1

PO Box 433 Graeagle, CA 96103

www.graeaglepoa.com graeaglepoa@gmail.com

Welcome to our gorgeous community. We know you will love it here.

As president of the Graeagle Property Owner’s Association I am inviting you to join, and if you can, become involved in your community.

The principal objectives of our non-profit organization are as follows:

• To act as a representative voice in expressing the views and opinions of members in respect to matters having a bearing on the welfare of property owners.

• To take appropriate action to protect and expand the rights of members and to foster new ideas and developments which are deemed to be in the best interests of property owners.

• To promote activities which will lead to strong community spirit and congenial social relationships among members.

• To stimulate and educate the esthetic and ecological thinking of everyone who participates or is involved in the community life and development of Graeagle.

Our dues are $25.00 per year, due by March 31th of each year. We hope you will join our organization.

Save the Date/Reminder: Meetings are held quarterly on the second Wednesday of January, April and October @ 4pm. The January meeting is held at the Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Hwy 89 and 70, next to the White Barn. The April and October meetings will be held at the Graeagle Restaurant. All members are encouraged to attend. An agenda is posted in advance at the Graeagle Post Office.

* Please note that July’s quarterly board and members meeting will be held on July 3rd at 1:30 pm in the Graeagle Park, at the information center for Graeagle Property Owners Association following the MVID Day in the Park. Various food and drink will be available in the park. Those members who attend the meeting will be provided with a $5 voucher for food or drink immediately following the members meeting. An item on the agenda will be the interest and practicality of the traditional picnic in 2017.

If you have any questions please contact us via email at: Graeaglepoa@gmail.com or snail mail to: PO Box 433, Graeagle, CA 96103. Our website is: www.graeaglepoa.com

2

The Graeagle POA Smoke Signal

Spring Edition 2016

Presidents Letter: We are now over 40 years of watching our community grow! In 2016, we welcomed a newly formed, full time GPOA Board of Directors with some great new ideas. Here is some of what has been going on: Please welcome our newest Board Members, Cindy Holms and Jane Roix. Cindy has been appointed to a fill a vacancy. Cindy works full time at Graeagle Land and Water and she has the technical skills we desperately need. Jane Roix is the manager of the Johnsville Museum at the Plumas Eureka State Park. I am happy to report we now have a full board. If you have not already noticed, please check out the GPOA signs at the bottom of the “Graeagle, A Gift of a Lifetime” signs as you are coming into town. You may have been surprised to see GPOA at the 4th of July festivities last year. For the second time we are having an information table set up to help promote membership in our organization! We plan on doing this again, so stop by and say hello, meet our Board, share your ideas and volunteer to help us out. Hopefully you have noticed the exterior and interior improvements to our Post Office. There is now an onsite maintenance person. Good job to the management and employees of the Graeagle Post Office! Improvements are continuing on the properties of non-resident owners in regards to fire safety and concerns for surrounding home owners. As a reminder, we meet every quarter and welcome your thoughts. Try and attend a meeting or reach out to us anytime at graeaglepoa@gmail.com Sadly, we have lost a member recently. We will miss Kent Heaton. We extend our condolences to his family. Note: We have taken the name “Smoke Signal” for the G.P.O.A. newsletter to honor Shirley West whose leadership and vision developed this name nearly 50 years ago.

3

Membership: If you have not already renewed, it’s not too late. A membership form is enclosed. Please complete and return along with a check for $25 to GPOA. Membership runs from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Graeagle Fire Protection District: The Graeagle Fire Protection District is reminding everyone that it can be dangerous to dispose of fireplace, wood stove or barbeque ashes. Embers, often concealed in what appears to be cold ashes, can remain hot enough to kindle a fire for several days. It is recommended to wait at least 4 days before disposing of ashes. “With the extremely dry conditions we have been experiencing, everyone should be extra vigilant with ash disposal,” says Fire Chief Ed Ward. “Hot ashes have caused structure fires when left next to a home, garage, deck or when dumped on pine needles or other flammable materials.”

To safely dispose of ashes: • Put discarded ashes in a heavy metal container, douse with water and cover with a fitted metal

lid. • Store container outside and away from structures, decks, fences, wood piles and other

combustible materials. • Never use a vacuum to pick up ashes. • Never put ashes in bags or boxes. • After sitting for a week in the metal container, check them again to be sure they are cool. If so,

the ashes are then ready to be disposed of in your trash.

Safety Tips: • Regularly inspect and clean your chimney. Soot and creosote are combustible materials that

accumulate inside chimneys and create a dangerous fire hazard unless they are removed. • Change the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year. • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from space heaters and other heat sources. • Keep candles and matches out of the reach of children. • Extinguish all fires, even candles, when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Other general fire safety tips: • Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping

area and inside each bedroom. • Test the alarms at least once a month. • Remember to call 911 for all fires, no matter how small.

Following these safety tips can save lives and property. Please contact the Graeagle Fire Protection District for more information. -Fire Chief Ed Ward Just a thought in closing…how we care for our own property reflects on the entire community as well as those visiting this special place. Kim Fleeman President, GPOA

4

“A Note From Liz Holsten”

As an active member of GPOA for 18 years as well as Treasurer and past President, I have seen some wonderful accomplishments in our community. A major advancement in 2015 is a full time board and a public relation officer Kim Fleeman, who is now your President. Kim is a social guru which this association needs. The other board members are well established in this community and are making a difference.

Thank you GPOA members for your continued support. If you’re full-time think about participating by working on the board. You won’t be sorry.

Sincerely, Liz Holsten

“Put Trash In Its Place”

“GPOA encourages responsible practices regarding throw aways (beverage containers, candy wrappers, pet waste bags, etc.) by depositing items in trash receptacles.

We thank residents and visitors for helping Graeagle be litter-free.”

Submitted by Susan Schallock

Yard Cleanup (pineneedles), Tree Services, Etc. GPOA DOES NOT RECOMMEND OR GAURANTEE ANYONE ON THIS LIST. Robert Kelly Tree Care 775-737-9330 (has truck which can carry very large loads) Martin Rizzo 530-836-4462 Francisco Silva 530-832-4056 cell 530-616-0158 Luis Silva 530-718-6738 Mario 530-816-0943 Jimmy West Tree Service 530-283-1172 Chris 530-414-9639 Fred 408-528-4523 Lew Prince 530-836-2071

Greenscapes & Renovations Jason Hellwich 707-601-6605 Defensible space, landscaping, remodeling, repairs. Insured Intermountain Disposal’s yard waste site in Delleker accepts yard waste (pine needles, grass clippings, leaves, brush, untreated and/or unpainted wood and logs) FOR A FEE. They are open Saturdays from 10:00am-2:00pm April 1 through October 31 and can be reached at 530-832-4879. Graeagle Land & Water accepts pineneedles, small trees, etc FOR A FEE. (No treated or painted wood, no nails or staples, no grass clippings). Hours are Mon-Fri 9 AM – 4 PM 530-836-2523.

5

GRAEAGLE PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 433

GRAEAGLE, CA 96103

graeaglepoa@gmail.com

Visit us at www.graeaglepoa.com

Please ADD or RENEW (circle one) my/our membership in the GPOA for January 1-December 31, 2016

Name(s) of Property Owner(s)___________________________________________________________

Graeagle Property Address (physical street number and name)__________________________________

Mailing Address for GPOA Correspondence ________________________________________________

Telephone number(s) __________________________________________________________________

E-Mail Address for Newsletter __________________________________________________________

The 2016 membership fee is $25. Please enclose your check made payable to GPOA with this completed form and mail to the address above. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF GPOA.

Please indicate if you would be willing to serve on the annual picnic committee YES______

If you are already a paid member, please pass this on to a friend or neighbor.

Our Board of Directors:

Kim Fleeman, President and Director of Public Relations Cindy Holms, Secretary

MaryAnn Trujillo, Treasurer Jane Roix, Director

Kathy Davis, Director

Note: If you have an interest in joining our team as a Director, please contact us at Graeaglepoa@gmail.com.

6

Fold Here

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Graeagle Property Owner’s Association PO Box 433

Graeagle, CA 96103

7

Be safe burning debris: Time has come when property owners clean up and burn yard debris. The chores involved with cleaning up and burning have remained very much the same over the years. It’s an annual tradition that ends winter and prepares for longer warmer days. Similarly, planning those chores has changed very little. Most planning is based in creating defensible space with a keen eye on aesthetics. Preparation seems to have undergone the most change. The list at the end of this article hasn’t always been part of the annual tradition but it will help you prepare. Where did the list come from? What does it mean? The list comes from experience and it’s all about safety. Safety isn’t just a personal thing. It’s a community thing and it’s an environmental thing. In other words it lists ways of keeping you, your neighbors and the forest safe. Each community has variations in the list. For example, a community might require a local fire agency burn permit. • Check with your local fire agency for burn permit requirements. • Cal Fire Burn Permits will be available by May 1, 2016

Permits will be available at Beckwourth Ranger District office in Blairsden 530-836-2575, Plumas National Forest http://fsweb.plumas.r5.fs.fed.us/

Burning is permitted before this permit is required, call 832-4528 This permit is valid only on ‘Permissive Burn Days’ Check with the Local Air Pollution Control District before any burning 832-4528 State Air Resources Board has additional information http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm

• Dry, natural vegetation grown on the property can be burned outdoors in open piles, unless prohibited by local ordinances. Household garbage and construction debris cannot be burned

• Burn a maximum pile size of 4 feet in diameter • Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of the pile • A water supply is required at the burn site and must be ready to use. • An adult must be on hand with a shovel until the fire is dead out. • Use common sense, for example;

Don’t burn when windy – even if it is considered a ‘Permissive Burn Day’. Don’t start or restart the fire with gasoline or other highly combustible material

• Consider alternatives to burning Composting Chipping

8

FIRE SAFETY

Is your property vulnerable to fire? What you should do to survive a triage.

Most are familiar with the term triage. The medical definition is: the process of deciding which patients should be treated first based on how sick or seriously injured they are and determine medical priority in order to increase the number of survivors. The term comes from the French verb trier, meaning to separate, sift or select. Triage is the process of determining the priority of patient treatment based on the severity of their condition. This rations patient treatment efficiently when resources are insufficient for all to be treated immediately.

Now, if you will, think of your house as the patient and a wildland fire is quickly approaching your neighborhood. Fire resources will be stretched thin and decisions have to be made in a moment by firefighters and their supervisors as to which houses might be saved and which will be left on their own. But wait, didn't we just mention 'the process of deciding which patients (your home) should be treated first'? Yes, we did, but if you have not prepared your property beforehand you can't expect firefighters to risk their lives and equipment to try to 'treat' your structure. When firefighters arrive on scene they make a quick survey and determination which structures might be saved and which will have to be left alone. If this seems unreasonable think of what your property offers to cause the firefighters to either attempt to protect your property and investment, or move on to the next well protected and prepared structure.

Is your structure surrounded by trees and brush? Is there a cleared space extending outward from your residence at least 30 feet, or preferably 100 feet? Is your driveway easy to maneuver or is it windy and heavily bordered by vegetation? Firefighters are trained not to position their engines and themselves in a location they cannot quickly exit from. Does your property have a source of water to assist firefighters in protecting your property?

Have you cleared vegetation, including pine needles, away from your structures or have you allowed it to build up? If you are not sure if your property and structure .comply with the best fire safe practices you can call your fire department and request a free evaluation to determine whether your property is properly protected or whether it may have to be left to fend for itself. Firefighters do not wish to leave anyone's property unprotected but they cannot risk endangering themselves if you haven't properly prepared for fire. If you can't or are unable to maintain your property yourself call and get bids from local landscapers or tree service contractors. Check with your neighbors and determine if they have recommendations for providers they use or have used in the past.

If you chose to burn pine needles and other vegetation obtain a burn permit from the Forest Service and bum only on approved burn days. Burning permits are required from May 1st to midnight June 30th. To find out if it is a permissive burn day contact your local Air Pollution Control District (Portola: 832- 4528). Changing conditions may necessitate an early bum suspension. The rains and snow of the past winter, while welcomed and much needed, have not ended the drought. Vegetation, especially trees, is stressed and will require several more winters of precipitation to gain any semblance of normalcy. Continue to conserve water and remove any dead trees from your property. The weather will be warming and rain will decrease. Visitors and tourists will begin appearing to enjoy our beautiful region. If you are entertaining guests from outside the area remind them that fireworks are prohibited and illegal in Plumas County. We are fortunate to have a July 4 fireworks program conducted by trained pyrotechnic professionals. Make sure you and your guests leave the firework shows to the professionals. We only want to see their displays in the night sky.

If you have any questions regarding better protecting your property from wildfire, contact the FireSafe Council or your local fire department. We want you, your family and your guests to enjoy our beautiful area safely.

9

A Healthy, Outdoor Community for the Entire Family It is an exciting time to be living in or visiting Graeagle! In the past, primarily known for golf, Graeagle is blossoming into a multi-sport recreation spot to be enjoyed by young and old alike. With the growth and success of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) Graeagle has been “put on the map” as a place to ride mountain bikes on epic trails. Thanks to the hard work of this non-profit group, Graeagle and the “Lost Sierra” have been featured in magazines such as Outside and Bicycling. Visitors come to enjoy our breathtaking and challenging trails from around the world. Professional riders have found our area to be such a great training ground that they have even purchased homes here, adding to our local economy and future. And thanks, to SBTS, young people are employed and finding a way to make a living here, which is crucial to keeping our schools and hospitals open. In addition to the SBTS, there is another group of individuals who are working hard to invigorate our local economy. They are the members of TRAC (Trails, Recreation and Community). The group consists of local business owners who are working diligently to improve the economic future of our area by enlisting the support of community, business and political groups to encourage multi-use trails and recreation in our county. Another group promoting healthy, non-motorized recreation is the non-profit group, Plumas Sierra Bike Club. With weekly club rides, trips together to ride local events, and comradery, this group is making road riding an enjoyable and relaxed way to explore our area. Plumas Eureka State Park has groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter. For only a $5 donation or a $20 season pass, great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be enjoyed by the entire family (dogs too on designated trails). Plumas Eureka State Park and the Johnsville Ski Hill are also the venues for longboard races, sledding days, snowshoe races, hiking, concerts and pizza throw-downs. Graeagle is also fortunate to have a yoga studio “Trails Within” downtown. There are classes for all levels staffed by experienced and mindful instructors. The studio conducts workshops taught by instructors from around the world as well as monthly meditation gatherings. Trails Within has begun offering yoga teacher training which has been immensely popular. Another business in town, Howling Dogs Bike and Ski, provides locals and visitors with their bike, ski and snowshoe equipment and accessory needs. They also do repairs and have rentals available. The shop is the hub for local outdoor information. The icing on the cake for all of these fun, healthy activities and events is being able to enjoy the locally brewed beer at the Brewing Lair of the Lost Sierra in Blairsden. With disc golf, slack-line and corn-hole activities the Brewing Lair is a unique and comfortable spot for the whole family including the furry ones!

10

PLUMAS EUREKA STATE PARK=PESP PLUMAS EUREKA SATE PARK ASSOCIATION=PESPA 4mi West of Graeagle on A-14 (Hwy 89 @ Graegle Frostee)

Visit: http://www.plumas-eureka.org; Call: 836-2380; e-mail pespablairsden@gmail.com Exciting news for PESP… PESPA has decided to publish a new book “Plumas Eureka on Glass” a Cultural History of the Plumas Eureka Mine, by Bruce MacGregor. Bruce has spent 10 year chronicling information about two historic families from Johnsville. The White and Johns Families have provided their personal stories and glass negatives to illustrate Eureka Mountain and our mining history never seen before in one document. This book will aid PESPA’s volunteers, visitors and scholars, to interpret and educate this colorful story; circa 1851-1910. Sit back and stroll through the streets of Jamison City, Eureka Mills, Johnsville and eastern Plumas county during the Gold Rush. We hope to have hardbound copies available at the Museum by Memorial Day. 836-2380 and ask for Jane Roix, Store Mgr., for preorders of this 300 pg. history. Cal.Parks assistant archeologist for the Sierra district; Denise Jaffke, has received a grant to dig an area in our Campground near sites 26,27,28. What are they looking for? This spot is on the delta of "The Jamison and Little Jamison Creeks” and is thought to be the home of original Stamp Mill for the “76 Mine” and beneath that a Maidu dump…Exploring for our history all summer long…a few volunteers will be included in this project, so raise your interest and be prepared for considerable training! Remember last years re-visit of Eureka Mills on the mountain. Special tours available for small groups upon request! Other promising projects for PESPA for 2016 season—60 kids from Portola Charter School visiting day use in May before opening—4th graders from Portola to visit before June 10 to understand PESP History and enjoy the music of Pat O’Reilly, Interpretive Ranger at a modified campfire program for lunch—Annual 6-th grade migration from Paradise spending their last three days of school year, camping at PESP 1st week of June--Assay Office expansion to include an active Mine Adit w/Mining cart and displays; grant in process---Memorial Bench to be set @ campsite #67 by a family who has visited for 30yrs to be set in June—Completion of repairing and painting the Buildings in the Historical District, by Maintenance Staff, funded by a Ca.Parks Foundation Grant, PESPA and DPR to keep ahead of Mother Nature—— Winter returned to Plumas Eureka State Park, allowing Pespa’s winter team to groom trails this past season all led by the generous leadership and hours of time by Ken/Debbie McMaster. If you haven’t been able to ski or snowshoe at PESP because of no snow (past)—MARK YOUR BUCKET LIST for 2016-2017 season, a very special experience. Seasonal passes available for singles or families….No state Funds are used for this program…. http://www.plumas-eureka.org is PESPA web site, look it up; Yearly Calendar, daily activities, and links to campground reservations and interesting events in this area. Come and re-visit this summer and thank the volunteers for their efforts… Best for last, THANK YOU to DPR employees, Campground Hosts, PESPA volunteers, docents, and members for supporting this endeavor. Your efforts allow us to educate and interpret this Hidden Gem of the Lost Sierra, Plumas Eureka State Park. Pease email your suggestions, comments, and ideas to Tim Hardie/ hardies@psln.com or call 530-836-1995.

11

12

Gold Lake Boat Launch Improvements:

More than a link between highways 89 and 49, Gold Lake Highway south of Graeagle is an entryway to a treasure trove of recreational possibilities in the Northern Sierra Nevada. Recreational gems include camping, fishing, hiking, biking, equestrian, 4 wheeling and exploring. Boaters consider Gold Lake the crown jewel of their Lakes Basin experience. Like no other, Gold Lake has a sampling of all the gems. The boating gem at Gold Lake is about to get some polishing.

California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways has provided a grant for expansion and significant improvements at the Gold Lake Boat Launch Facility. The damaged gangway will be replaced; the accessible pathway improved; new solar lighting added; and the parking surface expanded, repaired and repaved. The grant dedicates facility usage solely to the boating community.

Construction begins this summer requiring the temporary closure of Gold Lake Boat Launch Facility and parking area. The lake and campgrounds will remain open for your enjoyment. With this closure, boaters may opt to take advantage of other nearby facilities.

• Small watercraft can be launched from the Gold Lake shoreline at the Gold Lake Picnic Area near the horse stables.

• Tahoe National Forest has other boating facilities available in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tahoe/home

• Boaters may want to consider visiting a Lake Davis Boat Launch Facility. • Also, with enough snow this winter, Frenchman Lake Boat Launch Facility may be available.

Please check with the ranger district for more information

Visit Plumas National Forest Website for information about this project, forest recreation and much more. http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/plumas/home

13

Care Flight has opened a new base in Plumas County. Having served the northeastern California and northern Nevada region for nearly 35 years the flight program is expanding it’s service area. To better serve our partners in Plumas County Care Flight has started a new base at Nervino Airport in Beckwourth,CA. Care Flight was the first in the area to offer air ambulance service and were pioneers in the air medical industry. The medical crews are trained in critical care assessments, expanded scope of practice and procedures. Care Flight brings the critical care unit to the patient. Care Flight has a fleet of 4 helicopters. Care Flight’s pilots have extensive pilot in command time with training in high altitude operations. Flight Plan is a membership program which helps alleviate some out of pocket expenses for members. The plan covers all members of the household for only $55.00 per year. Care Flight has a reciprocal agreement with Enloe Medical Center’s FlightCare helicopter air ambulance program based in Chico. A membership in Care Flight’s program will benefit someone traveling to the west. (see the agreements for both programs for details.) Contact Care Flight at 7758585700 or online at CareFlight.com

14

15

GRAEAGLE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

TREASURERS REPORT JAN, FEB AND MARCH

TREASURER

2016

REPORT 4.1.16

BALANCE FORWARD DECEMBER 31 , 2015:

$ 3,862.52

INCOME MEMBERSHI P DUES

4,075.00

DONATION (MOFFITT) 100 .00

$ 8,037.52

EXPENSES :

NEWSLETTER $ 451 .13

OFFICE SUPPLIES 32.39

LABELS-JENNIFER 25 .00

POSTAGE 74.36

BUSINESS CARDS 37 .63

GOLD RUSH GIFT CERTIFICATE 25 .00

DOMAIN NAME FEES 53.98 ---- - -- - - -

$ 699.49

BALANCE FORWARD MARCH 31 , 2016 $ 7,338.03

THANK YOU, MARYANN TRUJILLO TREASURER GRAEAGLE PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

16

Graeagle Property Owners’ Association PO Box 433 Graeagle, CA 96103