Communities Rising Feb. 10: Art party Saturday; Rec district meeting Tuesday
Greetings Indian Valley and neighboring fire affected places, from southern California where it was a balmy 82 degrees at lunch today. It’s been a couple of weeks and I find myself back at the column. I’ve written many of these from afar in the past, but I used to have my family help out if I wasn’t there. But with my youngest gone from Plumas County at the beginning of the New Year, it will fall to you all to help me out and send me information and photographs you want to highlight about our recovering towns.
I do of course stalk Facebook like any middle-aged reporter would for news and tidbits here and there. I understand that FEMA feels like the time is up for its trailers in Westwood and families will be forced to vacate them despite there being no open housing in the county and despite it being very much still winter in Lassen and Plumas counties. It sounds like we in that spot where basic humanity is needed and we’re coming up against a date set in stone.
This does bring up larger questions that I’ve been thinking about since fire evacuation in July 2021. What if you were living a marginal existence? What if you are not educated? What if navigating this whole system of box checking is not your strong suit? Should a community be made up exclusively of those who can navigate a system that’s exceedingly difficult to navigate? Fundamental to our identity is supposed to be the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, but are these too lofty for us? Does are whole system point to ‘yes, but only if we can afford it?’ These are questions that really plague all Californians living in a state where the smallest plot of land is ridiculously expensive. Should there not be some sort of right to live where one was born and raised if one so chooses? Some coastal cities are addressing that by offering below market housing to those who have historically been part of a community. I wonder aloud how we will deal with equity of place in Indian Valley. Now more than ever, we need your input, your tips, your story ideas and press releases. Send your information to [email protected]. Stay safe out there and very warm.
Art Party
“The Little Dozer that Did” Art Party takes place Saturday, Feb. 11 and 25 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Drawers are needed to create a coloring book about putting out wildfire. Pre-registration is required. The art teacher is Jacquie Cordova. To register contact Nancy Presser at (530) 927-5829 or [email protected].
This is sponsored by the Dixie Fire Collaborative Emotional and Spiritual Wellness Committee.
Dixie Fire Resource Center
The DFRC has a new phone number: (530) 871-9700. To reach Rena Moffett, ext. 833; to reach Martha Vaughn, ext 888. If you need a Disaster Case Manager you can call Plumas Rural Services at (530) 283-2735 and select the option for Disaster Case Manager.
Plumas Rural Services
Plumas Rural Services is publishing a new newsletter with pertinent recovery information and stories. First issue is out now at: https://plumasruralservices.org/event/Disaster-Recovery-Newsletter-February-2023.
Indian Valley Recreation and Park District
The next IVRPD meeting will be held this Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the IVRPD office located inside the IVCSD building (127 Crescent Hwy # 1). That’s an interesting Valentine’s evening to be sure.
