Drinking Fountain

Before this most recent series of storms embraced us with welcomed rain, I explored a greenbelt trail up in Brooktrails. I hadn't realized they had an old parcourse, children's playground and this softball field along the way. Why am I featuring the drinking fountain? I just read in Wednesday's paper that, here in Little Lake Valley anyway, the water crisis has been averted by the water falling from the sky! Our supply reservoirs are nearly topped off, which should carry us through the coming dry season if we are sensible about its use.

Yay! Elaine will stop talking about drought all the time!

Fore! Or Forest?

Brooktrails is a vast subdivision in the mountains northwest of Willits, outside of the city limits, which maintains its own special districts for water and greenbelt management. One of the recreational amenities is the nine hole golf course. The course operators have decided that about 40 trees must be removed in order for the greens to be suitably maintained for golf. Redwoods cast long shadows, and the sporting turf has suffered for lack of sunlight. The question for the community is, do they want to cut the trees and continue to golf? Or do they leave the trees, and allow the acreage to become a non-golf parkland area. Brooktrials Township sponsored a community walk to help people to consider the question. This putting green has an unfair midday sunshine advantage, situated by the parking lot.

Chad's Obsession

A British visitor once declared that Chad's Fish and Chips were the most authentic he had tasted anywhere in the US. What is not British is the singular enthusiasm Chad has for the Oakland Raiders, an American football team. The photo of the back wall, above, shows only a fraction of the team paraphernalia on display at Chad's. A former Raider has even stopped in a few times. As you can see, if they are playing in a game, you can be sure it will be on the widescreen TV for the dining area, as well as on another in the kitchen. His devotion spans decades, to a time when they were one of the leading teams in the nation, and when their on and off-field reputation was notoriously wild. I'm not a follower of the sport, but even I can figure out they weren't doing too well against New England the day I snapped this. Times have changed, but loyal Chad has not.

Human Rights Day

I wish I had remembered that the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was coming up today. I might have planned a better photograph, etc. The 1948 declaration by the United Nations covers a wide scope of basic, inherent rights that anyone, anywhere should be able to expect under the authority of any state.

Probably the biggest current issue around such rights, here in Willits, has to do with claiming equal marriage entitlements for homosexuals. Following the elation of electing Obama for president, most of us were heartbroken for friends and family who faced passage of a California referendum against gays and lesbians having state recognition of their partnerships. The photo above is the only one I could find in my archives that tied in to such human rights, a wonderful musician from San Francisco performing show tunes at Shanachie Pub in Willits not long after voting day. It was a mix of gays and straights that night, combining Obama-joy with Proposition 8-grief. Also present was one of the foremost activists for gay civil rights, from the days when known homosexuals were not even allowed to teach at universities. We need to crack down on war criminals, not people who love.

Running Skunk?

After a long season of feeling neglected by the company that runs the Skunk Train, several Christmas trips were planned this weekend from the Willits Depot, and next weekend, and the week leading up to Christmas. The refurbished, but scantily used depot, now houses the offices of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Chess

The Willits Chess Club hosted their first open tournament on Saturday, with players of all ages in the county invited to register for the day-long event. The assembly room of the Grange Building was organized to have the adults playing on one side, and the youth on the other. From the club's website, it looks like an effort has been made to include chess in the classrooms at Blosser Lane Elementary School in order to foster skills in abstract analysis through the fun of a game. While the club has pictures of both boys and girls enjoying chess, when I stopped by this tournament to take pictures, only men were playing in the adult group on this day.

No, I wasn't interested in playing. Yes, I'm an intelligent person. Looks like the black queen in this picture caught the white king with no where to run.

Waiting Out the Storm

A sharp-shinned hawk waited out a cool, light rain storm while overlooking the Gordon Logan Recreation Park a couple of days ago. I did not know Mr. Logan, but he is remembered as a great leader and mentor who could spot people's talents, and could make many an idle speculation on the part of others turn into completed and tangible assets for the City of Willits. He did not live to see the completion of these community sports fields, but he had everything to do with making them happen.

The weather has been incredibly generous, with intermittent but continual rain for all of the past week, and projected into the next.

Star Turns in Contra Dance

Starting up recently, monthly contra dances are held in the Willits Methodist church fellowship hall. I had heard of these community gatherings in Sacramento, where my mother participated, but I had never been to one before. A half hour before the music starts (with a live ensemble), the dance caller instructs beginners in the movements for the dances to be done. Smiles of success filled the room here, as the group executed star turns under her watchful eye.

WiFi

I went in to Paradise Cafe to cool off and get a "smoothie" last weekend, and saw this tableau across the room. This cafe offers free wireless internet connection along with sandwiches, salads, and blended fruit shakes and vegetable juices. This gal's hairstyle suggests an enthusiasm for reggae music, and the luggage behind her suggests she is on the road. She probably lives somewhere in the San Francisco bay area, and has been to one of the many music events held in the summertime up north of Laytonville.

Other locations for free wireless internet connectivity in Willits include JD Redhouse, Shanachie's, and the Willits branch of the County Library.

The Air We Breathe

The play equipment area at City Park as been refurbished and fenced in recent years. I suppose it helps keep kids from running into the not always quiet streets, given their still developing sense of consequences. The No Smoking sign is for those adults who should know the hazards very well by now, but just don't seem to think.

Unlike July, August has been a very good month for breathing, and while we still have dry weeks ahead of us before the protective rain comes, so far we haven't endured any more fire-starting lightning strikes. May the clear air continue.

UMUG

The Ukiah Mac Users Group actually holds half its monthly meetings in Willits, a half hour drive north of Ukiah. These are the ones I attend, even though my iMac desktop doesn't transport, so stays at home. But there are always plenty of laptop users, and one of them will hook up to a projector for viewing what is on screen. The Apple site is almost always useful when new products are the topic of interest, or if someone has a question about how to use one of the many programs or functions. Plus, we are usually joined by Bob Laughton, the host of Point and Click Radio on KZYX. He is always upbeat, and a total Mac enthusiast, with knowledge of how to do just about anything. He has suffered through many of my latest online discoveries, as I bounce in my chair and ask if he's seen the Jackson Pollock paint dribble site, or would he like to make recordings for Librivox, or has he played miniature golf, or explored Universal Leonardo? And Willits Daily Photo? And the City Daily Photo Blogs? And you must take a look at Dreamlines and the Deleted Images gallery or WordCount...

Royal Recreation

This photo was taken on Flag Day last month, which coincided with the annual Redwood Run of Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts. It's just an ordinary shot of Main Street, but I pulled it out today in honor of the outside possibility that the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, is vacationing in the region. So far it's just a rumor, but some southern Humboldt county bloggers have eyewitness reports of an entourage looking very much like a head of state trying to be inconspicuous, but failing because an entourage is never inconspicuous in Garberville, especially if it involves Highway Patrol escorts and heavily armed guards. We don't know positively, we're "just sayin'". The last intel report had him at the lovely Benbow Inn, which serves beautiful meals in a rustic-chic Victorian setting beside the Eel River just north of our county line.

So why this picture of choppers? Well, the reason the King might be around is to tour the highways on his Harley Davidson! He's a motorcycle fan, and a noted adrenaline junkie, and rode along the coast of Big Sur last year. So, none of this speculation is out of the question. Plus, he was just in Idaho, Colorado, and Oregon in published reports, so it could all fit together. But I'll bet he went to the coast, not through our inland valley. Oh, well, he's welcome just the same.

Well it's official. The King of Jordan did stay at the Benbow Inn last Thursday night. The Benbow Inn blog confirms it.

Happy Father's Day

Today is Father's Day in the U.S., and I imagine quite of few of them will be enjoying some golfing. There's a nine hole course up in the mountains, but down here in Little Lake Valley, we have this driving range. Just go to O'Leary's Feed & Seed for a bucket of balls, bring along your own clubs, and have at it. That deer doesn't seem afraid of you...

W.H.A.T.?

With the blessing of the city, a volunteer group called the Willits Healthy Action Team delineated several walking routes through town, marked at key junctures with how many steps you are along the way. The feet indicate the direction to proceed. A Zen Monday offering.

Skating Is Not A Crime?

Helmet? - check
Elbow pads? - uh-oh
Knee pads? - well, not so much.
Despite extremely clear instructions, free spirited skateboarders yearn for the liberty to damage themselves. The identity of this little law-breaker has been obscured to protect the guilty. After years of fundraising efforts by a grass-roots committee of interested adults, this beautiful new skatepark provides an array of interesting runs at whatever level you can handle. It's another component of the cultural and recreational facilities on East Commercial Street near the eastern limits of town.

April Theme Day: Water

The City of Willits Municipal Pool is situated next to the high school along Highway 101 at the north end of town, and serves both students and the wider community. It is home to the mighty Willits Otters swim club, provides master swim times, family swim times, and is available for pool party rentals during certain hours and by arrangement. On this chilly day, new swimmers received instruction.

The first day of each month is a special theme day among participating City Daily Photo bloggers around the world. CDP bloggers are a wonderful community who like to take a day like this to share what the others are doing, and each month the list grows longer. Take a look at any of the 178 links below to see a variety of worldwide interpretations of the "Water" theme on April 1st (and no, this is not an April Fool!):

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,