MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
NOVEMBER 2020
Manager of Engineering and Operations Jerry Hardy, center, with Substation Technician Matthew Howell, left, and Substation Technician Apprentice Omar Becerra, in front of the new Longtin Substation.
November 2020 • Volume 55, No. 6
ANZA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Sherri Stafford
ARIZONA’S GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION COOPERATIVES
Geoff Oldfather
DUNCAN VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Steven Lunt
ELECTRICAL DISTRICT NO. 2
Roselyn Bever
GRAHAM COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Diane Junion
MOHAVE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Peggy Gillman
EDITOR
Mike Teegarden, CCC
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Dateline: Lassen County, California. Threat: Raging wildfires. Mission: To lend a helping hand. Result: Beyond anything imagined.
“Everything was crazy,” says Johnnie, who was inspired by childhood memories of neighbors helping neighbors.
By the time the smoke had cleared on two big wildfires, he reflected: “I started a Facebook group to get info out, and then I am evacuating pigs.”
Between launching a Facebook group to share vital updates and organizing volunteers to rescue livestock and protect homes is the story of how one good deed—and plenty of willing hands— can bring an entire community together and swiftly spread.
See our Up Close feature on page 10 for the details, along with a related a story on how Cowboy 911—which also started as a Facebook group—has evolved into a worldwide movement that rescues animals displaced by disaster.
This issue’s main feature is about another group of helpers who take in pets so abused women can seek shelter without worrying about the safety of their animals.
Ed and Bonnie Cunningham of Brewster, Washington, wrote in to share their appreciation for the firefighters, community helpers, linemen and countless others who were there when disaster struck.
The couple could hardly believe how quickly burned poles and a power line to their house were replaced. The Cunninghams said the Nespelem Valley Electric Cooperative line crews worked under portable lights at night to get the power back on.
To all the helpers this past fire season, they said: “Thank you for the hard work, for the long hours you put in, the poor working conditions you endured, and the kind words and positive attitude you shared. There are truly heroes among us.”
In a month of counting blessings and honoring those who serve, let’s be sure to give a virtual hug or elbow bump to the special helpers in our lives.
Leon Espinoza Vice President of Content
Facebook group brings community together during multiple wildfires
Heroes Among Us, Page 10
Safe Haven cares for pets of women in dangerous situations
Heroes Among Us, Page 12
At Mohave Electric, we know you count on us to make sure the power is there when you flip the switch, and we work hard every day to make that happen. However, outages happen, and we understand they often occur during inopportune moments.
While outages can be caused by many things, they most often are caused by natural elements.
MEC’s top three outage causes are storms, animals and vehicle incidents. Whether that is a downed tree, something stuck on the line due to storms, birds or rodents, or a vehicle contacting electric facilities, MEC works around the clock to ensure our members have power restored as quickly as possible.
Human error, such as balloons encountering power lines or digging through underground power equipment, can also lead to power outages.
Sometimes power is out for a few minutes. Other times, power is out for hours.
Short or momentary power outages can be caused by a power line protection device, known as a recloser, trying to clear the power line of debris by momentarily opening and closing the power circuit. Doing so allows objects the opportunity to clear from the power line during the pause in
electrical flow. Substation equipment and power line protection devices are programmed to try to self-clear before direct intervention from an MEC crew is needed. If the protection system successfully clears the line, power to members is quickly restored, and a power interruption is avoided.
Calling 844-MEC-COOP (844-632-2667) is a fast way to report an outage and is most effective when members use the outage-reporting number from a phone number listed on your Mohave Electric account.
When using the outage hotline, please report any information that may help crews pinpoint the trouble location. That could be an address where a tree is on the line or the location of a vehicle accident that involves a power pole.
You also can report a power outage by logging on to your SmartHub account or with the SmartHub app.
The newest way to report an outage is through our text option. Text “outage” to 55050 from a mobile number listed on your account, and your outage will be logged into our system.
When an outage is reported,
our outage management system directs the information to MEC field crews. Crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
MEC has operations facilities in Bullhead City, which serve Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley, Golden Shores and Topock. MEC also has an operations facility in Kingman, which serves areas near Kingman, Valle Vista, Hackberry, Truxton, Peach Springs and Wikieup.
In addition to being on call 24/7, we have crew members scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the winter and 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the summer, ready to respond to any power emergency.
Restoring power during normal operation hours can be relatively simple, depending on the cause. An operations supervisor learns of an outage from our outage management system and locates the closest crew. The supervisor gives the crew information about an outage to ensure it has the correct equipment. Obtaining the proper equipment and preparing the crew typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the necessary equipment.
Once the crew is on site, the outage restoration time depends on the intensity of the damage. It is difficult to put an exact restoration time on outages
since each situation is different. Outages that occur after hours are handled slightly differently. Crews must live within a 30-minute commute of their operations facility in both our eastern and western regions. This creates a baseline response time before arriving on an outage scene. Crew trucks stay stocked with common materials needed to fix most outages. However, a response may take longer when critical equipment is required.
At times, crews will handle an issue and realize specialty parts and tools are needed, which requires them to return to the operations center to appropriately stock up and head back out to address the issue.
No matter the complexity of a power outage, MEC treats every outage with the same quality of work and sense of urgency. We assure our members we are continually learning and adapting to emergency power situations so power can be restored as safely and quickly as possible.
We understand the importance of power and how it affects our members. We do all we can to reduce outages by keeping lines clear of trees, offering tree-trimming programs, updating operating systems and continuing to train our staff to promptly handle diverse situations.
Some outages originate outside of MEC’s system. Power is provided to MEC from different power providers and may travel long distances over lines that can also be damaged
before it reaches an MECowned substation.
If the transmission provider’s system is damaged, power outages can last significantly longer due to multiple organizations responding to the situation.
MEC tries to be the responding crew and help our providers restore power when the trouble is within or near our service area.
Since power generation and transmission take place outside the MEC system,
MEC does not always have the opportunity to participate in the repair. It can take additional time for transmission outages to be addressed, depending on how far transmission crews are from the issue.
The Mohave Electric Board of Directors and management are committed to an ongoing program of reliability and improvements. MEC continuously looks for ways to improve reliability to our members, whether that means improving our electric system, using our tree vegetation management program, continuing to refine our wildlife protection and mitigation programs, or adding needed substations to improve power reliability to our members.
Read more about substation additions on page 8. MEC works hard to live up to the expectations of our members, and we continually strive to demonstrate the integrity of being a cooperative. n
By Brenden Delzer
Around the holidays, one of my favorite traditions is to watch as many Christmas movies as time allows. From classics like “A Christmas Story” to modern hits like “Elf,” nothing beats cozying up on the couch with a warm mug of hot cocoa to enjoy a feel-good story. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a comedy classic about the Griswolds and their quest for a “fun old-fashioned family Christmas.” Written by John Hughes, the film follows the hilarious—albeit dangerous—antics of bumbling father Clark Griswold, whose dedication to having a good family holiday blurs common sense. Here are lessons on safety and efficiency we can glean from Clark’s mistakes.
Clark’s mission to dazzle—and antagonize—the neighborhood with an incredible display of “25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights” is admirable, but rife with dangers.
When putting up lights that have been in storage, make sure cords aren’t frayed or damaged. Strings of lights bundled up in storage year after year may need to be retired. If they do need replacing, opt for energy-efficient options such as LED bulbs.
If you’re using a ladder to put up lights, keep safety in mind. Make sure a friend or family member spots you. Never decorate alone when using a ladder. Never replicate Clark’s blunder of “hopping” while still on a ladder to relocate positions. After you finish stringing up a section of lights, climb down the ladder and safely move it to the next location.
Never use a stapler, nails or screws to hang electrical wires. Use insulated hooks and clips to prevent injury and keep your home safe.
One of the film’s most recognizable scenes is when Clark’s wife, Ellen, searches through a treacherous mound of extenders and cords to find and fix a loose plug.
Avoid Clark’s mistake. Use only the available number of plugs on an outlet, extension cord or power strip. Never plug extenders into other extenders or power strips because it can overload them. Overloaded strips generate heat and pose a huge fire hazard.
Outdoor lights can run hotter than indoor lights, so make sure to use the proper string of lights for each location. Plug cords into a ground-fault circuit interrupter so power is quickly shut off in the event of a problem, preventing an electrical shock.
Don’t be like Clark and let your awesome Christmas light display annoy your neighbors all night. Use timers on lights to save money and prevent energy waste while you dream of sugar plums.
Clark’s heart is in the right place. A well-decorated Christmas tree lends the ideal backdrop for holiday memories.
In the beginning of the film, the Griswolds head to a tree farm for the perfect centerpiece for their family Christmas. Live trees require a lot of water to prevent them from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. As we discover later in the film, dried-out live trees ignite easily. Keep all flames and heat sources far from indoor trees and decorations.
The flash-fire in the Griswolds’ living room might have been a funny gag for film, but there’s real risk off camera. Fires that start with Christmas trees can lead to death, serious injury and property damage.
A general rule for decorating with strings of lights is to limit the strands to three per outlet. Connecting more than three strings can lead to blown fuses and a fire hazard.
Don’t let your furry friend end up like the Griswolds’ poor cat, Fluffy, who unfortunately combusted under a couch after chewing on wires. Low-hanging strands are dangerously within nibbling distance, and pets can also get tangled in lights. Keep strands of lights away from the bottom branches of your tree and out of reach of pets.
Near the start of the movie, Cousin Eddie drains his RV waste right into the storm sewage. His mistake ultimately comes to a head after a cigar is lit outside during a bizarre and hysterical finale, but dangerous gases are a serious real-life hazard.
In addition to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors can protect you and your family. Replace batteries in all detectors twice a year and test them regularly.
During the movie, Clark often finds respite from the holiday
madness in the attic. Even though he is wearing pajamas, Clark finds the attic cold when stashing away Christmas gifts. Sealing air leaks and installing proper insulation can prevent heat loss through the attic. Keep your home warm and save money on your winter electric bills.
“And
After the series of hilarious, but dangerous, events faced by the Griswolds, Clark comes to the heartwarming conclusion Christmas isn’t about “bonuses or gifts or turkeys or trees.” Spending time with family and loved ones—even if they inadvertently spark an explosion that causes a Santa decoration on the front lawn to blast into space while Aunt Bethany sings “The Star-Spangled-Banner” from the porch—is what matters most during the holidays.
Hopefully, lessons learned from this classic holiday film keep your family and home safe for Christmas movie-viewing. n
SmartHub. What is it? Why do I need it? What can I gain from using it?
These are all questions Mohave Electric Cooperative members might be asking as they hear more about our SmartHub app.
MEC’s SmartHub app gives members quality information right at their fingertips. SmartHub can be downloaded and used on Android or Apple devices. Some key features offered on SmartHub include power use charts, bill pay, outage notifications and an outage reporting system.
One of the best features SmartHub offers is the ability to display members’ energy use. Members can compare their use by week, billing period and year. This is a great tool for adhering to an energy budget and becoming aware of day-to-day consumption.
MEC wants members to have total transparency when it comes to billing, and one of the best ways for members to control their bill is to control their consumption. By having the ability to see daily use, members can adjust their thermostat by a few degrees, turn off unneeded lights and lock in a power-use plan that works best for them.
One feature MEC is excited about is the ability to report an outage directly through the user-friendly app. Simply work your way through the prompted questions to
report an outage and keep MEC informed in a matter of minutes.
Another great SmartHub feature is the notifications center. It’s easy to set up notifications. You also can call our member service representatives for help.
If that is not enough to get you signed up for SmartHub, don’t forget about the ability to pay your bill through the app. You can pay your bill, look at past bills and compare monthly statements right at your fingertips. No need to log on to a computer when everything is offered on your phone.
We urge all MEC members to take advantage of SmartHub. We are always available to help members download, understand and use the app to its fullest potential. Please call 928-763-1100 for more information regarding SmartHub. n
A Lassen County Facebook group brought a community together during a pair of fires
By Victoria Hampton
Community connections can come when least expected. Through the destruction and loss brought by wildfires in Lassen County, California, glimmers of hope came in the form of local citizens banding together to support one another.
Johnnie Taylor Jr. has lived in Susanville, California, for seven years. In the city of roughly 15,000 people, Johnnie missed the community connection he had where he grew up, in Lemoore, California. There, when anyone needed help, people were ready.
During this summer’s wildfires, Johnnie saw a way to help. In mid-July, the Hog Fire sparked in Lassen County. As the fire expanded in late July, Johnnie started the Facebook group
now known as Lassen County Fires Community Concerns and Information.
“There wasn’t enough information out there about what was going on, and people didn’t know where to get it,” Johnnie says. “People were really dependent on me giving them updated info in the group.”
The Facebook group took off as the Hog Fire inched closer to neighborhoods outside of Susanville, Johnnie says, eventually surpassing the 4,000-member mark.
Johnnie uploaded fire maps and used Google Earth to measure how far the fire was from people’s homes.
The Hog Fire—which burned roughly 9,500 acres—was contained in mid-August. A few weeks later, the larger Sheep Fire threatened people’s homes. This fire—which would burn roughly 29,500 acres—sparked its own demands for community support.
“I felt I wasn’t doing enough with the group,” Johnnie says. “We started letting people know to give us a call if they wanted to do structural protection around homes.”
Johnnie gathered a group of volunteers to clear flammable
THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE
RIGHT: Cowboy 911 evacuates livestock, including cows, during fires and other emergencies. PHOTO COURTESY OF COWBOY 911
materials—such as dry grass and pine needles—to create a defensive barrier around homes. The group made barriers around a dozen homes in the wildfire’s path.
As the fire grew, the demand shifted from defending structures to rescuing people and animals. Volunteers broke into separate groups to help evacuate horses, birds, dogs, cats and even some pigs. Volunteers monitored the Facebook group to help dispatch requests and continue posting fire updates.
“Everything was crazy,” Johnnie says. “I started a Facebook group to get info out, and then I am evacuating pigs.”
While working in an evacuation area in Janesville, one member of the volunteer team, Jeremy Paul, insisted on doing one more trip up and down the road. Thanks to a tip from a neighbor, the volunteer group arrived at the home of an 80-year-old woman with a horse, birds and cats. The volunteer group helped her settle into emergency housing at Lassen Community College and helped take care of the animals.
During their fire rescue efforts and with the community’s help, the group evacuated 150 animals. A local gaming shop, Highway to the Gaming Zone in Susanville, temporarily housed birds and cats in its back areas. Locals such as Rita Luallen—who runs Hooves and Angels Inc., a horse rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit—took in large livestock such as horses and pigs.
“It was the first time I had met her,” Johnnie says. “She was a big help.”
The Sheep Fire was contained the second week of September. Once evacuation orders were lifted, volunteers helped return animals to their homes.
The sense of community this group of volunteers created has stuck with Johnnie.
“It was a good feeling inside to meet other people who wanted to help,” Johnnie says. “It made me feel like I was back at home.” n
Whether they are large or small, rescuing animals is no easy feat. Even a flat tire on a trailer full of livestock can spell disaster. Cowboy 911 started as a Facebook group in 2018, creating a network of farmers and ranchers to evacuate and house animals displaced by disaster, and to help in other times of need. The group now has more than 43,000 members from around the country, and has helped citizens start chapters in California, Texas, Oregon and even Australia.
“Our goal was to create a system that relieves the chaos in emergencies,” says Jill Pierre, Cowboy 911 president.
Local chapters are equipped with tools to create a disaster management plan for animals. Steps include completing Federal Emergency Management Agency training, creating legal agreements with local government agencies to provide emergency assistance and establishing multiple evacuation sites.
“When an emergency happens, hopefully we will already have the chapter set up and local agencies know we’re there to help,” Jill says.
Donations made to Cowboy 911 help disaster relief efforts of local chapters and communities in need. Hooves and Angels Inc., a horse rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit near Susanville, California, received a donation from Cowboy 911 when housing animals evacuated during the Sheep Fire.
“We may not know each other, but we’re all good people,” Jill says. “There is a major amount of comfort in knowing that you always have someone there to help.”
Learn more about Cowboy 911 at cowboy911.org or in the Facebook group, The Real Cowboy 911.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of Ruralite magazine, spotlights Heroes Among Us each month, sharing the unique stories of volunteers and difference-makers in communities across the Northwest and West. The series, which seeks to inspire community involvement, receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust—a private nonprofit foundation serving nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis, www.awaic.org, provides domestic violence safe shelter and intervention. It is a conduit to Safe Haven through a 24-hour crisis line: 907-272-0100.
According to the Domestic Shelters national database, 25 organizations in Alaska provide domestic violence services in 22 cities. For a list of resources throughout the U.S. and Canada, visit www.domesticshelters.org/help.
State residents may donate a portion of their Alaska Permanent Fund dividend in $25 increments at www.pickclickgive.org.
By Dave LaBelle
The words are chilling: “My husband just killed my dog.”
Nationwide, women are raped, beaten and killed, sometimes staying in dangerous environments because a spouse has threatened to kill their dog if they leave.
A program in Anchorage, Alaska, offers hope for women and their pets.
Founded in 2004, Safe Haven provides foster care for pets rescued from domestic abuse environments. Safe Haven is a partnership among several nonprofit organizations, including Friends of Pets, Leadership Anchorage and Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis, which provides shelter and intervention for domestic violence victims.
Michele Girault, one of the founders of Safe Haven, has volunteered with the project since its inception, and with Friends of Pets since 1990. Before that, she rescued pets on her own.
Michele is AWAIC’s primary point of contact, arranging for the pet to have a safe setting, and coordinating visitation between the family and pet.
“That is just so important in the mental well-being of those we serve,” says AWAIC Executive Director Susie Pearson. “Michele has the biggest heart I have ever seen, and is truly, truly dedicated to ensuring the safety of animals.”
A positive woman who laughs easily, Michele is modest about her decades of service, pointing to hundreds of other caring people who contribute to the effort.
“Our fame in statistics is we have the highest per capita of domestic violence, the highest per capita of child abuse, the highest per capita of rape and assault,” Michele says. “We recognized if we could help women escape domestic violence and reduce one barrier—of where does that pet go that they love so much—that that could help people get out of domestic violence.”
Michele’s volunteer work fits around her
full-time job of 36 years as CEO of a nonprofit that supports people with disabilities, Workforce Development and Organizational Wellness at Hope Community Resources.
“These are my two paths of passion,” Michele says of her life spent supporting humans and animals. “They all connect.”
Friends of Pets partnered with the Humane Society of the United States, hosting workshops that brought together people from animal welfare, law enforcement and social work—the disciplines that work with those dealing with domestic violence.
“One of the things they talked about is how a pattern of violence often starts with the animal, and how children talking about what a parent or caregiver is doing to their pet can be an indicator of violence in the home,” Michele says. “There is a lot of research that shows that often pets are used as a threat. I have been witness to that. People have literally called Friends of Pets and said, ‘My husband killed my dog, or is threatening to kill my dog and I need to get it out of the house.’ It’s very disturbing.”
Imagine racing to escape an abusive, lifethreatening environment, leaving behind a beloved pet. Do you return to save your dog, knowing you might die, or do you live with the guilt? Do you stay because your abuser has threated to kill your dog if you leave?
“Trying to get children and family out of a home where there is violence is terribly scary, and pets are just as affected as humans when we are talking about violence in the home,” Susie says. “That pet is such an important part of the recovery process for the victims involved. We don’t want to have long-term separation between the victims and their pets.”
When Safe Haven gets a call from AWAIC, a volunteer retrieves the animal and finds a foster home. Sometimes, the pet is rescued with the help of law enforcement. The first stop for rescued pets is usually
Michele has a heart for animals. She adopted these two dogs, but has an agreement with her husband to find other homes for future dogs she helps rescue.
the vet, since some animals have sustained injury or are not vaccinated, Michele says. Safe Haven also covers the cost of neuter/ spay services. Alhough most rescued pets are dogs or cats, Safe Haven has retrieved turtles, a rabbit and birds.
Safe Haven operates without fanfare. The secret society is bent on doing good through a carefully organized system designed to protect the safety of the people fostering the pets and all who are involved.
“It’s very much a private collaboration due to the confidentiality,” Susie says. “People know that we assist in taking our project pets in, they just don’t know how we do it.”
Michele says she has never met any of the abused women.
“Their confidentiality is maintained, as is ours,” Michele says. “We don’t know the history, what the situation was. Our confidentiality is protected so that if there is somebody out there that could be dangerous, we’re safe as well. And the pet’s safe.
“Not even the women know where their pet has been taken. If they have visitation, we bring the animals back to the shelter to visit them.”
Michele says 90% of pets ultimately go back to their owners. The other 10% go to permanent homes.
“It is always kind of scary,” Michele says. “Is that woman going back to a situation where that animal is going to be in harm’s way again? We don’t know that.”
Michele believes the greatest hope for change in how people and animals are treated is education. She has worked for decades developing workshops and programs to increase awareness and sensitivity.
She recalls her early days of trying to convince prosecutors of the importance of following through on animal cruelty cases.
“Back in the ’90s, it was like, ‘What? We are not going to use our resources. It’s just a dog,’” Michele says. “There are a lot of statistics of serial killers that started with animals. It’s being aware of what’s the most vulnerable in the house. How you can use something to control?”
She says “just a dog” can become a kid, a woman, a murder victim.
“Let’s intervene now before it becomes a bigger issue,” Michele says.
During classroom presentations, kids have pulled Michele aside and told her of animal abuse in the home. She reports it to the school social worker.
“It’s an indicator to me that the child, if not now being harmed, is in harm’s way,” Michele says.
Animal cruelty cases are now prosecuted.
“It moved the dial on animal welfare consciousness in the community—that if you care for the most vulnerable in your community, that exudes to everyone in your community,” she says.
Although Safe Haven is only active in Anchorage, Michele says other communities have asked about how to set up a similar program.
“It’s quite a commitment,” she says. “You don’t have any way to plan. You don’t know when the pets are coming in, so you have to be available on a dime to go get that animal. I have been the one to do it. There are a few other volunteers who have been able to assist because you get called late, you get called early, you got to figure out the housing, etc.”
Michele encourages those interested in
“We recognized if we could help women escape domestic violence and reduce one barrier—of where does that pet go that they love so much—that that could help people get out of domestic violence.”
—MICHELE GIRAULT
setting up a program like Safe Haven to pursue a partnership.
“You have to have housing for the pets, either developing foster homes or using a boarding facility where you have access where the animal could be safe,” she says. “We are partnering with AWAIC. We are partnering with vets. We are partnering with other volunteers.
“There are national resources that will grant these kinds of programs.”
When Safe Haven was created, Michele says it was one of 15 of its type in the nation.
“That’s probably grown since 2004, but it’s not as widespread as it could be,” she says. “Some shelters are finding a path to put kennels or some kind of housing right on the campus, because I think that could be reducing stress for families to know ‘I can go touch my pet,’ and ‘I can go care for my pet right there.’”
Funding for Safe Haven comes mostly from private community donations, although the organization hosts fundraisers.
As a nonprofit, Safe Haven is eligible to receive residents’ donations of a portion of their Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, which are awarded to qualifying Alaskans from oil and gas industry revenues.
Through her years of picking up frightened animals, Michele says she has never been bitten, though she has had nervous times.
“There have been dogs that have been very scared and obviously have been traumatized,” she says. “I assure them they are going to a safe place where they will be fed
and housed and loved, and that it’s going to be OK.”
Michele says she believes the animals understand and feel her genuine love and care for them.
Alhough she doesn’t usually take animals to her home, Michele says there have been a few overnighters because she got called late. But she doesn’t keep them.
“That’s just an agreement I made with my husband,” she says. “He is very patient, but has asked for a reduction in the unknown visitors, so I’ve complied with that. We have a couple of permanent foster dogs now, but we’ve kind of maxed out. Through the years I’ve had a zillion dogs. It’s the casualty of loving animals.”
Protecting animals is innate for Michele.
“One of my co-workers was a founder of Friends of Pets,” she says. “At the time, I was just finding strays on the streets and trying to get them to where they needed to go.”
The co-worker invited Michele to join the organization. Her participation took off.
“You see a need and you try to reach out and make a difference,” she says. “Obviously, it’s a passion. I think it’s a small way to reduce the statistics of violence.
“A lot of people say, ‘I can’t ever go into animal control. I can’t look at those animals.’ I can do that. I can’t play the piano, but I can do that. We all have our skill sets. We just maximize them.
“I like to wake up and make the world a little bit better. I would love to move the dial so Alaska was a state where people were kind to each other.” n
X 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters report their batterer injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% report their children had hurt or killed animals.
X 25% to 40% of battered women don’t escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock.
X Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems and permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from the home.
X Abusers kill, harm or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse.
X Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet or to take out their aggressions on another victim.
X In one study, 70% of animal abusers had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused viewed the cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability.
X Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.
X 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family. For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort, providing strong emotional support.
X When animals are abused, people are at risk. Animal cruelty problems are people problems.
Source: Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis
ABOUT THE SERIES: Pioneer Utility Resources, publisher of Ruralite magazine, spotlights Heroes Among Us each month, sharing the unique stories of volunteers and difference-makers in communities across the Northwest and West. The series, which seeks to inspire community involvement, receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust—a private nonprofit foundation serving nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
1 tablespoon butter
1 green apple, chopped into 1-inch chunks
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted in a frying pan
1 pint fresh raspberries
1 small orange, peeled and chopped into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 baguette, sliced lengthwise and cut into 1½-inch diagonal pieces
8 ounces brie, thinly sliced
In a small saucepan, combine the butter, apple, cranberries and pine nuts. Gently sauté until apples are slightly tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the raspberries, orange, oil, salt and pepper. Mix gently. Place baguette slices open-face up on a large cookie sheet. Lay the brie slices over the bread, covering evenly. Broil the baguette slices on high until the cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Generously top with the fruit relish. Serve immediately.
Serves 4
Recipe by Chelsea Glanz
10-pound whole turkey, thawed
6 sprigs of fresh tarragon
2 limes, sliced into rounds
3 fresh sage leaves
1 cup ghee or butter
¾ teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 pickled or canned chipotle peppers, minced
½ cup toasted pine nuts
Gently separate the turkey skin from the breast, just enough to slide the tarragon sprigs, lime and sage leaves under the skin. Place the turkey in a shallow roasting pan. Melt the butter or ghee in a small saucepan with spices. Brush the turkey with the butter-spice mixture. Pat crushed garlic on top of the turkey and into creases. Place an ovenproof meat thermometer into the thick thigh of the turkey, ensuring the thermometer is not touching bone.
Roast the turkey at 350 F for 3 to 4 hours, basting occasionally with the remaining ghee or butter and spice mixture. After 2 hours of roasting, cover turkey with foil, ensuring foil does not touch the turkey. Finish roasting until the thermometer reads 165 F and drumsticks feel loose.
Let sit for 15 minutes. Carve and garnish with pine nuts and peppers.
Serves 6 to 8
Recipe by Chelsea Glanz
2 golden delicious (or similar) apples, peeled and cubed
2 teaspoons honey, divided
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of salt
10 ounces sweet potatoes, peeled and grated
½ teaspoon cardamom
¼ cup flour
1 egg, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
8 ounces sour cream
Place the apples in a small saucepan. Add cinnamon, dash of salt and half the honey. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat, covered, until the apple chunks become soft and mushy. Add more water as needed to prevent burning. Apples should resemble a chunky sauce. This process should take at least 30 minutes.
Mix the sweet potatoes, cardamom, flour, egg and ½ teaspoon salt. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until oil glazes over and is hot. Turn heat to medium-low. Add 1/8 to ¼ cup spoonfuls of the potato mixture to the pan, patting gently with a slotted spatula to flatten. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from heat. Drain excess oil using a rack or paper towels.
Serve hot with applesauce and sour cream.
Serves 4
Recipe by Chelsea Glanz
3 medium red potatoes
1 cup queso fresco, crumbled
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons white flour
Heat oven to 350 F.
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Dash cayenne pepper
1¼ cup whole milk or oat milk
1 tablespoon honey
Roasted jalapeño slices
Oil a 9-by-13 baking dish. Peel potatoes and slice thinly. Place a thick layer of potatoes over the bottom of the dish. Add an even layer of cheese. Layer remaining potato slices on top.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and peppers. Stir gently for about 5 minutes. Add flour, stirring continuously, until the mixture is smooth. Add the seasonings and stir to combine. Add the milk. Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes noticeably thicker. Remove from heat. Pour the sauce over the potatoes. Bake, uncovered, for about one hour, until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat and drizzle the honey over the top. Garnish with jalapeño slices.
Serves 4
Recipe by Chelsea Glanz
Small loaf white bread, preferably slightly crusty 1 tablespoon butter or ghee ¼ teaspoon vegetable oil
½ teaspoon Ras el Hanout seasoning (blend of nutmeg, salt, pepper, ginger, cardamom, mace, cinnamon, turmeric, allspice and saffron)
Heat oven to 350 F.
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon curry
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
½ yellow onion, diced
1 Roma tomato, diced
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup turkey or chicken broth
Slice bread into ½-inch cubes, to yield approximately 2 to 3 cups. Spread the cubes on a baking tray in a single layer. Combine butter and oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat. Add all spices and simmer for 1 minute. Add the celery and onion. Cook for 5 minutes until celery and onions soften. Add tomatoes, salt and honey. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the bread cubes to the saucepan, stirring until the cubes are evenly coated with the butter mixture. Remove from heat. Pour the broth over the stuffing mixture.
Scrape the stuffing out of the saucepan and into a well-greased baking dish. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes, until the top of the stuffing is crispy and golden. Serves 4
Recipe
I’m looking for buttons. Any color and size, but I’m avoiding plastic and neon colors. The old-fashioned glass, shell and metal are all good. Thank you.
Ria Shanon Smith 27861 Hunter Creek Road Gold Beach, OR 97444
I need old zinc canning jar lids for a project. I am looking for regular-size lids, any condition. Thank you.
Carol Lauritzen 801 O Ave. La Grande, OR 97850
I want to start a positive rock garden at my house. Do you paint rocks, have you found painted rocks or are you in a club that paints or hides rocks? I would love to receive some. Many thanks.
Rachel Osborne P.O. Box 945 Ponderay, Idaho 83852
Our father, Jepson, turns 100 years old on November 29. He would be so happy to receive a card or letter from readers anytime during November. Please help us help him celebrate becoming a centenarian. His address is: Jepson Lonnquist, 11875 Lonnquist Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Thanks so much.
Eve Lonnquist Birkenfeld, Oregon
My mother-in-law turns 90 years old on November. She is in an independent living facility, and with COVID-19 lockdowns, she is not able to get out and about. I
am hoping some of the readers would send her a birthday card to brighten up this birthday. Please send cards to: Ellen Madarus, 1560 Davidson St. SE, Apt. 223, Albany, OR 97322.
Maureen Madarus Lebanon, Oregon
Our mother turns 95 on November 28. She would be so excited to receive 95 cards. Thank you so much for your kindness. Please send cards to: Rachel Farnsworth, P.O. Box 545, Doyle, CA 96109.
Ruby Pourchot Doyle, California
My name is Kristi and I am 49. It’s an interesting age. I feel a strong need to look inward and prioritize. The social distancing due to COVID-19, has given me an opportunity to do so to an extreme. I’m curious what others experienced at age 49. What advice would you give your 49-yearold self? I would appreciate wisdom from anyone willing to share. I am not on social media, so this “old school” way of connecting through letters or email would make my soul happy. Thank you so much in advance.
Kristi Forsman 28929 Hamm Road Eugene, OR 97405 kristimichelleforsman@gmail.com
How can I ever thank all of you for the beautiful cards I received for my 90th birthday? It was so amazing and I shall never forget it. I wish I could send all of you individual thank yous, but it is
Please send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Please fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. When submitting a milestone request, please consider sending at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address. Request must include the name, address and name of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
impossible with over 660 cards. I so appreciate my daughter’s submission to Reader Exchange. It helped make my birthday memorable while my two daughters were unable to be with me to celebrate during the lockdown. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness. Blessings to all.
Betty Marlin Rockford, Illinois
The response to my request to send cards to my mother, Mayanna Kopp, for her 90th birthday went beyond my expectations. From July 6 to August 25, she was very surprised to receive 615 cards to celebrate her milestone birthday. She enjoyed all of them. On behalf of my siblings, and especially my mom, I extend heartfelt thanks to all who responded to my request. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to have the family gathering we had arranged. Receiving your messages helped alleviate the disappointment. She believes she celebrated her birthday with all of you. She is happy, healthy and appreciative. Thank you all for your kindness.
Ron Kopp Condon, Oregon
In the middle of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada, water tumbles down nearly a half mile at Yosemite Falls, one of North America’s tallest waterfalls.
Yosemite Falls is 2,425 feet tall and consists of three sections. The Upper Falls are 1,430 feet of straight drop. A series of cascades carries water down 675 feet, before the Lower Falls make up the final 320 feet. An easy 1-mile hike along the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail offers some scenic viewing locations.
Those who visit during a full moon may be able to see a moonbow— a nighttime rainbow. On clear nights, the moon reflects enough light for rainbows to sprout from the mist of waterfalls.
To witness this phenomenon, consider camping, or stay in one of the in-park hotels.
If you’re looking for something growing up rather than falling down, Yosemite is also home to the world’s largest tree. In the Giant Forest, a sequoia known as General Sherman is 275 feet tall and more than 36 feet wide at its base.
The falls are strongest in late spring, when melting snowpack provides the most water for the falls. However, the falls typically flow through the winter, and there is less of a crowd to see the ice cone forming at the bottom of the falls.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
To plan your trip and find out the latest news about the park’s safety restrictions visit nps.gov/yose, or call 209-372-0200.
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Advanced Digital Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now...
The MDHearingAid® VOLT uses the same kind of Advanced Digital RECHARGEABLE Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price.
Over 350,000 satisfied MDHearingAid customers agree: High-quality, digital, FDA-registered rechargeable hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a hearing aid. MDHearingAid is a medical-grade digital rechargeable hearing aid offering sophistication and high performance, and works right out of the box with no time-consuming “adjustment” appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. Now that you know... why pay more?
In very low light in an indoor arena—with limited space to move and not block the view of spectators, and no room for a tripod—I coiled my body and braced myself best I could, using a relatively high ISO and a shutter speed fast enough to compensate for movement by me and the subject. Because it was a public event, there were lots of cameras, and the man wasn’t particularly bothered by me curled in a ball trying to make a picture. After photographing him, I approached and explained who I was and why I was focusing on his face.
In formal portraits, the subject sits and poses for a picture, usually under lights with a backdrop. Candid portraits are where the subject is unaware of the camera or ignores it. There is no posing, no choreography.
I am much better observing life and human nature—seeing expression and subtle emotion—than manipulating lighting and subject in a studio.
Photographers such as Annie Leibovitz command large sums for their controlled portraits. I can do studio portraiture—not like Leibovitz—but I find greater joy in catching natural expression. I am more of a hunter than a builder. Both types of portraiture have challenges.
Just as each photographer sees something different, each viewer interprets an image differently depending on background, experiences, prejudices, likes, agenda or even mood.
We make judgments about
people based on facial expression. A fleshy container for the past and present, the human face can say so much. I see pride and dignity in this face—a wisdom that comes only with age.
The low angle reinforces this strength—a technique I often employ. The long lens allows me to see the eyes and muscles in the face, a contrast to the sharp shape of the feathers. n
Take a candid portrait, preferably from the profile, that reveals a gesture or expression.
Email your best image—along with a caption and photo credit—to social@pur.coop. We may share the best submissions on our website or social media channels.
Dave LaBelle has worked for 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states, and taught at three universities. The internationally known author, photographer and lecturer has shared his photo tips and life perspectives here since 2009. Read more of Dave’s writings on life at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com
Do it yourself and SAVE.
Easy-On, Easy-Off.
Pays for itself quickly if you currently hire a plow. Don’t struggle snow-blowing your entire driveway.
Attaches to a front receiver hitch (included). Automatically engages when you drive forward and releases when you reverse. Works on gravel or pavement. Locks in travel position. One pass & you’re free to go. Never be trapped waiting for a snow plow again. The DR® Redi-Plow™ is light enough for one person to handle.
We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and snatched it up for our Sedona Turquoise Collection. Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99
Specifications: • Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 $99* Save $200 B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149
C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 $99* Save $200
Complete Set** $747 $249 Save $498
** Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings.
The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!
Stauer® 8x21 Compact Binoculars
$99 valuewith purchase of Huntsman Blade
Clients Are Saying About Our Knives
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“This knife is beautiful!”
— J., La Crescent, MN
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“The feel of this knife is unbelievable...this is an incredibly fine instrument.”
— H., Arvada, CO
Mohave Electric’s newest substation has been named after Tom Longtin, a longtime and dedicated Mohave Electric Cooperative employee.
Tom, Mohave Electric’s former manager of operations and engineering, retired in 2013 after 22 years of service. A silhouette photo of Tom with the substation hangs in Mohave Electric’s board room.
Balancing the load on our electric system is important. MEC always works to ensure reliability and redundancy in our system so if an electrical emergency occurs, Mohave Electric can respond and support the system.
Longtin Substation is an important link along our major power supplier’s substations at Davis Dam and Topock.
Consider the western service area’s new Longtin Substation as a lifeguard of substations. Longtin Substation acts as a backup for other substations, as well as serving additional load growth to our most northern Bullhead City service areas down to our most southern service areas and areas in between.
There is no denying Bullhead City and our western service area continue to grow. Growth, however, comes with an increase in demand
for more energy. MEC works to match the service area’s demands with supply, as demonstrated with the construction and energizing of our Longtin Substation.
Longtin Substation construction began in 2006, and was completed and energized in October 2020. These projects don’t usually take this long. In 2006, our service area was expected to grow rapidly, but it did not. Knowing growth would eventually come, the project was completed in 2016. However, energizing the substation was delayed until
2020 when demand arose.
“We try to avoid additional costs until they are actually needed,” says CEO Tyler Carlson.
Building an additional substation is expensive. The cost to energize and serve power through the substation without additional load growth and demand would burden members with the construction cost’s expense without the additional members or load to serve.
Mohave Electric Cooperative’s goal is to continue to improve reliability and redundancy, and gain the
ability to grow with our service area demands. With the construction of Longtin Substation, we are better prepared for load growth and economic development.
With this new facility, MEC is better equipped to handle emergencies of all sizes, which helps minimize the size and possibly shorten the length of power interruptions, strengthen reliability and improve redundancy.
Members of the cooperative, please know we are here to grow with you and your family now and for many years to come. n
Agriculture
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width & length. Truck tarps & more. High puncture & tear strength. Best price guaranteed. American made since 1981. www.btlliners.com; 541-447-0712. 0421
Antiques and Collectibles
John Wayne collection, approximately 163 items. Want to sell collection whole, not piece by piece. For copy of inventory, contact 541-929-2322; ldbell@casco.net. 1220
Antique general store collection, reproduced in our home. 35 yrs of collecting. Bean counter, cash register, candy jar, tins, coffee grinder, advertising, more. Selling as complete set. Pictures available. Sisters, Oregon. Sandy Boyer, 541-480-7090.
Automotive
2006 Harley-Davidson sidecar. $2,500. 541-935-4454. 1120
Books, Magazines, Videos
Just published. “Over the Mountains to Chena Hot Springs.” An exciting account of a Fairbanks, Alaska, family resurrecting an abandoned mineral springs in 1954. Amazon. $17.95. 1220
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 1020
Equipment/Tools
Jet mini lathe. Like new. $200. 541-935-4454. 1120
Farm Equipment
Antique farm machinery. Disc, farm wagon, 36” grinding wheel. 200 old bottles. 775-3180049; Aaron.Buffington@yahoo.com. 1120AR
Free Items
Church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. 888-2111715; thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com. 1220AR
Hobbies, Gifts, Games
Personalized Santa letter packages handcrafted in North Pole, Alaska, for kids, pets & adults. Moose & husky packages, Northern Lights & book packages, plus handcrafted Alaskan ornaments & earrings. Coupon code GV11 saves 10%. 907-488-8118; www.SantasLettersAndGifts.com. 1120
Miscellaneous
Orion Elite 140 gas, AC/DC heavy-duty generator. Used once. Paid $2,000, sell $500. Glass patio set w/4 chairs, 2 rocking chairs. $300. Corvallis, Oregon. 541-231-8156. 1120
Local Pahrump, Nevada, commercial fisherman sells sashimi-grade gourmet canned tuna on internet: 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Twofisherstuna.com. 206-799-1082. 1120
Cemetery markers, both granite & bronze. Also offering bronze plaques, signage. All at affordable prices. Shipping available. Call Joe Plass for more info, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 1120
Freedom Ridger hand-pedal trike for disabled person. $1,000. 541-935-4454. 1120
Memory tutoring on FaceTime or in person. Book, “Love Remembers,” by Vicki Mizel on regenerating brain for young & old. Loveremembers.net & brainsproutsmemory. net. Vicki, 917-547-8822. Even helps dementia & brain injury. 1220
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count.
Longer ads may be placed. For pricing, contact 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, PUDs and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire for pricing at 503-718-3717 or lwiseman@pur.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): January issue— November 30, 2020.
AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, PO Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109; 530-827-2271. 0321
AKC-registered red toy poodle available for stud service. Bonnie Todd, Braejay’s Lil Toy Poodles, 509-551-4322. Benton City, Washington. 1220
80ac in Christmas Valley, Oregon, $35,000, and a lot in town, $4,000. 541-576-4399. 1120
For sale or lease. 56ac in Southeast Nevada, next to Grant Wilderness. Remote w/access & spring. Hunt, hike, prospect. 775-318-0049; Aaron.Buffington@yahoo.com. 1120AR
SW Colorado. 39ac. Highway & river frontage. Water rights $187k. parts@yumaaircraftsupply.com. 1120
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm & recreation property in Oregon. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, ranch owner. 240ac for sale in Bend, $1,499,000. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 1120
Sandy Valley, Nevada, 55mi southwest of Las Vegas. 1975 doublewide mh. Made real property. 3bdr, 2ba. 2 fenced acres. Water well, power, septic, clean title. $19,000 cash. 702-733-3033, leave message. 1120
Buildable, 4.26ac. Gated community above Ochoco Reservoir, Prineville, Oregon. Spectacular views. 400-amp service; shared well w/cistern ready. RV parking, if shielded. Septic approved. $120,000. 503-622-6515. 1120
6 each 10ac lots. Off grid near Bouse, Arizona. One w/ storage building, well & septic, another w/ well & septic. Robert, 509- 521-7496. 1120
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to lwiseman@pur.coop. Call 503-718-3717 to pay by credit card.
Near Munson Creek Falls, Tillamook, Oregon. 4.74ac w/ trees, creek, fenced pastures. 3/1 farmhouse, bonus rooms & garage. Pellet stove & central heat. 30x40 steel shop, barn w/ side building. $495,000. 503-354-2285. 1220
Rare find. 3 remaining 2ac tax lots in Sandlake Estates w/ current direct access to the dunes. $100,000-$110,000. Sandlake, Oregon. Contact Al Robertson, 503-793-5196. 1120
Anaconda, Montana, 300ac, USFS border, end of road, well & septic in, RV pad, stream, pond, springs, wildlife galore, off grid, easy access. $785K. j_w_ross@yahoo.com. 1120
Premiere Oregon Properties: 30yrs’ experience getting the best price for sellers and buyers. 4 sale: Old Mill Farm Store in business since 1853. $935k. 4 sale: 238ac 2.5mi Umpqua River frontage. Possible wetland mitigation property. $690k. 541-480-0212. James Wardrope Realty. OregonRiverRealty.com; office@RiverInnElkton.com. 1220
Recreational Rentals
Planning a vacation, reunion, retreat or getaway? Vista House Vacation Rental in quaint Oceanside, Oregon, unobstructed ocean view all 3 units. Slps 2-16. Everything provided, very clean, relaxing, owner operated. Call about monthly rates. 503-730-7149; vistahouseoceanside.com. 1120
High mountain getaway. Palouse Divide Lodge. 3 full-service cabins. Gift shops on-site. East of Potlatch, Idaho, on Highway 6, milepost 26. Shirley Hathaway. 208-245-3552. 0421
Bend country cabin. Very clean & fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $90/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com. 1120
Oceanside, Oregon. Romantic 3bdr retreat for special occasions. Newly remodeled. 5min walk to beach, 2 lg decks facing ocean. 503-649-9463; www.dreamvacationspots.com. 1220
Lincoln City, Oregon. Beautiful ocean views. Slps 12. 4bdr (2 w/king), 3 full baths, Wi-Fi, cable, frplc, W/D, dishwasher, 2nd kitchen upstairs. Info/pics: VRBO.com/693193. Call for special prices. fbeckwithfamily@gmail.com; 503-720-6144. 0321
Early Honda Scrambler or parts. 1962-1970 CL 72, CL 77, CL 175. Contact, 541-746-6584 or 541-543-1824. 1220
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches,
Private collector looking for all things aviation. Aircraft parts, pieces, photos, historical items, ephemera, airlines, collections. Northern California. Will travel. 510-909-1413, Allensaero@aol.com. 1120
Cash paid for billiard cues & other vintage pool equipment in good condition. Call 406-839-3048. Located in Oregon. 1220
Wanted: 1967-1972 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. Email billybibbett@hotmail.com. 0121
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector. 512-413-4459. 0221
Buy, sell, repair rock saws and everything lapidary. Buying old rock and gem books & catalogs. CigarBoxRock.com. 541-280-5574; cbr@bendnet.com. Bend, Oregon 97701. 1220
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 40yrs in retail store. Baker City, Oregon. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. Will travel. 1120
Wanted. Vintage wristwatches, pocket watches, watch collections, watchmakers’ estates, etc. Call 541-760-1050. Please leave a message if I don’t answer. Will travel. Thank
One in four Veterans lives in rural areas. Every day, we strive to extend our reach, to make sure they have access to the compassionate care and attention they need—from advanced telehealth services to community-based outpatient clinics. Because all our Veterans deserve it, no matter where they are. We believe it’s up to us to ensure they lead healthier, happier lives. Visit vacareers.va.gov to lend a hand.
COVID-19 pandemic raises awareness of need for seasonal vaccinations
Story and photos by Geoff Oldfather
When Robert Bivens pulled up to the flu shot clinic in the north parking lot of the Arizona G&T Benson campus, he wasn’t just thinking of himself when it comes to preventing a case of the flu.
“You don’t want to see any of your family, your loved ones, friends, anybody getting sick because there’s something
you got that you could have prevented, and you pass it on to somebody else,” Robert says.
Robert, AzGT transmission maintenance manager, was one of more than 40 AzGT employees who took part in the drive-up flu shot clinic September 24.
More than 20 Apache Station workers took advantage of the flu shot clinic offered the day before at the Apache Station firehouse.
Overall, it was a good turnout, says Shannon Garner, human resources generalist 1, who worked with Safeway pharmacy managers to schedule the clinics, which were held earlier than in previous years.
“We want to get them done early so our employees can stay healthy, and when we’re able to come back to work we have a safe, healthy environment here,” Shannon says. “We offer this every year for our
employees. I think this year it’s more important for everybody to be safe. Because of the pandemic, flu shots are even more important this year.”
Michael Harrington, pharmacy manager for the Safeway store in Benson, says the pandemic is prompting more people than ever to get their flu shots.
“It’s definitely raised awareness, and the recommendations are for
Robert Bivens receives a flu shot from Michael Harrington during the drive-up clinic at the Benson campus. Apache Station employees received free flu shots during a similar clinic the day before at the Apache Station.
“I think (COVID) has opened up a lot of people’s eyes on being sick and how fast something can spread from one person to the other.”
—ROBERT BIVENS
everybody to get a flu vaccination this year,” Michael says. “People are definitely heeding that advice. The big thing is, with COVID, we don’t want to have a major flu outbreak and then also have a flare-up of COVID.”
An outbreak of both could put a strain on hospitals and
other medical care facilities.
Robert says more people need to be aware of how a jump in flu cases on top of the potential for spikes in COVID cases could combine and spread through the community.
“I think (COVID) has opened up a lot of people’s lives on being sick and how fast
something can spread from one person to the other,” Robert says. “That underscores just how important it is to keep your protection on, get your flu shots, so that you stay safe and healthy.”
Robert has three grandchildren and doesn’t want to unknowingly pass the virus on to them.
Michael credits the G&T for being proactive every year.
“It’s exciting to have a company that is so proactive for its employees and takes care of their health needs,” he says.
Shannon says everyone involved worked hard to set up and operate the clinics.
“Our facilities guys were
great with getting the tables set up, marking off the parking lot, putting up the tents, getting water, so it was a real group effort,” Shannon says.
Shannon coordinates the clinics with Safeway pharmacy’s regional director.
“We schedule a time, I look at my calendar and we tell them we want to do it on this day and these times,” she says. “They send us some flyers, they schedule it, then the Safeway team shows up with the shots.”
Michael has a message for any AzGT employees who may have missed the clinics.
“If you haven’t had your flu shot, I definitely recommend it,” he says. “Get it now.” n
Salute a Veteran: In this month of giving thanks, Veterans Day is the chance to pause and pay respect to the men and women who have served our country, both in war and peace.
Origin of the Holiday: First celebrated as Armistice Day, the day marked the end of World War I, formally recognized on the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month” in 1918. Veterans Day, in its modern form, continues to be celebrated November 11.
Ways to Say Thanks:
• Attend a Veterans Day event
• Ask a vet about their service.
• Thank a co-worker for their service.
• Buy a veteran coffee or a meal.
• Video chat with a veteran family member.
Remember the veterans in your life, and sacrifices made, all year long. n
It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less– and that only makes matters worse. Well, cheer up! There’s finally a product designed to enable us all to walk properly and stay on the go. It’s called the Perfect WalkerTM, and it can truly change your life.
Traditional rollators and walkers simply aren’t designed well. They require you to hunch over and shuffle your feet when you walk. This puts pressure on your back, your neck, your wrists and your hands. Over time, this makes walking uncomfortable and can result in a variety of health issues. That’s all changed with the Perfect WalkerTM. Its upright design and padded elbow rests enable you to distribute your weight across your arms and shoulders, not your hands and wrists. Helps reduce back, neck and wrist pain and discomfort. Its unique frame gives you plenty of room to step, and the oversized wheels help you glide across the floor. The height can be easily adjusted with the push of a button to fit anyone from 5’ to over 6’. Once you’ve reached your destination you can use the hand brakes to gently slow down, and there’s even a handy seat with a storage compartment. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to use indoors and out and it folds up for portability and storage.
Why spend another day hunched over and shuffling along. Call now, and find out how you can try out a Perfect WalkerTM for yourself... in your own home. You’ll be glad you did.
P.O. Box 22530
Bullhead City, AZ 86439
Member Services: 928-763-1100
Outage Reporting: Toll free 844-632-2667 or text “outage” to 55050 from phone number linked to your MEC account.
mohaveelectric.com
Mohave Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
President
Joe Anderson
Vice President
Deborah Johnson
Secretary
Toni Barbaro
Treasurer
Rich Tempelman
Michael Bartelt
Cindy Christy
John Nelssen
Jose “Joe” Solar
CEO
Tyler Carlson
h November 6—Washington Youth Tour application deadline, 5 p.m.
h November 11—Office closed
h November 26-27—Office closed
h December 25—Office closed
h January 1—Office closed
As we finish up our third run of Currents, we hope members are gaining an understanding of MEC programs and operations. Not only do we want you to enjoy this publication, we want to continue to inform you and increase your knowledge of what this cooperative has to offer. We have heard great feedback regarding Currents, and we continue to welcome any questions, comments or concerns our members have regarding MEC.
We take member education seriously here at MEC, and we know actions speak louder than words. MEC has added two members to our public affairs team: Public Affairs Supervisor Bo Hellams and Social Media Specialist Tina Paden. These two people are critical in continuing the development of quality member information regarding events, outages and fun facts about MEC that help educate our members. If you have not done so already, please follow MEC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We are working to increase our social media involvement and would love the community to join.
Our goal is to continue developing our member communication outlets to make information easier to find. With Currents, social media, radio advertisements and other print media services, we hope members see how MEC is creating an enhanced member communication system.
In our last issue of Currents, we touched on the progress of our new website. The all-new mohaveelectric.com looks wonderful! The website is going through final revisions with our public affairs team and will be live before the end of 2020. We are excited to share this new, upgraded platform with members and hope you all find it as viewer-friendly as we do.
In this edition, we focus our attention on understanding outages, our SmartHub app and the ongoing efforts to improve reliability with the addition of the Longtin Substation. At MEC, we understand there is nothing more concerning than a loss of power. With your help reporting outages, MEC will be better informed and quicker to respond to solve any power disruption. The addition of the Longtin Substation has created redundancy if a major electrical emergency were to occur.
Please take advantage of our SmartHub app as an option to report an outage or explore the application to see how much power you consume. MEC is always working to improve and simplify services for our members, and the SmartHub app is another tool toward that effort.
The public affairs team and I are hard at work building a PowerPoint presentation with highlights from our annual report. We are focusing on what we consider to be the most pertinent information of 2019 and 2020. Once completed, this presentation will be posted to our website.
As a reminder, next year is our 75th anniversary. MEC is designing a special annual meeting with lots of gifts to make up for the past year. We hope to see you at the meeting next year. Maybe you can even win the popular co-op cookbook offered in our last edition of Currents magazine.
All of us at MEC wish you a safe and happy holiday. We hope you enjoy the time with family and cherish the holiday spirit. Continue to look forward to Currents for helpful information regarding MEC, and know we are continue to improve our communication platforms.