July 31stKudos to Mike Filippini for his recent article Lawn Obsessed, A Dangerous Disorder. My Spring and Summer long attempt to produce a grass lawn on City property outside of my fence has produced mixed results. One result that has been constant is the massive amount of water required during the whole process, especially during hot times. I'm thinking planting something far more drought tolerant would have been a better idea. Much of the new grass survived a recent heat wave with constant watering, but some areas died due to lack of water. I'm exploring less water intensive plants to grow. 6' T-posts with deer fencing protecting a drip irrigated former lawn is my target project for next year.Lee May, Loyalton Editor I was listening to a tribute to Toby Keith, a truly talented Country Artist and I began to question my patriotism and weather I was proud to be an American, at this time. I was proud when I began to understand events in history. When we did the Marshall Plan which helped to rebuild Europe and helped Japan after a huge war with those same countries, created the VA, when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, the Japanese 442nd Regiment, Ira Hayes, Jackie Robinson, Tuskeegee Airmen, we won the Space race, and so proud of our Democracy. Something has changed, we are now internally divided as never before, our proud and reliable allies have began to mistrust the United States. We have threat-ened Canada, the Netherlands, Greenland, Panama!!! What the heck? Actually Canadians do have some great ideas. They are very friendly, and I have always envied the Canadians method of paying for healthcare. Everyone is included and the Canadians don't let the Capitalists and insurance companies take all the money and tell you that you can't have your hemorrhoids repaired. Pretty cool. Don McKechnie Sierraville, Sparks, and Under God. FOOD FOR THOUGHT How about a word of PERSEVERANCE, like a dash of salt? Perseverance means to keep at something in spite of difficulties, opposition or discouragement. From the Scripture in Luke 11:5-10, We gather encouragement to keep asking, as in prayer. The LORD said to His disciples “Suppose one of you who has a friend, and you go to him at night, saying to him, 'friend, lend me three loaves, for another friend of mine, has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to give him.' From the inside of his house, he answers, 'do not bother me; my door is locked, we are in bed and I can't get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he is his friend and wouldn't get up nor give him anything, yet, because of PERSEVERANCE, HE DOES GET UP AND GIVES HIM AS MUCH AS HE NEEDS. Moreover, I say to you: keep asking and it will be given to you, keep seeking, and you will find, keep knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who goes on asking, receives; he who goes on seeking, finds and to him who continues knocking, the door will be opened.” Paraphrased. Brethren, count it all joy when you face trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces PERSEVERANCE. JAMES 1:2-3 And PERSEVERANCE produces good character, and character hope. ROMANS 5:4 NKJV - Dodi Von Tour, Beckwourth Dear Editor, Congressman Kevin Kiley is, predictably, following the MAGA playbook by using the pretext of “antisemitism” to advance the Republican war on free speech, higher education, and dissent. (July 15 hearing, House Committee on Education and the Workforce) I know how deadly antisemitism can be; my Jewish grandparents were fortunately able to immigrate to the US from Eastern Europe to escape persecution, but all of their family members left behind were exterminated by Nazis and their allies. That's why it's so sickening to me to watch the Republicans pretend to care about antisemitism on campuses, while ignoring it and even nurturing it among their far-right buddies (I'm looking at you, Mr. Nazi-salute Musk; I'm looking at you, Mr. “I'm sure many are very good people” Trump, as you responded to the racist marchers in Charlottesville in 2017, and I'm looking at your multiple White House officials with ties to antisemitic extremists). Now the Republicans want us to believe they want to protect Jewish teachers and students, even as they vote to gut the U.S. Department of Education, including its Office for Civil Rights, which investigates discrimination, and attack America's top universities. I know Trump says he loves the uneducated; apparently, he's hoping to increase their numbers. Mr. Kiley, stop carrying water for extremists in Washington, and try focusing on your constituents' needs: healthcare, environmental protection and a sustainable economy. Residents of Congressional District 3 deserve better. Jesse Golden, Camptonville, Yuba County, CA Submitted: 08/03/25 Article By: Sierra Booster |