FREE
UNITED
Vol. 2 Ed. 5
Publicacion Unidos United Publication
News Magazine
Colusa County
2009 Entrepreneur of the Year:
Kim Troughton & her inspirational story of success.
May’09 Mayo ’09
On The Cover: Recently named Entrepreneur of the year, Kim Troughton sits down with United to talk about her successful business in Maxwell. Special to United: Chase Morgan’s Private Screening gives United an insight into up coming movies. Business: The North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is open for business. Community: Bill Williamson on where you can find affordable appliances and how you can help Habitat for Humanity. Opinion: Writer William Hennessy on his beautiful town & the WFAC turns 3 years old.
© 2009 Luis Barrera Photography Design
www.unitednewsmagazine.com
United News Magazine Published By The Luis Barrera Agency. A Community Bilingual Monthly News Magazine
Exclusively Serving Colusa County
Vol. 2 Ed. 5
The Kim Troughton Story: Deli owner by design, 4-h leader by heart
UNITED
4 5 6 8 9 10
Publicacion Unidos United Publication
News Magazine
Need A Fridge? how about a stove?
e t a v i Pr g n i Screen
This town becomes most beautiful at night.
THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
WFAC Turns 3 years old
United News Magazine By Barrera Productions May 2009 Edition
EDC Insight
Luis Barrera, editor & Chief luis@unitesnewsmagazine.com
THE NORTH VALLEY HISPANIC CHAMBER
Chase Morgan Co-Creative Director chase@unitesnewsmagazine.com
Published By
Luis Barrera
www.unitednewsmagazine.com
This month’s contributors
Ben
Luis
Also NEw to United!!
Vanessa
Chase
Mike
WENDY CONLEY WILLIAM HENNESSY Bill Williamson
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From The Editor Luis Barrera
Editor, United News Magazine Hello, Wow what a difference a month makes. We had the unfortunate inconvenience of postponing our Small Business Showcase. However we are already replanning it and we will let you know the date as soon as we know it. This month we have an even larger list of contributing writers, each with a very interesting piece. We had expanded our managing staff to help with the ever growing duties or running a successful news magazine. Chase Morgan joins United News Magazine as our Creative Co-Director. Now for the big news; starting this month of May, United News Magazine will become a twice a month publication. Our first edition of the month will be our Colusa County Edition, our second issue of the month will be our Yuba-Sutter Edition. More big news; United’s special publication: U Magazine is in it’s final stages and will hit the street this summer. U Magazine by United News Magazine has a different look and different content that United. That is because with U Magazine we are trying to provide an outlet for our targeted 18-30 year olds. Chase Morgan will be the managing editor of U Magazine. We have so much more planned out for the second part of the year. I hope you are all enjoying this publication as much as I do. Please feel free to submit your stories to info@unitednewsmagazine.com you can also mail them directly to our office. NOW PLEASE JOIN US ON May 18th, 2009 at 6:00pm for United News Magazine Open House/ Grand Opening Piñata breaking celebration, hosted in part with the North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. There will be food, music, freebies and so much fun, so please read more about this event on page 11. Thank You for all your support and enjoy this edition.
Luis Barrera, Editor & Chief
Dear United News Magazine We wanted to let you know how pleased we were to be featured in the April edition of United News Magazine. This type of magazine provides a unique opportunity for small business and serves as a showcase for many events, entertainment venues and various types of advertisers. There is a great variety throughout your publication, something for everyone. United News Magazine is viewed and enjoyed by many. This is evident by the very positive and numerous responses we recieved about our business, “I Care Cards.” Thank you for your well written article on our company which was further enhanced by a wonderful pictorial display. Sincerely, Kim R. Davis and Marion Mathis I Care Cards
United News Magazine
By The Luis Barrera Agency Advertising Editorial ads@unitesnewsmagazine.com editor@unitesnewsmagazine.com OUR WEB ADDRESS www.unitednewsmagazine.com
OUr OFFICE 430 Market Street, Suite D Colusa California 95932
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United news Magazine is now online www.UnitednewsMagazine.coM
read it, download it or share it with others.
D E T I N U not another newspaper, a news Magazine!
www.UnitednewsMagazine.coM now with a circUlation oF
5,000
MaKing it one oF the largest pUBlication in colUsa coUntY!
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Massage is an essential part of wellness for everyone; my goal as a therapist is to help people understand the importance of massage as health maintenance, and not just a luxury. The #1 reason Americans make appointments for massage therapy is for stress relief and relaxation. Along with the everyday overwhelming amounts of stress, we are also faced with the economic strain sweeping across the country. Relief from this tension is as real as need for relief from physical symptoms. In fact, if this emotional and mental burden is not lifted, it may lead to serious physical illness.
ORganizations
Need A RefRigErator? how about a stove?
BILL WILLIAMSON SPECIAL TO UNITED
OUR COMMUNITY
THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
WENDY CONLEY SPECIAL TO UNITED
OPINION
Yuba-Sutter Habitat for Humanity is selling large appliances such as electric kitchen stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers to raise funds for their local Habitat housing program. All the appliances have been donated to Habitat to sell to the public as a fundraiser; all money from this sale will go directly to aid Habitat to continue building affordable houses for families that need our help.
These appliances are all in very good condition and reasonably priced. An 18 cubic ft. refrigerator is priced at $125.00. If you need a slightly larger refrigerator (20 cu ft), the price Mental and emotional well-being is directly connected to physi- is only $150.00. How about an in-cabinet style dishwasher cal well-being. High levels of stress, especially over a long pe- at $95.00? Or a self-cleaning electric kitchen stove for riod of time, can cause illness leading to severe physical symp- $125.00? toms. Stress lowers the immune response, making you more vulnerable to common illnesses. Emotional and mental stress Make an appointment to see and pick up your choice by callcan also weaken the body’s defenses against far more seri- ing Bill at Habitat’s office phone 530-742-2721. ous diseases and complications. More and more Americans are How does Yuba-Sutter Habitat for Humanity use funds from seeking emotional, mental, and physical well-being through this sale to help our local community? Habitat for Humanity therapeutic massage. is a nonprofit Christian ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing one home at a time. We invite people from all Massage can help some health conditions such as: anxiety, walks of life to work together in partnership to build houses depression, Arthritis, back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, with families in need. We build homes in Yuba and Sutter chronic and acute pain, circulatory problems, digestive disor- Counties wherever we can get a donation of land or find ders, Fibromyalgia, headaches, Muscular-Skeletal Disorders, reasonably priced land. We depend on the support of our sleep disorders, sports injuries, stress, Tendonitis, whiplash, community to continue our building program. All costs of etc.. Through massage and learning appropriate exercises and construction are raised from individual donors, churches and stretches, we can make the most out of this one body we have. businesses in the Yuba-Sutter area. This current sale is the Here’s to your health. beginning of what will become a unique store full of donated items that will be sold to the public at reasonable, affordable prices. This store can become your source for things such as appliances, cabinets, sinks, plumbing items, and building materials. Keep us in mind and watch our Yuba-Sutter Habitat for Humanity ReStore grow.
Visit Wendy at her location 430 Market Street, Suite E. Next to united’s office!
Beduhn BuSineSS and tax ServiCe 436 Market Street ColuSa Ca 95932 (530) 458-2197 Gail A. Beduhn E.A. Owner
Enrolled Agent
B.S. Accounting
BY CHASE MORGAN UNITED NEWS STAFF
Box Buzz SAVEOffice THE DATE
Private Screening
www.unitednewsmagazine.com
Party With Us!
We can decorate your next celebration
The Buzz of the Box Office is centered around two movies:
Chase’s Special Features:
“Terminator Salvation” In the highly anticipated new installment of “The Terminator” film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, Sam Worthington, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.
This month I have decied to give you a little preview of the DVD releases for May. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (Rated PG-13) Release Date: May 12th, 2009
“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free Be sure to catch all of the action for yourself on May 21, 2009. the Lycans from their brutal enslavement. (Rated PG-13) Paul Blart: Mall Cop (Rated PG) Release Date: May 19th, 2009 “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” In addition to Ben Stiller, the cast will be rounded out by many In Columbia Pictures’ comedy “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” Kevin from the original film as well as several new characters from James stars as the title character, a single, suburban dad, tryhistory. The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life ing to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world’s larg- mall. Though no one else takes his job seriously, Paul considest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its ers himself on the front lines of safety. When a heist shuts collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on down the megaplex, Jersey’s most formidable mall cop will her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, Al Capone’s rap have to become a real cop to save the day. sheet and mug shot to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker’s lounge chair. No major film has ever shot inside When Does it Come Out? the Smithsonian in Washington...until “Night at the Museum: May DVD Releases Chase’s Picks: Battle of the Smithsonian. “ May 5th, 2009 Don’t miss one hilarious minute on May 22 2009. (Action/ “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Rated PG-13) May 19th, 2009 – Comedy) (Rated PG) “Valkyre” (Rated PG-13)
• Wedding Receptions • • Church Decorations • • Qinceañeras Decor & Accessories • • Linen & Table Rentals • 249 5th St. Colusa, CA 95932 (530) 458-3541 (530) 501-6811
Party With Us!
Podemos decorar tu proxima celebracion
• Recepcion de Bodas • • Decoracion de Iglesias • • Decoracion para Qinceañeras • • Renta de Manteles y Mesas• 249 5th St. Colusa, CA 95932 (530) 458-3541 (530) 501-6811
Kim’s Main Street Meat & Deli Auto Repair Jesse Troughton
Corner of oaK & San franCiSCo StreetS, Maxwell
Daily Specials Sandwiches Salads
Call for daily specials!
Party Trays Cold Drinks Fresh Meats
Breakfast served until 10:30 a.m.
(530) 438-2288
Call in orders accepted
Kim troughton, owner
Master Mechanic Specializing in Rebuilding Jeeps
Full Service Automobile Repair Jeep – Ford – Dodge
Call for an appointment
(530) 438-2468
422 Hwy 99 West Maxwell, CA
ON THE COVER
The Kim Troughton Story: Deli owner by design, 4-h leader by heart
6
By Luis Barrera, United Editor
Kim Troughton and her 4-H group outside her Maxwell deli. Š 2009 Luis Barrera Photography Design
Kim Troughton is a meat cutter by trade, a deli owner by design, and a 4-H leader by heart. She opened Kim’s Main Street Meat & Deli in Maxwell nearly two years ago. She will celebrate her second anniversary in business there this coming July. Troughton has been a meat cutter for 15 years, and she says her first professional love is meat cutting, especially custom game processing.
“The meat processing business and the deli compliment one another,” “The meat processing business and the deli compliment one another,” she said. “Most meat shops have a deli,” she added. Troughton learned the skill of meat processing as an on-the-job trainee with Tony Ruiz when he owned the Maxwell Country Market. Later she trained at the Shop-n-Save in Linda, Ca. Troughton was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Linda, but moved to Maxwell after meeting her husband Jesse Troughton, owner of Jesse Troughton Auto Repair in Maxwell. “We met on a blind date,” she recalled. “Jesse’s family is from Colusa County. This is where we wanted to live,” she said. Troughton said she opened the deli, mainly because there was need for that type of business in Maxwell. “I was unhappy working for someone else, and Maxwell is where we live. It was just the right time and the right place,” she said. She said she learned to cook watching her grandmother cook. “My grandmother was the cook for the Catholic Church,” Troughton said.
Farmers of America (FFA). All in all, Troughton sums up life and business in Maxwell as being pretty nice. She loves what she does, she loves the community where she lives and works, and she said she especially enjoys working with the 4-H members and seeing their excitement and enthusiasm. Living in a rural area also has other benefits. Troughton is among a group of Colusa County women who all ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles. “No matter what the weather, on the first day of summer; we ride,” she said. She added that the things in life that give her the most joy are family occasions and riding the Harley. Kim and Jesse Troughton have three adult children; Sarah Hendrix (DJ), Tina Dry (Rick) and Rick Endicott (Cheyanne) and five grandchildren.
“My grandmother was the cook for the Catholic Church” “She prepared the meals for the priest at the rectory. I used to visit her during the summers and I would watch as she cooked,” remembered Troughton. Troughton said she loves to cook and some of her favorite things to prepare are soups. “I don’t use recipes though,” she said. She said she will get an idea, or maybe see a recipe, but she always adds her own touch. “I always change a recipe,” she said. Asked where she sees herself and her business in five years, Troughton said she expects to have expanded the business, but that she also expects to still be in Maxwell. “Colusa County is a great place to raise kids. It is a place where you can still find old fashioned values and a love of family,” she said. “It is a small county, and it is all still good.”
“I see my businesses growing to include full-service custom game processing” “I see my businesses growing to include full-service custom game processing as well as an expanded deli,” she said. As busy as her business keeps her, she still finds time to do things that are near to her heart. She has been a 4-H leader since her son, now 21 was a 4-H member in elementary school. She has been a leader for about 10 to 12 years, but said she is still as enthusiastic about working with the kids as she was in the beginning. The class that I teach has a great passion for ‘hands-on’ learning about food preparation. “It is a great class. They are all so energized and just can’t wait to get to our meetings,” she said. Troughton teaches 4-H members in grades five through eight. “Food safety is the top priority in our classes,” she said. “We learn about using knives safely, healthy cooking, and safe food preparation,” she added. She added that her class is eager to learn and that they are all planning on participating in the Colusa County Fair entry events. “It is fun watching these kids learn,” she added. Troughton was in 4-H as a child, but she was also involved in Future
Visit Kim at her Maxwell location at the corner of Oak & San Francisco Streets.
OPINION
This town becomes most beautiful at night.
8
This town becomes most beautiful at night. Which is interesting, because night is usually when she sleeps. I often go walking through peaceful downtown late at night, long after dark has fallen, and simply bathe myself in the orange glow of the street lamps lining the main street. The neon marquis of the theater has shut down for the evening and has given way to the lesser lights that surround. And only the main street is lit up. As I walk in any direction away, I come across the dull glow of more sparse street lamps lining the residential districts, beacons amidst the reigning dark. The night grows even further when I reach the riverside levee, running along the town’s northern border and holding back the deceptively idle rush of water that bends along the town, turning briefly east before resuming its slow run south, toward the bay. The cool of evening is met there; the moisture in the air never more evident than by such a large body of water. Cars rarely make their way through the town this late at night, so all I can hear as I walk is my own footsteps, slowly crunching across the gravel of the levee road or padding quietly down pavement or grass. This noise is backed subtly by the silent noises of night—animals barking or mewing, wind or smaller breezes whisking by, even crickets or frogs uttering their praise of the evening in this small town. The thing that makes a town a town—the people living in it— are absent, for the most part. The town is essentially asleep by 10 o’clock, the exceptions being the late night fluorescent hum of bars, soaked in alcohol to drown away whatever cares those who would dare to be up that late would have—those who have no other coping mechanism… like walking… And as I make my way past the pretty downtown lights, the cool flowing river, the silent houses and the neon bars, it does occur to me just how lovely this place is: a small town where, when they are awake, everyone knows your name. But I find the setting sun rather appropriate: most nights it seems the sun has set on me in this place. Time has stretched
WILLIAM HENNESSY SPECIAL TO UNITED
OPINION
this sky thin, and the sun can only preside over it for so long. These are my days—spent as a young man whose tenure here has lasted more than a decade now, approaching the end of the second. This town is populated by the young and the old, children growing up in a safe place and those whose busy lives needed winding down someplace quiet. For the restless in-between, however, life can often be like these late-night streets: empty, without a soul around. It occurs between flashes of light and dark; segments lit by a dim orange glow and then residually shaded by the flood of shadow that thrives without the sun. But when the sun sets somewhere, it rises somewhere else. Each place has its own day and season. The sun has set here for a reason: it has to move elsewhere. A new day is beginning in a new place, somewhere that can flourish in its day. And as the sun moves to a new day in a new place, the soul must wander to new places and new days. Though the night may be beautiful, the day is where the sun is. And perhaps—who knows? Like the sun, one may find themselves coming full circle—to the place where they began, perhaps, and finish the journey under the sun, in a place renewed like morning after the long, cold night. But for now, there is only the orange glow of downtown light, a place beautiful if dark, meaningful if dim and faded. It is what it is, and was what it was. And will be what it will be. And, as always, it will probably be most beautiful at night.
DON’T FORGET: United news GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION MAY 18TH, 2009 @6:30 430 Market Street, Colusa
WFAC Turns 3 years old
SPANISH
ENGLISH
The Williams Family Action Center turned three years old on April 18 and this is a perfect time to acquaint you with the Family Action Centers—your local Family Resource Agencies. With the vision and support of First 5 Colusa, the Arbuckle Family Action Center opened its doors in 2002. This was done with Proposition 10 funding—a “Tobacco tax.” The Arbuckle and Williams Family Action Centers joined to become a nonprofit organization in November of 2007—The Family Action Centers of Colusa County. Although they are now a non-profit organization, the centers, and programs, rely heavily on First 5 Colusa funding. Both centers offer a variety of free services and classes. The classes consist of Kids Academy—a School Readiness program, ESL class, GED class, Computer class, Parenting Class, and Nutrition Class. On site child supervision is provided for the adult education classes. Along with these services, health application assistance, referrals to other county agencies and other services are also provided.
The Family Action Centers seek to help children and families in a variety of areas. They provide assistance in job applications, resumes, passports, translation, college applications, travel reservations, and much more. Thanks to additional funding from Colusa Community Foundation and private donations, they are able to offer an after school program. As their slogan states, “We are here for you . . . the community, the centers dedicated and caring staff strive to meet as many needs in the community as possible. The Arbuckle Family Action Center is located at 812 King Street; and the phone number is 476-0822. The Williams Family Action Center is located at 901 E Street (in the Williams Branch Library building) and the phone number is 473-5400. If there is something your children or family needs, and you do not know where to turn, contact either center, and they will do their best to see the need fulfilled.
El Centro de Acción de Familia de Williams cumplio tres años el 18 de Abril y este es un tiempo perfecto para informarle sobre los Centros de Acción de Familia — sus Agencias de Recurso de Familia locales. Con la visión y el apoyo de Los Primeros 5 de Colusa, el Centro de Acción de Familia de Arbuckle abrió sus puertas en el 2002. Este fue hecho con la financiación de Proposición 10 -“impuesto de Tabaco.” Los dos Centros Arbuckle y Williams se afiliaron para hacerse una organización no lucrativa en Noviembre de 2007 — Los Centros de Acción de Familia del Condado de Colusa. Aunque ellos sean ahora una organización no lucrativa, los centros, y programas, confían fuertemente en el apoyo de Los Primeros 5 de Colusa. Tanto los centros ofrecen una variedad de servicios libres y clases. Las clases de Academia de Niños consisten el programa de Preparación de Escuela, clase de ESL, clase de GED, clase de Computadora, Clase de Crianza de los hijos, y Clase de Nutrición. En el sitio la supervisión de niños es proporcionada para las clases de educación de adultos. Junto con estos servicios, la ayuda de aplicación de salud, remisiones a otras agencias del condado y otros servicios también son proporcionadas. Los Centros de Acción de Familia procuran ayudar a niños y familias en una variedad de áreas. Ellos proporcionan la ayuda en solicitudes de empleo, curriculums vitae, pasaportes, traducción, aplicaciones de colegio, reservaciones de viajes, y mucho más. Gracias a la financiación adicional de Fundación de Comunidad de Colusa y donaciones privadas, ellos son capaces de ofrecer un programa de después de escuela. Como sus estados de lema, “estamos aquí para usted... la comunidad, los centros y el personal dedicado y humanitario se esfuerza por encontrar necesidades en la comunidad. El Centro de Acción de Familia de Arbuckle es localizado en 812 Calle King; y número de teléfono es 476-0822. El Centro de Acción de Familia de Williams es localizado en 901 Calle E (en el edificio de Biblioteca de Williams) y número de teléfono es 473-5400. Si hay algo que sus niños o familia necesiten y usted no sabe a donde recurrir, póngase en contacto con el uno o el otro centro, y ellos harán todo lo posible para ver la necesidad realizada.
I Care Cards
Breast Cancer Greeting Cards Designed by Kim R. Davis & Marion C. Mathis
Breast cancer greeting cards especially designed in packs of five with matching envelopes to tell that someone special that they are in your thoughts. Each pack includes a card for diagnosis, surgery, treatment and recovery. There is also a blank card to personalize your own special message. To order, please visit us online at
www.icarecards.net
BY VANESSA MENDOZA SPECIAL TO UNITED
Community
Colusa County One-Stop Career Resource Center Your Workforce Connection
Let us connect you with: The Right Employee
• Resume Assistance • Employee Recruitment & Screening • Internet Job Announcements • Customized Training • Supplemented Payments to Train Employees
The Right Job
• Labor Market Information • Job Placement Assistance • Skills Upgrading • Internet Job Search
Colusa1Stop.org Connect With......
Colusa One-Stop 144/146 Market Street (530) 458-0326 Fax: (530) 458-0335 Preparadora de Impuestos & Consultante de Emigracion
Business Consulting & Grant Writing
Luz Robles
Te puedo ayudar en rembolsos rapidos, traducciones y formas para el INS 2967 Davison Court, STE C Colusa, CA 95932 (530) 458-4222 bfelt@economicoutreach.com cwhite@economicoutreach.com
Porfavor de hacer cita llamando al (530) 437-2239 480 Poundstone Street Grimes California
ECONOMICS
I guess by now, everyone has heard of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aka the Stimulus Plan. If you haven’t heard about it, then you will probably benefit the most from it. Anyway for those who have not heard, the Federal Government is going to correct the flaws within the free-marketsystem by strategically injecting $787 Billion dollars into the economy. Personally, I would prefer that they leave the freemarket-system alone but that’s another story.
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When I first heard of the Reinvestment Act, I thought the Feds were going to invest all of the money into our country’s infrastructure needs. Granted that wouldn’t put millions of people to work, because we don’t use picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows any more. But, it would have been a worthwhile expenditure of our tax dollars. Everyone knows we need road improvements, bridges, sewer and water treatment facilities, water storage, dams and levees repaired, and maybe throw in a couple of nuclear generators. After all, it’s only been 50 and 80 years since most of the original work was done, and if we redo it now we might have the debt paid off in 80 years. To put the magnitude of the infrastructure problem into proper perspective, California alone needs $500 Billion to repair and update its public facilities infrastructure. I wonder how much money it would cost to cover the deferred maintenance on our public infrastructure throughout the rest of the United States. What I was leading into was the need to create public-private partnerships that would finance and construct these public infrastructure projects. This will be discussed in next month’s column. For additional information please call Lynda Reynolds, your volunteer CCEDC executive director at 530-458-3028. By CCEDC member Ben Felt
ORGANIZATIONS
THE NORTH VALLEY HISPANIC CHAMBER
BY JACK LEVINE SPECIAL TO UNITED
EDC Insight
BY BEN FELT SPECIAL TO UNITED
LOCAL ECOMONY
The North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NVHCC) started in August, 2008. Toni Fresquez and Angel Diaz, members of the Alliance for Hispanic Advancement began discussing Toni’s dream of having a local Hispanic Chamber. Angel had experience with a Hispanic Chamber in Portland, Oregon. Toni felt that her “angel” had come! The name of North Valley was chosen in anticipation of becoming a hub with chapters in a 50 mile radius around Yuba City. Our shared hub will have a larger membership to support the mission: “The NVHCC is dedicated to working with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic-owned businesses in the North Valley.” An Inauguration Dinner was held in September, 2008, with a disc jockey and professional singer Juan Villagrana, and raffle prizes. It was well attended and demonstrated there is positive support and acceptance for the Hispanic Chamber. The Hispanic population and growth of businesses has been steadily increasing throughout our communities. It is our goal to be integral to this growth and promote new business development. We will have piñata breakings to welcome our member owned businesses, have mixers, fund raisers, meetings with political and community leaders, and connections with the Small Business Development Center and the Economic Development Corporation. The NVHCC is setting up an office in the Habitat for Humanity building at 330 9th St. in Marysville. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at our office site. Business owners, persons thinking of starting a new business and interested persons who would like to join our Chamber are invited. Contact Toni Fresquez at 530-671-8169 or Angel Diaz at 530-415-1606.
Colusa County Economic Development Corporation is the “Front Door to the Community”
Show your support for your community businesses by becoming a member of the Colusa County EDC. Together we can insure the expansion and retention of the Colusa County businesses we already have while preparing for the economic turn-around in the future. Together we can support one another and our local governments (City Councils and County Supervisors) to see us through these times. We are able to provide Grant searches and assist with business development. For More Information Contact
Colusa County EDC at 2963 Davison Court PO Box 1077 Colusa, CA 95932 (530) 458-3028
Many of us who reside in the Lower Sacramento Valley enjoy the lifestyle associated with rural living. The lack of traffic, industrialization, crowds and other factors of urban living are things we value. These are the positive aspects of rural living and cause an idealistic vision in most city-dwellers minds. As wonderful as living in Colusa, Sutter or Yuba can be, however, there is a downside to the experience. Consider: The current state and national unemployment numbers that are creating hysteria. With national figures approaching double-digits many communities are experiencing a situation we constantly live with. The long-term unemployment rate for Colusa is often the highest in the state, sometimes approaching 30 %. Sutter and Yuba Counties are consistently among the highest unemployment areas. We would welcome the comparatively low national unemployment rate. The reason for our high rates: a heavy dependency on agriculture and a very narrow economic base. Household per capita income. Those precious few jobs that we do have are relatively lower paying. The per capita household income in the local area is approximately 75 % of the state average. Services and supplies. Many of the lower Sacramento Valley residents cannot obtain necessary services or supplies in their communities, owing to limited consumers. This is especially true of Colusa, where only the most basic goods and services are available. Rural residents spend a lot of time in the SUV commuting to out-of-town suppliers. Medical services. Although we have some of the finest medical care available, the reality is the ratio of doctors to residents in Colusa is about 25 % of the state average. We lack many specialists or stateof-the-art equipment and are forced to go to major metropolitan areas for specialty medical attention. In spite of these challenges, rural residents happily endure them to be part of the countryside. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
YOUTH CAREER CONFERENCE 2009
SUBMITTED TO UNITED NEWS
Country Living has its Drawbacks
BY MIKE MURRAY SPECIAL TO UNITED
LOCAL ECOMONY
Colusa, CA. — Approximately 225 students from 5 high schools in Colusa County will have the opportunity to attend a career conference coordinated and sponsored by the Colusa County One Stop, Cal SOAP Program. This exciting event will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Colusa County Fairgrounds. The conference offers a unique opportunity for Colusa County high school students to gain a better understanding of professions. Students will have the chance to visit representatives from career fields of their interest. The day will start off with an inspirational message entitled “Dreams vs. Jobs” from keynote speaker, Keith Hawkins of Real Inspirations Inc. Then after a short snack break students will break off into three, thirty minute sessions where they will get information from educational programs and employers in the fields of their choice. Career options will include Architecture, Arts, Business, Communication, Construction, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Finance, Government, Health Services, Human Services, Manufacturing, Military, Natural Resources, Technology and Transportation. Each breakout session gives presenters an opportunity to discuss with students different aspects of working in their career field and what the training program entails. They will be coordinated with respective college programs or vocational schools where students will learn about the education process of that career path.
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Grand Opening Piñata Breaking Celebration come and meet our writing staff, tour our facility and celebrate with us the success of our local news magazine. Hosted by The Luis Barrera Design Studio in collaboration with The North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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The conference will finish off its day with a catered lunch served by Big Mama’s and two mini presentations on financial aid opportunities. For more information call 530.458.0326
La Plazita
COLUSA INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTIES
Mexican Bakery • Tortilla Factory
Donations Appreciated • Colusa County Breast Cancer Fund • Colusa Mural Project Fund • Lenard Green Sr Scholarship Fund • Eddie Johnson’s Heart Disease Fund
Serving Colusa County & Northstate Agri-Business 50 SUNRISE BOULEVARD COLUSA, CA 95932 (530) 458-2118 - Fax: (530) 458-2110 Email: ehulbert@cipcorp.com
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Telephone
530.476.3885
Post Office Box 871 Arbuckle, California 95912 www.communityfoundationcolusacounty.org Respect the past • enRich the futuRe • staRt today
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787 Plumas Street Yuba City, CA 95991
Phone: (530) 671-5590 Fax: (530) 671-2435 Juan & Debbie Porcayo Owners Monday to Friday 9:30am - 7:00pm Saturday 8:30-3:00pm Closed on Sundays
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Junior Olympic Bout Womens Bout $15 Reserved $25 Preferred
Celebrity Autographs
5:30pm to 6pm In Jack’s Lounge
Tony “The Tiger” Lopez
Richard “Mr. K.O.” Savala
Buy your tickets now at the Colusa Casino resort Box Office or starTicketsPlus.com
10 Fights
May 14th at 7PM Doors Open at 6PM
Headliner
Fielding West, magician, actor & comedian has the rare and impeccable sense of comedic timing that has landed him the opening spot for such A-list celebrities as Liza Minelli, Glen Campbell and dozens more.
Fielding West
Club
9pm-1am Free Freewith withRewards Rewards Club ClubCard Card
also featuring
Susan Rice
Buy your tickets now at the Colusa Casino Resort Box Office or StarTicketsPlus.com
Tickets Only $10
May 1st & 15th June 5th & 19th
$5 Cover
For over 25 years Susan has been performing for audiences young and old. The Oregonian calls Rice a "Must see comic,” "Susan brings all the elements of that one relative that use to make you laugh till you cried.
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530-458-8844 We’re easy to find! On Hwy 45, Just 3 miles North of Colusa www.colusacasino.com Management Reserves all Rights © 2009