Inside UDJ by Editor K.C. Meadows

The Fourth of July (actually Fifth of July) fireworks show is back on at the moment. The folks who run the racetrack sent out a press release a few days ago saying they were off, but then the fairgrounds folks said, no they were still on. They are waiting as long as they can to make a decision. According to the folks at the fairgrounds, the firefighters don't really know whether they'll still be in residence at the fairgrounds a week from now. I suspect they will and so do most people I talk to, but you never know. The fairgrounds folks don't want to cancel and then have a glorious sunny clear weekend next week and feel dumb.
I don't know that canceling a fireworks show at this point in our county would be dumb no matter which way you look at it. Even if it's gloriously clear and sunny next weekend, isn't setting off fireworks just a wee bit like laughing at the gods? If the weekend is glorious we can still have our community picnic at Todd Grove Park to celebrate our independence.
Why not rebook the fireworks for later in the year - assuming that the Sacramento fireworks people will be willing to reschedule - when it is completely safe and our community is ready for a celebration. How about fireworks after the Truckers Light Parade this December?

Covering the fires this week has been a challenge for our tiny staff of two reporters (some days, some days only one) and one photographer. I think they did a heck of a job getting the information out there. One of the two reporters is now on vacation so Ben Brown will be our primary reporter on the fire story. I will try to help as best I can and we have a Ukiah High grad home for the summer from journalism school at Sac State named Sara House helping us out too. Early on there were so many Cal Fire people coming into town you never knew who that day's spokesperson was going to be. The flow of info is pretty organized now which allows us to get pretty solid information regularly.

The big continuing question of course is what the weather and winds will do in the next fews days. Wind is of course our friend and foe. It clears the air and allows the tankers to fly but also spreads the fires. One firefighter told me that if the winds would turn and blow smoke out to the ocean it might also turn the fires on themselves and they would burn out more quickly.

Posted by K.C. at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The wildfires burning in the county have necessitated a huge Cal Fire incident command at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah which means that the Fourth of July fireworks show has been canceled. (Not only are the fiaigounds occupied but it would be a little weird to say the least to shoot off fireworks in the middle of a wildfire crisis.) As we have reported, fireworks shows are very expensive. A group of local businesses came up with the approximately $20,000 to put on this year's show and they're consulting on what to do next, whether to have the show later or save the money for next year.
Anyway, the group put an $8,250 deposit down with a company in Sacramento (which shall, for the moment ,remain nameless) and earlier this week the organizers called them to say that the show could not go on and see about getting that deposit back.
The initial response thus far has been, "So? You booked it you bought it." Even after explaining that this county is in a state of emergency and that we have a serious crisis on our hands, there was no sympathy.
I'll let you know if they change their minds. Then I'll print their name.

Meanwhile, I have to say that the way Cal Fire gets these incident camps set up is pretty impressive. The initial team of abut 50 people swoop down and organize everything. And they buy locally, which is great. Everything from pens and paper to tents and baked goods is being purchased in Ukiah wherever possible. I got a call from a reader who was worried that the community needed to donate food and water to the firefighters, and while I am sure they would accept donations, you shouldn't worry, they are being fed by the state.

Posted by K.C. at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well I am finally back on line - not that anyone perhaps except Fred there missed me. Anyway, I go back to the newspaper full time on Monday and I send thanks out to everyone who sent good wishes while I was out on a surprise lengthy medical leave. What was supposed to be a simple procedure turned into major surgery and I was sidelined for four weeks. I akm feeling much better and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
I wanted to get on line to day to pass along an interesting note sent to me by a reader warning consumers who trade in their grill propane tanks.

For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here's a safety announcement you need keep
on your front burner.
It seems that "Meth cooks" are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia. After they are finished using the tanks, they return them to the store. The tanks are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas, and note any pungent smell of ammonia near the tank. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one.
Here's the NPGA Site for your review also. Article includes pictures of stained valves.
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

Posted by K.C. at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)