnold and Dorrington. There's currently no estimated restoration time.

New ceiling fixture, Coleman lantern, really illuminates our kitchen during a power outage. The 'old-fashioned' phone (lower right) works wonders too.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS TO HAVE ON HAND

2011-02-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2011 03:50 pm Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA-- With another winter storm on the way bringing heavy snow, possible power outages and downed trees, the Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services is recommending a list of important phone numbers.

Community Information Line- Pre-recorded event info/numbers, 533-6392
CalTrans - To report downed trees, mudslides, rocks on State Highways, 948-7977
City of Sonora - To report downed trees, mudslides, rocks on Sonora City streets, 532-8141
County Roads Dept.- To report downed trees, mudslides, rocks on County roads, 533-5601
PG&E - To report electrical outages, downed power lines, 1-800-743-5002
Public Health - For true medical emergencies, call 911. Otherwise, please call your usual health care provider or clinic if you have non-emergency health issues that are impacted by weather conditions. However, if you have exhausted your other sources for routine health information and require public health assistance during the weekend or after hours, please call the public health department at 533-8055.
Behavioral Health - Mental health-related help line, 533-7000

The Tuolumne County OES also urges residents to refrain from calling the Sheriff's Dispatch unless it is a life threatening situation.

15 IDEAS TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THE UPCOMING WINTER STORM

2011-02-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2011 06:10 am, B.J. Hansen, MML News Director

The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office has put together a list of 15 ideas designed to help residents get through the upcoming winter storm.

1. A generator capable of running a refrigerator and some lights is a good idea as many areas of the county will be without power for an unknown period of time. Have extra fuel on hand.

2. Don't park vehicles under trees. The limbs will become burdened with snow and can break off of the tree.

3. Make sure any exposed water pipes are well insulated.

4. Put fresh batteries in your flashlights.

5. Have a supply of food that doesn't need to be cooked on hand.

6. Have a supply of fresh water.

7. If you take medications, have an adequate supply on hand.

8. Make arrangements with someone you know that has a tractor or truck with a snow plow to plow your driveway.

9. Have ample warm clothing for everyone in the house.

10. Have an alternate heat source ready. Kerosene or propane heaters are not recommended indoors. If you decide to use these, be sure there is adequate ventilation. The concentrated fumes are deadly. If you use a wood or pellet stove, make sure you have plenty of dry wood/pellets on hand.

11. Make sure you have everything your pets or livestock will need.

12. Be sure to charge any devices such as cell phones and emergency lights prior to the storm arriving.

13. A battery powered radio can keep you stay informed when the power is out.

14. If you live in the higher elevations, put tire chains on now.

15. If you have to be mobile, you might consider a motel/hotel room in the lower elevations.

For the latest weather information, click here.

For traffic and chain control information, click here.

ANOTHER WINTER STORM WARNING

2011-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2011 06:15 am, Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Motherlode from Thursday 1 p.m. through Saturday 4 a.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada from Thursday 1 p.m. through Saturday 10 a.m.

Four to eight inches of snow is expected in the Sierra Nevada today.

By Saturday morning, one to three inches of snow accumulation is possible at 1000 feet. Four to eight inches of snow is expected at 2000 feet. A foot to one foot and a half of snow is likely from 3000 through 7000 feet. Three to four feet of snow is expected at the highest elevations.

Winds of ten to twenty mph are expected in the Motherlode. In the Sierra Nevada, winds of ten to forty mph are likely, with some gusts ranging from fifty to seventy-five mph along the crest.

Very cold overnight temperatures are expected during the weekend. Temperatures will drop into the low to upper 20s on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

These cold temperatures may impact budding and flowering agriculture foliage.

Residents should also make sure that all exposed pipes are properly insulated to minimize the risk of them bursting.

Editorial comment: payback for that 'eventless' January and early February.

Take care everyone. The following post shares some survival tips from the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.

HIGH COUNTRY FRIENDS' BOOK CLUB CANCELLED FOR FEB 24, 2011

2011-02-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

High Country Friends' Book Club [Sarah's Key] for tomorrow is canceled due to storm. Members are asked to return their books as soon as possible to either Mi Wuk or Twain Harte with a slip of paper with your name in the book.

Thank you from Joan Henderson and High Country Friends

PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEXT (expected) SNOW STORM

2011-02-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

FROM MYMOTHERLODE.COM, February 22, 2011, 6.13 p.m.

Sonora, CA-- The Tuolumne County Public Works Department is reminding motorists to be cautious on area roadways this week.

Due to recent storm activity, crews are still clearing snow from roads and multiple branches and brush from fallen trees.

Tuolumne County Public Works Department spokesperson Carol Jackson says that since this last storm brought such a large amount of snow, finding snow storage on the sides of the road has been difficult. She says it's imperative that motorists do not park their vehicles in the road right of way where the snow needs to be stored.

"We're going to be crowding snow, which means we'll be pushing snow off the road to be making room for new snow," said Jackson. "If they can keep their vehicles out of the way, that will be very helpful for us."

With the possibility of another snow storm later in the week, Jackson also reminds residents to be prepared. She recommends having water, blankets, food that can be prepared without electricity if necessary, wood for the wood stove and medications.

I hope you continue to have a safe week. From Dublin, CA.......

I APOLOGIIZE FOR THE LAMA-HISUM/SUSU COURT POWER OUTAGE!

2011-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

About one hour after mentioning that Lama-Hisum had power last Friday morning, we lost power. Oooops. That was at 9.30 a.m. When I left town this morning, Monday, we were still without power, but I understand from my husband, that our power was restored today, Monday, around 3 p.m. I hope it's back on where you are.

Hopefully the next few days will be quiet weather-wise. We all need time to find places to pile snow and to dig out from last Thursday and Friday. Good luck to those of you who might still be without power.

Our lesson learned: when you have 5 house guests during a power outage make sure you have more than 1 loaf of bread and that you have enough flashlights, WITH good batteries, for each room in the house. We managed just fine with flashlights, Coleman lanterns and stove, the bbq grill, and a good generator. And two fireplaces and a good supply of wood.

Got any good photos? Did anyone catch the full(ish) moon on Sunday morning? I heard it was beautiful.

Have a safe week.

ANOTHER TWELVE INCHES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT

2011-02-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

And then you (I) have to suit up and trudge outside (thigh high this morning) to clean off the satellite dishes before the day can begin.

PG&E OUTAGE REPORT: February 18, 2011 06:12 pm

Tina Falco, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA-- The recent winter storms have left thousands of Mother Lode residents still without power tonight.
According to PG&E Spokesperson Nicole Liebelt, 15,000 customers are without electricity in Tuolumne County. The Sonora area has the most outages with 6,200. Twain Harte has approximately 2,550, Groveland has 1,500, Columbia has 450, Tuolumne City has 2,000 and Mi-Wok Village has 1,500.

8:35 a.m. We are located at the middle of Lama Hisum Road and..........WE HAVE POWER! Not gloating, just saying.

February 19, 2011 06:00 am

Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The Winter Weather Advisory issued for the Motherlode remains in effect until noon today.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada until noon.
Two to four inches of snow is expected above 1500 feet. Four inches to a foot of snow accumulation is possible above 4000 feet. Half a foot to three feet of new snow is possible in the highest elevations.
Winds of ten to thirty-five mph are likely in the Sierra Nevada, with some gusts reaching forty-five to sixty mph.

Highway conditions and chain requirements are exactly the same as yesterday's.

Photos taken at 8.45 this morning.

TWELVE INCHES OF SNOW OVERNIGHT!

2011-02-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

A very unofficial measurement of overnight snow is at least 12 inches. My morning started with a venture out in the back yard to clean off 3 satellite dishes so we could have internet and the weather channel so we could know what was happening and, better yet, what to expect.

1 p.m.: no fresh falling snow. Only tree 'bombs'

The Sierra has been given a mid-winter gift of amazing powder conditions with 56" of new snowfall over the past 72 hours here at Dodge Ridge bringing our annual snowfall total to 365". The temperatures have remained in the teens and low 20's throughout this weather system leaving the powder deep, light and dry. For all of the Powder Hounds out there, these are the conditions that you've been hoping for. So get out your powder skis & boards and take advantage . . .

DEMO CENTER AND SPORT SHOP DEALS
Enjoy the powder with our Demo Center Deal going on. Starting Friday, February 18 and lasting through Sunday, February 27th, bring your boots and you can demo some of the best powder skis in the industry all day for just $25.

February 18, 2011 11:35 am

Mark Truppner, MML Reporter

The National Weather Service has extended the Winter Storm Warning for the Motherlode and the Sierra Nevada through noon on Saturday.

The snow line will continue to fluctuate between 2000 through 3000 feet.
Four to eight inches of additional snow may fall from 2500 through 3000 feet. Half a foot to three feet of new snow accumulation is possible in the higher elevations.

Winds of ten to thirty-five mph are likely in the Sierra Nevada, with some gusts reaching forty-five to sixty mph.

So--use caution.

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 6 MI EAST OF SONORA TO 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO)

Have a safe weekend.

LIBRARY CLOSED AGAIN TODAY, THURSDAY

2011-02-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

The library will be closed again today. (Yes, I just found out it was closed yesterday too.)

Stamping for Adults, normally 1-3 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of the month, has been postponed until next month.

Be safe and mind the conditions if you have to be out and about. Currently it is windy in Mi Wuk with just the tiniest bit of snow falling. But--it's supposed to build up this afternoon. Temperature at our home at 10 a.m.: 28 F. Bring your woolies!

From MyMotherLode.com as of 6.01 a.m. February 17, 2011:

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Motherlode and the Sierra Nevada through 10 p.m. Friday.

Several inches of snow accumulation is expected as low as 1500 feet. Five to nine inches of snow may fall above 2000 feet. Six to fourteen inches of snow is likely above 2500 through 4000 feet. One to two feet of snow could fall above 5000 feet. Two to four feet of snow is likely above 7000 feet.

Numerous roadways are and will remain slick.

Winds of twenty to thirty mph are expected in the Motherlode, with local gusts reaching up to forty-five mph. In the Sierra Nevada, winds of twenty to thirty-five mph are likely, with some gusts reaching fifty to sixty mph.

Additionally, a Winter Storm Watch has also been issued for the Sierra Nevada, from Friday night through Saturday afternoon.

Have a safe President's Weekend. I will post as weather dictates.

SNOWY DAY......ALL DAY LONG

2011-02-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

7.45 p.m.
The National Weather Service has changed the Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada to a Winter Weather Advisory through Thursday at 4 a.m.

Only an additional one to three inches of snow is expected overnight. Roads will remain slick.
A new Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Motherlode from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening.

Additionally a Winter Storm Watch has also been issued for the Sierra Nevada, from Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

By Saturday, an additional half foot to a foot of new snow accumulation is expected above 4000 feet. One to two feet of snow is possible above 5000 feet. Two to three feet of snow is likely above 7000 feet.

Winds of twenty to thirty mph are expected in the Motherlode through Friday, with local gusts reaching up to forty-five mph. In the Sierra Nevada, winds of twenty to thirty-five mph are likely through Saturday, with some gusts reaching fifty to sixty mph.

Highway 108: CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM 6 MI EAST OF SONORA TO LONG BARN (TUOLUMNE CO)

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM LONG BARN TO 7.2 MI EAST OF STRAWBERRY (TUOLUMNE CO)

Source: MyMotherLode.com

Snowfall accumulation at our end (East) of Mi Wuk Village: 5"-6". Not bad.

Have a safe trip if you're driving up here in the next few days.

Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Association News & Updates

WOOHOO! SNOW THIS MORNING!

Short Term Forecast

WE FINALLY HAVE *S*N*O*W*

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

C.A.S.T. MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE FIRE STATION

HIGH WIND -- NO BURNING -- ADVISORY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR---A DAY LATE ALREADY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY MI WUK BLOG READERS AND FRIENDS

SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

If you are thinking of burning gift wrap paper, ribbons, cardboard boxes, scrap lumber in your fireplace DON'T.

Christmas tree can create excessively large and hot fires, which can damage fireplaces and chimneys—or suddenly flare out of control. Each year, people lose their homes to these unexpected, fast-moving fires.

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. Be safe. Ask for snow for Christmas (yeah, really).

WHEN IS IT A BURN / NO BURN DAY?

WINTER'S COMING

MI WUK COMMUNITY HOLIDAY GATHERING ON SATURDAY!!!

MORE WIND RELATED PHOTOS

STILL NO POWER

HOW ABOUT A NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

HIGH WINDS AND NO POWER IN THE MOTHERLODE

IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES AND EVENTS

THANKSGIVING IS HERE!

WEEKEND WEATHER DETAILS (Thursday - Sunday)

WHAT A POTLUCK!

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA COMING TO *SONORA* IN 2012

PAY ATTENTION.....SIERRA NEVADA WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

MI WUK AREA WEATHER FORECAST FOR OCTOBER and NOVEMBER 2011

2012 Long-Range Weather Forecast for Mi Wuk Village, California

Free 2-Month Weather Forecast

Annual Weather Summary: November 2011 to October 2012

WE COULD USE YOUR HELP...........

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYTHING DIFFERENT IN FRONT OF THE HWY 108 FIRE STATION???

C.A.S.T. MEETING TONIGHT AT THE FIRE STATION

"WEATHER" IS ON IT'S WAY BACK TO THE MOTHERLODE

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN MI WUK

PROPOSED: COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE and SUPPORT TEAM MEETING

THE "YELLOW" IS BACK IN MI WUK VILLAGE

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR MI WUK / SUGAR PINE FIRE STATION FUND RAISER

SPAGHETTI DINNER NEXT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd!

**IMPORTANT** THIS RELATES TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMING SOON!!! AUGUST 13, 4-7 p.m., OUR FAMOUS SPAGHETTI DINNER!

MI WUK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT IS NOW ON FACEBOOK!

SONORA PASS on JULY 3rd

VERIFYING ADDRESS...... Corrected address below

JULY 2nd, PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

Ah, REFRESHING RAIN

PANCAKE BREAKFAST COMING ON JULY 2nd

BODY OF MI WUK FISHERMAN FOUND

TAIKO DRUMMING -- SATURDAY, JUNE 18th -- 11 A.M.

YOSEMITE FLOOD WARNINGS.........

MI WUK/SUGAR PINE FIRE FIGHTER'S SON LOST WHILE FISHING

A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT RECYCLING......A FEW YEARS AGO

STOCKTON BUKKYO TAIKAS DRUMMING DEMONSTRATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 18th

BE ALERT! BREAK-INS ARE RECURRING IN OUR AREA.

NO SNOW IN THE FORECAST!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ON JUNE 30th **save the date**

TAIKO COMES TO THE MOUNTAINS

HAIL IN JUNE?

REMEMBER THESE DAYS???

WE CAN'T RELAX YET! "OLD MAN WINTER" PLANS ENCORE THIS WEEKEND

STORM ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HIGH COUNTRY RESIDENTS

SODA CAN TEST???

CAUTION WHEN USING AN *ATM* IN OUR AREA !!

HASN'T THE SPRING-LIKE WEATHER BEEN REFRESHING?!

EASTER EGG HUNT TODAY!

MEET WITH EVAN ROYCE, OUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR

*** SAVE THE DATE *** for the MAHA SPRING MEETING

ARE WE BEING NEGLECTED?

(eerie music).........IT'S BA-A-A-A-CK!

A LITTLE SNOW HUMOR

WELL........IT'S BACK!

LIBRARY OPEN WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY AS USUAL

ONLY 2 MORE POWER OUTAGES IN THE VILLAGE

WHAT GREAT LUCK ONE TO FORTY-NINE MI WUK HOMEOWNERS HAVE!!!

DAY 7 OUT OF POWER

LATEST STORM UPDATE---it's looking better!

PG&E OUTAGE STATUS

FRIDAY'S FOLLIES -- OR FRIDAY'S MI WUK DRIVING ADVENTURE

PG&E OUTAGE STATUS WEBSITE

MI WUK VILLAGE-SPECIFIC FORECAST

WE FINALLY HAVE SN*OW

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA COMING TO SONORA IN 2012

IMPORTANT THIS RELATES TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ON JUNE 30th save the date

CAUTION WHEN USING AN ATM IN OUR AREA !!

* SAVE THE DATE * for the MAHA SPRING MEETING