Certificates of Achievement were awarded recently to several members of the Santa Ynez Valley Chapter of National Charity League at a recent picnic.  These ladies each spent countless hours working in support of many local charities, including the Therapeutic Riding Association, Theaterfest, and Solvang Library.  Pictured from left to right are: Ellen Hemming, Jessie McCurdy, Claire Hemming, and Sherri Hemming.  National Charity League is a non-profit corporation organized to initiate and encourage charitable endeavors, and to foster the Mother-Daughter relationship i philanthropic, cultural, and educational training.

 

 

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs-off on $23 Million for Juvenile Justice Reforms

The governor released $23 million in Youthful Offender Block Grants last month to help implement new programs for juvenile correctional reforms.

“I am a firm believer that California’s youthful offenders are among the most responsive to programs that will steer them away from trouble and keep them from turning toward a life of crime,” he said in a September press release.

The money will come from Youthful Offender Block Grants in the 2007-2008 state budget. Santa Barbara County is set to receive $259,089 in block grant money to go toward its youth offence reform programs. The 2007-2008 state budget also includes $100 million in lease-revenue bonds to finance buying, building or renovating local juvenile facilities to ensure that local governments have the capacity to house and service juvenile offenders.

“This is a real reform that attacks juvenile crime at its roots,” said Bernard Warner, chief deputy secretary for the Division of Juvenile Justice of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

 

Zaca Fire Closure Areas Reduced and Campgrounds Open

The Los Padres National Forest Service announced Oct. 3 the reopening of large areas of the Los Padres National Forest that surrounded the Zaca Fire. Some burned areas adjacent to forest lands will remain closed through the rainy season.

“The Zaca Fire burned in a very steep and rugged terrain, and while there are islands of unburned vegetation, there are vast areas that are a moonscape now,” said Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez.

Areas now open include Sierra Madre Ridge Road, Happy Canyon Road, Figueroa Mountain Road, the lower Santa Ynez River Recreation Area, the Pendola area, the Camuesa Off-Highway Vehicle Route, the Divide Peak Off-Highway Vehicle Route and the Matilija Wilderness.

Sunset Valley Road remains closed from Cachuma Saddle to Nira Campground, but the Davy Brown Campground is accessible to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers via the Davy Brown Trail from Figueroa Mountain Road.

The forest service will also be installing gates and caution signs at key locations around the fire’s perimeter to prevent people from entering prohibited areas.

“We know people are anxious to get back into their national forest, but we are asking for their patience and cooperation,” Hernandez said.

Many of the hiking trails sustained significant damage, and the forest service is working to reestablish the trails.

For more information about closures visit www.fs.fed.us/lospadres.

 

Board to Proclaim Oct. 7-13 Fire Prevention Week

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is set to approve Oct. 7-13 as National Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire that killed more than 250 people and left over 100,000 homeless.

“’Practice Your Escape Plan,’ is the theme this year,” said Santa Barbara County Fire Department Captain Eli Iskow. “It’s not enough to have a home fire escape plan. To escape safely, you’ve got to make sure that everyone in the home has practiced the plan.”

The fire department will be offering a fire prevention tip each day during the Fire Prevention Week.

The first tip: Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm. This is a great way to get children involved in fire safety in a non-threatening way.

For more information regarding fire safety visit www.sbfire.com or to watch a YouTube escape plan video visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEds9FSepVI.

 

Solvang Recreation Welcomes All to Voyage to Laughlin

Solvang Recreation is preparing for its trip to Laughlin, Nevada, scheduled for Nov. 11-14, and is encouraging people to sign up.

The four-day and three-night trip will take place at the Edgewater Hotel and casino in Laughlin. All hotel rooms will have a riverfront view, fine dining, casino highlights, and a cruise on the Colorado River. The group will depart from the Solvang Veteran’s Hall. The trip will cost $199 per person based on a double occupancy cost and $219 per person for single occupancy. For more information regarding the trip or to sign up, contact the Solvang Recreation at (805) 688-7529.