Salida MAC Newsletter - December 2015

LIKE “Salida MAC” on Facebook and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/SalidaMAC

and sign up to receive our newsletter via e-mail. ~ Katherine Borges, Editor

NOTE: SALIDA HAS NEW OUTDOOR WATERING RESTRICTIONS

The Modesto City Council passed new watering restrictions unanimously on November 25, 2015. Homes and businesses with even number addresses can water Saturday and those with odd addresses Sunday. No watering is permitted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fines are up to $500 so make sure you only water on your watering day during the weekends and during those hours.

Public Comments
Richard Barboza spoke about the VA commission and the next meeting will be held at County Center 3 at 5:30 pm on the 4th Monday of the month. They are looking for volunteers.

Stanislaus County's smartphone app to report
issues can be found under 'GORequest"

Stanislaus County Sheriff Department
Lt. Marc Nuno stated the substation should be opening soon and will be staffed with STARS volunteers. The sheriff's department is still working on getting staffing levels up.

Salida Fire Department
Chief Dale Skiles thanked everyone who volunteers in Salida. There have been 1100 calls to date with expecting that number to reach 1400 by the end of the year. Average response time is 5 minutes and 53 seconds. Chief Skiles reminded everyone to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Applications for volunteers will be taken for next year, apply at salidafire.com

Salida Union School District
Superintendent Twila Tosh reported there will be an upcoming meeting regarding LCAP on November 5th at 5:30pm at Salida Middle School. Salida Union has a partnership with the U.C. Davis Nutrition Program for parent classes, see flyer here.

Salida Chamber of Commerce
Lana Moore stated the Salida Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the Salida Community Christmas program again this year to give toys and gifts to needy families in Salida. Barrels to donate toys will be located at the Salida Library, Salida Post Office, Kaplan College, Salida Christian Fellowship Church and Tender Years Nursery School. Please buy gifts up to 5th grade level: books, games, puzzles, toys, etc. and drop off at one of the barrel locations.

Modesto Irrigation District
There is a public meeting on November 17 at the MID office regarding the current electricity rates.

Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library
Salida Library Director Carol Blomquist shared many programs for people of all ages. Wee Move and Play for small children is on December 8. No StoryTime in December. LEGO Day on December 22. Shakespeare for All will perform "Hamlet" for free on December 5 at 3 pm. A lot of additional resources are available online at the Stanislaus County Virtual Library.

Special Presentation - "Helping Salida's Homeless" presented by Katherine Borges
Katherine Borges has been participating in Stanislaus County's Focus on Prevention program. She has been learning about the different groups/charities/services available for those who are homeless and for those who are about to be homeless. She asked for people in the community to volunteer to help the homeless in Salida with a follow-up presentation in early 2016.

Stanislaus County Supervisor Report
Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow stated the new coroner's facility is open. The county will be going to Sacramento to look for funding for storm water capturing grants and grants for other water projects. Supervisor Withrow also shared that the County has a new website.

Announcements
Salida Sit-N-Sew will be on 11/19/15 at 6pm at Salida Christian Fellowship.

Former San Joaquin County Supervisor, Ken Vogel was recently inducted into San Joaquin Farm Bureau Hall of Fame

Next Salida MAC Meeting:

Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room

4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida

Featured Department: "Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department STING Team"

STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SALIDA NEIGHBORS - JOIN NEXT DOOR

Salida MAC Newsletter - March 2015

LIKE “Salida MAC” on Facebook and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/SalidaMAC
and sign up to receive our newsletter via e-mail. ~ Katherine Borges, Editor

Stanislaus County Sheriff Dept
Lt. Grom introduced Deputy Block who has been assigned Salida as a regular beat. 

Source: https://twitter.com/stansheriff

Salida Fire Department
Salida MAC Chairman Katherine Borges reported on behalf of Salida Fire Chief Dale Skiles that there were 127 calls for service which were broken down into: 72 EMS calls, 4 fire calls, and several false alarms.

Salida Postmaster
Nanette Spyksma emphasized the need for people to pick up their packages and don't leave them on the porch as packages have been stolen recently. There have been no new mailbox break-ins in Salida.

Modesto Irrigation District
MID Director Jake Wenger reported there might be a decrease in the amount of water farmers receive due to the drought. Last year saw the largest reduction of water delivered in the history of the Modesto Irrigation District. There is currently a 40% water rate increase proposed that is currently in the Prop 218 45-day review process period before it can be voted on. It does not mean that 40% will go through, the MID Directors can approve less than 40%. There was a proposed 3 1/2% rate increase made by staff for electric rates, but no action has been taken at this time. MID customers might see a decrease in the environmental energy adjustment on their bills because MID collected more than was needed for the renewable energy fee last year.

Salida Library
Salida Library Director Carol Blomquist shared about the following library programs. For children: Wiggle Worms will continue through March on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 - open only to children under age 3 and their caregivers and on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 - open to toddlers, their siblings, and their caregivers. Preschool Story Time in on Thursday mornings at 10:00 - open to children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers Preschool Story Time is followed by Stay and Play at 10:30. Tuesdays are family day. March 24th is Lego Day at 4 pm. March 31 at 4 pm is Día de los Niños/Day of the Child to celebrate Latino culture: this day of celebration will surprise and delight you as we dance, play games from Mexico and enjoy a craft together. For adults: Dance exercise classes continue on Mondays at 6 pm. 

Jeremy Ballard presenting on Holt sign

Stanislaus County Planning Dept.
Stanislaus County Senior Planner Miguel Galvez reported that due to the economy improving, they are getting more applications. Assistant Planner, Jeremy Ballard presented information on an application for Holt of California's sign variance (an additional sign at their location 4400 Salida Blvd.) The Stanislaus County Planning Commission will need to approve the added sign. The public hearing for the sign will be at the Planning Commission on March 19th.


Special Presentation - Salida Union School District's Green Programs

Twila Tosh holding one day's worth of
SUSD's recycled trays and composted
food waste.

Superintendent Twila Tosh shared that Salida Union School District has two solar voltaic arrays which haved saved the district about $36,000 in energy costs and they've installed HVAC controllers.

SUSD instituted a recycling program where they recycle the styrofoam trays as well as any uneaten food. The styrofoam is put into a machine that is located behind Sisk Elementary School where it is melted down to about the size of a textbook. A company comes and picks up the melted product where it is recycled and used to make items such as picture frames. This recycling program saves the school district $12,000 a year in waste service costs.
The food waste is put into a dehydrating pulping machine where it dehydrates the food reducing the amount of waste thrown away. The school has had people from all over the world come to learn about their recycling programs and SUSD even received special recognition from the White House.

CHP
Officer AJ Palazuelos reported that there have been officers out in the morning patrolling around the schools. There's been a lot of traffic complaints on Finney and Covert. They have also seen an increase in false registration tags on cars. Those vehicles will be towed.

Stanislaus County Supervisor's Report
Supervisor Terry Withrow shared "The Tale of Scott" from the State of the County speech and the county's plans for facilitating in bringing different community members and groups together to work on helping youth, the homeless, and recidivism. The annual budget is being worked on and is stronger than the last few years. The county is working on restoring public safety. Sixteen cadets are graduating the sheriff's academy and another sixteen should be going into the academy soon. A larger building for the county coroner is being rehabilitated and expanded.

Announcements
Salida Civic Association needs volunteers to help with putting on this year's Town & Country Festival. Contact Kathy Paioni at (209) 545-0601 if you can help.

Neighborhood Watch contest is still going on through July 31, 2015. Contact Deputy Vern Blagg to establish a neighborhood watch group: (209) 652-0356 and to be entered in the contest, send an e-mail with the date of your neighborhood watch meeting to salidamac@gmail.com 

Salida MAC's website - visit: http://salidamac.weebly.com/

Next Salida MAC Meeting:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room

4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida

Presentation:"Focus on Prevention - Quality of Life Initiative" Program
presented by Aaron Farnon

 An effort that is coming alongside local initiatives focused on a number of Quality of Life areas, in partnership with cross-sector leaders (Education, Non-Profits, Faith, Business, Arts, Entertainment & Sports, Media, Neighborhoods, Philanthropy, and Government). 

The effort begins with a Focus on Prevention in the following Quality of Life areas:

Homelessness (October 1st, 2015 Convening);

Strengthening Families;

Investment in Young Children; and

Reducing Recidivism.