Greenville Rising: Spring plans in Indian Valley
By Meg Upton
On March 4, CalOES representative Greg Renick reported that state contractors have cleared burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil from more than two-thirds of the homes and properties in Plumas County whose owners enrolled in the state’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program after last year’s Dixie and Beckwith Complex fires.
“The 438 properties in the county cleared to date represent 67.7 percent of the 647 parcels participating in the full debris removal program. Another 159 properties are taking part in the program’s hazardous trees only element,” stated Renick in the press release. In neighboring Lassen County, crews have cleared debris generated by the Dixie Fire from 19, or 42.2 percent, of the 45 parcels enrolled in the full debris removal program.
Our own property was cleaned out on Monday. It’s such an odd feeling to see. There is all the sorrow still from the fire, but there’s also this big weight off the shoulders that it is finally done.
Speaking of cleaned-out lots, it’s come to our attention, (and took up a good deal of discussion at this week’s IVCSD meeting), that sewer lines on various lots have not been capped yet. This would seem an imperative part of cleanup to most of us. What happens when and if it ever rains heavily? Might that become an issue? IVCSD board director Kristi Gorbet, who chaired the IVCSD meeting, was going to look into it this week and report back to the board. Speaking of the board, (follow-up information strictly on the IVCSD to come in a separate article), there’s now a full board again and a new part-time general manager with experience in both project management and leading teams. One hopes the best for the new IVCSD board and its director in tackling the monumental task of recovery.
Driving through downtown Greenville one can definitely tell the difference and it does give one hope that progress is being made.
There’s nothing better than an opportunity to announce positive changes and events—especially now after two solid years of canceling plans due to COVID. Let’s all knock on the nearest unburned piece of wood right now as we take stock in some of Indian Valley’s plans for Spring.
Crescent Country and the Rebuilding Greenville Resource Center
Where would Indian Valley be without Crescent Mills these days?
Lisa Forcino and the Rebuild Greenville Resource Center are in the middle of their own rebuild project. The store of Crescent Country will now take up the left half of the building and be a much more condensed space with a new wall that has enclosed the store portion with new product going into the store as well. Earlier this year, Forcino had envisioned office space for Indian Valley-based businesses on the right side of the building, however, the resource center became the most viable candidate for the space.
Forcino will be bringing back both the Saturday Market and the Artist of the Month in the newly revamped space. April 2 is the date for Crescent Country’s reopening. Any vendor who wants to be part of Saturday Market should call Forcino at (530) 284-6016 to reserve a spot.
Shelly’s Main Street Boutique is reopening in one of Charlie Neer’s cottages adjacent to Crescent Tow on April 2 as well. Grand Opening begins at 9 a.m. Call (310) 433-0858 for more information.
The Rebuilding Greenville Resource Center will be housed in the right side of the building. It already has a brand new door and is being readied for an April 2 grand opening. The RGRC will be closed Thursday, March 10 through Tuesday, March 15. It will reopen in the new location on Wednesday, March 16.
Donors are posting offerings of new and gently used furniture, appliances, and items for setting up new homes on the Rebuilding Greenville Resource Center facebook page. The new location will not display donations, as the space will be utilized for case management services, group meetings, workshops, and heating/cooling assistance. Donated items will eventually be displayed in storage containers on a neighboring lot. RGRC is looking for loaned or donated storage containers for this purpose.
Case management services are offered to fire survivors both onsite and via telephone. For case management support, contact Nancy Presser at (530) 283-2735 x832 or Irshad Stolden at (530) 283-2735 x831.
Currently the resource center has a few dozen cords of dry seasoned almond wood on hand and they are delivering truckloads to residents. RGRC also provides kerosene, emergency propane refills, weatherization materials, and more. For all heating assistance related needs, contact Penney Robbins at (530) 282-7000 (call or text).
Gas
Looks like Nellz Towne Pump’s new mart framing is almost entirely up. It’s bigger than most of us imagined. Down near Evergreen Market, Mohawk Cardlock pumps has now appeared and is pumping gas as well. The sign says 24-hours but there is a person onsite for cash purchases between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Greenville, we have two options now!
Riley’s Beef Jerky
Looks like Riley’s slab is ready and waiting to build. It will be exciting to see the building going up this spring.
Little League
Last Sunday, two men, Mike Quinn and David Stoffel, completed a project that they’d started right after the Dixie Fire burnt up the Little League fields in Greenville—a campaign to collect equipment for Indian Valley youth to restart its Little League program.
“What we’re here to do is try to reestablish, give some normality to the kids up in Greenville. They’ve lost a lot, but if they can be thinking about playing ball again, the community can rally around them. We think this is really going to be a very positive thing for their community,” said Quinn in an interview with KRCR-TV. The men presented collected items to the league’s board members last Sunday.
Events
The number of events around the bend makes it feel like “normal” is happening in a new normal sort of way. Behold all the upcoming events.
Plumas Charter School
As most know, the Greenville Learning Center (elementary school of Plumas Charter School), was the one school that burned down in the fire (it was housed in the Methodist Church’s annex building). This week Plumas Charter School announced the grand opening of its elementary school program in its new building in Taylorsville.
It’s now the Indian Valley Academy K-6 located at 4338 Main Street in Taylorsville. Open House is on Tuesday, March 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s on the lot between Indian Valley Academy (7-12) and the Taylorsville Historic Hall. UPDATE: The open house has been postponed until Friday, March 18, at 4 p.m. due to weather.
[Re] Build Greenville
On Saturday, March 19, the monthly [Re] Build Greenville meeting will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Greenville Elementary School multipurpose room/cafeteria. It’s always a great opportunity to hear directly from those working on rebuilds
All Schools Prom
Megan Neer and GHS Boosters announced an ‘all Indian Valley Schools’ Prom for ninth through twelfth grades including last year’s 2021 graduates which did not have a prom. The event will take place on Saturday, May 14 at the Taylorsville Historic Hall in Taylorsville with a dinner and dance. Dinner is 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with dance to follow at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Whether or not students went to Greenville High School, Indian Valley Academy, or are now at other schools in and out of the area, this prom is for them.
Music on the Green Revival
Last fall, a great idea had to be put on hold for inclement weather, but now the re-scheduled event is set to take place on May 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the green adjacent to Greenville High School.
The Music on the Green Revival concert will feature local musicians and former students of the band program at GHS. Music on the Green used to be a regular feature of late spring and summer in Greenville.
The audience is requested to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on for the concert. There will also be a collaborative community mural for audience members to come and paint. The mural was designed by local Quincy-based artist Trixie Hollyhox. The event is supported by both Plumas Arts and Indian Valley community members.
Speaking of Fire: Youth Voices
Is looking for artwork and stories by student youth to showcase at the upcoming event on May 28 at the Greenville Elementary School cafeteria. For more information on submitting work or to join a workshop, please contact me at [email protected]. The event will be free and open to the public. College students and other adults are also welcome to submit stories and artwork (and music inspired by Dixie Fire recovery).
Class of 2022 Graduation Party
It’s happening. Indian Valley’s All Schools Class of 2022 Graduation Party will take place at the Taylorsville Historic Hall on May 28, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Regardless of which school in or out of the area our seniors at GHS and IVA would have or are graduating from, this party is an opportunity to celebrate them persevering through one crazy last year of high school. If you or your organization would like to get involved in planning, providing food, a DJ or photography for the graduating seniors, please contact me at [email protected] and I will put you in touch with the right people to start.
Thanks for reading. Stay safe out there, and if you have anything you’d like to let the community know about, please let us know for the next column.
