DAM P ROJECT TO A ID E NDANGERED FISH .........

VOL 2
HAMMER LOOP/RANEY P EAK M INI-S TEWARDSHIP DAY ............................. 4

No. 4

April 2010

TIPS

FOR PROTECTING OUR DRINKING WATER ........... 6

ADDRESSING THE NEW EST ISSUES EFFECTING THE COT T ONW OOD CR EEK W AT ERSH ED

Watershed watch
Holiday Market (20635 Gas Point Rd. Cottonwood, CA) or Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group (3645 Main Street, Cottonwood CA). According to the 2007 census, Cottonwoods population is 3,236. 15.3% of the population and 18.3% of the children live at or below the poverty level. Community involvement is essential to the success of Shepherd's Heart and your support is greatly appreciated. Those wishing to volunteer their time or make financial contributions should call Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group at 3476637. Donations of food or clothes may also be dropped off at the Shepherds Heart Food Bank (3320 Brush St. Cottonwood, CA) Tuesdays 9:00am-12:00pm.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT THE COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY

Food drive to be held from March 22nd - April 19th. Donation boxes can be found at the following Cottonwood locations: Elegant Bean Holiday Market Tri Counties Bank Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group
Shepherds Heart Food Bank will be holding a canned food drive at key locations in Cottonwood, CA from March 22nd through April 19th. Shepherds Heart, a part of the Cottonwood First Baptist Church and Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group, is all about meeting needs; providing food, support and valuable information to those of the Cottonwood area. With the opening of its doors in 2007, Shepherd's Heart began assisting many of the Cottonwood families who lack the transportation to reach the much larger assistance programs, such as A.C.C.A located in Anderson. In an effort to keep supporting its community and those in need, a community canned food drive is being launched in to keep the shelves stocked through these difficult times. It is asked that you bring non-perishable, canned and dry goods (please no glass, homemade, or opened items) to our drop-off locations and give

back to your local community. You may bring items to: Elegant Bean (20633 Gas Point Rd Ste C1, Cottonwood, CA 96022) Tri Counties Bank (3349 Main Street, Cottonwood, CA 96022),

COTTONWOOD TOWN HALL MEETING

THE COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER AND SHASTA COUNTY SUPERVISOR LES BAUGH WILL CO-HOST TOWN HALL MEETING AT COTTONWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, AT 5:30PM
The Cottonwood Community Center and Shasta County Supervisor Les Baugh will cohost a community town hall meeting at the Community Center on Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m. The evening will kick-off with dinner provided by Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Fighters. Cost of the dinner is only $8 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Cottonwood Fire Department. There is no cost to attend the Town Hall following the fund-raiser. Town Hall Topics include the economy, jobs, current community projects, growth, values and priorities, long-term traffic planning, and more. Caltrans Project Manager Phil Baker will present an overview of the soon to be completed Cottonwood Hills Climbing Lane Project. A general plan up-date will be presented by Russ Mull, Shasta County Director of Resource Management. General questions may be submitted at the event as well. This continuing series of Cottonwood Town Hall meetings offers Cottonwood residents the opportunity to ask the tough questions. This is a great opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss needs and issues. stated Community Center Director Mary OKeeffe. Panelists include Shasta County Administrative Officer Larry Lees, Sheriff Tom Bosenko, District Attorney Jerry Benito, Director of Resource Management Russ Mull, Deputy Director Engineering, Scott Wahl, Caltrans Project Manager Phil Baker, CHP Captain Jerry Flavin, Cottonwood Fire Protection District Chief Jim Flaherty, Community Center Director Mary OKeeffe, and District 5 Supervisor Les Baugh. Supervisor Baugh stated, Cottonwood residents are extremely involved in the community. Lets stay connected - come early and support our wonderful Fire Fighters at the same time! Center Director Mary OKeeffe and Supervisor Baugh will moderate the evening. The Community Center is located at 20595 Gas Point Road in Cottonwood. For further information, please contact Mary OKeeffe at 347-1230 or mjokeeffe7@aol.com.

COTTONWOOD LITTLE LEAGUE CLEAN UP DAY AN AMAZING SUCCESS

200 VOLUNTEERS AND THE CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS CAME OUT TO SUPPORT THE COTTONWOOD LITTLE LEAGUE AND THE COMMUNITY OF COTTONWOOD
On Saturday, March 20, 2010 approximately 200 community volunteers along with the California Conservation Corps participated in the Cottonwood Little League Clean Up Day. The California Conservation Corps arrived Saturday morning with hand tools and wheelbarrows and concentrated their efforts on the area behind the Senior Field outfield fence, near Crowley Gulch. Members of the Cottonwood Little League community have expressed concern regarding the safety of children who participate in sports near this area. While the CCC worked, parents and children in the community worked on various projects throughout the park. Food was provided for volunteers through donations from Waste Managements Anderson Landfill and the parents of Cottonwood Little League who donated food for the community potluck. Everyone who was involved worked very hard; from T-Ball aged children to Majors, everyone had a helping hand in this event. Through the combined efforts of community members and the California Conservation Corps accomplishments included; clean up along Crowley Gulch, plumbing for bathrooms and who were involved were excited to be a part of this project for a great community organization. The California Conservation Corps would like to thank: All parents who donated their time and food for the potluck. Cottonwood Little League Cottonwood Watershed Group California Department of Fish and Game Randy Smith of the Rotarys Stream Team Waste Management Anderson Landfill Skyline Tree Service Cottonwood Community Center The California Conservation Corps Corps member community was very happy to be a part of this community event and is looking forward to their involvement next year.

sprinklers systems were fixed, painting of all dugouts and bleachers, the cleaning of public restrooms, litter removal, general landscaping, decomposed granite (donated) was spread on major and minor fields, the spreading of wood chips from the Crowley Gulch clean up, and the trimming of oak trees along the road to ensure community sign visibility and vehicle safety. All

DAM PROJECT TO AID ENDANGERED FISH

AS REPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Since 1998, the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group has been the leading voice of the community in the fight to safeguard the scenic beauty, wildlife, and historic and cultural treasures of the largest and most diverse undammed tributary in the northern Central Valley. CCWG and its many supporters are committed to preserving the environment, private property and water rights and economic resources for generations to come. The Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group has a lot of work to do. We can make a tremendous difference in assuring the future of our beloved watershed if we work together. Call (530) 347-6637 or visit our website for more information on how you can make a difference in the Cottonwood Community. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday applauded a Northern California dam improvement project that will help endangered salmon reach their spawning grounds. Federal and state officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, which diverts water from the Sacramento River to the Corning and Tehama -Colusa canals. Nearly half of the $230 million project is coming from federal stimulus funds. It's the largest stimulus grant issued by the Interior Department, officials said. The project involves building a screened pumping plant so water can be delivered to surrounding farmland even when the dam's gates are raised for fish to pass. Besides salmon, regulators hope the project will also help steelhead and green sturgeon. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed in 2012. Salazar said the project will create an estimated 1,200 jobs while continuing to irrigate 150,000 acres of farmland to protect the region's agricultural economy. "We know at the end of the day, water is the lifeblood for agriculture, and agriculture is the lifeblood for these communities in Northern California," Salazar said. Schwarzenegger said the project pleased everyone from farmers to fishermen and

brought all sides together, unlike the health care overhaul just passed by Congress. "I love when we solve problems, when everyone comes together, unlike of what you saw of Washington with the health care bill," the governor said. "Look at that, half of the people walk away very happy, and the other half of the people are going absolutely insane and are angry. That's not the way to go about things." Schwarzenegger urged Californians to support a water bond proposal that will appear on the November state ballot because it would provide the final $60 million of funding for the project.

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR ENDAGERED FROG
AS REPORTED BY MATT WEISER OF THE SACRAMENTO BEE
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced March 24th that it will designate 1.6 million acres in California as critical habitat for the endangered red-legged frog. The frog, featured by author Mark Twain in his famous story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," was listed as threatened under federal law in 1996. Its numbers have plunged due to land development, pollution and competition from invasive species. Designating critical habitat is part of the Endangered Species Act process, but it has the potential to restrict further development and agricultural activities. As a result, the designation has been the subject of legal battles for a decade. The lands designated Tuesday cover 50 areas in 27 counties across the state, but mostly in Central California. Yet this represents only 40 percent of the critical habitat first declared for the species in 2001, and about 10 percent less than a draft designation released in 2008. An economic analysis by the service found potential costs to land owners of between $159 million and $500 million through 2030 due to the designation. Spokesman Al Donner said much of this cost is attributed to potential delays in complying with the new designation, not necessarily because development is prevented. The designation also exempts many rural lands that remain in livestock ranching, which is often compatible with frogs. "We recognize that as natural habitat has disappeared, frogs have found haven in ranch stock ponds in many areas, and they survive and thrive there," said Donner. The announcement will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow and becomes final on April 24th. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/sacramento.

Our main objective at Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group is to maintain a healthy watershed. We believe that the watershed cannot be healthy unless the community members are healthy. So weve partnered with Shepherds Heart Food Bank and AmeriCorps VISTA to join the fight against poverty in our community. - Brynn Nolan, Executive Director

3320 Brush Street P.O. Box 2020 Cottonwood, CA 96022 Hours of Operation Tuesdays 9:00am - 12:00pm

HAMMER LOOP/RANEY PEAK FUEL BREAK MINI-STEWARDSHIP DAY

TUESDAY, APRIL 20th AT 9:00AM. MEETING AT THE COTTONWOOD CREEK WATERSHED GROUP OFFICE.
to take some monitoring pictures, observe brush re-growth, and check out perennial grasses and clovers that we have seeded. We will also make notes on how we can improve the process we used in 2008 to help us increase our effectiveness with the Tedoc Mountain Fuel Break that we will be installing this summer and fall. On Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 we will be meeting at the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group Office located at 3645 Main Street, Cottonwood, CA at 9:00a.m. At that point carpooling will be organized among attendees. We will be returning between 2:00 -3:00p.m. For more information on this MiniStewardship Day please contact Brynn Nolan, Executive Director of the Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group by calling (530) 3476637. Or you may contact the Event Coordinator, Bill Burrows at (530) 529-1535.

Come join us for a day of observation of the effects of the Hammer Loop/Raney Peak Fuel Break we established in 2008. The purpose is

TEN RULES OF FARMERS MARKET DISPLAYS

AS REPORTED BY JESSICA PIERSON OF GROWING FOR MARKET
10. Have a shelter As simple as an EZ up tent, a sturdy shelter will protect you, your products, and your customers from the inevitable weather challenges of selling outside. It is also an opportunity to create a professional look. Taking the time to put up shelter shows that you care about your products and your customers. Additionally, you can personalize your shelter by adding a banner with your farm name or using colors consistent with your style. This creates an identity that can be noticed from afar. 9. Create a flow As customers and potential customers approach your stand, is it clear which direction they should go? Creating a stand that is easy to navigate will result in more sales, because more people can be accommodated. Creating an obvious direction for people to move can be as easy as placing bags at the side of your stand were you want people to start, and placing the cash box at the other end. Always try to face customers. People will make eye contact to get your attention before they will ask for help. This can help keep the flow going as each customer follows the one in front of them. You will be directing less and selling more. 8. Display clear signs Along with creating a flow, clear signage will free up your time for making sales. Customers want to know what you have for sale and how much it costs without having to ask. Some people wont even stop at your booth if they dont see prices listed. Consistent colors and fonts will create uniformity which can make you recognizable and unique. The more descriptive you make your signs, the less time you will have to spend answering questions. Of course, sometimes you may want to use signs to engage customers and create discussion. 7. Brand your farm Everything you do at your stand creates an identity. People come to recognize you and your products and they may become loyal to your stand as they build a relationship with you. You can make this happen faster by using a logo or a simple phrase to identify yourself. Put your logo on recipe cards, on your canopy, on your hat or shirt, on your truck. By creating a brand name for your farm you will become instantly recognizable not only to your current customers, but to everyone who picked up a recipe card, who visited market that day, saw your truck drive by, or saw you at the hardware store with your logo shirt. 6. Keep it simple and consistent When thinking about your logo, signage, and flow remember what you want people to notice. Your products! To this end, keep it simple. Your products can get lost on a patterned table cloth. Use solid bright colors to show off what you have for sale. Creating color contrasts will make your products stand out. Contrast creates interest and increases visibility. Consistency of color and style will keep visual distractions to a minimum which will also help customers see your products. If you dont have an assigned space, try to set up in the same area each week. People want to be able to find you easily. 5. Use three dimensions Just putting your products on a nice tablecloth isnt enough. Build your display up and use all three dimensions to show off your products. Tilt baskets toward the customers. Use wooden boxes or bushel baskets to add depth. Stack vegetables high to create an appearance of abundance. You can also use display racks to bring products to eye level, where they may be more likely to catch someones attention. 4. Keep it clean Your stand is a reflection of you and your farm, and your neatness at market sends customers a subtle message about the cleanliness and safety of your food. Its important to keep your area looking tidy and well kept. When you arent helping customers, pick up any debris that may have blown into your area. Pick up any vegetable scraps off the ground. Not only will this make your area look well tended, but it will save time when youre packing up. 3. Talk with customers The reason many people choose to visit and buy from farmers markets is that they appreciate knowing the people who grow, make, and create the myriad of products at farmers markets. Talking with your customers will only intensify this feeling. Building relationships with your customers will increase your sales, and there is no better advertisement than the word of a happy customer. Talking with your customers will also help you spot trends that you may not be aware of. Suppose sorrel was featured on the Food Network. You may have never even of thought of growing sorrel, but now everyone is looking for it. 2. Plan ahead Considering all of the aspects of a successful market display is no easy task. You probably arent going to be able to get it all together on market day, so it is in your best interest to plan ahead. Set up your display a few times so you are comfortable assembling it in the dark, or the rain, or any other stressful circumstances. Look at it from the customers point of view. Have some friends walk around and see if they can figure out your intended flow. Can your banner be seen from far away? What are the first impressions people get as they approach your display? All of these questions should be answered before you get to market. 1. Have fun! Nothing is more contagious than laughter. If you are having fun, people will be attracted to your booth to see what is going on. After all, what is the market all about if it isnt fun? Smile and relax. Your display looks great, your products are selling, and youre making new friends. Sounds like fun to me.

SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

Cottonwood Creek Certified Farmers Market & Artisans Fair Every Friday Beginning May 7th 3:00p.m. 7:00p.m. 3645 Main Street, Cottonwood
For more information contact (530) 347-6637 or email scurry@ccwgrp.org
5

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Contact CCWG to find out how. (530) 347-6637

TIPS FOR PROTECTING OUR DRINKING WATER

AS REPORTED BY ANDY MEAD OF THE SACRAMENTO BEE
Whether your drinking water comes from a spring, a well, a river or a lake, protecting ground water is essential to protecting all water resources. Wells draw upon water in an aquifer where water has filled the pore spaces in rocks, sand and soil. When rain and snow melt seep from the Earth's surface into the ground, it recharges the aquifer. This recharge eventually provides the baseflow to streams as well. A significant source of ground water and surface water contamination is stormwater runoff. Runoff is water that does not soak into the ground. As runoff flows over impervious surfaces such as parking lots and streets, it picks up pollutants like pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides and automotive fluids. This stormwater eventually reaches storm drains, which empty into lakes and streams and wells if they are not properly sealed. You can take action to protect the health of ground water: runoff and floodwaters. Store them in their original containers, if possible. Have your well serviced by a certified water well contractor. Residents not connected to municipal drinking water systems should have their water tested annually to avoid serious health risks associated with contaminated drinking water. Have your septic tank serviced at least every five years. Learn more about ground water protection at http://www.water.ky.gov/ gw/gwprotection/.

During spring cleaning, do not dump chemicals down the house drain or storm drain. Contact your local waste removal authority for proper disposal instructions for herbicides, pesticides, antifreeze, paint and oil. Keep hazardous chemicals away from wells and out of the potential path of

Dottie Smith
Taking Care of History
SHASTA COUNTYS FIRST BUTTER AND ICE CREAM PLANT ...was established in Cottonwood in 1909. Ellis J. Foster established Cottonwood Creamery, manufacturers of "guaranteed fancy creamery" butter, ice cream, and dairy supplies. The creamery was in complete running order and the ice-manufacturing plant that accompanied the creamery also had been started. The creamery could easily handle the output of 400 to 500 cows and could double that capacity if necessary. The creamery was located on the east side of the railroad tracks a short distance south of the railroad depot. The products became very popular and were known far and wide. Business boomed until March 9, 1944 when the plant was destroyed by fire To view more from Dottie Smith, visit her blog on Redding.com - http://blogs.redding.com/dsmith

Re/Max Top Properties

KEN ROBISON
605 Main Street Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-1111 ken@kenrobison.com

Staff Brynn Nolan Executive Director Sheri Curry AmeriCorps VISTA Keith Hackney AmeriCorps VISTA Christy Marroquin Bookkeeper Board of Directors Jim Curry President Jim Busher Vice President Louise Wilkinson Secretary Judy Huddleston Treasurer Ronald Myers Director

1 (866) YOUR DESIGN 1(866) 968-7337 P.O. Box 2008 Weaverville, CA 96093 info@designinnovation.biz

ABOUT US The Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group (CCWG) is an organized association of landowners, residential home owners, business owners, and other private parties. The groups goal is to work together to maintain, conserve and restore a healthy and productive Cottonwood Creek Watershed. CCWG will work to preserve the environment, private property and water rights, and the economic resources of Cottonwood Creek Watershed through responsible stewardship, liaison, cooperation and education.

UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 1st - April Fools Day APRIL 2nd - Good Friday APRIL 4th - Easter Sunday APRIL 7th - Cottonwood Town Hall Meeting located at the Cottonwood Community Center, 20595 Gas Point Rd., Cottonwood at 5:30pm. For more information contact Mary at (530) 3471230 APRIL 8th CCWG Board Meeting located at 3645 Main St., Cottonwood at 5:30pm. APRIL 20th - Mini-Stewardship Day with Bill Burrows and CCWG. Meet at the CCWG Office, 3645 Main Street Cottonwood at 9:00am. For more information contact Brynn at (530) 347-6637 or Bill at (530) 5291535. APRIL 22nd - Cottonwood Creek Community Garden Work Day at 10:00am. Located at Evergreen Middle School, 19500 Learning Way, Cottonwood, CA. For more information call (530) 347-6637 or email khackney@ccwgrp.org. APRIL 28-30th - Introduction to Holistic Management and High Density Grazing with Ian MitchellInnes. Located at Paicines Ranch, 13388 Old Airline Hwy, Paicines, CA 95043. To register call (831) 628-0288 or email Leticia@paicinesranch.com

A PUBLICATION OF: Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group

PRDUCED BY: Sheri Curry

P.O. Box 1198 3645 Main Street Cottonwood, CA 96022 Office (530) 347-6637 Fax (530) 347-6346 www.ccwgrp.org info@ccwgrp.org