MCT: Wednesday, January 15, 2020

• Storm Approaching
• Naulty Returns
• CSD Meeting
• Vet Housing
• Fires Fundraiser
• Candidate Forum
• General Strike
• Suing PG&E
• Wagner Photos
• Ed Notes
• Coastal Clouds
• Great Gift
• A1 Sauce
• Meet Mari
• Book Donations
• Chief Parker
• Ukiah Makeover
• Budget Priorities
• AutoZone Chat
• Yesterday's Catch
• Eviction Friction
• Stop Confusing
• Gershwin Program
• County Vacancies
• Fascism/Neoliberalism
• Bookstore Burgle
• Donkey Fight
• Stop 5G
• Religious Divide
• Conservancy Projects
• Found Object

A STRONGER STORM SYSTEM will impact the area today, bringing gusty southerly winds this afternoon, then heavy rain and heavy mountain snow later tonight. Thunderstorms and small hail will likely form near the coast Thursday, along with lower snow levels and travel impacts expected across many higher elevation passes. (NWS)

JOHN NAULTY RETURNS!

by Malcolm Macdonald

The City of Fort Bragg is about to announce that John Naulty has been named Interim Chief of its police department.

Naulty served with the Fort Bragg Police Department (FBPD) during two different stints in the past. He began his career in law enforcement with the FBPD in 1981, rising to the rank of sergeant and serving 22 years until he took a position with the Brentwood Police Department in 2002.

During those first two decades with FBPD, Naulty performed in many roles. He worked as a K-9 officer, as a detective, a Field Training Officer (FTO), and a Taser instructor. He earned the right to be the first Fort Bragg officer assigned to the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force. He won recognition as the Fort Bragg Police Department Narcotics Officer of the Year. In 1996, Naulty gained promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

While working with the Brentwood PD, Naulty completed a leadership training program. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice management.

In November, 2011, Naulty returned to the FBPD, sworn in at that point as the department's lieutenant. Until the summer of 2014, he served under Chief Scott Mayberry, with whom Naulty had worked in his original tour at FBPD. Naulty continued as FBPD lieutenant until April, 2015.

Naulty gained statewide and national attention when a multi state crime spree, including armed robbery and kidnapping, that began in the wee hours of March 19, 2014, brought Richard (Ricardo) Antonio Chaney thundering into Mendocino County. He was spotted by a sheriff's department lieutenant on Highway One and chased at speeds up to 100 MPH before the lieutenant lost sight of the offending vehicle and driver. FBPD was notified as well as other Mendocino County Sheriff's Office deputies. Chief Mayberry and Lt. Naulty responded.

Sheriff's Deputy Ricky Del Fiorentino was ambushed and killed in his vehicle north of town by automatic rifle fire from Chaney. Naulty heard the gunfire and moved toward it only to find Chaney rifling through the bullet-riddled patrol car and grabbing Del Fiorentino's sidearm.

Reports on the incident at the time indicated that Naulty and Chaney exchanged ten to fifteen rounds, after which Chaney escaped into the brush. The criminal was later found dead from a reported wound to the leg, according to Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman. The fatal shot presumably having been fired by Lt. Naulty.

Naulty received multiple commendations as a result of his valor on that March day. Thirteen months later, in announcing his second departure from FBPD, Naulty stated, “I would like to thank the community for their support of me and my family during this past year, as well as their support throughout my career in law enforcement. I have always taken pride in giving my best in every aspect of police work, and I’ve striven to teach others in law enforcement to realize that we work for the people, for the community. It is very important for me to stay active in support of officer training and safety.”

There were plenty of folks in Fort Bragg and throughout the county who felt Naulty, and Mayberry before him, were pressured by city officials to leave their posts. In many ways, and for many people, Mayberry's and Naulty's departures were linked. Some people close to Naulty indicate they are two distinctly different men.

Nevertheless, their departures from the police force were clearly an impetus behind the candidacy of Michael Cimolino. The anger and frustration of those residents of Fort Bragg who believed either or both officers were forced out was the chief reason Cimolino was the second highest vote-getter in the November [2014] council election.

One might venture to guess that the departures of Mayberry and Naulty may have, in part, also been a motivation behind the successful candidacy of Bernie Norvell for a city council seat. A position Norvell is now running to serve in as a second term. Most if not all the key city officials who were viewed as opponents of Mayberry and/or Naulty are now gone from the Fort Bragg governmental scene.

In the time since John Naulty left the FBPD, the leadership of that department, meaning Chief Fabian Lizarraga, has been… shall we say, retiring. As in, it has appeared that Lizarraga came to Fort Bragg for almost nothing beyond gaining vestment in one more retirement pension. He has been seen on Friday afternoons driving east on Highway 20, not to respond to a police call, but to get to Santa Rosa as quickly as possible to catch a flight to the Los Angeles area, where he has maintained a home for decades. He has shown no dedication to Fort Bragg or the Mendocino Coast. At council meetings and Public Safety Committee meetings Lizarraga has displayed ignorance of law enforcement matters referenced in agenda items he should have prepared for ahead of time. In late 2019, when Council member Bernie Norvell asked him why FBPD had not participated in a law enforcement sweep aimed at gang members, Lizarraga offered up two or three excuses that even those uninitiated in police work had to find flimsy at best.

Naulty, on the other hand, has stayed in the area since his departure from FBPD in April, 2015. He has worked as a truck driver for GEO Aggregates for much of that time. Agree with him or not on any given issue, he cares about this place and the people who live here. You might actually see him out and about on a weekend.

The back to the future hire of John Naulty will either gain plaudits or raised eyebrows for Fort Bragg City Manager Tabatha Miller. She has been on the job for just short of two years. This is certainly a gutsy move and a positive response to those who have called for a return to local leadership at the Fort Bragg Police Department.

CSD MEETING TONIGHT

WILL VAN SANT of the local Veterans Affairs office, stopped in today to ask that we draw attention to the current plight of Dave Williams, 74, a local veteran who needs housing — not a whole house, just a room or a cabin. The old guy is presently camping out, which is no place for a man of his years, especially given his admirable service record. Dave can also pay some modest rent, is willing to trade mechanic work for partial rent, and needs a place to store his tools. If you have something, please call Van Sant at 707/815-4308 or e-mail him at will.vansant-glass@va.gov

PLEASE HELP THE BOONVILLE FAMILIES who lost their homes in December's fires ~ Great Raffle Prizes for local restaurants and hotels!

(Donations for Fire Victims are also being collected at the Anderson Valley Firehouse in Boonville and at Savings Bank of Mendocino, through the Mendocino Community Foundation.)

MEET THE FOURTH DISTRICT CANDIDATES

The League of Women Voters will host a Fourth District Supervisor's Candidate forum at Fort Bragg Town Hall, on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 6:30-8pm.

SONOMA COUNTY PLANNING TO SUE PG&E in aftermath of Kincaid fire which they claim cost them $725 million.

Sonoma County is hiring a law firm to advance its legal case against PG&E for the Kincade fire, the county’s largest- ever wildfire, which dealt an estimated $620 million economic blow to the region, according to a new analysis.

pressdemocrat.com/news/10586278-181/sonoma-county-building-its-case

SAVINGS BANK OF MENDOCINO has 23 of my photographs on display until the end of March in its Fort Bragg branch. Many are the photos you put the most "likes" on. Some you have never seen. I hope you will come by and see the show. I have a silent auction that closes on February 14 at 2:00 pm that gives everyone a chance to buy the photos for 33% below my asking price. If anyone wants a special artists tour, let me know and I will meet you there!

• 

• 

Larry Wagner, Sebastopol

wagnerphotoart.com

ED NOTES

LISTENING to Alicia Bales' deft interview with Sheriff Matt Kendall this morning (Tues) on KZYX, I learned that marijuana is a racist term, but the highly evolved woman calling in with that startling piece of information didn't tell us what term we should substitute for it if we want to be all the way woke. Can I get like a temporary pass until someone gets me up to date?

I THINK marijuana — oops! sorry — propagandists have never made it clear enough how strong devil weed is and how bad it is for the adolescent brain. As I've said before, and it occurs to me there is little I haven't said before, every young person I knew (and know) who got into marijuana — sorry — at a young age wound up as an adult mental case. From what I can gather, medical opinion agrees, that premature stoners risk adult schizophrenia. And still prevalent is the dangerous idea that weed is harmless, and then comes the parade of invidious comparisons, that pot is better than alcohol, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, coffee, and so on, as if sucking any kind of smoke into your lungs is good for you.

WHICH REMINDS ME of a debate I took part in 2000 at the Ukiah Civic Center. It was me and the superintendent of the Ukiah schools, Gary Brawley, versus Dan Hamburg and Peter Keegan. The Supe and I opposed Measure G, a wimpy advisory measure promoted by the pot brigades that would have made personal use of marijuana (darn, did it again) a low law enforcement priority, not that it was exactly a high priority by that time. The upshot? The measure passed with a 58% majority vote, Peter Keegan murdered his wife, Dan Hamburg went nuts and moved to Oregon with his therapist, two more examples of advocates as walking contra arguments.

MY FELLOW LIBS have always gotten on my case for my marijuana (forgive me) stance out of, I guess, the misguided notion that dope approval is just one more station of the pwog cross, along with being against whatever the government is cooking up, and for everything good and true — serene race relations, forests, medicare for all, gender equality, pure foods, and bike lanes. If you're opposed to dope, well, next thing we know you'll be ordering Klan robes.

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IF YOU WANT the straight skinny on the Middle East, Patrick Cockburn is your man. Cockburn has been reporting from there for years, and is by far the best source of up-to-date information about developments in the region. He appears regularly in the Brit newspaper, The Independent, and on the CounterPunch website.

FAN'S NOTE

Dear AVA,

I've been a long time reader of your find periodical since my days at Arcata High up north. I remember buying every issue of the Bear Lincoln saga and learning so much about rural California history, culture, politics and government. I was hooked and I've been reading the AVA off and on ever since.

After growing up reading the Eureka Times Standard and The Arcata Union, the AVA was truly mindblowing to me as a kid. The in-depth reporting of local events was something I'd never seen then, nor since. The Arcata Eye is about as close as anyone has come to that level of focus on what matters to the community. And obviously there's nothing of the sort down here in the Bay Area.

My family got me a subscription for Christmas, so now I'm back to reading these hallowed pages on a weekly basis, now down here in Oakland. Off the record, letters to the editor, DUI's, and detailed descriptions of court hearings, water controversies and the endless criticism of politicians all feels so familiar and comforting. Keep up the good work bringing fire to the palaces and peace to the cottages. And as a great man once said, "Be As Radical As Reality".

Sincerely,

Jess O'Brien

Oakland

A1 STEAK SAUCE is said to have been created sometime in the late 1820s by Henderson William Brand, the Chef to England's King George IV. The king was so pleased with the new sauce, he proclaimed it ‘A number 1’ - or ‘A1’ for short.

After the king's death in 1830, Brand started his own business producing meat extracts along with A1 Sauce. The sauce became popular with the public, and won awards at international expositions in London and Paris between 1862 and 1900. G.F Heublein & Bros. (a major wine and spirit importer) began to import A1 Steak Sauce to America in 1906, eventually purchased the rights to the sauce and in 1918 began manufacturing A1 in Hartford, Connecticut."

Etc, etc, but who has fucking time for this? It's a sauce.

MARI RODIN Invites Community to Share Vision for County at 1/22 Event

Ukiah, CA — Former Ukiah Mayor and current Candidate for 2nd District Supervisor Mari Rodin has a vision for Mendocino County:

“We can make Mendocino County the thriving community we all hope for while preserving what is unique about this wonderful place we call home. We can build the housing we need without sacrificing the natural beauty and agricultural land we cherish. We can have a growing economy without giving big subsidies to outside corporations, by supporting the ingenuity and creativity of local businesses and community members.” says Rodin.

Along with Rodin, 2nd District Supervisor John McCowen, City Council Member Juan Orozco, Former City Council Member Mary Anne Landis, restaurateurs Bridget and Craig Harrington, and physician Marvin Trotter are hosting an event to support Rodin’s candidacy and give every member of the public the opportunity to speak w/Rodin directly. The event, dubbed “Meeting with Mari,” will be held Wednesday, January 22 at downtown Ukiah’s ’Chop!Chop!’, 110 W. Standley Ave. from 5-6:30pm.

“We need a leader with the vision, knowledge, and experience to move our county forward. Mari’s candidacy is like a breath of fresh air. This event is a great opportunity for members of the community to talk with Mari one-on-one, to share our priorities and concerns, and to get to know the woman I know will represent you as 2nd District Supervisor,” says physician Marvin Trotter.

Rodin, who served 11 years on Ukiah City Council and two terms as Mayor, has also released a detailed platform on her website ( www.MariRodin.com/issues), which addresses everything from homelessness and mental health to emergency preparedness and climate change. In addition to the opportunity to discuss these issues and more directly with Rodin, the event (which does not require a contribution or tickets) will have light appetizers and refreshments.

The 2nd District, where Rodin is running, consists of large portions of the Ukiah Valley including the City of Ukiah and many of the surrounding neighborhoods. John McCowen, who currently serves as 2nd District Supervisor, announced his retirement from the Board of Supervisors in November and has endorsed Rodin. The primary election will be held March 3rd, 2020.

What: Meeting With Mari Details

When: Wed. Jan. 22nd, 5-630pm

Where: Chop! Chop!

110 W. Standley St. Ukiah

To learn more visit www.MariRodin.com

(Rodin For Supervisor Presser)

DID YOU KNOW you help the environment when you donate your books to Friends of the San Francisco Public Library? Every year we save over a million books from going into landfills by collecting them at our Donation Center and reselling them at our bookstores. Learn more at our website, FriendsSFPL.org/donatebooks

COMANCHE CHIEF QUANAH PARKER and his wife Tonasa, 1892.

UKIAH FOR SURE SHOULD APPLY

HGTV Is looking for a U.S. town that needs a total makeover for a new show.

ksby.com/hgtv-looking-small-town-needs-makeover/

WHAT GAVIN NEWSOM’S $222 BILLION BUDGET SAYS ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S PRIORITIES

calmatters.org/economy/2020/01/gavin-newsom-budget-california-trump-housing-homelessness-schools-wildfire-surplus/

MONDAY NIGHT'S FORT BRAGG CITY COUNCIL VOTE (4-1, Mayor Lee in opposition) to deny the appeal of a planning commission vote to deny Autozone the ability to build a new store on Main Street raised a lot of questions - like the post below that was on the Fort Bragg "Current Events & open discussion" Facebook page:

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"Contrary to how you feel about Autozone or any other business coming to or attempting to come into Fort Bragg my suggestion to those businesses at this point would be 'don’t even try' because you probably aren’t going to get far.

Heaven forbid you may create competition with other businesses that may cause pricing to come down to where the folks who live and work in an economically depressed town may be able to afford to 'shop locally' instead of using Amazon.

Personally, when I need parts I shop at Napa and that wouldn’t change regardless of any other auto parts store coming into Fort Bragg. It’s about choice and for some it’s about affordability.

During our election campaigns, what was the biggest issue raised by this community? Jobs and the economy were number one concerns for most.

So, now we have had not one - but two projects - turned down for property owned by others who wanted to put projects in that could have brought us jobs and yes been good for the economy. Whether a business is owned by an out of town or local person or even a franchise the bottom line is: those who work at those businesses would be paid for and most likely spend their earnings locally.

But let’s face it, if there were jobs available some who currently live off the system may have to get a job. Heaven forbid. How about seniors (or others) who need to supplement their income? Forget it.

So, part of the argument was 'we have enough auto parts stores, we don’t need another one.' Where in our zoning does it say we can’t have duplicate businesses that would create competition? How many restaurants, drive-ins, gas stations, gift shops, art galleries, and coffee shops do we have currently? Does having more than a few of each mean no one should be given a permit for yet another?

I find it odd that this very same Planning Commission that turned down not one but two businesses (projects) that may have brought some jobs and income in for some approved yet another 'art' shop in an area where the zoning is not for business but instead is a 'Very High-Density Residential Zoning area.'

Not only that but that business would be using a residence for their business that could otherwise have offered a home / housing for a family. We do have a housing shortage, right? Well, there went another available house but that project was approved.

The question was asked by Chair 'can the planning commission or City Council for that matter base its decision on competition, in other words making a decision based on another business coming in would be too much competition?'

Answer: 'No, the planning commission would have to base its decision in the development code and the parameters of section 17.71.0150 those are the findings that you need to make in order to approve this project and approve the development in the coastal zone. Any denial of the project that is outside of these findings can be subject to a legal challenge and competition would be one of those because favoring local business over chain stores so to speak is not one of the findings.'

Having said all of the above I will add that my feeling is if you aren’t going to allow businesses into Fort Bragg then simply don’t. Make it a rule 'no more businesses.'

Otherwise, do your job and stick to codes while making your decision and not how popular or unpopular you will be after making a decision."

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Some comments:

Maryellen Sheppard

The city council and many of the speakers expressed a desire for "small town" entrepreneurial-investment but no "little guy" can afford the holding costs, planning expenses or requests to go back to the drawing board this applicant endured. Many individuals would have been sunk in the first year of waiting for a decision, let alone a near 3-year wait. Extending the application/planning process for such a long time costs a lot of time and money, a circumstance which often only corporations can endure.

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Ron Smoley

Hey owners of the building Campos was in…. You raised the rent $1000 dollars. You lost rent. Good decision? That was a good store. You took that away from us. Thanks.

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Joshua Hinkle

From what I've heard about Group 2 the owners of where Campos was would almost rather it be empty for tax purposes. It's a tax write off when you have empty property.

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Mike Mosquini

With all the talk about autozone and bringing competition. What was Napa’s revenue? I bet after they paid people from the gross the net was not very big. If we want more stores here they should be more small stores and not giant corporations. At least napa is locally owned and operated. The owner is in the store almost every day. They mention competition. We have FOUR hardware stores, they both order the same items from the same vendors at the same prices. There is no room for competition. It’s all price set and not really much wiggle room. It would be nice to see some new businesses here but we just don’t need another store that sells the exact items already available here and would hurt already struggling businesses here.

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Ann Meadlin

Small businesses have a tough time around here. Parking and steep rents put them out of business before they start.

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James Murphy

What does it bring to the table that the others don't is the big question. We have four hardware stores that use the same vendors but all of those hardware stores have distinctions from each other that go well beyond stock and price. I don't know what an AutoZone could offer that O'Reilly's wouldn't. Just another big box auto parts store in a town too small for that.

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Hayden Rexrode

Fort Bragg and Mendocino are towns for wealthy liberals who want to own pet project businesses that don't necessarily create revenue. Heck the entire state is turning into a place for wealthy liberals to live in little bubbles and tell everyone else how they aught to live.

(via MendocinoSportsPlus)

CATCH OF THE DAY, January 14, 2020

BENJAMIN GAYSKI, Fort Bragg. Probation violation.

JUSTIN HIETALA, Blue Lake/Ukiah. Failure to appear, probation revocation.

DILLAN KESSEN, Lakeport/Ukiah. Disobeying court order.

DRINDA LAST, Fort Bragg. Disorderly conduct-alcohol.

JULIE LEGENDRE, Ukiah. Domestic abuse.

MATASHIA LILLY, Willits. Disobeying court order.

GERARDO MEDINA, Calpella. Failure to appear, probation revocation.

DANIEL MEINECKE, Leggett. Parole violation.

DENA MORRIS, Ukiah. Resisting/threatening peace officer. (Frequent flyer.)

JOSE NAVA-GARFIA, Cloverdale/Ukiah. False imprisonment, probation revocation.

BETHANY PACHECO, Fort Bragg. Probation revocation.

ANDREW SAWYER, Oakland/Ukiah. DUI, resisting.

STEPHEN SERR, Ukiah. Probation revocation, resisting.

COPS IN ULTRA-RICH BAY AREA ARREST AND EVICT HOMELESS MOMS from home owned by house flipping speculator company that had been vacant for over two years before the moms moved in.

thedailybeast.com/cops-in-ultra-rich-bay-area-arrest-evict-homeless-moms-occupying-vacant-oakland-house

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democracynow.org/2020/1/14/oakland_california_moms_4_housing

“After the housing crisis and the foreclosure crisis of 2008, many homeowners lost their primary residences — their only residences. And so that allowed speculators and the banks that were bailed out by the government at that time to come in and scoop up homes at rock-bottom prices. So, that is still happening, and we’re still experiencing the impacts of the foreclosure crisis, with speculators owning 35% of the housing stock in America. So, some state that Oakland has the worst speculation crisis in the country. And that’s observable by how high the rents are. You have the median one-bedroom market-rate unit starting at around $2,500 a month. And so, the housing wage, which is different from the minimum wage or living wage, in Alameda County, where Oakland is located, is $40.88 per hour. And that is out of reach for many of Oakland’s working-class people. … Wedgewood Properties has approximately 96 subsidiaries. And they are the real estate speculator that is holding the deed for Moms’ House. They are in the business of buying homes at rock-bottom prices and flipping them. And that is part of the problem why housing is so unaffordable in cities like Oakland. They buy houses by bulk, so 100 to 200 properties per month, if not more, in distressed neighborhoods — their words — and then they flip them and sell them to the highest bidder. So it puts home prices out of reach for many working-class people. So they drive up the cost of rents and the cost of actually purchasing a home, which is why homeownership levels are so low. And since they are such bad characters, they’ve also hired another bad character to get them out of this situation and make them look like the victim. And that is Sam Singer. And he’s doing everything in his power to villainize and criminalize the mothers. And we’re seeing old stereotypes and old tropes about black women on every single social media site where the moms are. There’s trolls every day that are really working to tear the mothers down. They’ve experienced different levels of violence, one mother in particular. And it’s just — it’s really sad, the levels that they’re going to to criminalize these moms. … And that’s what’s criminal about this housing crisis. There are actually places where people can live. But because they’re private, they’re privately owned, it makes it difficult to even crack into what a solution could be, because the private industry doesn’t have to be held accountable. And that is what we’re saying is criminal. It should not be legal for anyone that owns property, particularly corporations. And we want to make a distinction, because that’s what’s been thrown around a lot, too, is that if an individual mom-and-pop owner of a property left it empty because they’re on vacation, then somehow Moms 4 Housing is advocating taking people’s personal property. That is completely and patently false. What we’re saying is corporations should not be able to hold vacant properties when there is a housing crisis. There should not be people living on the streets when there are places where they can live. Oakland looks like an entirely different city than it did years ago, and it’s strictly due to corporations that are able to rent-gouge when they have homes for rent and charge way over market for homes that are not worth what they’re actually selling them for. And so, this is starting a movement where people who are also experiencing housing insecurity, which means they pay more than 30% of their income in rent, are waking up, because they’ve seen this example of Moms 4 Housing define what the market trends are, and saying, “We deserve housing for all, not just for those who can pay the high price tags.”

—Carroll Fife, Director of the Oakland office for the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE). She is an organizer, educator, mother and 20-plus-year resident of Oakland.

OPUS CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT THIS SUNDAY!

Opus Chamber Music Series is proud to feature world-renowned pianist Frederick Hodges in a solo recital this Sunday, Jan. 19th at 3 PM, Preston Hall, Mendocino. Mr. Hodges will present a program featuring several of his virtuosic piano transcriptions of Gershwin overtures and more. These magnificent compositions include beautiful lyrical songs and a wealth of instrumental music that confirm Gershwin's genius. Tickets ($22) at Out of this World in Mendocino, Harvest Market in Fort Bragg, online at brownpapertickets.com and ($25) at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance. Rain or shine, looking forward to seeing you all there!

Eva von Bahr

Opus Coordinator

opuschambermusic@mcn.org

ATTENTION SHUT-INS!

Vacancies on the following Mendo Board(s) and/or Commission(s):

• Policy Council on Children and Youth (PCCY) (13) Various
• Mendocino County Fish and Game Commission (1) Member at Large - Inland
• Law Library Board of Trustees (1) -- Trustee
• Archeological Commission of Mendocino County (2) --Various

Anticipated vacancies include expiring terms: the incumbent of the expiring term may apply for reappointment and/or may continue to serve in their capacity until replaced. California Government Code requires public noticing for all expiring terms regardless of the incumbent’s intention to apply for reappointment.

If you are interested in serving on this Board, contact your Supervisor, or the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, at 501 Low Gap Road, Room 1010, Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 463-4441. LAST DATE FOR FILING: January 27, 2020, or until filled.

CARMEL J. ANGELO, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors

ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

My own clan has more than a glancing acquaintance with fascists ie those from the 1920s and 1930s. From what they’ve told me of their own experiences, what we have on this side of the pond is nothing fascistic, not even close.

I’ve found “fascist” to be an all-purpose slander designed to distract from material issues that directly impact the lives of many millions of people. So is “populist”.

Having said that, if one is really convinced of this “fascism” I would strongly advise a re-think. Misdiagnosis and misapprehension are not adaptive responses. They can lead to serious trouble. For decades the intelligentsia touted neo-liberal agendas as the best thing for everyone and for a long time a lot of people were convinced.

The returns are in and the results calamitous. Time to re-evaluate, which is what the Trump win and this Brexit business are all about. Same with the gilets jaunes movement in France, to take just a few examples.

VIOLENT SMASH-AND-GRAB FROM PORTLAND BOOKSHOP results in loss of rare volumes, irreplaceable Andy Warhol works

oregonlive.com/books/2020/01/violent-smash-and-grab-from-portland-bookshop-sees-loss-of-rare-volumes-irreplaceable-andy-warhol-works.html

TINFOIL HAT ALERT!

Stop 5G Mendocino will be holding a workshop on Saturday, January 18 from 3-5pm at the Community Center of Mendocino. Helen Sears will give an overview of what Wi-Fi/5G (5th. generation) electromagnetic radiation is, what risks are known, how we can minimize the damage and protect ourselves.

The Community Center is located at 998 School Street in Mendocino. A nominal fee will cover rent and handouts. For questions contact Stop 5G Mendocino at stop5gmendocino@mcn.org

Local people are gathering on Saturday January 25 for a Global Day Of Protest Against 5G. Events are planned in 31 countries so far.

An International Appeal Will Be Delivered To Governments Around The World signed by scientists and doctors from 202 countries and territories.

The Issue: Microwaving Our Planet

While the media’s attention with regard to environmental issues has been captured by climate change, fracking, and plastics in the ocean, an International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space has been quietly making its way around the world. Signed by 4,800 scientists, 2,800 medical doctors, 770 beekeepers, 2,000 environmental organizations, and 180,000 others from 202 countries and territories, this Appeal calls on the world’s governments to stop the deployment of 5G.

On January 25, 2020, environmental groups are planning events in 31 capital cities so far, with more being added daily. Their goal is to stop the deployment of millions of 5G antennas on Earth and 50,000 5G satellites in space, and to secure emergency high-level meetings with officials in governments and international governmental organizations including the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.

The issue is microwave radiation, which has been steadily intensifying for over two decades courtesy of the wireless revolution. 5G will bring a huge increase in radiation, virtually overnight, everywhere—in cities, suburbs, parks, nature preserves, wildlife refuges, oceans, Greenland, and Antarctica. Instead of cell towers every few miles, there will be cell towers—small but powerful—in front of every third to fifth home. Instead of 2,000 satellites orbiting the Earth, there will shortly be 50,000.

The organizers of the events of January 25, 2020 include people who have already been so severely injured by wireless devices that they can no longer participate in society at all. They are fighting for their own lives, the lives of their children, and the lives of the insects, birds, animals, and all of us.

Stop 5G Mendocino members thank you for your interest and support. Let us know if you want to be involved with an action on January 25. We know that there is also a Global Day of Protest — No War On Iran scheduled for this day. https://www.answercoalition.org/iran-jan-25

https://stop5ginternational.org/

https://www.5gspaceappeal.org/the-appeal

http://mystreetmychoice.com/

GRAVES OF A CATHOLIC WOMAN and her Protestant husband, who were not allowed to be buried together. Roermond, Netherlands, 1888

REQUEST FOR PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS/Letters of Interest for the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

This is a call-for preproposals for projects who would like to partner with the California State Coastal Conservancy in order to apply for US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NCWC) Program funding.

This is NOT the official NCWC call for applications.

Projects hoping to receive NCWC funding are NOT required to apply through the Coastal Conservancy. As stated below, there are six other state agencies who are also designated to apply for these funds for the projects in California. However, should a project wish to work with the Coastal Conservancy to manage and administer a potential future grant, please read the following announcement, and if you feel your project fits the NCWC criteria, please submit a brief (~2-4 page) letter of interest via email to avra.heller@scc.ca.gov by 5 PM PST on March 2nd, 2020 (see further details below).

The California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) seeks partners for joint applications to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 round of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NCWC) Grant Program for coastal wetlands acquisition and/or restoration projects on the California coast or along the San Francisco Bay shoreline.

Only seven designated state agencies, including the Conservancy, are eligible to apply for NCWC grants in California. However, the Conservancy can work in partnership with state and local agencies, tribes, and certain non-profits to develop and submit NCWC proposals. The Conservancy can pass through NCWC grant funds to its partners to implement projects. While federal agencies can’t receive NCWC grant funds, NCWC-funded projects can be implemented on federal lands.

If your project is selected by the Conservancy during this initial proposal phase, the Conservancy will work with you to prepare a NCWC grant proposal, which may or may not be awarded funding by the USFWS. The Conservancy will not award state funding grants directly through this solicitation. The USFWS selects proposals for award through a merit-based, national competitive review process.

The deadline to submit NCWC proposals to the USFWS for FY 2021 has not been set, but is expected to be in late June 2020.

If projects are awarded a NCWC grant, funding will be available for implementation as early as Spring 2021. USFWS will need to meet its project-related environmental compliance requirements before making funding available. A full description of the NCWC program can be found here:

https://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/

NCWC provides grants of up to $1,000,000 for the protection and/or restoration of coastal wetlands.

Grants are for project implementation, although it is permissible to utilize a small amount (~15%) of the grant for biological surveys or monitoring, planning and permitting if those activities are closely tied to implementation. Projects should be ready for implementation in Summer 2021 or 2022. Projects will be more competitive if the project area is primarily made up of jurisdictional wetlands.

The NCWC grant program requires a non-federal match of at least 25% of the total project cost, consisting of either cash or in-kind contributions, and additional points are awarded for match of up to 33% of the total project cost.

The Conservancy may be able to provide some or all of the required match, but project partners providing their own match will increase the Conservancy’s capacity to carry out more projects.

The NCWC program also prioritizes projects that involve multiple partners providing a cash or in-kind contribution. All projects must ensure long-term (at least 20 years) conservation of coastal resources.

Eligible Activities include:

Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long-term conservation;

Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems; or

A combination of acquisition, restoration, and management.

Ineligible Activities include, but are not limited to:

Projects that primarily benefit navigation, irrigation, flood control, or mariculture;

Acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management of lands required as the result of a regulatory or decision-making process to mitigate habitat losses;

Creation of wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist;

Enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and regulations, except when necessary for the accomplishment of approved project purposes;

Research;

Planning as a primary project focus;

Operations and maintenance, including long-term invasive species management;

Acquisition and/or restoration of upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct; and

Projects providing less than 20 years of conservation benefits.

More information about NCWC grants, including last year’s FY 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity, is available here: https://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/.

Please again note that the FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the NCWC program has not yet been released, but it is anticipated to be very similar to last year’s document.

Letter of Interest Submittal:

To indicate your interest in partnering with the Conservancy on a NCWC proposal, please submit a brief (~2-4 page) letter of interest via email to avra.heller@scc.ca.gov, by 5 PM PST on March 2nd, 2020.

The letter should include the following information:

1-2 sentence summary of proposed project,

description of the need for the project,

description of the proposed project and how it addresses the need,

estimated project cost and description of potential match,

approximate timeline for project implementation (include information of the status of project design and environmental review for restoration projects),

indicate whether you have a willing seller for acquisition projects, and

list of potential project partners and their roles in the project. Include a map showing the project area and providing the approximate acreage of the project area and acreage of coastal wetlands within the project area.

Letters of Interest must be received by 5 PM PST on March 2nd, 2020.

Eligible Applicants: Non-federal public agencies, tribes, and certain nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. To be eligible, a nonprofit organization must qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Questions? Questions about the application process and potential projects may be directed to Avra Heller, External Grants Manager, 510-286-1212, avra.heller@scc.ca.gov

FOUND OBJECT