Category Archives: California

National Parks

Yosemite Conservancy 2014 Spring Gathering

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

150 Years of Inspiring Generations

Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, 2014

The Yosemite Conservancy is planning a Spring Gathering Weekend at the end of March.  It’s a great event, and I’d like to see y’all there!  From the Yosemite Conservancy website:

Please join us for a special Spring Gathering weekend in Yosemite Valley, celebrating the extraordinary gift Americans received 150 years ago. In 1864 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, setting aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias for all of us. The theme for Spring Gathering this year will be 150 Years of Inspiring Generations. Bring the entire family to explore the park and spend time with friends old and new.

Continue reading →

Beagles, News

Put Snoopy the beagle on your license plate!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

snoopyplateThere’s a program that’s just getting started that helps put money towards California’s museums and lets you let everyone know you love Snoopy.  If you’re a beagle lover, this is definitely something you should look into.  From the press release:

SNOOPY LICENSE PLATES NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

Proceeds to benefit California museums

A program is now fully underway to put the beloved beagle on California license plates, and help fund the state’s museums at the same time. The special license plate, available for pre-order now at www.snoopyplate.com, will feature a reproduction of an original drawing of Snoopy by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz.

Continue reading →

Wildlife

Cal Fire ordered to pay $32 million over court misconduct

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

L.A. Times writer Jeff Gottlieb is reporting today that Cal Fire has been ordered to pay over $32M in legal bills.  Legal bills!  WOW!  From the article:

The judge scolds agency officials for lying and covering up evidence in a lawsuit in which it sought damages for a 65,000-acre fire in Plumas County.

Already under fire for siphoning money into a secret fund, the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been ordered to pay more than $32 million in legal bills for those it blamed for starting a 65,000-acre forest fire.

In a scathing order, Superior Court Judge Leslie C. Nichols, sitting on assignment in Plumas County, accused the agency of covering up, lying and engaging in “egregious and reprehensible conduct.”

“The court finds that Cal Fire’s actions initiating, maintaining and prosecuting this action, to the present time, is corrupt and tainted,” the judge wrote.

Continue reading →

National Parks

Yosemite National Park to Waive Entrance Fees for President’s Day Weekend

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park will waive entrance fees from Saturday, February 15 to Monday, February 17, 2014 in commemoration of President’s Day.

President’s Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, President’s Day is viewed as a day to celebrate all United States presidents, past and present.

Fees being waived for President’s Day weekend include the park entrance only. All other fees associated with camping, lodging, or activities within the park are not waived. The fee waiver is good for Saturday, February 15 through Monday, February 17, 2014 only.

For more information, and to plan your trip, visit www.nps.gov/yose 

State Parks

California’s state parks are great places to …

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Today the California State Parks Foundation launched a new campaign: “California State Parks are Great Places to …” This week the focus is on great places to walk among giants!

How would you fill in the blank? The possibilities are endless! Share your own “Great Places” photos and stories on the CSPF website HERE.

You can visit, join, and support the California State Parks Foundation HERE.