Railroad Days Booth Wins Prize at Fair

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair was so much fun this year! We had a Railroad Days information booth and an added bonus this year for those of us who worked and everyone who attended was the arrival the "THE BIG SPIN" wheel. The wheel was loaned to us from the Eastern Plumas Volumteer Fire Department, and as a fund-raiser for Railroad Days, we offered everyone a chance the "spin to win $20" and "every spin's a win". During the 4 days of the fair, we had 11 winners of $20 (the Joker card) but everyone walked away with some souvenir - either a City of Portola "Pride of the West" pin, a lucky duck necklace or wrist band, or jelly bracelets, or mardi-gras beads. We raised over $750 for the event plus sold quilt raffle tickets, copper train raffle tickets, Kick-off Dinner tickets, and Lucky Duck Race tickets. Lots of coloring contest placemats were given away too.

Our booth won a prize this year too - "Most Congenial"... mostly due to the efforts of our "barker" Ralph Taylor. Fair directors selected Ralph as "Mr. Congeniality", so when you see him be sure to honor him by calling him by his new title. Curt McBride was pretty busy as a barker on Saturday too, and thanks go out to Becky Pearson, Mike & Viki Spain, Julie Rizzo, Elaine Frank, Ida Larrieu, Ann Wynant, Leslie Tigan, Lorraine Wakefield, Donna Mills, Jenny Szczerby, and Jodi Benson for helping staff our booth over the 4 days.

Just a reminder - it's not too late to get into the Railroad Days Co-ed Softball Tournament. If you are interested in more details, contact Wendy Selvaggio at 530.832.9986.

What's Up Portola? Railroad Days - Of Course!

Something for Everyone!
Last year’s event was fantastic and this year is going to be even bigger and better! Join us on August 23, 24, 25 and 26 and have some good old fashioned fun in our little City.

Thursday – August 23
The 25th Annual Kick-off Dinner is a great way to start off this year’s celebration. The dinner is hosted by the Rotary Club of Portola. Cocktail hour begins at 6 pm on Thursday, August 23rd at Memorial Hall and dinner starts at 7 pm. Music will be a return of Leep Entertainment’s “World’s Most Dangerous Party Band” and if you talk to anyone who attended last year, you will hear rave reviews about their ability to get the dancers moving. Tickets are on sale and are available at Portola City Hall and also at Adrienne’s Apparel and Homestead Fabrics. Tickets are $35 each and are limited to 200, so get your tickets now!

Friday – August 24
This year being our 25th anniversary, we have decided to honor 25 individuals – members of the first two Railroad Days organizing committees and members of the Greater Portola Chamber of Commerce, and the first two Miss Railroad Days pageant winners. These individuals (some of whom are no longer with us) will be honored as our collective Grand Marshals for the event. The Plumas County Historical Society is hosting a reception for these honorees and following that reception the group will travel to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum for the “Float Decorating and Judging Party” from 5 to 7 pm. All the floats participating in the Golden Spike Parade on Saturday morning will be gathering to put the final touches on for the judges. Categories for judging include: Best Representation of Theme “Silver Celebration – Pride of the West”, Best Float Traveling Trophy (business competition), and Grand Marshal’s Choice.

After the parade judging, come up to the BIG TENT at the City of Portola Center Stage and join the first of the two Street Dances and listen to the music of our own Rock Bottom Band. This year the price of admission to both of the Street Dances will be a Railroad Days Button - $2.00. These buttons not only get you into the 2 street dances, but also make you eligible for the Button Raffle drawings held at 10 am and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday – August 25
Hungry? Start the day off right with the Rotary Club of Portola’s Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 10 am. For $8.00 get all you can eat of their famous “beer batter” pancakes, sausages, and patented “light and fluffy” scrambled eggs. They will be set up right in front of the Caboose at the City of Portola Center Stage.

Kids can also sign up at the Pancake Breakfast for the Kids Fun Races. Runners 10 and under will travel the length of Commercial Street right before the parade. Ribbons will be awarded to all participants.

The Golden Spike Parade, shaping up to be the biggest and best ever, will begin at 11:00 am. This year as emcee we are thrilled to have scheduled John Tyson, KOLO-TV announcer and Cowboy Historian. Entries from the Classic Car Show will also be appearing in the parade as well as many of the other attractions for Railroad Days this year. This year the parade begins at the Portola City Park and travels through old town Portola on Commercial Street and ends at Pacific Street. There is no entry fee for the parade and all are welcome to enter. Call Adrienne at 832-5714 if you want more information on how to enter or if you want to do a float.

The City of Portola Center Stage is one of the 3 hubs of activity this year. The Akira Tribal Belly Dancers will perform on Saturday. Wild Things (a non-profit wildlife rescue center) will be returning with their wildlife show – this was one of the biggest hits from last year and they are back for shows on both Saturday and Sunday. Then we have live rockin’ blues music featuring “Sue and The Crew” and a country/rock mix with the band “Fireline”. Both of these bands will be playing throughout the weekend. The Feather Community Arts Center is displaying local art, hosting kids art activities, plus the “Jim Beckwourth Portrayal”. We have 2 wineries offering wine tasting in the yard at the Pullman House Inn.

One of the biggest attractions for this year is the Rock Crawlers who are going to be climbing all over the boulders in their supped up jeeps and 4 wheelers and amazing the audience with their antics. In addition to the food court around the BIG TENT, there will be unique arts and crafts vendors all along Commercial Street.

The Park Stage is the second hub of activity. In addition to live music this weekend from “Horse Sense” and “Halfgrass” (Saturday only), “Nevada Rain” and “Code Bluegrass” (Sunday only), and magic by “Bill the Magician”, we will have our first Classic Car Show. The Nevada Gunfighters are setting up their 81 foot long “town façade” and will be performing shows hourly. The City of Portola Pool will be open with free swimming for everyone and hands-on kayaking demonstrations. There will be hands-on gold panning, horseshoe tournaments, a bounce house, dunk tank, 25 foot rock climbing wall, food and drink, Smokey Bear, and the California Department of Fish & Game Fish Tank will be on display.

The third hub is the Western Pacific Railroad Museum. They will have train rides, railroad hand car rides, a model train expo, Operation Lifesaver, locomotives to climb on, and throughout both days will be playing old railroad movies. They are having their photography contest again this year with judging at 5 pm on Saturday.

Finally on Saturday night starting at 8 pm is the second Street Dance featuring The Alternators. Last year, these guys brought the house down with a performance that will be remembered for years. Again the price of admission to the Street Dance is a Railroad Days Button - $2.

Sunday – August 26
The Willie Tate Memorial 5K/10K Walk/Run will begin sign-ups at 7:45 am at City Hall and the race will start at 9 am. Willie Tate was a native of Portola who taught and coached many of Portola’s youth, and proceeds benefit the Willie Tate Memorial Scholarship Fund established by his family. This course is flat, fast, and fun, and follows the Middle Fork of the Feather River.

The Kids Fishing Derby will return this year at the City Park Sunday morning from 8 am to 10 am. Also Sunday is the second Horseshoe Tournament, benefiting the Santa Train.

Sunday Brunch will be served from 10 am to 2 pm at “The Feather” Community Arts Center, so you can come enjoy food and listen to music by local musicians.

The Lucky Duck Races are back. This year watch from the bridge or the River Walk as 1500 ducks race down the Middle Fork of the Feather River. The first place winning duck will win $500 for the lucky ticket holder, second place is $200, and third place is $100. This annual race benefits the Portola Preschool.

And finally, motorcycles are returning this year with the LivFast Freestyle Motocross Exhibition. These X-Games daredevil riders will set up their jumps right in the middle of Commercial Street for 3 shows on Sunday. The riders will be soaring higher than the tops of the buildings downtown! This show is free this year, so come down and be amazed.

For more details on any of the above, visit our website – http://www.portolarailroaddays.com/ or call City Hall for information 832-4216, or call Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce 836-6811.


Music and Entertainment on 2 Stages for the Event

If you are looking forward to the great music this year at Railroad Day, you will be thrilled to know that the music line up has doubled from last year. This year, in addition to the incredible music under the BIG TENT at the City of Portola Center Stage, we have added a full line-up at the City Park. We are bringing back all of our favorite bands from last year and some new ones too.

Warming things up on Friday evening is the new band Three Feet Under, who made their debut at the Friday night City Lights Concert series at the Portola City Park. We are using the time from 4:30 pm to 6 pm to let this new local talent show off their eclectic collection of music. Then the local’s favorite, the Rock Bottom Band, will kick off the festivities at the Friday Night Street Dance which begins at 7 pm. In case you managed to miss them at the New Years Eve Fireworks Party or the City Lights Concerts, this energetic band specializes in rock and roll from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, and are sure to get you up and dancing.

Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday at the City of Portola Center Stage, we will feature Sue and The Crew who are returning this year with a few new band members, but with Sue’s emotion-filled vocals. We will never forget her rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” at last year’s finale. Sue is sure to bring with her dynamic guitar, solid rocking bass-line, energetic thumping drums, and enthusiastic energy-filled sax.

New at Railroad Days this year is the band Fireline who bring a high energy brand of contemporary rockin’ country music to the event. Along with their originals, the band has a repertoire of traditional and new country songs, blues, classic rock, and just about anything else they can think of to keep everyone out on the floor having a great time. They have been electrifying audiences all over northern Nevada and California, and we are looking forward to seeing them on Saturday and Sunday at the City of Portola Center Stage.

The Alternators are back for the Saturday Night Street Dance. Last year, these guys brought the house down with a performance that will be remembered for years. They play many different genres and styles of music, from Van Morrison favorites to Brooks & Dunn, to Foo Fighters, with a little Tom Jones thrown in for good measure. Bring your musical requests and dance the night away ‘til midnight.

This year the price of admission to both of the Street Dances will be a Railroad Days Button - $2.00. These buttons not only get you into the 2 street dances, but also make you eligible for the Button Raffle drawings held at 10 am and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you are in the mood for something a bit more mellow, check out the line-up at the City Park stage. Returning this year is the traditional “cowboy” music of Horse Sense. Justin Bishop and Nancy Bray are recognized and appreciated world-wide for keeping the music of the American West alive. They kept the crowd enthralled last year with many old favorites and are performing both Saturday and Sunday at the Park Stage.

Also at the park, and new to Railroad Days this year is the band Halfgrass. They are multi-instrumentalists, and play any combination of guitar, fiddle, bass, mandolin, dobro and banjo. Half the fun of Halfgrass is watching them switch instruments. They play an eclectic and danceable mixture of Bluegrass, Old Timey, Grateful Dead, American Roots, and quite a few originals. Tim O'Brien also influences the band. These people have been playing together in various combinations in the Plumas County area for over 20 years and this Halfgrass incarnation has been together for about two years. Watch for them on Saturday afternoon at the Park Stage.

Sunday will be the bluegrass lover’s mecca. We are bringing Nevada Rain in for their debut at Railroad Days. Nevada Rain is a bluegrass band to quench your thirst! Providing lively musical renditions, Nevada Rain was formed in August 2004 and has been evolving as a local favorite band in the Reno area. Besides Bluegrass music, Nevada Rain also incorporates a variety of other musical styles.

Another local favorite, Code Bluegrass is back on Sunday to get in their annual Railroad Days fix. These musicians, who have been performing at Railroad Days for years, have become a standard for the event. They do many of the old railroad songs from way back, plus lots of good ol’ bluegrass and we are happy to welcome them back to the Park Stage.

Other quality entertainers will be on hand to help us celebrate this weekend. Right after the parade, we are excited to have the “Akira Tribal Belly Dancers” performing at the City of Portola Center Stage. This group has their own style and love performing their own freestyle dances and we welcome them back again this year.

Another returning act this year is Wild Things Wild Animal Show. This was such a big hit last year, so we have invited them back on both Saturday and Sunday and they will do a different show each day.

The Park Stage will also host Bill The Magician. Bill has entertained at past Railroad Days and has more tricks and magic up his sleeve. He will also perform both Saturday and Sunday.

Chugging Along!

Have you seen the Railroad Days Placemats yet? They are out in local businesses and we are working on the second printing. Call us if you need some – they have the schedule of events for this upcoming Railroad Days (August 23-26). You can also find the schedule on the website, www.PortolaRailroadDays.com.

One additional attraction just added is a Stagecoach ride pulled by 4 horses. This will really compliment the gunfighters who are setting up their own storefronts in the City Park this year, right alongside the gold panner!

The Western Pacific Railroad Museum has just added information on the website about how to enter the Railroad Days Photography Contest. The 2 categories are Color and Black & White. Minimum size is 8 x 10, but it does not need to be mounted or framed. The only caveats are that it must be an original image taken by the photographer who submits the photo (i.e. you can’t use someone else’s photographs) and it must be a railroad related subject (people, trains, bridges, track, etc.). Entries are due by Saturday August 24 at 4 pm with judging at 5 pm.

The Railroad Days Softball Tournament is back. Wendy Selvaggio is organizing the tournament for us and it is going to be a fundraiser for the Portola Softball Team.

Get your parade floats ready – there is going to be a lot more competition this year! The parade looks like it will be bigger and even better than last year – can that be possible?

Kick-off Dinner Tickets are going on sale soon and will probably sell out this year. The live swing band music of Leep Entertainment’s “World’s Most Dangerous Party Band” will be back and they were one of the biggest hits of last years event. Dinner this year will be Mexican style and will be great! Tickets will be $35 each. We will also have some limited edition "25th Annual Railroad Days" Posters, signed by the artist, Susan Arterburn for sale during the silent auction. Anyone who wants to donate an item for the silent auction can contact me or anyone on the committee.

If you look around town, you will be able to see the beautiful quilt done by the Cabin Fever Quilters for this year’s event, and get your Quilt Raffle Ticket, or see the “Copper Train”, created by Jerry Todd, and buy a raffle ticket for that, or just to buy a 25th Annual Railroad Days Button.

Speaking of buttons, this year the “button raffle” is back and for prizes we are getting some very interesting donations from Railroad Museums across the country – from pins, to t-shirts, to books, to posters. Each button will have a number on the back. Drawings for these wonderful prizes will be done at 10:00 and 3:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, but the only catch is that you must be present to win! Plus this year, your Railroad Days Button will be the price of admission for each of the street dances (Friday and Saturday)... $2 is pretty cheap admission for the high quality entertainment you will find at each of the street dances!

Jammin' For Railroad Days

Portola Railroad Days Update
The Portola Railroad Days Committee continues to meet every Friday at the Williams House to coordinate everything imaginable for the upcoming event, the last weekend in August. Here are some highlights:

* Railroad Days Quilt – this beautiful quilt is now on display at the Feather Community Arts Center and raffle tickets are now on sale - $2 each or 6 for $10.

* Placemats Sponsors – until June 1, committee members will be taking sponsorships for the Railroad Days Placemats. These placemats will have the events listed on them along with the logos of our sponsors, plus a coloring contest and map on the back. Placemat sponsorship is $175. Other levels of sponsorship are available and if you have questions, please call me (832-0589) or Viki Spain at 832-0430.

* Feather Banners – These are going to line Commercial Street during the event. These 16 foot tall kite-like banners will have names of our sponsors printed on them and they will be featured in the “March of the Banners” during the Parade on Saturday. Plus, after Railroad Days, these banners will be displayed at other City events – like New Year’s Eve Dance & Fireworks, Music in the Park, Art Shows, etc. Plus Sponsors of $200 for the Feather Banners will get to keep their banner after the event and use it for their own promotions.

* “Copper Train” - A brand new item for this year is the “Copper Train” created by metal artist Jerry Todd. This 3 dimensional train, mounted and framed, approximately 48” x 30”, will be raffled off at Railroad Days and proceeds will benefit Railroad Days events. In art shows, copper trains like this will go for as much as $5000. You can purchase your tickets for only $20 each and only 450 will be sold, so call me to reserve your ticket (832-0589). Watch for the “Copper Train” to be on display at Plumas Bank and at the Williams House Museum.

* Button Raffle Is Back – The 2007 Railroad Days Buttons once again have numbers on the back for the Button Raffle. Buttons are still only $2. This year in honor of our 25th anniversary, we have contacted over 200 railroad museums across the country and are getting raffle prize donations from all over. The button raffles will be held at 4 times during Railroad Days – at 10 and 3 on both Saturday and Sunday. But you must be present to win.

* Gunfighters – You might have seen them last year, but they are coming back with a full 82 foot building façade and the whole posse will be showing up. This year they are being moved to the City Park and will put on shows hourly.

* The Parade – This year the parade route will be reversed from last year and begin at the City Park. We expect over 100 entries this year! Call Adrienne Maddalena at 832-5714 to find out more. Parade entries are still free.

* We have a Car Show, Rock Crawlers, Gold Panning, bands on 2 stages, paragliders, the “Cool Bus”, monster trucks, bounce houses, free swim day on Saturday at the pool, The Lucky Duck race, the Willie Tate Memorial 5K/10K walk/run, hopefully a softball tournament, and did I mention … the Western Pacific Railroad Museum will have everything to do with trains!

MORE PORTOLA NEWS...

Motorcycle Race
The Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada held a motorcross race on May 5 and 6 in Portola at Jeff Carmichael’s place near the old dump on the outskirts of Portola. Estimates were that the race brought in about 600 people to the area that weekend. That was good news to many of our local businesses. I heard Pizza Factory made about 26 deliveries up to the race. The Portola Wrestling Team sold out of hot dogs and hamburgers and refreshments on both Saturday and Sunday. The Rotary Club held a tri-tip dinner on Saturday night.

The racers were mostly families. It’s not too often you can find a sport where all members of a family participate together. They camped together and the kids had fun racing and playing in the camping area. The bonfire on Saturday night brought everyone together. Many of the neighbors came up to check it out and were pleased with how the event was organized, how much of a family event it was, and how well they cleaned the area up after the event was over.

The unfortunate part is that Jeff Carmichael received a citation from Plumas County for not having a permit (this was in the County, not within the City limits). At this time, it is unknown what the citation amount will be since he has yet to go to court. Events like this take advantage of the unique features of our area and builds on local interest. We need to be encouraging events like this one – it is good for the economy of our area.

Open House at New Grizzly Fire Station
This Saturday May 19, from 11-5, the Beckwourth Fire District, Plumas National Forest, and Grizzly Ranch are inviting the public to join them at an open house celebrating the opening of the new joint Fire Station at 4076 Grizzly Road in Portola. There will be a ribbon cutting, station and engine tours, and a free barbeque. Call 832-1008 if you need more information.

This station was built by Grizzly Ranch as part of their development agreement and turned over to the Beckwourth Fire District early this year. Beckwourth Fire District invited the Plumas National Forest to be co-located in the fire station in an effort to provide even better fire protection to the development, to the Grizzly Road area, and the whole eastern Plumas County. The Forest Service engine currently housed here used to be at Mohawk, 20 minutes away.

Having the new station at this location has already paid off. Last Thursday, due to the quick response from Forest Service and Beckwourth Fire District crews, the Clifton Fire was limited to only 100 acres.

14th Annual History & Archaeology Night
Tim--------berrrrr!!!!! Relive the days of misery whips and double bit axes, smoke-belching steam donkeys and bellowing oxen as Plumas National Forest Beckwourth District Archaeologist Daniel Elliott and Plumas County Museum Director Scott Lawson present the 14th Annual History and Archaeology Night program entitled “Sawpits to Skylines: A History of the Timber Industry in Plumas County.”

Changes in falling and bucking technology, timber extraction methods, loading and hauling techniques, and the various sawmills, lumber camps, and railroads throughout the county will be the major highlight of this program. The show will not focus on any one particular company or mill, but will be a collection of photos and information representative of the industry. There will also be a short full color film of the Clover Valley Lumber Company logging and railroad operations taken in 1939.

There will be 3 shows throughout the County, with the closest being in Portola on Tuesday, May 22, at Holy Family Church Social Hall, 108 Taylor Avenue (left off Gulling Street overpass at Commercial Street). Show is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A $7 donation is requested to help offset costs, museum members $5. In keeping with tradition, ice cream and homemade cobbler will be served at the intermission. Other shows are in Quincy on May 23 at the Church of Latter Day Saints, and in Chester on May 24 at Chester Memorial Hall. For more information call the Plumas County Museum at 283-6320.

Daily Trout Bag Limit at Lake Davis Increased to 10
The daily bag limit for trout has been doubled to 10 per day at Lake Davis through the end of the summer. The Fish and Game Commission approved the increase on May 10th as Department of Fish and Game prepares to treat the reservoir with rotenone to eradiate the predatory, non-native northern pike. Lake Davis is the only body of water in California where northern pike are known to exist.

This is good news to everyone participating in the Rotary Club of Portola’s Annual Lake Davis Fish Derby on Saturday, June 9. The entry fee for the Fish Derby is $20.00, and $10.00 for kids under 15. The largest fish is determined by adding together the weight plus length. First place wins $1000, second place wins $500, third place wins $250. For fourth place and beyond, you pick from a table of prized donated by local businesses. There will also be prizes for the largest pike and the most number of pike (all pike must be turned in after measuring). Derby hours are 5 am to 5 pm. Prizes will be awarded promptly at 5:30 at the dam. Pre-register with Bengie Gentry (832-1852), or register Friday night at the Log Cabin or Saturday at the Dam at Lake Davis or at Honker Cove Boat Ramp.

Logo Selected for 2007

Winner of 2007 Railroad Days Logo Contest Selected
On January 12, the Portola Railroad Days Committee announced the winner of their Logo Contest for the 2007 Railroad Days event. First place design was created by Susan Arterburn of Portola and portrays “The Union Pacific Challenger, Engine 3985”. This is her second year winning the logo contest. For her work, Susan will receive the First Prize of $100 and her design will be displayed on all promotional materials and the website for the 2007 Railroad Days – 25th Anniversary. Again this year, a limited number of original, signed and framed prints will be auctioned at the Kickoff Dinner on August 23rd.

This is the second year for the logo contest and the committee was excited to receive six entries for this year’s contest. A close second place and $50 goes to Tom Frady of Quincy who also submitted a design utilizing “The Challenger”. Third place winner and $25 goes to Lou Etta Held also from Quincy. The Railroad Days Committee wishes to thank all the logo designers for their work!

Sled Dog Races & Snowshoe Races Postponed
Due to lack of snow, the Fourteen Angels Foundation, Inc., Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers, Inc., and Soroptimists International of Portola have changed the date of the Lake Davis Sled Dog & Snowshoe Races from January 27 and 28 to the weekend of March 17th.

DFG Announces Decision on Eradication of Northern Pike from Lake Davis
In a meeting in Portola on Tuesday, January 23rd with the members of the Lake Davis Steering Committee, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Director Ryan Broddrick announced the plans to eradicate the predatory, non-native northern pike at Lake Davis. DFG officials will again treat Lake Davis some time after Labor Day weekend (September 4) with CFT Legumine, a new liquid formulation of rotenone.

According to DFG’s proposal, the CFT Legumine will be applied to the reservoir at a volume between approximately 45,000 to 48,000 acre-feet and its upper tributaries. The original proposed project in the September 2005 Notice of Preparation was to treat the reservoir at 15,000 acre-feet. “The environmental review process worked,” DFG Team Leader Ed Pert said. “We learned that treating at a level between 45,000 and 48,000 acre-feet would have the fewest recreational and other environmental and associated economic impacts on the local community. In addition, the analyses conducted during the environmental review process indicated that a lower amount of water in the reservoir doesn’t necessarily mean rotenone would be more effective.” The project approval documents and EIR/EIS are available at the DFG pike web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/.

During the meeting, Pert explained that there are a number of factors different with this planned project compared to 1997. This time DFG is working closely with the local community, there is a better working relationship and cooperation with the US Forest Service (USFS) and other agencies, the range of options considered is greater, there has been better planning, including a number of environmental monitoring activities before, during and after the treatment. Also the rotenone formulations to be used were not available back in 1997. Area 1 County Supervisor and Lake Davis Steering Committee member Bill Powers commended DFG for their open communication throughout the process. Many of the members of the Steering Committee commented during the meeting and seemed to feel the process was good, that their concerns were listened to and addressed.

Director Broddrick commented that one-third to one-half of all of DFG personnel in the state have been involved in this planning effort. They have invested 8 years and over $8 million to date. “Today’s announcement culminates nearly eight years of working in partnership with the local community, the Lake Davis Steering Committee, and other governmental officials to examine every option possible for tackling the pike problem in Lake Davis. It has truly been a remarkable effort, and concluding this plan represents the safest and most effective means, with the fewest environmental and associated economic effects possible, to eliminate the northern pike from the only place they are known to exist in California.”

As the project moves towards a planned late summer treatment, DFG will be obtaining several permits and approvals from a variety of state, federal, and local agencies, including the USFS , the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board, the Fish and Game Commission, the California Department of Health Services, and Department of Water Resources, among others. The USFS will make its decisions early in February about whether to issue a Special Use Permit and two forest closures.

With the announcement of the decision today, Broddrick commented “this is just a beginning.” To explain the DFG and USFS decisions, the agencies have scheduled a public meeting on February 8, 2007, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Feather River Community Arts Center, 216 Commercial Street in Portola.

Snowmobile Poker Run at Lake Davis Still Unchanged
Members of the Rotary Club of Portola are holding their breath to see if there will be enough snow to hold their annual Snowmobile Poker Run at Lake Davis on Saturday, February 17. There is a back-up date, just in case. Raffle tickets are still on sale for a new snowmobile (now on display outside Leonard’s Market in Portola). Tickets are $20 each and only 600 tickets are being sold, so your chances of winning are much better than the odds in Reno! If you want to purchase tickets, give me a call at 832-0589 or contact any Rotarian. This event is the major fundraiser for the Rotary Endowment Scholarship Fund and it is always lots of fun. Now we just need to get some snow!

Thanks for reading!

It's 2007!

Portola Welcomes in the New Year with a Bang! By Ralph Taylor

If you judge success by large crowds having fun, then the First Annual Portola New Years Eve Party and Fireworks show was a huge success. The evening started out with our local Rock Bottom Band rockin’ the night away to a packed house at the Portola Memorial Hall. The New Years revelers were treated to a night of dancing, great food, and a fun raffle with over 30 gifts donated by local businesses. The event was a fund raiser that benefits the Portola Railroad Days.

At midnight, the community was wowed by a spectacular fireworks show that was seen and heard by hundreds. One comment heard over and over throughout the evening was “Wow, can you believe we have fireworks in Portola!” The City of Portola funded the fireworks show this year. There are donation cans still at many local businesses to start the fundraising for the fireworks for next year.

The “designated driver” shuttle van provided by Chris Knox of Environmental Alternatives was a huge hit and she ferried party-goers from Beckwourth to Graeagle throughout the evening.

The active 15 members of the Railroad Days Association were thrilled with the event and the participation by the community. Committee member Ann Taylor commented, “This is a good start at fundraising for this year’s Railroad Days, but more importantly it is another fun event for the community and another way to bring the community together.”

Winner of 2007 Railroad Days Logo Contest Selected
On January 12, the Portola Railroad Days Committee announced the winner of their Logo Contest for the 2007 Railroad Days event. First place design was created by Susan Arterburn of Portola and portrays “The Union Pacific Challenger, Engine 3985”. This is her second year winning the logo contest. For her work, Susan will receive the First Prize of $100 and her design will be displayed on all promotional materials and the website for the 2007 Railroad Days – 25th Anniversary. Again this year, a limited number of original, signed and framed prints will be auctioned at the Kickoff Dinner on August 23rd.

This is the second year for the logo contest and the committee was excited to receive six entries for this year’s contest. A close second place and $50 goes to Tom Frady of Quincy who also submitted a design utilizing “The Challenger”. Third place winner and $25 goes to Lou Etta Held also from Quincy. The Railroad Days Committee wishes to thank all the logo designers for their work!

Sled Dog Races & Snowshoe Races
The Fourteen Angels Foundation, Inc., Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers, Inc., and Soroptimists International of Portola are holding the Lake Davis Sled Dog & Snowshoe Races on January 27 and 28.

Share in the family friendly Sled Dog Race weekend excitement from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm both days. There will be K-9 and Sled Dog events and “How To” demonstrations including:
“Ski & Bike With Your Dog” By 5-Time ISDRA Medalist, Mike Callahan
“Sled Dogs in Wartime and Peacetime” Historical Display
Weekend Barbecue & Refreshments by Soroptomists International of Portola
KIDS!! Get your picture taken in a Dog Sled with REAL sled dogs! And learn to drive a Dog Sled with a REAL sled dog! For more information visit the website: http://www.lakedavissleddograce.com/.
This event is hosted by USDA-Forest Service, Beckwourth Ranger District and supported by Portola area businesses.

Saturday evening after the event beginning at 6:00 pm, The Log Cabin Restaurant & Bar in downtown Portola will have a special dinner called “Have a Howlin’ Good Time Goin’ to the Dogs!” with lively Celtic Music by “Garain”. Special dinner menu is $19.00 for adults with a kids menu (under 12). There will be limited seating for the dinner and you can reserve space now by calling the Log Cabin at 530-832-5243.

Snowmobile Poker Run at Lake Davis
The Rotary Club of Portola is holding their annual Snowmobile Poker Run at Lake Davis on Saturday, February 17. Raffle tickets are on sale now for a new snowmobile (now on display outside Leonard’s Market in Portola). Tickets are $20 each and only 600 tickets are being sold, so your chances of winning are much better than the odds in Reno! If you want to purchase tickets, give me a call at 832-0589. This event is the major fundraiser for the Rotary Endowment Scholarship Fund and it is always lots of fun. Now we just need to get some snow!

Thanks for reading!

Fireworks & Dancing In The New Year!

Fireworks are the midnight grand finale for a fun New Year’s Eve party planned for Portola this year. As a way to raise funds for the 25th Railroad Days (last week of August), the Railroad Days Association and City of Portola have once again planned a really fun event for the community.

Start off the evening at many of the local restaurants where they will be featuring a “Railroad Days Special” dinner and are then donating a portion of the dinner proceeds to the 2007 event. Participating restaurants are: The Log Cabin, Beckwith Tavern, Portola Pizza Factory, Casa Carmelita, and Tonila Mexican Restaurant.

At 9:00 p.m., the New Year’s Eve Dance will start at the Portola Memorial Hall on Highway 70. The band is “The Rock Bottom Band” – a local favorite who also performed at the last Railroad Days and are on the schedule for next year. Tickets to the dance are $20 per adult. There will be all of the usual New Year’s Eve party favors, a “no-host” bar provided by the Rotary Club of Portola, and champagne at midnight. Limited childcare will be provided for $10 per family for the evening – where else can you find such reasonable childcare? (These funds will go directly to the Portola Pre-school.) Environmental Alternatives will be providing vans for a “Designated Drivers” shuttle service – a map is available where you purchase tickets.

Tickets to the dance are limited and are available at Addie’s Floral Cottage, Adrienne’s Apparel, Homestead Fabrics and at Portola City Hall. A table (10 seats) can also be reserved for groups or businesses.

Locals and visitors alike should plan on bringing in the New Year watching the fireworks at midnight. The fireworks will be set off on the river bank. There will be great viewing from many areas in Portola. The members of the Railroad Days Association are so excited about having the first Portola fireworks show and are very appreciative of the City of Portola for making this possible. We invite everyone to come watch the fireworks. The firework show is free.

In order to help raise money for Railroad Days, there are donation cans at many Portola area businesses. Call Ann Taylor at 832-0589, Adrienne Maddalena at 832-5714, Addie Moctezuma at 832-9933, Lorraine Wakefield at 832-0446, or the City of Portola at 832-4216 for more information or visit our website http://www.portolarailroaddays.com/