Sentinel Top Stories

Downtown merchant to challenge Black & White Ball

Friday, 05 September 2008

Longtime Downtown Auburn businessman Ben Asgharzadeh of The Golden Swann says he will challenge Black & White Ball organizers to move the Ball out of Downtown and better control excessive alcohol use. Photo by John McCreadie.

The Black & White Ball – the region’s biggest street party and a 17-year favorite of many local residents – may face its biggest challenge yet to taking over Auburn’s Downtown business district one day each year.

Mounting that challenge is a long-standing shopkeeper, community supporter and chamber member who says he’s had enough and will take unprecedented steps to get the Ball moved and get alcohol consumption at the event more tightly controlled.

“I want to stop this before somebody gets hurt,” said Ben Asgharzadeh of The Golden Swann, a stalwart business in Downtown Auburn for 29 years. “I’m tired of it; somebody has to do something.”

That something includes receiving legal advice from outside the area to avoid any conflicts-of-interest that could arise from using a local attorney. He says he’s willing to bankroll legal action if his concerns are not addressed by the Auburn City Council, which issues a street-closure permit for the event, and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, which organizes and benefits from the annual event.

Letters to the Editor - September 3, 2008

Friday, 05 September 2008

Marriage equality is good for families Same sex marriages not only involve two people who dedicate their lives to each other, but may involve children, parents of the couple and others. I witnessed a joyous marriage ceremony in my backyard the day that the state of California legalized such unions. The children and relatives of the couple were ecstatic and proud that this marriage was recognized. We don’t know how many of these unions involve children that reside in a stable, loving home. My sister and her partner of over 20 years adopted an Asian child more than 14 years ago who was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This child has received the best medical care possible and the dedication of two loving parents. Another couple I know care for a child with severe birth defects. Healthy children of such marriages can also benefit from society’s recognition of legal civil marriages.

Our society needs to encourage stable family units to provide healthy, loving environments for the members of those families. The idea that a marriage is only for procreation is not one that most of us accept. Our world population cannot support an ever-increasing number of people and there are many children in the world waiting for adoption. Many heterosexual couples are not doing very well in terms of maintaining a healthy, loving family unit. Our divorce rate of close to 50 percent is indicative that all is not well with the typical American family.

We don’t ask that your church perform marriages for same sex couples. That is up to your religious beliefs. This is a civil rights issue and the government should not deny the rights for a civil marriage for same sex couples. Proposition 8 would deny this freedom to many. Vote “No” on November 4th.

Karen Tajbl Auburn

YOUR VIEWS The SENTINEL encourages the free distribution of ideas and information regarding our community. We strive to be a neutral forum for the discussion of issues of public interest. Letters are due Friday at noon for the following Friday edition and are limited to 300 words or less and must be signed. Please include your name, address and phone number. All letters to the editor become the property of Sentinel Communications, Inc., and we reserve the right to print them in condensed form and to edit them for libel and factual error.

Winery ordinance passes

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Area wine makers – including the Viña Castellano Winery on Bell Road – are expected to begin applying for permits that will allow them to provide wine tasting at their vineyard locations. Photo by John McCreadie.

Supes unanimously approve on-site wine tastings

County supervisors received cheers from winery owners and their supporters Tuesday after delivering a 5-0 vote in favor of a new winery ordinance that will allow Placer County vintners to open wine-tasting facilities on their farms during regular business hours.

The vote follows two years of county planning, more than 13 public hearings and a surprise delay last month as the proposed ordinance pitted winery neighbors against winery owners.

The new ordinance immediately impacts the 10 approved wineries in the county by providing specific laws governing winery operations and by simplifying the permit process, especially for smaller wine producers.

Macon family keeps agriculture tradition alive in Placer County

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Dan Macon, of Flying Mule Farm, sells radishes to Gail Mackenroth, right, at the Old Town Auburn Farmers Market on Saturday.

Dan Macon is an easy-going guy with a dark bushy mustache who originally hails from Sonora. The 41-year-old father of two wears a hat reminiscent of another era to keep the sun out of his eyes as he banters with customers at the Saturday Farmers Market in Old Town Auburn.

His family businesses – The Flying Mule Farm and Highland Farms – are also reminiscent of a time from the past, but as Macon likes to point out, there is a wide variety of agriculture in Placer County, and he’d like to keep it that way for future generations.

Placer County is perhaps best known for its mandarin harvest, but there are still active farmers and ranchers raising all kinds of food served in kitchens across the county.

Police Log - August 27, 2008

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Compiled from Auburn Police Department records.Aug. 16 At 11:19 p.m. in Downtown Auburn, a 50-year-old Applegate man was booked into the Placer County Jail for allegedly resisting a public officer, disorderly conduct and challenging someone to fight.Aug. 18 A 25-year-old man was cited on Auburn Folsom Road for allegedly driving without a license. His vehicle was towed.Aug. 21 A 42-year-old homeless man was cited for camping on private property on Grass Valley Highway.Aug. 21-23 A 54-year-old homeless man has not had a few good days in Auburn. On Aug. 21, he was cited for illegally camping on private property on Grass Valley Highway. A few days later, at 1:13 p.m. on Aug. 23, he was cited for drinking alcohol in a public place on Auburn Ravine Road. Six hours later, police officers took him to the county jail on drunk and disorderly charges.Aug. 22 A Robie Drive resident awoke to discover his home had been shot with paint balls.Aug. 24 A fight broke out at a bar shortly after last call on Cleveland Avenue in Auburn, netting four arrests. A 19-year-old Christian Valley man was booked on charges of fighting and battery. A 29-year-old Roseville man was booked on charges of battery and preventing the use of a cell phone to call for aid. A 29-year-old Auburn man was thrown in the county clink on charges of fighting and possessing a switchblade knife. Another 29-year-old man, of Foresthill, was booked on a fighting charge.

Common Sense - The Fire and Smoke Policy

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

One of the oldest and most dishonest tricks in the debate game is to launch an ad hominem attack on your opponent. Ad hominem is a Latin phrase that means attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.

Greg King, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center in Arcata, provides in his column, “A Cynical Drumbeat for More Logging” (Sacramento Bee, Aug. 24, 2008 edition), a classic illustration of protecting a weak policy argument by instead attacking the motives of his opponents. Mr. King’s column was in reaction to “California Burning,” a Summit on Wildfire Prevention conducted by the California State Legislative Rural Caucus in the State Capitol building on Aug. 13.

Colfax: City on the Brink

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Residents consider dissolving city statusTo be or not to be a “city?” That is the question some Colfax residents are asking after the abrupt resignations of two city council members, the controversy surrounding Colfax’s sewer plant and the hefty fines imposed on the city related to that plant.On Tuesday night, well after the Sentinel’s press deadline, the head of the Placer County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) was slated to make a presentation to the City Council and residents about the process to dissolve the city government.

Letters to the Editor - August 27, 2008

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Letter writer wrong about Montgomery I have a question for Aaron F. Park (Letter to the Editor, Sentinel, Aug. 22). What have you done? What positive contribution have you made to mankind other than your criticism of well-meaning citizens who want to make a positive difference? You slam Jennifer Montgomery, candidate for Supervisor District 5, for no other reason than because she has supporters? Where’s your point?

She’s a quality candidate in a time when Placer County is in desperate need of sensible, honest leadership. In your Placer County Republican blog (townhall.com), you refer to Joanne Neft as a “liberal,” yet in the Sentinel, you refer to her as a “Republican community leader.” You go on to portray her as “evil” since she is supporting Congressional Democratic candidate Charlie Brown, who is not the candidate of your choice.

So, let me get this straight, Mr. Park, in “RepublicanLand,” you’re a loyal conservative as long as you toe the political line, but if you disagree, you’re then chastised as a “liberal.” What kind of deranged logic is that? Furthermore, in your blog you call Sierra College Trustee candidate Elaine Rowen a “liberal Democrat activist” who must be defeated. Ms. Rowen has 30 years of classroom experience as a teacher, school counselor and school psychologist who holds a Ph.D in Educational Leadership and Human Behavior, making her one of the most qualified trustees in a non-partisan race in the history of Sierra College. What do you bring to the table, Mr. Park, other than cheese?

Larry S. DuBois Loomis

Water quality official to Colfax: ‘There is no more time’

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Commodes adorned with messages relating to Colfax’s wastewater issues lined the back of the Sierra Vista Community Center in Colfax last week as a representative of the regional water quality board addressed the public and the City Council. Photo by Don Chaddock.

The clock is ticking for a foothills town struggling to meet its financial obligations and last week the regional water board did not bring good news.

Pamela Creedon, the Executive Officer of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, addressed the residents and City Council of Colfax last Tuesday evening regarding wastewater and the town’s treatment plant.

The city is under a “cease and desist” order related to operations at its new wastewater treatment facility and has been fined $350,000. Creedon said her agency is gearing up to fine the city another $351,000 if they do not make the upgrades to their plant. Because Colfax has fewer than 10,000 residents, the fines can be applied to projects that make the city compliant – such as finishing construction of the new sewer plant.

Notes From the Trail - Quarry Trail is great for families

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Feeling run down after Saturday’s Black and White Ball in Auburn, I opted for an easy hike on Sunday with my two youngest children – the Quarry Trail. With sunscreen applied and the backpack loaded with water, we set out for the parking lot off of Highway 49.

From Auburn, just across the river on the left along Highway 49, is the parking area. It’s easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it.

The road is paved part way in and then turns to dirt and gravel, much the same as the parking lot.

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