Your end-of-year donation really helps the Foothill Conservancy!

December 30, 2015

Dear Friends:

It's not too late to make a special gift this year to your friends, your family, and your community. 

For 25 years, Foothill Conservancy has worked in Amador and Calaveras counties to effectively protect, preserve and restore our natural environment and community character. With your help, we can continue this work in the coming year and help protect the working lands, scenic vistas, oak woodlands, upcountry forests and unique communities you love. 

Your tax-deductible donation ensures our ability to continue critical watershed conservation and land use work, including:

• Ensuring that the Wild and Scenic River study for the Mokelumne River called for by AB 142 properly takes the river's outstanding values into account. AB 142 passed with our support and has moved the Mokelumne closer to permanent protection as a California Wild and Scenic River. Starting January 1, the river will receive interim protections that will prevent new dams and diversions between Salt Springs and Pardee through as long as the end of 2021. 
   
• Ensuring the Calaveras and Amador County General Plan updates protect rural community character and open space while laying the groundwork for a sustainable economy. Our team of volunteers and paid consultants submitted extensive comments on the draft EIR for the Amador plan and the Calaveras Planning Coalition, to which we belong, is fighting efforts to gut the good work done earlier on that draft plan update.
   
• Restoring salmon to the upper Mokelumne River for the first time since the large Mokelumne dams were built. 
   
• Supporting the work of the Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group as it makes our communities safer from the threat of wildland fire, forests better able to handle fire, and our economy stronger. Our participation in the ACCG provides a strong voice for the environment along with an emphasis on local jobs for local residents. 
   
• Developing and promoting sound local policies to protect local ranches, farms and forests. 

You can donate online using any major credit card. An ongoing, monthly donation is especially helpful, as it provides us with stable, predictable income through the year.

Donations by check are also welcome. If you put your check in the mail before January 1, it'll count as a tax-deductible donation for this tax year. 

Foothill Conservancy
35 Court Street, Suite 1
Jackson, CA 95642

Thank you for your continuing support. With your help, we can keep Amador and Calaveras counties' trees tall, towns small, and rivers wild!

If you're not yet a Conservancy member and want part of your donation to go for membership dues, please let us know. The membership levels are shown on this page. 

Thank you for keeping us strong for 25 years!

With sincere thanks and best wishes for the New Year,

Cecily Smith

Executive Director
Foothill Conservancy 

P.S. If you would like to dedicate your donation to a particular effort or project, just let us know. We'll be happy to honor your request!

P.P.S. If you're looking for some new gear or clothing for the New Year, check out Mokelumne River Kleen Kanteen stainless pint cup with Save the Moke logo, Save the Moke t-shirts, and 25th Anniversary ball caps (NEW). You can pick them up at our office (call first) or order online.        

Operation Care: Help make a difference today!

Dear Operation Care Supporter,   I would like to tell you a story about "Susan" and her four children, who were escaping a violent home environment and came to Operation Care for services and shelter. Within a month of staying in our safehouse, she was able to enroll her children into school, obtained cash aid from Social Services, obtained a Temporary Restraining Order and established custody of her children thorough our First Five Voucher Program. She transitioned into our transitional housing program and obtained employment. We were able to furnish the house through donations from the community and stock her pantry up with food.  Susan participated in Operation Care's domestic violence group and our Rural Economic Empowerment Group (REEP) which helps domestic violence victims live a life free of financial abuse. Her children also participated in Operation Care services by attending our Children's Domestic Violence group. Through her desire to live a life free of violence and her utilization of the tools that Operation Care has offered her, she continues to be successful. Without the help and support of you and other generous community members, we would not have been able to transition Susan and her children into a safe home of their own.   Operation Care offers several services and programs to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. We also have a very active Go! Youth Program that educates teens in the areas of violence, anti-bullying and self- esteem. Our Fresh Start Program offers assistance for survivors of Domestic Violence and their families as they transition from our Safehouse into their own violence free housing.             Our programs have helped survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault for over 35 years. As an agency, we seek to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault in Amador County by providing crisis intervention, support services, and education to our community. We believe in the value and dignity of individuals, and that people have a right to live in a safe, secure environment, free of violence.   Please help us in funding more success stories such as Susan's. Simply mail this letter with your contribution, or donate via our Operation Care website at:www.operationcare.org $___________ This amount works for me today. $___________ Please start a monthly donation from my checking account.   Please provide your phone # or email ______________________ for us to get your banking information.   Thank you for your support. Together, we can make a difference!    Tammie Crabtree Executive Director www.operationcare.org www.facebook.com/operationcare 817 Court Street, Suite 12, Jackson, CA 95642 (209) 223-2897 Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!  Visit our website!

Christmas Boughs Rang in the Cheer at PGYCC

Christmas Boughs Rang in the Cheer this holiday season as Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp youth and staff traveled far and wide to seek out, collect, assemble, deliver, and hang hundreds of Christmas Boughs.  YCC Omar Hill, along with veteran staff Tom Menley, and PGYCC Fire Fighter Training Crew youths tied each Bough as it was handcrafted with sprays of pine branches, two giant sugar pine cones, and topped off with a beautiful red bows. Then, youths along with YCC Claudette Perrin, loaded up Boughs to deliver and hang in various local communities. This year, the importance of giving fell on the devastated towns of Mountain Ranch and Rail Road Flats along with other less affected communities of the Butte Fire such as Glencoe and West Point.

With Santa Hats in tow, Pine Grove’s first stop was the Mountain Ranch Post Office, where recently the Postmistress and a local townsperson had lost their homes to the fire, showed gracious appreciation for the much needed cheer to their community. Other Mountain Ranch establishments such as Sender’s Market and the Community Club were decorated and then the crew loaded up and headed to the next town of Rail Road Flats.  There, the owner of the General Store pulled all four youth into her market to thank each one personally for the firefighting work they completed near her home.  She stated that they were instrumental in saving her property and neighboring properties and had pictures of the youth battling the fire.  The Rail Road Flats Community Center was decorated for their upcoming Christmas Event along with the Post Office.  As the crew moved along and hung Bough’s in Glencoe, the Postmistress noted that our Christmas Boughs brought the Christmas Mood to their little town and others will not be able to wait to start decorating for the season.

The final stop for the day was West Point, where Main Street and local businesses were lined with Boughs and Bows. Local business owners came out of their shops to thank the youth for everything they had done for them over the summer and are still doing today.  CALFIRE Captain’s at the West Point CALFIRE Station joyfully received a Bough on the way home to PG Camp. PG Camp would also like to extend a warm and cheerful thank you to the dedicated communities of Ione, Jackson, Plymouth, Pine Grove, and Volcano, who picked up their Boughs and hung them themselves as a festive Annual Christmas Tradition.

Picture and editorial by YCC Perrin

Michael S. Roots

Mike Roots

Superintendent

Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp

PO Box 1040

13630 Aqueduct-Volcano Rd.

Pine Grove, CA 95665

Division of Juvenile Justice

(209) 296-7581

fax: (209) 296-5241

Pine Grove Camp Leads the Way in Dodgeball

It was the Dodgeball Opening Games for the Amador County Recreation Agency and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp was invited back this year to defend their reigning Championship from the 2014 Season. Two teams were selected to play in the first rounds of games and Pine Grove Camp lead the way winning all 3 games.  It is with great anticipation that Pine Grove Camp awaits another at the Championship, hoping to reclaim the Championship Belt that was up for grabs at the beginning of this new season.

Article and Pictures by YCC Claudette Perrin

Amador Child Abuse Prevention Council - December 2015

CAPC Newsletter December 2015    Hello friends of CAPC!  Click HERE to print out a flyer. It's that time of year! The holiday season is upon us! CAPC will again be participating this year at First 5 Amador's Children's Holiday Festival - Winter Festivals Around the World. We will be sharing about Christmas traditions from Serbia this year! Friday, December 11, 5:30-8:00pm, 975 Broadway, Jackson. Be sure to bring out the little ones for lots of fun activities, photos with Santa, and great resources for families. It's free! We hope to see you there.   Please help share the work we do and forward this   to your friends and colleagues too. Thank you for everything you do to help   prevent child abuse in Amador County! ****************** Holiday Safety for Families  Child abuse is incredibly prevalent in the winter holiday season because of stress, the expense and bustle of shopping, and the increased use of alcohol. Accidents related to holiday decorating and festivities also contribute to unsafe conditions for children. Here are some tips to help keep families and homes safe during the holiday season.   Beware of Holiday Candles: ~Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials. ~Do not leave children unattended in the room with lit candles. ~Keep candles, matches, and lighters out of the reach of children. ~Refrain from using candles to decorate Christmas trees.   Test Tree Trimmings: ~When decorating with lights be sure to purchase the type that have been tested and labeled by an approved laboratory. ~For outside decorations - use only lights that are labeled for outside use. ~Do not overload electrical outlets and always unplug all lights when leaving the home or going to bed.   Keep Christmas Trees Fresh: ~Choose a fresh tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. ~Locate the tree away from heat sources and exits - water it daily. ~If you purchase an artificial tree, make sure that it is fire retardant.   Prepare for Holiday Parties: ~Decorate with flame retardant or non-combustible materials. ~Have a designated smoking area outside, for the sake of others that are sensitive to secondhand smoke.    Designate a Driver: ~If you are a party attendant, select a driver. ~If you are a host you should have a supply of nonalcoholic beverages on hand for the designated drivers.   Inspect Fireplaces: ~Fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected each year before the start of the heating season. Creosote forms as the wood burns, creating a buildup in the chimney walls that will cause a fire if not properly cleaned. ~Always protect your home and your family by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. ~You should only burn wood and not paper or pine limbs which can float out of the chimney and may ignite a neighbor's yard. ~Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace. ~If stockings are hung on the mantle, don't start a fire in the fireplace.  Have a safe and happy holiday season from everyone at the Child Abuse Prevention Council!   Be sure to visit our website at www.amadorcapc.org and to like us on Facebook!             Child Abuse Prevention Council 975 Broadway Jackson, California 95642 (209) 223-5921 info@amadorcapc.org www.amadorcapc.org Events: Holiday Festival Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30-8:00pm Margaret Dalton Children's Center, 975 Broadway, Jackson Next CAPC Meeting Monday, Dec. 14, 10:00am 975 Broadway, Jackson About CAPC Our Vision All children know they are valued; all families receive the support, education and tools necessary to give every child a safe, healthy and nurturing home; and a community that actively supports the health, safety, and education of its children. Our Mission CAPC is committed to preventing all forms of child abuse in Amador County through community partnerships, free trainings, education, and family-centered events that value children, strengthen families and engage communities.   Are they up to the task?   If a friend, neighbor, or relative watches your child, please consider... Be sure they are comfortable watching your child. Not all of us are cut out for watching kids, especially for long periods of time. If you are leaving your child in the care of a boyfriend or girlfriend, a neighbor or a relative, you want to make sure they are up to the task and that your child will be safe.      An equally important question to ask is: Is your child comfortable staying alone with this person?   Give them basic information. It's important to provide the person watching your child with the following: How to reach you at all times. What to do in an emergency, or if your child becomes sick or injured. How to cope with a child who won't stop crying or who is screaming hysterically. Where it is okay to take them. How to use car seats properly. Can they comfort your child? A crying or screaming child can push just about anyone over the edge. Frustration or anger can lead to a child being injured or even killed. For your child's safety it must be made clear that it is never okay to shake a child, or hurt a child when feeling angry. The caregiver must know who they can contact if they need help. If you are not reachable by phone, caregivers can call a 24 hour help line to speak with a crisis counselor. 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) For more information about protecting our children, please visit the following website: Protecting Our Children from Abuse and Neglect "Children depend on many adults as they grow up. Parents, relatives, teachers and child care workers all provide children with love, support and guidance. No one wants to see children grow up with fear, anger or neglect. But no one is born knowing how to care for children. Sometimes we make mistakes that hurt them. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a relative or a caregiver, you can make a difference and help the children you love grow up in a caring, loving environment. Adults don't have to be perfect, just willing to listen, learn, grow and change."

Operation Care: TODAY is Giving Tuesday!

Plaid Friday...Cyber Monday... TODAY is #GivingTuesday Thanksgiving is over...Maybe you've done a little shopping on Plaid Friday (shop local)...You've made your online purchases on Cyber Monday...and now you have the opportunity to give back to your community! Today is #GivingTuesday and Operation Care and many other Amador County nonprofit organizations are participating in this global day of giving. The Amador Community Foundation set up GiveAmador.org and has pledged incentives of $8,000 for registered nonprofits in Amador County (including Operation Care) so your dollars will go further. Won't you please help local victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by donating TODAY between 6AM and 6PM PDT at: GiveAmador.org. Be sure to select Operation Care in "Select a Designation". Together we can make a difference in Amador County! Wishing you a peaceful and happy holiday season, from the staff and board of directors of Operation Care. Operation Care provides domestic violence and sexual assault support services, crisis intervention and education to Amador County. We strive to reduce the incidents of intimate partner violence and promote healthy relationships.   Operation Care | news@operationcare.org | www.operationcare.org 209-223-2897 STAY CONNECTED: