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Coloma-Lotus News and Information
 From John Tillman, Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce: The 4th annual Roadside Clean-up was a great success. We had approx 17 volunteers bringing in nearly 15 yards of trash. We went off the beaten path a bit. Some of the more unusual items were an ATM machine, windshields and a couch.  Attached are some pictures. Some of the volunteers were still working when the picture was taken. Thanks to Ponderosa Park, who donated a tractor to clear the pathway on Hwy 49, and to Yosum's Pizza, Alice Butler, Candie Bliss, Judy Huestis, Sierra Rizing Bakery and Sierra Nevada House for making us such a great lunch! And of course to all the clean-up crew. If I forgot anyone please forgive me.
 From FOR: The South Fork American River has been recommended for Wild & Scenic protection by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and we need your help to make sure that really happens. Rafters, kayakers, and others who love the South Fork now have an opportunity to advocate for its protection against long-standing but currently shelved plans to build dams on the river. Federal protection would prohibit new dams, ensure that federal public lands along the river are managed to protect their outstanding values, and require upstream dam owners to operate those dams in a manner that protects river values. Ways to help: attend the BLM's public meeting on November 1 in Placerville, and write a letter to the BLM advocating for Wild & Scenic protection of the South Fork American River. For more information about the plan and what you can do, see this FOR page on Wild & Scenic Protection for the South Fork American River. The "how to help" section is here.
From Harry Mercado: Don't send in those absentee ballots yet! Come hear the District 4 candidates for El Dorado County Board of Supervisors at our meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7:00 pm at the Lotus Firehouse. Candidates Briggs, Kritzl and Schwenk will be there to answer your questions. Come prepared to meet the men behind the billboards and mailings. Other business: We need new officers! This community group was founded to seek civic improvements. While a number of our goals have been achieved, others remain and new issues arise. I have found that our District 4 supervisors have been more than willing to listen to our concerns, and advocate solutions. By maintaining the ability to use the democratic process to express our needs, we can be much more effective in representing these needs to county and state government. We need an infusion of community minded citizens to keep CLVCA on top of its game. So please consider stepping up and shaping the future here right where we live.
Visit a bit of recent history at this weekend's Vintage Trailer Rally at the American River Resort. The rally begins with trailers arriving during the week. Saturday's events are open to the public ($5 admission), starting with trailer tours at 10 a.m. At 4 p.m. enjoy a potluck dinner and at 6 p.m. dance lessons with Chris and Emma "In the Swing of Things." Live music with Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers and Late for Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. Bring your things to swap if you'd like to, instruments and stories for the fire. See Vintage Trailer Camp for examples of vintage trailers and information about other events.
For many years, we've celebrated Christmas in Coloma on a Sunday in early December. Folks come from all over to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas, with period crafts, music, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th-century children's games and wreath making. This year, the Coloma-Lotus Chamber has decided to celebrate for the whole weekend! The festivities will start Friday evening, December 8, with a Christmas tree lighting in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, complete with caroling, hot cocoa and cider. Saturday, December 9, join us for a "Jingle Bell Run," pet parade and pictures with Santa in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, local businesses will offer gingerbread cookie decorating for kids, Christmas treats, special art shows, olive oil tasting, wine tasting and a Feliz Navidad party. And then on Sunday, enjoy Christmas in Coloma at Marshall Park! Stay tuned for more details, and remember to book lodging in the Valley early!
If you're hiking, bicycling or horseback riding at Cronan Ranch, please be advised that this is deer season, and hunting is permitted. Wear bright-colored clothing and make lots of noise! Hunters are supposed to sign in at the gate, but we've been advised that no sign-in sheet is posted, so don't assume there is no one there. Per the BLM's Cronan Ranch Draft Management Plan, hunting at Cronan Ranch "is restricted to deer during the general season, turkey in the fall season, quail, and mourning doves, during the seasons specified by the CA Department of Fish and Game. There will be no hunting for bear, squirrels, rabbits, jackrabbits, waterfowl, furbearers, or non-game species." A number of people have expressed concern about whether it is safe to allow hunting in an area where so many people are enjoying outdoor recreation. We understand that the new BLM field office manager, Bill Hayes, is considering changing the policy. If you would like to weigh in with your opinion, please send a letter to Bill Hayes Bureau of Land Management Folsom Field Office 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630 There is a downloadable copy of the Cronan Ranch Draft Management Plan on the Folsom Field Office web page.
Less than two weeks before the Halloween weekend -- if you don't have your costume ready, it's time to start! Here are two great ways to spend Saturday evening, October 28. Costumes are optional but encouraged! Sierra Nevada House is hosting its 5th Annual Halloween Costume Party, starting at 9 p.m. Enjoy dancing, costume contests and drink specials. Dinner and lodging at the hotel are available. For more information contact Howard Penn at (530) 626-8096. And the American River Resort is offering "Halloween on the River," featuring dinner by the river, dancing, and a performance by slide guitarist Roy Rogers and his band, The Delta Rhythm Kings. The event goes from 7 to 11 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available for $25, with option for a buffet dinner at $15. Dinner and event tickets must be paid in advance. No sales at the door. Lodging at the resort is available. For more information contact American River Resort at (530) 622-6700.
From John Tillman, President, Coloma-Lotus Chamber: This is just a reminder of the roadside clean-up this Saturday, Oct 21, starting at 10 am. See below for meeting station. The road crew has just hydro-seeded a lot of where we normally pick up so we will concentrate on the parking lots. If someone wants to get the section of Marshall Road from Hwy 49 to Scott Road, that would be great. Just let the truck driver know so he can retrieve the bags. Also the section from that same intersection north on 49 to Lodestar could be done. If you want bags ahead of time give me a call or e-mail and I will drop some by so you can start from where ever you want. Ponderosa Park is donating a tractor and some help to clean up the LARGE pile of debris north of their entrance (hardly noticeable before the road widening) plus some tree trimming in that area. Sierra Disposal is donating a 20 yard box for entire event. NOTICE: the debris will all go into the 20 yard box this year that will hopefully placed at the Garden Grown Natural Food store parking lot after I get permission from Jim. We still meet at Sierra Nevada House for lunch.
Alice Butler writes: Together with Betty Norvell and Lotus Art Studio, I am hosting an extraordinary spiritual teacher here in Coloma/Lotus the last weekend of October. Ana-Karyn has been my own teacher for several years. She refers to her work as educating the brain and maturing the soul. Often using traditional meditation methods drawn from many different disciplines, as well as her own brilliant and unique ability to look inside, she guides one through the pitfalls and obstacles of developing a personal spiritual life practice. She will be offering a mediatation workshop on Saturday morning that is open to all levels, followed later by a free open evening for anyone and everyone who would like to come and experience this jewel of teachers. She is also available for private sessions throughout the weekend and Monday. Please come and join us! See the Coloma Valley Calendar for more information.
The Olde Coloma Theatre is casting for "Greetings from Christmas Town," or "The Search For the Ultimate Christmas Gift." Auditions are October 7 from 12:30 AM - 4:00 PM. The show runs from November 24 - December 23. They are are looking for children and adults, especially an older man to play Santa Claus. They are looking for kids who can sing and act. Please call Jonathan Archie @ (530) 642-0214 for questions or an appointment.
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From John Tillman, Coloma-Lotus Chamber of Commerce: 
Attached are some pictures. Some of the volunteers were still working when the picture was taken. Thanks to Ponderosa Park, who donated a tractor to clear the pathway on Hwy 49, and to Yosum's Pizza, Alice Butler, Candie Bliss, Judy Huestis, Sierra Rizing Bakery and Sierra Nevada House for making us such a great lunch! And of course to all the clean-up crew. If I forgot anyone please forgive me.
