Mendocino County Today: Monday, Sept. 20, 2021

Northeast Winds | Red Flag | Ed Notes | Pushy Tesla | Longshoremen Strike | Better Example | LA Model | Bike Lanes | Teamster Strike | Water Conservation | Car Camping | AV Health | Lowe Packing | Finocchio/Zeni | Deep South | Pet Athena | Dem Extradition | Cove Project | Asparagus Truck | County Briefs | Yesterday's Catch | Wax Fire | Cloverdale Fireworks | Forever Ineligible | Palestinian Sirhan | Positive Thinking | Weed Seeds | Mirror Shop | Genius Envy

BREEZY NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS are expected today with dry air across the area as a high pressure builds across the Pacific Northwest and the Great Basin. Warm, dry and mostly sunny conditions through Tuesday. Some cooling of the inland interior is expected on Wednesday and the coastal areas will likely see a return of the marine clouds as an upper level trough approach. (NWS)

AN EARLY AUTUMN OFFSHORE FLOW EVENT will impact portions of interior northwest California beginning tonight and continuing Monday. Although substantial wetting rainfall dampened dry and dead vegetation over much of our region, rainfall amounts across much of Lake County were very light, with just sprinkles in some areas. As high pressure builds in quickly to our north tonight into Monday, winds will shift from northwesterly to northeasterly and become gusty, especially over exposed higher slopes and ridges. This wind will bring in much drier air, followed by hotter and drier days Monday and Tuesday. Some locally breezy conditions may persist over the exposed ridgetops Monday night, but expect winds will be trend lighter overall through Tuesday. Be safe in this area, and avoid any activities that could produce sparks or start a fire. (NWS)

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NORTH BAY RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT; no PG&E power shutoffs in Sonoma County

With parts of the North Bay beginning Monday in the midst of a red flag warning — after meteorologists forecast the increase of dry offshore winds that will intensify the threat of wildfires — residents of Sonoma County can at least take comfort that their power won’t be shut off, as well.

On Sunday night, Pacific, Gas & Electric Co. revised its previous alert about possible power shutoffs due to the extreme weather conditions. Instead of affecting “14,000 customers in small portions of 13 counties,” that amount was reduced to “7,100 customers in small portions of 10 counties.”

Sonoma County residents are no longer included in PG&E’s warnings.

However, some residents in Napa and Lake counties, as well as Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Solano, Tehama, Yolo, Kern and Santa Barbara counties, and the Cortina Rancheria and Grindstone Rancheria tribes will likely be affected.

Power shutoffs in Lake and Napa counties are expected to begin at 5 a.m. and end at 10 p.m.

About 1,225 customers will be affected in Napa County. In Lake County, about 51 customers will lose power.

PG&E said “changing weather conditions Sunday morning,” prompted the changes.

Rain fell across the region Saturday night, with most of Sonoma County accumulating as much as 0.1 inch, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

The Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport recorded about 0.07 of an inch of rain, while Napa County’s Mount Veeder received 0.04 of an inch, according to the weather service.

The red flag warning began at 11 p.m. Sunday and is expected to end at 8 p.m. Monday.

The areas at greatest wildfire risk include the North Bay hills along with a wide swath of Northern California, including southern Lake County and the East Bay hills and interior valleys.

Northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph are expected, with gusts up to 40 mph. The highest peaks could see gusts up to 50 mph, according to the weather service.

Humidity is expected to rapidly drop as the winds arrive.

Locations that accumulated less than 0.1 inch of rain on Saturday night will be of the highest concern, forecasters said.

“Any fire starts would likely see rapid spread due to dry fuels, low humidity and gusty winds in areas that did not receive wetting rains over the last 24 hours,“ the weather service said Sunday.

(Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

ED NOTES

PLEASED to see my friend, Mea Bloyd, take a blue ribbon for her floral exhibit while mom, Amy, racked up big wins in the baked goods category.

THIS YEAR'S FAIR saw diminished participation because of covid fears, but diminished as it was it was a successful three days of rural events, and as satisfying to this Fairgoer as any he's attended over the past 50 years. Greeted by a skeptical friend (?) as I entered the Fairgrounds Friday about noon, “Us senior cheapskakes always come on Senior free day, huh Mr. Editor?” I'd have paid twenty, at least, to get in while the exhibits are fresh. And they were, as was a most savory slice of the Apple Hall's traditional apple pie, served up by Mrs. Grace Espinoza, both of us undoubtedly ready to recall the many years Ruby Hulbert, aka Grandma Pie, having mobilized a large crew of local ladies, was up late for days prior, baking what seemed like an unending oven-fresh bonanza of pies.

COMMUNITY ENTHUSIASM for the revival of the annual Apple Bowl football game was evident in the large turnout for the game between Anderson Valley High School and the California School for the Deaf. From the deep east bleachers, the two teams seemed evenly matched, but the visitors pulled ahead in the second quarter and stayed ahead. CSD used get off the line of scrimmage via an emphatic second or third vibration from a big bass drum on their sideline. No drum Friday night, and I'll leave it to Boonville coach John Toohey, to fill us in. The high school's versatile Arthur Folz — he teaches academic classes and coordinates the school's busy sports schedules — appeared to be the evening's maestro, bringing off the event without a visible hitch, complete with the usual pro-quality announcing by Ernie Pardini, and even a color guard provided by the American Legion.

I COULDN'T help but notice the large number of locals who did not stand for the national anthem, certainly a departure from years past. I overheard one end of a gruff exchange when a man seated in front of me angrily explained to somebody down on the field why he hadn't stood, words to the effect that “the flag doesn't represent me anymore.” Well, it sure as hell represents me, and I've spent my entire adult life opposed to this country's policies, foreign and domestic. But these bitter chasms between us citizens is recent, sad and ominous. Used to be you said where you stood, I said where I stood, but we still managed to pull at the same oar. No more. This working man at the Boonville football game Friday night seemed ready to go to war.

SATURDAY NIGHT'S RODEO drew a crowd, but the sheepdog trials Sunday morning was standing room only, having become Fair weekend's most popular event, and the only event that draws people from all over.

LIKE THE FAIR, Sunday's parade was diminished but, as always, fun. Just before the sirens heralding the parade's start, a time capsule hippie strolled past strumming a ukelele. Then came grand marshall Bill Holcomb in his cherry Merc, fire trucks, horses, a gang of enviros hauling a giant paper mache salmon with the reminder that fish need water, a wonderful six-piece Mexican band complete with two kids, one of them quite small providing a trumpet chorus, a subdued float of Anderson Valley Grangers, Sheriff Kendall in a department jeep, Rossi Hardware, and Smokey the Bear.

BOOTH rentals have become so pricey only the Democrats and Republicans can afford them. But even they were absent. The last year I bought space it cost me $600 bucks (!) and I had to bring my own booth. My wife is still complaining, $600 and the Boonville Fair inextricably linked whenever the Fair is mentioned. The Fair Board really ought to re-think rental prices for locals, but “this is the way we've always done it and if you don't like it…” But the late Jim Clow, Fair manager extraordinaire, was reasonable, flexible, and, best of all, imaginative. Doubt the current apparatus would even consider the beer run that Jim instituted, or even a beer-free county runner's contest, a kind of dusty track meet. Saw one of those once in rural Scotland where the winners all the way down to little kids got cash instead of ribbons and trophies. Participation was heavy. 

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NOSTALGIA FOR 16TH AND BRYANT, a reader writes: “I grew up walking distance to Seals Stadium and went to many many games there with my dad who kept the statistics for every inning, writing in the playbook in ink. I had a crush on Roy Nicely. And I join you in being someone who has gone to games at all three stadia mentioned. One night game my mother found a woman’s purse in the stands and the next day when we returned it the lady gave us box seat tickets to the SF Opera which is the story of how I went to my first opera at age 9…”

WHITE TESLA STRIKES AGAIN: Saffron Fraser writes: 

“OMG! It happened. 15:50 leaving from my road, a county road, onto a state highway. Where the posted speed limit is 35mph. Cool. As I crest an uphill with a blind curve there is a bicyclist chugging away to get up that hill. I slow down giving safe space. Note the speed, uphill, is about 30. As we reach the top of the curve and start to go downhill, I'm still careful of the cyclist, and I give space. I'm turning LEFT with brakes and signal to enter a well marked drive. And a white Tesla overtakes and passes me out of the blue as I'm attempting to make my turn, endangering, not only myself, but the oncoming car, and the cyclist. Now, don't get me wrong. Bicycles on and in the road are scary. But, that's a life out there. I was shaken, to say the least. Between the Philo Church and Toulouse Tasting Room. A 5 minute drive to work (yes, I couldashoulda walked) gave me the shakes.”

MISALLOCATION

To the Editor:

It is understandable that city and county want to get water to the Mendocino coast. But to do so illegally, with paying fines, sets a precedence to other citizens. Just do it, and pay a fine?

If all government disobeys the environmental laws, where does enforcement, have the right to fine other offenders? What protects the environment?

Here’s an idea. Buy water trucks, instead of beautification projects. Give 3 people a job of water tenders, for the city and county together. And truck purple pipe water, all over the county, to residents, whom their wells, have gone dry.

And if a fire, is nearby. Use trucks to help in firefight. Calfire/state pays for water tenders, by contract. I believe.

A few new jobs, free water and fire camp maintenance.

Win win win.

No huge fines, which is a waste of precious money. City/county could buy a water truck or two for 1,000 a day, instead of throwing away, fine money. And no environmental factor of devastation the russian river flow.

I’m no expert in government budget or water issues. I did secretary/treasure a water company, for small neighborhood system.

I think, if we think of the future and be visionary, these water trucks and employees would help, if Ukiah, also becomes insolvent of water, next year or the year after.

Catherine Lair

Ukiah

NO BIKE LANES?

To the Editor:

Riding downtown today, amidst all the fancy new stuff… Of note, no Bike Lanes! Nowhere to lock up your bike. What’s up?

Leslie Dammuller

Ukiah

FREE DROUGHT SUPPLIES 

To the Editor:

I am writing to thank the numerous people who made the Drought Drop-By giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 21 a huge success. The event, co-hosted by the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District, the County of Mendocino, and Sonoma Water, supplied 500 local households with buckets full of free water conservation supplies, including low flow shower heads, faucet aerators, shower timers, and more.

Many thanks to Anthony Baroza for expertly leading led the day’s efforts and to Elizabeth Salomone, Leif Farr, Boy Scout Troop #75 and students from the Ukiah High Band for helping prepare the buckets and hand them out. Special thanks to Lucky Supermarket for hosting the event. Because of all of you, our local community is more resilient and prepared for the ongoing drought.

Deborah Edelman, Mendocino County Resource Conservation District

Ukiah

GET EDUCATED, GET VAXED

Dear Mendocino County Medical and Anderson Valley Health Center Providers,

On Aug. 31, 2021, you issued a letter to the Mendocino Community urging our community to get educated and get vaccinated against Covid-19. In it, you said “Getting vaccinated will not only protect you, but will also keep your loved ones and your community safe and out of the hospital.”

We thank you all.

Thank you for showing up every day to care for our community.

Thank you for caring for us all, no matter what is ailing us.

Thank you for providing Covid-19 information and vaccines during this ongoing public health emergency.

We are the Anderson Valley Health Center’s board of directors, and we are proud of our providers for making this public plea. But we are also sorry you had to issue this letter.

In the Anderson Valley, we are a small but mighty community and are extremely fortunate you provide us care near our homes. For our community, we offer vaccines, testing and any information you need on Covid-19, right here at home. We can do this because of the providers who work right here in the Valley, many of whom have signed this public letter.

We echo the call for action to our Mendocino community - please help us stay safe and healthy.

The Anderson Valley Health Center Board of Directors,

Ric Bonner, Kathy Cox, Autumn Ehnow, Clay Eubank, Heidi Knott, Eric Labowitz, Lucy Plancarte

CONCERNING BEHAVIORS

On 09/11/2021, Ukiah PD officers contacted two subjects inside of a vehicle for a registration violation at Motel 6 south. The passenger, 38-year-old Victoria Lowe, ultimately admitted to having a gun concealed in her sweatshirt after officers recognized concerning behaviors and questioned her. The firearm was a loaded, unregistered Ruger 9mm, semi-automatic handgun. The driver, a 41-year-old male, consented to a search of the vehicle and no other contraband or weapons were found. The driver was released from the scene with a warning for the registration violation. 

Following Lowe’s arrest and transport to MCSO Jail for weapons violations, a booking search revealed 25 individually packaged drug packages concealed on her person. Lowe had denied having any drugs on her person and was warned of additional charges should she bring any into the jail. 

(Ukiah Police Presser)

THE ZENIS AND THE FINOCCHIOS

by Steve Heilig

One of my longtime favorite friends is Len Finocchio, who besides being a bigshot health expert with a doctorate in public health is a former chef, father to a young son, jazz aficionado, wandering hiker and biker, skilled photographer and much more. I knew a bit about his fabled family history in San Francisco but a couple of times he mentioned going to visit his father’s grave in Mendocino County, so I finally asked him for more details on why and where. When he said the grave was in the Anderson Valley I proposed a little interview, which he somewhat reluctantly agreed to, not only as he’s such a busy guy but because he figured the details of this long relationship might be overly fuzzy for such a meticulous, data-oriented professional. But I convinced him this was just a casual chat for the AVA, so here it is.

What are your first recollections of visiting the Anderson Valley?

My first memories are of my dad Arnie taking my brothers and I to the ranch to visit the Zenis and go camping on their ranch property. The Zeni Ranch is on Fish Rock Road, northwest of Yorkville. He had first been there as a young boy himself.

We spent time with George Zeni and his family in the ranch house and hiking around the ranch vineyards and old logging roads. My dad taught us how to camp, shoot his Winchester 30-30 rifle, and dive into a swimming hole. One time we went to the ranch with other Finocchios and we camped out. The two Finocchio brothers, my dad Arnie and uncle Robert, told an old ghost story about Joe Fuentes who had burned his face in a fire and haunted one part of the ranch. We didn’t sleep much that night!

So, what was the original connection of the Finocchio family of San Francisco to the Zenis of Anderson Valley?

I’ll share what I can recall - some of the details may not be 100% accurate. The Finocchio-Zeni connection started at the Savoy Tivoli on Grant Avenue in North Beach. It was a hotel and restaurant owned by Alessandro Finocchio. His brother Joe established the famous Finocchio’s Club on Broadway, which pioneered cross-dressing performances, drew people from around the world including many famous movie stars and the like, and ran for decades. Finocchio’s Club is memorialized in the San Francisco GLBTQ Historical Society. The Savoy Tivoli served recently immigrated Italians and helped them get oriented to California, San Francisco life and opportunities.

Eduino Zeni had spent time at the Savoy Tivoli and the Finocchios helped him understand Northern California and homesteading laws. At some point the Finocchio-Zeni friendship also became a business relationship. The Finocchios at Savoy Tivoli would arrange for San Franciscans hungry for a taste of country life to spend weekends at the Zeni Ranch. The Zeni property was a “dude ranch” where you could ride horses, hunt, drink wine and hike among the redwoods. But you had to work to get fed!

The Zeni Ranch was a vineyard (mostly Zinfandel) and grew many vegetables and sold them to the Savoy Tivoli - “farm to table” before Chez Panisse! During Prohibition, the Zenis produced grappa, a distilled brandy made from grapes. The ranch also grew chestnuts and there is still an annual chestnut festival there. Filomena Zeni, Eduino’s wife, ran a school on the property - the Lombardi School District - that served locals but also “delinquents” from San Francisco. 

Do you know how the Zenis first settled there?

You’d have to ask them for details, as I only know pieces of the story. Eduino Zeni first came to the US in the 1890's. He found a piece of property to homestead in Mendocino County. He wrote to his mother in Italy asking her to place an ad in the local newspaper for a wife to come to California. Filomena Leonardelli answered the ad and got on a ship to San Francisco with Eduino’s mother, Catterina, in 1901. The Finocchios facilitated their travel to the US, orientation to San Francisco and took them to Mendocino County. 

Eventually, Eduino and Filomena had children and owned three properties but had to sell one to pay for funeral expenses for several family members who died from trichinosis poisoning in 1921. They homesteaded these properties; homesteading allowed for three 40-acre parcels if you could demonstrate improvements over one year. One had to go to Ukiah to stake your homestead claim.

The Finocchio/San Francisco - Zeni/Mendocino connection lasted over many generations. Four generations of Finocchios all spent time at the Zeni Ranch - to get out of SF, San Jose and Marin where they lived. They’d go to hunt, play, eat & drink, and play pedro. My father Arnold first spent time at the ranch when he was 9 or 10, and then most summers through high school. The Zeni Ranch had a deep impact on his worldview and who he became. He was a good shot with the rifle. Some of the euphemisms and “colorful" expressions that come out of my mouth I’m sure originated at the Zeni Ranch. 

Does your family still spend time there?

Well, the Finocchios of my generation lived for many years in Southeast Asia as my dad Arnold worked for Bank of America, a San Francisco bank started by A.P. Giannini as Bank of Italy. Arnold’s brother Robert, his dad Alec and his uncle Joe also worked for BofA. Alec was hired by A.P. Giannini himself as a messenger. Since then my family members have passed on or scattered a bit so we have not been there much anymore. But my father loved it there enough to be buried there in 1995, so obviously it was an important place and time and connection for him. George Zeni is the namesake of my older brother George Finocchio, who also spent some summers working at the Zeni Ranch.

Italians have historically been very Catholic, obviously. What did the Zenis, and Finocchios for that matter, think of the cross-dressing aspect of the famed Finocchio’s club? Did you ever hear any questioning or conflict about that?

Among the Finocchios, I think the acceptance of Finocchio’s Club was generational. My generation went to shows there and were proud of Finocchio’s Club. Some in older generations felt differently. I recall my grandmother, when asked about the club, exclaiming rather scornfully, “That’s the wrong side of the Finocchio family!” I don’t know what the Zeni’s thought about the club. I remember George Zeni being rather libertarian so probably thought, “if that’s what those men want to do in their free time, fine by me.”

Anything else to add?

I’d probably think of more over time, but now not really. We’re still connected to the Zeni family, and my brother George and his sons visited them at the ranch recently. I’m hoping to take my son, Alessandro, up there to visit sometime soon. It can be hard to recollect or extract too many details from those who might have been around then, and many are now gone. Especially since, as one of the Zeni’s told me, “To the old timers, the story wasn’t important since they lived it!”  

SOLD MY SURFBOARD, BOUGHT A HOUND DOG

by Tommy Wayne Kramer

Twenty or so years ago those of my generation began reviewing their pensions and plotting their retirements. 

Anywhere from San Diego to Vermont would do, or from Denver to Mexico. All were potential retirement destination points. The only location off the map and absolutely unthinkable to even visit was the American South. 

That’s because the Deep South was filled with racist lunatics who spent weekends crashing around in pickup trucks drinking beer, yelling mean things at Black people, running over and shooting endangered species while shouting Yee Haw! 

Icky, those redneck crackers. 

It was around that time I told Trophy the Deep South seemed the perfect place to spend our sunset years because A) all it would take was one Hollywood celebrity to buy an estate in Virginia, or B) a single feature on Charleston in the New York Times Style section with a headline like “Hot Retirement Spots for Trendy Retirees!” to cause Boomer attitudes to reverse. 

The story ran, the flip-flops began, and so here me and Trophy are, deep in the heart of Los Carolinos. We brung our dog, our toothbrushes and our life savings in canvas sacks slung over our shoulders. Realtors smile and wave when they see the California plates. 

We bought a place for less than the cheapest houses in California, including houses you’d refuse to live in located in neighborhoods you’d refuse to drive through. Here, our narrow road is busy, but we lived on Dora Street, and what’s new? 

So far it’s just one big gol durn hootin’ good time down here, y’all. We’ve not yet experienced collard greens, chiggers, kudzu, deep fried pork rinds, Confederate flags, street corner preachers, or anyone shouting Yee Haw! We’ve yet to spot a bumper sticker advertising a Presidential candidate, unlike Ukiah where 6.7 cars in 10 have a Hillary or a Bernie or a McGovern sticker. 

Also we’ve had no wildfires or earthquakes, no flood or drought. But folks here seem ready. Unlike in Mendo County, where as soon as it rains everyone forgets about ways to collect more water for next summer (dig Lake Mendocino deeper) (pray) out here they find ways to deal with too much water. 

I’m on the the Flush-o-Matic Toilet System for instance, and it allows me to run through 6000 gallons a day to reduce reservoir overflows downstream. Thus no floods. 

Our block is cluttered up in old houses but it’s nice anyway. There’s a bunch of those big old plantation-style joints with tall columns holding up the balconies; one has a couple dozen two-story columns, and the big house on the corner has way more. Wonder who had the local franchise back then (“This week only! Come on down to Colonel Cottonmouth’s Corinthian Column Extravaganza! Buy one, get one free!”) 

But life in the south is not all Mint Juleps, low taxes and free gasoline, not that we’re experts after five days. 

The dog is lonely without her friends at Mendo Books, Mendo Bounty, Triple S and the Barkery. She goes on morning walks but must wonder where her lost friends Boo, Haley, Fiona, Ken and Cosmo have gone, plus their chaperones Arlynn, Rod, Pat and Dave. 

Me, I’d miss my friend too, if I had one. And pity the poor Spousal Unit. How would you like to be marooned on a distant island, or in the Deep South, with just one person to talk to, and it was me? (But she is thrilled by cheap cigarette prices.) 

Prior to a few days ago I’d only seen one cockroach in my life and it was six years ago in Malaga, Spain. He was son Lucas’s pet, sort of, so we didn’t kill him. In the last 18 hours I’ve terminated half a dozen cockroaches using primitive but effective boot heel techniques. Did I get ‘em all, or will there be more cockroaches in my future? 

And oh, there’s even more on the negative side of the ledger. Yeah, yeah the days are mild, the nights are warm and all that, but earlier this week I found myself in the local emergency room. Next the dreaded cardiology wing. Heart surgery and all that routine stuff I’ve been through too (two) many times before. 

They kicked me out this afternoon. It was raining. Driving home in the car we just bought we discovered the passenger side window won’t close and windshield wipers don’t work. Welcome, immigrant. 

In Ukiah I can go months, years maybe, and not even know if my car has a set of windshield wipers. 

(Leaving, the hospital gave Tom Hine a page of dietary restrictions with various meal suggestions, and a second sheet listing local morticians. TWK wants to come home, and so does the dog. It could happen sooner than anyone thinks.)

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UKIAH SHELTER PET OF THE WEEK

Athena is, like most dogs her age, an energetic, fun-loving, enthusiastic girl who will benefit from an active family and basic obedience training. Athena appears to be uncomfortable with new dogs at first, but becomes more relaxed after a bit of time. She will need to meet any potential doggie roommates. Athena is 10 months old and 54 pounds.

For more about Athena, visit mendoanimalshelter.com. While you’re there, check out all of our canine and feline guests, our services, programs, events, and updates. Visit us on Facebook at: facebook.com/mendoanimalshelter/. For information about adoptions, please call 707-467-6453.

EXTRADITION, DEMOCRAT STYLE

SHOEMAKER'S PARKING LOT PROJECT WILL PROCEED (DESPITE NEARLY UNANIMOUS OPPOSITION)

Arena Cove Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project Week Of September 20th

The Arena Cove Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project is set to fully kick-off next week beginning Monday, September 20th. Granite Construction will be mobilizing and beginning the digout of the sidewalk in preparation for the installation of footings on the south side of the parking lot. Portions of the Cove parking lot will be closed.

The City will update residents and businesses regularly for the duration of the Project. These updates will inform you of construction scheduling and any impacts to Arena Cove activities during heavier construction periods.

Notices will be posted at City Hall, businesses in the Cove, the Pier, and the Post Office.

For more information about the Arena Cove Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project please contact Richard Shoemaker, Special Projects Manager, at 707-882-2122 or by email, admin@pointarena.ca.gov .

COUNTY BRIEFS

(by Mark Scaramella)

CEO REPORT, September 14, 2021

Miscellaneous Highlghts

• Fish Rock Road, County Road (CR) 122, at Milepost (MP) 17.35, 2019 Storm Damage (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Repair Project Construction Contract: Pursuant to Board Resolution Number (No.) 21-046 (April 6, 2021), bids for Department of Transportation (DOT) Contract No. 210022, 2019 Storm Damage on Fish Rock Road, CR 122, at MP 17.35 were opened as scheduled on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Gregg Simpson Trucking, of Ukiah, California, was deemed the apparent “low bidder” for this project with a bid of $400,103. The Engineer’s Estimate for the contract was $493,100.00. Contingencies $32,505.00. Construction Contract Total $432,608. Cost of PS&E $36,373. Anticipated Construction Engineering $64,891. Anticipated Project Cost Total to Date $533,872. Working Days: 30

(Magically and suddenly, the Board Directives list included a “status” in the latest CEO report. But only a few items were filled in with status info.)

• WHITMORE LANE/PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH FACILITY (PHF) Feasibility Study under way: Continuing meetings with Nacht & Lewis to discuss the operational needs of the PHF in relation to the physical space at the Whitmore Lane site. Study will also include review of other site constraints, proposed model for locating the PHF at the site and development of preliminary cost estimates and alternate site comparables.

• ASSISTANT CEO DARCIE ANTLE met with Auditor Controller and Assistant Auditor Chamise Cubbinson on 9/1/2021. Assistant Auditor could not find any way the Executive Office could assist. ACEO suggested a few areas but AA didn't think those areas would be helpful. She needs someone at a high level on entry level and would not consider promoting one of her team members up to a higher position, etc. ACEO and fiscal team stand ready to assist.

• GENERAL CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD to direct the Chief Executive Officer to include a monthly report from the finance team within the CEO Report. Status: 9-9-21: Will begin once the Auditor controller closes the FY 20/21 and July 2021

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Presentation of the First Quarter Budget Report on the Status of County Departmental Spending and Revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 and Executive Office Recommendations for FY 2020-21 (Sponsor: Executive Office) Approve recommendations with the exception of increased contribution to the health care plan and direct staff to bring back a comprehensive proposal to shore up health care plan. Executive Office Status: IN PROCESS Update to the BOS coming forward August 2021. (No such “update” was provided.)

• Arraignment Court at the Jail

Noticed Public Hearing - Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Mendocino County Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020- 21, Including All Recommended Actions and Adjustments (Sponsors: Executive Office and Auditor-Controller) GENERAL CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD: Direct Sheriff’s Office to present an MOU between the County and Courts along with a cost analysis of the Donavan Room remodel to convert to a courtroom at the jail. Adopted on June 23, 2020 Sheriff. Status: ON HOLD. The Sheriff prepared a follow-up item for Board consideration, but pulled it from the agenda after publication. The Sheriff intends to support updates of other expired County/Court MOUs before bringing this back to the Board.

• Mobile Crisis Response Team – One Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist has been hired, trained, and responds to crises in partnership with Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. One new Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist is being transferred to the team, and the Sheriff's Office and BHRS are working together on innovative ways to recruit additional staff.

THE SHERIFF’S CASE AGAINST MENDOCINO COUNTY — which now has withered into a question of exactly what the case is about: the Sheriff’s budget? His request for his own lawyer? His computer system ownership? His responsibility for overruns? The definition of “conflict”? — continues to limp along in Judge Ann Moorman’s court. At the most recent hearing on September 15 Judge Ann Moorman “reviewed case documents” privately, in chambers and nothing has happened on the record since then. Nothing more is scheduled on the case in the next two weeks. Perhaps a ruling is pending.

CATCH OF THE DAY, September 19, 2021

JACK ALVAREZ, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-alcohol. (Frequent flyer.)

SACRAMENTO HERNANDEZ, Ukiah. Vandalism. 

DAMARA MOORE, Ukiah. Disorderly conduct-alcohol.

MIRANDA MULLINS, Willits. First degree robbery, burglary.

PATRICK ORNBAUN, Laytonville. Failure to enroll in MC program.

OSCAR SANCHEZ, Ukiah. Domestic battery.

YORSELI TEPALE-DANIEL, Ukiah. Allowing unlicensed driver to drive vehicle.

FIRE-DAMAGED EXHIBITS, MADAM TUSSAUD'S, PARIS 1925

CLOVERDALE FIREWORKS

Editor,

California voters spoke up and rejected the recall in great numbers. Fantastic. It was a stupid waste of money. Voters in Rohnert Park also did the right thing by saying no to fireworks. Will Cloverdale ever follow suit? One would think with all the fires we have witnessed this year that this would be an easy call for any city and its leaders. Let’s hope by next July the city of Cloverdale comes to its senses and bans the sale and use of fireworks.

Linda Elliott

Cloverdale

“WE’VE SPENT LOTS OF TIME thinking about what Sirhan owes the Kennedys and the country they represent, but maybe it’s time for Americans think about what they owe Sirhan’s compatriots. Untold Palestinians have fallen to assassins’ bullets supplied by the United States. Palestine was always set up as the origin of Sirhan’s irrationality. Now, thanks to decades of thankless and largely anonymous efforts, a great many people recognize Palestine as a victim of the United States. What is supposed to be an incriminating descriptor acts more and more like an invitation to contemplate a deeper story.” 

“Sirhan Sirhan, the Palestinian. These days it really doesn’t sound so bad.”

ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

Maybe if, fifty or more years ago, more people had just tossed their seeds into vacant lots, along streams, or by the side of the road, after they got done cleaning their lids. Eventually the plants would have proliferated to the point that there’d be pot plants all over the place. Of course, it wouldn’t be like the stuff they got now, with cutesy designer names, that taste like chocolate chip cookies and stuff, but it would just be all over the place, and no more worth the efforts of law enforcement to eradicate than crab grass is. I myself gave up the habit nearly twenty years ago, so none of these stories that run on virtually every edition of this daily news site merit much relevance to my life either way. Except that the environmental impact that I read about gives me some cause for alarm.

ALL I KNOW IS, I'd be quite happy to be someone else on the off chance I'd be a genius, a great man. Yes, I have to admit it. There's something there which speaks to me. I've never heard a single genius praised without such tributes to him making me secretly enraged. I get envious. When I learn about some detail of their private lives that demeans them, I listen with pleasure. That brings us closer together, and I bear my mediocrity more easily. 

—Denis Diderot, 1770; from "Rameau's Nephew"