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Firefighters
report good
progress
battling fires
By Matthew Pera
Staff Writer
The Lobo Fire, which
started at 11:35 p.m. on
Oct. 8 near the Lone Lobo
Trail and burned 821
acres, was 96 percent con-
tained Sunday afternoon.
The McCourtney Fire,
which started less than
fifteen minutes later that
same night, burned 76
PHOTOS BY ELIAS FUNEZ/EFUNEZ@THEUNION.COM acres and was 100 per-
Haunted storyteller Mark Lyon explains the stories behind some of the haunts at the New York Hotel, now turned into a cent contained Sunday
series of shops, Saturday night during his haunted walking tour of Broad Street in Nevada City. afternoon.
Cal Fire Public Informa-
as crews continue to mon-
itor the area.
The causes of both the
McCourtney and Lobo
Fires are still under inves-
tigation, according to Cal
Fire.
All evacuation warn-
ings have been lifted and
all evacuation centers
are closed, Cal Fire said
Sunday in a news release.
Residents looking for
fire recovery informa-
tion should contact the
Nevada County Office of
Emergency Services at

A HAUNTING AWAITS IN
tion Office Ron Oatman 530-265-1515, the release
said firefighters are con- states.

NEVADA CITY
fident that the Lobo Fire
will stay within the lines FIRES, A8

MEET YOUR MERCHANT

By Elias Funez KNOW AND GO

Mutlimedia Reporter
The white lady of the National Hotel,
the ghost of a tricycle-riding child, and
the blown up remnants of those who
attempted to escape the great fire of
1865 all are depicted in the storytelling
prowess of local actor and author Mark
Lyon while on his haunted Nevada City
walking tour, now in it’s 14th year.
Having written stories and books
on early California history, a friend
suggested giving a tour of the area’s
famous hauntings.
“I had no idea when I gave my first
tour back in 2004, that I would still
be offering them so many years later,”
Lyon said.
“I was amazed,” Lyon said, “by the
number of first-hand accounts I was
quickly able to collect for both Nevada
City and Grass Valley and the volume
of these accounts has grown so large
that I am only able to relate a fraction
of them on either of my tours.”
The Nevada City walking tour lasts
about 1.5 hours and depicts stories of
What: Haunted walking tours of
Grass Valley and Nevada City
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
nights in October
Where: Grass Valley tour meets in
front of Grass Valley Library at 207
Mill Street; Nevada City tour meets at
210 Broad Street directly across from
the National Hotel
Who: Local actor, playwright and
storyteller Mark Lyon
Admission: $10 adults, $5 for chil- CORY FISHER/CORY@THEUNION.COM
dren 12 and under. Children 5 and Roger La stands next to the laughing Buddha in his
under are admitted free. Grass Valley restaurant, Royal Dragon II.
hauntings from the National Hotel all
the way up Broad Street to the Nevada
Theater.
The friendly
dragon
“The National Hotel is very haunt-
ed,” Lyon could be heard saying about
the historic hotel and practically every
other building on Broad Street. Local actor, author, and playwright
Each story has a background and Mark Lyon talks about some of the Tucked behind ROYAL DRAGON II
Lyon’s extensive knowledge of the area many haunts along Nevada City’s
helps to add color to the history walk, Broad Street, including locations Kmart, the Royal 101A W. McKnight Way,
Grass Valley (in the Kmart
depicting tales of Lola Montez’ Spider such as the National Hotel, New York Dragon II has shopping center)
Dance and much more. Hotel, and The Nevada Theater.
maintained a steady Hours: Lunch: 11:30
stream of loyal a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday

Warming shelter options scarce for homeless

By Matthew Pera
Staff Writer
The Salvation Army in
Grass Valley won’t operate a
cold-weather warming shel-
ter this year, leaving western
Nevada County’s homeless
population with fewer places
to find refuge during winter
nights.
The Salvation Army’s Ma-
jor Ray Yant said the orga-
nization doesn’t have an ap-
propriate facility or enough
funding to open a shelter.
Sierra Roots, an organi-
zation that serves Nevada
County’s chronically home-
less population, renewed
its agreement with Nevada
City on Wednesday to use
city-owned facilities to oper-
ate a warming shelter for up
to 33 individuals.
Hospitality House also op-
erates an emergency shelter
in Grass Valley, but is often
full.
Catrina Olson, Nevada
City’s interim city manager,
agreed to open either the Ne-
vada City Veteran’s Memorial
Building or Seaman’s Lodge
for Sierra Roots to use as a
shelter when temperatures
dip below 30 degrees, so
long as those buildings are
available.
The shelter is also permit-
ted to open if temperatures
dip below 34 degrees with
snow on the ground, when
at least one inch of rain has
fallen over a 24-hour period
or when it has rained for
three or more consecutive
days.
If both buildings are sched-
uled for events, event hosts
will be asked to reschedule,
Olson said. But if resched-
uling isn’t possible, Sierra
Roots will have to seek alter-
native options.
Janice O’Brien, president
of the organization, said she
is working on an agreement
to use the Odd Fellows Hall
in Nevada City as a shelter
when other facilities are
unavailable.
O’Brien said allowing a
maximum 33 people to use
the shelter was appropriate
to meet the needs of Nevada
City’s homeless population
last year, but, “we have yet to
see what’s going to happen
this year with the Salvation
Army closing.”
Sierra Roots volunteers
will keep an eye on weather
forecasts, O’Brien said, and,
whenever possible, will give
Nevada City at least 48-hours
notice when low tempera-
tures are predicted to ensure
a building is available.
“I applaud all the work
that’s been done. We’re mak-
ing little steps,” said Coun-
cilmember Evans Phelps.
To contact Staff Writer
Matthew Pera, email
mpera@theunion.com or call
530-477-4231.
customers for more
than two decades
By Cory Fisher
Staff Writer
Roger La was just 13
when he first arrived in the
United States in 1981, and
he spoke no English — only
Cantonese.
Born in Vietnam to
Chinese parents, he had al-
ready moved to China and
Hong Kong before settling
in the suburban American
city of Rancho Cordova.
He came from a family of
fisherman and farmers who
raised and caught their
own food. Job prospects
were few for La’s parents,
but both were lucky to
get hired at a Sacramento
through Sunday
Dinner: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.,
Sunday through Thursday
4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays
and Saturdays
Phone: 530-272-2868
Facebook: Royal Dragon ll
Chinese restaurant.
By the time La was in
high school, he began
working there, too, as his
income was needed to help
the family. He landed a
summer job at a restaurant
in Truckee one year, then
stayed on full-time, sending
money home to the valley.
He never finished the 11th
grade.
In the early 90s, La
opened a Chinese restau-
rant in Georgetown with
MERCHANT, A10

WEATHER INDEX
Hey! Advice A7
Overnight closure planned
over weekend for busy
in a release.
The interchange is sched-
A third lane will be added
on northbound Highway
Your subscription to intersection in Roseville uled to be closed from 11 65 from I-80 to Pleasant
The Union includes full Blotter A2 PG&E plans to close p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Grove Boulevard to allevi-
features of TheUnion.com
Comics A6 the State Highway 65-In- Sunday. Motorists should ate traffic backing up onto
See A2 to activate your access.
Cryptoquote A5 terstate 80 interchange allow for an additional 15 I-80. Construction on the
Lottery A5 during the overnight hours minutes of travel time. $50 million interchange
VOLUME 152 ISSUE 297 Opinion A4 Saturday night/Sunday This represents utili- improvements is scheduled
Money Monday B1 morning to allow crews to ty relocations for Phase 1 to start in 2018.
relocate overhead power to reconfigure the I-80/
H: 80˚ L: 54˚ Sports B12
lines, Caltrans announced Highway 65 interchange. Source: Caltrans
See full forecast, Stocks Closed
Page A9 Sudoku A5
Sunny The Union Circulation: 530-273-9565
A8 | Monday, October 16, 2017 | The Union

LOCAL, STATE & NATION

IN BRIEF
Head of California Senate to
challenge US Sen. Feinstein
Democrat Kevin de Leon, president of the
California Senate, says he will challenge U.S.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein in next year’s election.
The Los Angeles Democrat announced via
email Sunday that he’s ready to run on his
progressive record fighting climate change
and pushing for immigration reform, women’s
rights and quality education.
His announcement did not mention the
84-year-old Feinstein by name.
Feinstein, who has been in the Senate since
1992, is its ranking Democrat on the Judiciary
Committee and has never faced a serious
electoral challenge from within her party.
Collins urges Trump to back effort
to restore health subsidy
WASHINGTON — A key moderate
Republican urged President Donald Trump on
Sunday to back a bipartisan Senate effort to
shield consumers from rising premiums after
his abrupt decision to halt federal payments
to insurers. Sen. Susan Collins called the move
“disruptive” and an immediate threat to access
to health care.
Her comments reflected an increasing focus
Sunday on the bipartisan Senate effort led
by Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty
Murray, D-Wash., to at least temporarily rein-
state the payments to avoid immediate tur-
moil in the insurance market, even as Trump
FIRES donation account. Money from the ac-
From page A1 count will be distributed to people in need
signaled he wouldn’t back a deal without through local non-profit agencies directly
getting something he wants in return. GREENHORN FIRE serving fire victims, the company said in a
A fire started at 8:44 a.m. Sunday near release. Donations can be made at any Tri
’I’m intact,’ Tillerson says, brushing Little Greenhorn Road in Grass Valley. Ac- Counties Bank branch or online at www.
off drama with Trump cording to Cal Fire Captain Scott Eckman, youcaring.com/tcb-2017-fire-fund.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Rex the fire was started in a small outhouse The Red Cross is also coordinating relief
Tillerson on Sunday ducked, danced and and was contained quickly, before it could efforts and is accepting donations online
sidestepped the question of whether he truly spread to nearby vegetation. at redcross.org or by phone at 1-800-RED-
called President Donald Trump a “moron,” CROSS. Money can be designated for
dismissing the brouhaha as the “petty stuff” HOW TO HELP California wildfires.
of Washington. Though they keep coming, Relief efforts are being coordinated to
Tillerson insisted the persistent queries aren’t help fire victims throughout the state. To contact Staff Writer Matthew Pera,
hindering his mission as the nation’s top Tri Counties Bank announced this week email mpera@theunion.com or call
diplomat. it has started a “California Fire Fund” 530-477-4231.
Asked about a leading GOP senator’s com-
ment — “You cannot publicly castrate your
own secretary of state” — Tillerson would
have none of it. “I checked. I’m fully intact.”
Letters from 1800s found among
stolen items in California
SACRAMENTO — Detectives are search-
ing for the rightful owners of letters dating
back to the 1800s and other old items found
among what they say were heaps of stolen
property in a California storage unit.
Sacramento County sheriff’s officials say the
memorabilia includes an edition of Vermont’s
Rutland Herald newspaper published in 1945,
reporting the death of Adolf Hitler. A 1963
Sacramento Bee newspaper announces the PHOTO BY JOHN HART
death of President John Kennedy. A home near McCourtney Road goes up in flames in the Lobo Fire, which was report-
— Associated Press ed 100 percent contained as of Sunday afternoon.

LIVE
LOCAL
GREATER
GRASS VALLEY
Chamber Happenings CHAMBER

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS GRASS VALLEY

ARE PRICELESS
Submitted by Robin Galvan-Davies
CEO/Executive Director Greater
Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER
ago when Grass Valley native son
Josiah Royce, then a professor of
The Greater Grass Valley Chamber
of Commerce has received dozens of
SPONSORS
moral philosophy at Harvard, wrote, phone calls and emails from citizens
“My life means nothing, either asking where they could donate ADVERTISING AGENCIES

I
n last month’s Chamber
Happenings column, I shared
with you that I was the
beneficiary of a very special random
act of kindness during a recent visit to The Union, Waste Management and
the Czech Republic.
While in transit by train from
Prague to Salzburg, Austria, we
transferred at a small Czech town
where American tourists are probably
not a common sight. A woman exiting
from our train saw my struggle to get
an uncooperative bag down a long
flight of stairs and approached me.
She smiled and spoke reassuringly
in Czech as she reached for my bag,
grabbed its handles and proceeded to
the bottom of the stairs to wait for me.
Then, with a gentle pat on my
arm, she bade me farewell. It was
the purest form of a random act of
kindness –– a memory of our vacation
that will stay with me forever.
A few days ago we had the privilege
of participating in the local Random
Acts of Kindness Event (RAKE) –– a
collaboration between The Union and
Anew Day, with Waste Management
and dozens of volunteers partnering
in the effort. Our GGVCC team
cleaned up the downtown parking lots
as well as Dow Alexander Park.
It brought front-of-mind awareness outpouring of support from residents
to the fact that while we may
individually hold passionate views
and ideologies that differ from what
our neighbor might believe, what all
of us do have in common is a passion in the rural part of the county,
to care for our community.
That spirit was perhaps best
expressed a little more than a century Fairgrounds which also serves as the
theoretically or practically, unless I human food, pet food, clothing,
am a member of a community.” water, money, or anything else people • The Union Newspaper
That’s exactly how I feel –– and I need. The GGVCC maintains a list of Your best source for local news,
know that our friends at Anew Day, government and nonprofit agencies to information & advertising audience
which people are referred.
www.theunion.com
other RAKE sponsors and volunteers The enthusiastic response from
share that view. citizens has been heartening, but it 530-273-9561
A caring community has most has not been a surprise.
Maybe you remember the 49er Fire
of 1988? Or you’ve read about the fire EQUIPMENT RENTAL
of 1855 that leveled our downtown?
• Gold ’n Green Rentals
In 1855 it was Alonzo Delano, Grass
Valley’s first city treasurer, who loaned
302 Railroad Ave., GV 273-0064
his personal money on a handshake
• HBE Rentals, Hansen Bros.
so that people could buy lumber and
rebuild. When he died in 1874, every 11727 LaBarr Meadows Rd. GV
merchant in Grass Valley closed their 477-RENT or 273-3100
shop during the funeral in recognition
of Delano’s effort 19 years earlier to
bring calm to chaos and provide help
HEAT/AIR CONDITIONING
when help was so badly needed.
In September 1988, when the 49er • All Phase Heating & Air,
Fire swept through Lake Wildwood 731 South Auburn St., GV
and other parts of Western Nevada allphasecomfort.com
County, it left in its wake more than
274-9955
34,000 charred acres while destroying
over 250 homes and businesses.
Damages from that fire were
estimated at nearly $20 million. HOME & GARDEN CENTER
PHOTO BY ELIAS FUNEZ It was the county fairgrounds, • B&C True Value
churches, schools and nonprofit
Home and Garden Center
recently been demonstrated by the organizations that provided safe
havens for displaced residents. 2032 Nevada City Hwy, GV
and businesses lending their helping Thousands of men, women and 273-6105
hands to those who were displaced children were fed and cared for by
or otherwise affected by recent a community displaying so many
fires. And since the fires have been random acts of kindness that a book INSURANCE
could be written about what happened
many animals, large and small were during and after that horrific fire.
• Mike Bratton, State Farm Inc.
evacuated to the Nevada County The spirit and kindness of our 768 Taylorville Rd., GV
citizens has been demonstrated 273-0521
command center for time and again these past 160 or so
Cal-Fire. We are truly years, and it has always reflected

Cheryl Rellstab indebted to those in our Josiah Royce’s words about sense of
community who dedicate community.
their lives to Public Whenever a calamity occurs
DID YOU KNOW?
Chamber members receive
Safety. A HUGE Thank –– or even when you see a woman
special advertising rates
You to each of you for the struggling with her luggage as she
on this page.
Search all Nevada County listings at cherylr.com tireless hours you have walks from her car to one of our bed Support the GV Chamber.
Top 1% Producing Agent • Certified Mediator logged and risk that you & breakfast inns –– be sure to step For more information,
Averaging Over 25 Million in Annual Sales have assumed to keep us forward and offer your own random call Jennifer Seim at 530-477-4268
GORGEOUS ESTATE PROPERTY ON 10+- ACRES with a beautiful year-round safe during the recent act of kindness. The reward will be Visit the Chamber’s website at
pond! The main house is architecturally interesting with very spacious rooms. There is fires. priceless. GrassValleyChamber.com
another living space separate from the main house with kitchen and bath. Split level or call 530-273-4667
design in the main home with lots of space to move around. Large kitchen, newer flooring
throughout. Newer energy efficient windows and more. Bring the horses or cows! 2.5
inches NID irrigation allotment, 6 fruit trees and very usable property. This is a wonderful
ranch property! $669,000 MLS 20170938
Mike Bratton
State Farm∏
Providing Insurance and Financial Services HIGHLAND COMMERCIAL

768 Taylorville Road, Grass Valley

mike.bratton.b8sj@statefarm.com
24 Hour Good Neighbor Service®
273-0521 Fax: 273-2555
“Real Estate shopping made as easy as pie.”
Like a good neighbor,
101 Mill Street, Downtown Grass Valley CA 95945 State Farm is there.®
Money Monday
B1 | Monday, October 16, 2017 | The Union
Respecting ‘FIRE’
MACHEN MACDONALD
Provoking Your Brilliance
I
would like to begin this week’s
column by offering my heartfelt
condolences to everyone affected
by the local fires, including those
in Napa and Sonoma counties. My
thoughts and prayers have been and
will continue to be with you.
To all the first responders and
volunteers stepping up during this
time of disaster, I offer my deepest
and most sincere THANK YOU for
all that you have done and are doing
as our community finds its way
back to some sense of normalcy.
My family and I safely evacuated
our home near McCourtney Road
at the request of law enforcement
who knocked on our door in the
middle of the night Sunday, Oct. 8,
and informed us we had five min-
utes to leave our home.
It was just enough time for my
wife and I to gather our three chil-
dren, dog, cat, and two Guinee pigs.
We were lucky to have loving family
nearby in Alta Sierra where we
could retreat and spend four nights
as Cal Fire stayed on our property
for 48 hours keeping the threat of
fire away from our home.
My family and I are feeling bless-
ed and filled with deep gratitude for
all the generous offers from so many
local friends for hospitality and sup-
port. What an amazing community
within which we live.
It will be a while before a portion
of our property and surrounding
properties are back to normal. As
I gaze out my office window while
I write this article I see scorched
Small business programs Upgrade to iOS 11?
A
recent workshop pre-
sented by the Small
Business Association
Resource Partners out-
lined an impressive number of
resources available to small busi-
ness owners, training agencies
and trade associations.
The network of programs high-
lighted interesting opportunities
for potential funding and other
types of assistance intended to
stimulate business creation and
growth. Please explore these for-
ward thinking tools and services
to learn more about how they can
work for you.
■ SCORE services are all free.
This national organization is
staffed by Volunteer Execu-
tives who provide mentoring by
way of conference calls, email
communication or face-to-face
counseling.
SCORE also offers seminars,
educational workshops, business
tools and templates. Contact Bob
Gius at 916-635-9085 or bjgi-
us@comcast.net.
■ The Small Business Devel-
opment Center targets small to
medium businesses to provide
one-on-one technical assistance
workshops, Pitch Camp, Micro-
loans and the ETSY Marketplace
strategies. The Small Business
Development Center partners
with local banks, SCORE, inves-
tors and community agencies.
Call 916-319-4268 or visit: sbdc.
com for more information.
■ Veteran Launch helps vet-
erans connect with the resources
available to them and provides
affordable business loans of up
to $250,000 for both veteran
start-up businesses and existing
businesses needing capital to
expand and grow. Contact Mike
McGrane at 916-300-3470.
■ United States Department
of Agriculture Business pro-
grams work through partner-
ships with public and private
community based organizations
and financial institutions to pro-
vide financial assistance, busi-
ness development, and technical
assistance to rural businesses.
Contact Tammy Laizure at
530-533-4401 x131 or tammy.
laizure@ca.usda.gov.
United States Department of
The Garden Fire burned 10 acres near Wolf Road in south county Tuesday afternoon.
earth only 20 yards away from me.
A narrow 4 foot wide dirt path,
dug by Cal Fire, remains where our
fences once stood. This path is what
now separates our untouched prop-
erty from acres of colorless carbon
covering the landscape beyond.
Now when I think FIRE I think:
■ Family First — As prepared as
I thought we were, when it came
SUSAN GEORGE
NC Chambers of
Commerce at Work
Agriculture Rural Development’s
Business, Energy and Cooper-
ative Programs are available to
help finance the expansion of a
rural business or help establish a
revolving loan fund.
From a dairy farmer installing
solar panels to a grocery store
selling locally grown products,
United States Department of Ag-
riculture can help. Contact Karen
Rich, Business and Cooperatives
Program Director, at 530-792-
5825 or Karen.rich@ca.usda.gov.
■ California Air Resourc-
es Board provides technical
assistance, regulatory compli-
ance information and financial
assistance.
Explore the Funding Wizard
website, https://fundingwizard.
arb.ca.gov/, to locate funding op-
portunities for projects that help
support a sustainable future.
Contact Judy Nottoli at 916-322-
7429 or Judy.Nottoli@arb.ca.gov.
■ Governor’s Office of Busi-
ness & Economic Development
offers the following GO-Biz pro-
grams: California Competes Tax
Credit, IBank’s Small Business
Finance Center, the “CA Made”
Program, the California Business
Portal — http://businessprotal.
ca.gove and CalGOLD (a permit
assistance tool), http://calgold.
ca.gov. 877-345-4633
■ California Capital Pro-
curement Technical Assistance
Center builds small business
capacity for federal, state, and
local government contracts
through one-on-one counseling,
workshops, training and bid
matching. Call 916-442-1729 or
visit cacapital.org.
■ CalRecycle provides grants
or lends money to companies
that increase the diversion of
recyclable materials from land-
fills, promote green house gas
down to having just 5 minutes there
is no time to think or to grab what I
fantasized as maybe being import-
ant and could not stand to lose.
There was only enough time for
family. Family is most important.
Period.
■ Insurance / Irreplaceable — Be
clear about what is irreplaceable
well before any threat of danger is
The network of
programs highlighted
interesting
opportunities for
potential funding and
other types of assistance
intended to stimulate
business creation and
growth. Please explore
these forward thinking
tools and services to
learn more about how
they can work for you.
reductions and manufacture
recyclable content products. Call
916-341-6300 or visit calrecycle.
ca.gov.
■ The U.S. Commercial Ser-
vice offers counseling in trade
planning and strategies, legal
and regulatory issues, documen-
tation requirements, trade chal-
lenges, and trade finance and
insurance, marketing tools and
commercial diplomacy training.
Contact Tony Hill, Senior
International Trade Specialist
at Anthony.Hill@trade.gov or
George Tastard, U.S. Commer-
cial Service, at George.Tastard@
trade.gov.
■ Veterans Business Out-
reach Center is committed to the
growth and commercial compet-
itiveness of veteran owned small
business enterprises through ed-
ucation and services focusing on
business development, technolo-
gy deployment and e-commerce.
Services are delivered to
clients by email, telephone,
webinars, Skype and/or face to
face consulting. 916-527-8400,
vbocix.org.
■ State of California Employ-
ment Training Panel is a busi-
ness and labor supported state
agency that assists employers
in strengthening their compet-
itive edge by providing funds
to off-set the costs of job skills
training.
GEORGE, B2
530-477-4219, sjordan@theunion.com
BRIAN HAMILTON/BHAMILTON@THEUNION.COM
upon you. If it’s not out on display
in your home, store it for easy re-
trieval on the way out to safety.
Keep pictures and keepsakes
that you may not have out for pre-
sentation in one easily assessable
dresser drawer. It’s easier to pull
out a dresser drawer and throw it
in a vehicle than it is to rummage
throughout various rooms. Have
Question: I noticed that Apple
released iOS 11. Should I update?
What are some of your favorite
new features?
Not only has Apple released
iOS 11, it has already released an
update (iOS 11.0.1) that fixes a
few small problems. It has started
beta testing (that is, allowing
developers to test) iOS 11.1, which
adds some new features.
We have installed iOS 11 on our
Apple devices, and it’s looking
good. (There are the usual stories
about the installation causing
battery life deterioration, but
we haven’t seen it. On the other
hand, our devices are relatively
“young” — an iPhone SE and an
iPhone 8.
Your device may behave
differently.
Be aware that iOS 11 won’t
run on every Apple device—for
phones, you must have an iPhone
5s or later; for iPads, you’ll need
an iPad Pro, an iPad fifth genera-
tion, an iPad Mini 2 or later, or an
iPad Air.
Both iPhones and iPads get a
number of common new features:
a completely overhauled control
center, a fancy screenshot editor,
a “Smart Invert Colors” mode that
acts like a dark mode.
The new Files app allows full
access to documents stored not
only on the device, but also in
online storage, such as iCloud,
DropBox, Google Drive, and
more. This one feature makes iOS
devices far more useful as gener-
al-purpose computing devices.
Both devices support drag and
drop between applications, mak-
ing it possible to do things like
drag text from an application into
an email.
iPad users will find a new
keyboard that some folks love,
and others hate (Ken is a fan).
The move visible new iPad fea-
ture, however, is the dock, which
makes the iPad infinitely easier
to use.
Like the Mac’s dock, you can
pin any (reasonable) number of
apps to the dock, allowing for
quick and easy access. Larger iP-
ads make better use of multi-task-
ing in iOS 11, as well.
iPhone users will find a num-
ber of iPhone-specific features,
Sean Jordan, Features Editor,
good insurance for replacing and
rebuilding.
The stress of second guessing if
you have a good policy is not worth
it. Whatever the difference may be
from a mediocre policy to a stellar
policy is well worth it, especially at
the time of need.
MACDONALD, B2
KEN GETZ & DOUG BEHL
Tech Tips
Be aware that
iOS 11 won’t run
on every Apple
device—for phones,
you must have an
iPhone 5s or later;
for iPads, you’ll need
an iPad Pro, an iPad
fifth generation, an
iPad Mini 2 or later,
or an iPad Air.
including a quick-dial emergen-
cy SOS feature (please don’t test
this out; local 911 services are
overwhelmed with the less-than-
thoughtful folks who try out the
feature).
Ken’s favorite new feature: An
automatic Do-Not-Disturb mode
while driving! Yes, it’s possible
to override this feature or even
turn it off, but if you find yourself
absently looking at notifications
while at stoplights (or worse,
while driving—please don’t!), this
new feature could save a life or
two.
With the default settings, if the
phone is moving in a car, it won’t
display notifications at all. You
can have the phone send out a re-
sponse to texts (like “I’m currently
driving. I’ll get back to you.”) You
may disagree, but we think this is
a useful, and life-saving feature.
For more information, check
out this link for a short list of new
features that matter: https://goo.
gl/VV9fgN.
TECH TIPS, B2
B2 | Monday, October 16, 2017 | The Union
MONEY MONDAY
MACDONALD
From page B1
Work with an insurance
agent that does their job
and recommends (and,
dare I say, pushes) you to
get what you need vs. just
getting the minimum of
coverage. Realistically, most
things can be replaced.
■ Ready & Responders
— Be ready with vehicles
full of gas. Have a bag
packed with a few days
worth of cloths and toilet-
ries, and any medications.
There are plenty of resourc-
es online to find a complete
list of what to have packed
ahead of time in times of
disaster.
Follow the directions of
professional first respond-
ers. They know what they
are doing and have trained
deeply, enabling them to
think and process data
accurately during disaster.
During emergencies, their
logic surpasses yours every
time. Trust them.
■ Environmental aware-
ness — In times of emer-
gency it is critical to be
aware of what and who are
around us. Most people
will not have the presence
of mind to act as smart as
they are.
They may actually over-
think rather simple situa-
tions, like putting hazard
lights on and driving less
than 5 mph during time
of evacuation to look at
the flames. Yes, it actually
happened.
I know my comments
seems like common sense.
However, when under
duress of self preservation,
common sense and ratio-
nale may be running on
close to empty. Make it so
you don’t have to think in
times of danger.
There is no time like the
present to plan ahead for
possible disaster. Having a
list of what to grab before
you are forced to evacuate
is great.
The problem is finding
the list when disaster hits
is not going to be easy, let
alone running around col-
lecting what’s on the list …
what’s that? — times up —
we gotta go. Get it? Have it
packed ahead of time.
The only purpose the list
will serve is having thought
about it ahead of time.
This week, pack your
bags, review your policies,
gather your irreplaceables
and store in central loca-
tion for easy access, and
most importantly hug your
family. In fact, do that now.
Many people will never get
another chance to do so.
Thanks again to all first
responders, especially Cal
Fire for your selfless service.
Make it up, make it fun,
and get it done!
#1 bestselling author
Machen P. MacDonald,
CPCC, CCSC is a certified
life and business coach with
ProBrilliance Leadership
Institute in Grass Valley.
He helps business people
gain more confidence and
clarity to live their ideal
life. He can be reached at
coach@probrilliance.com
and 530-273-8000.
TECH TIPS
From page B1
ALLOW A FRIEND TO USE
YOUR COMPUTER WITHOUT
GRANTING ACCESS TO
ALL YOUR STUFF
Q: When my friend was in town
recently, he asked to use my com-
puter to do some research. I just
handed him my laptop, but later
worried what I had done. What if he
poked around in my documents or
email, and found things I didn’t care
for him to see? Is there some way to
avoid this problem in the future?
Both PCs and Macs support a
built-in guest user, allowing you to
grant access to the internet, and
basic file handling, without grant-
ing access to any of your content,
when you let someone borrow your
computer.
Guest accounts can’t install appli-
cations or configure hardware de-
vices, so it’s unlikely that someone
logged in as a guest could hurt your
computer or find anything private.
On the other hand, because guest
users can browse the Web, they
certainly can get your computer
infected with a virus, just as easily
Medicare open enrollment season is here
I
t’s that time of year here in Keep in mind that if you carry a Medicare
the Foothills and across our
nation. Supplement (Medigap) plan, this open
If you are a Medicare en-
rollee, you should know that open
enrollment period does not allow for changes in
enrollment takes place from Oct. those plans. There are other circumstances that
15 through Dec. 7. Any changes you
make to your coverage will take ef- must occur to allow you to choose a different
fect on Jan. 1, 2018. GLENN KENES
Since your health care priorities Columnist Medigap plan.
are likely to change over time, you
might find it beneficial to review and CHANGE YOUR BASE does not allow for changes in those Medicare coverage that is right for
make alterations to how you struc- MEDICARE COVERAGE plans. There are other circumstanc- everyone.
ture your Medicare solution. First, consider the type of plan you es that must occur to allow you to Today’s menu of Medicare choices
Reviewing your Medicare selec- have: choose a different Medigap plan. gives you the opportunity to consider
tions may help you either cut costs or ■ Traditional Medicare provided Visit Medicare.gov for details. your own circumstances, the doctors
improve coverage. by the federal government, including and clinics you wish to access, and
For example, you may be able to: Part A (hospital-related expenses) CHANGE YOUR PRESCRIPTION your prescription requirements.
■ Choose coverage that keeps and Part B (health care services such DRUG COVERAGE Check out the plan finder tool on
your preferred doctors and pharma- as treatment from doctors). If you are a Medicare enrollee Medicare’s website (https://www.
cies “in-network,” where there are ■ Medicare Advantage Plans, also who has not yet begun Part D (pre- medicare.gov/find-a-plan/ques-
better controls on costs; known as Part C (coverage provided scription drug) coverage, it can be tions/home.aspx). Or, contact your
■ Find a drug plan that will result by private insurers rather than the added during the enrollment period. State Health Insurance Assistance
in lower out-of-pocket expenses for government). Another option is to switch from one Program to obtain guidance on how
the prescriptions that are key to your If you are enrolled in traditional Part D plan to another. to proceed with potential changes to
health strategy; Medicare (Parts A and B) and wish If you’re covered under a Medicare your coverage.
■ Select a potentially superior to change to a Medicare Advantage Advantage plan that doesn’t have
plan that has earned a higher rating plan (Part C), you can do so during prescription drug coverage, you can Glenn Kenes, CRPC, is a Private
from Medicare’s five-star rating sys- open enrollment. switch to one that does. Wealth Advisor and Managing
tem. If your current plan is rated less Likewise, you can switch from a You should carefully review your Director of Barber Kenes Retirement
than three-stars, it may be time to Medicare Advantage plan to tradi- current prescription needs to make Solutions a private wealth advisory
make a switch. tional Medicare coverage. This is also certain that the plan you’ve selected practice of Ameriprise Financial
a period where you can move from provides the best coverage for the Services, Inc. in Auburn, CA. He
YOUR OPTIONS DURING a Medicare Advantage from one in- drugs you are prescribed. specializes in financial planning and
OPEN ENROLLMENT surer to a Medicare Advantage plan asset management strategies and has
The open enrollment period gives offered by a different insurer. DO YOUR HOMEWORK been in practice for 23 years. Contact
you an opportunity to change your Keep in mind that if you carry a As you explore your options, it will him at: BKRetirementSolutions.com
base Medicare plan or your prescrip- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) become evident that not all plans are or 530-823-0710, 470 Nevada Street,
tion drug coverage. plan, this open enrollment period equal, and there is no single form of Ste. 200, Auburn, CA 95603.
Student making sleeping bags for refugees in Middle East
By Collin Binkley
Associated Press
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —
It wasn’t enough to send
warm wishes to refugees in
Syria. Vick Liu wanted to
send them actual warmth.
The sophomore at the
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology is creating a
new line of sleeping bags
designed for refugees who
have few other options to
keep warm during harsh
winters in the Middle East.
An avid backpacker in his
youth, Liu came up with
the idea last year after
reading about Syrian fam-
ilies who were struggling
to survive freezing tem-
peratures after fleeing the
country’s civil war.
“The only way for them
to create heat is through ASSOCIATED PRESS
fire and through blan- Vick Liu unrolls his TravlerPack, a lightweight sleeping bag, outside the Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts
kets,” said Liu, a 19-year- Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Liu, a finance and political science major, created a line of lightweight
old finance and political sleeping bags for refugees who have few other options to keep warm during winters in the Middle East.
science student. “It’s tough
to stay warm at 15 degrees December by Nu Day Syria, group. “It’s a very tangible temperatures as low as 15 models by zipping into it
Fahrenheit with a couple a nonprofit group based in fear because it’s some- degrees. Each one costs overnight during a Boston
blankets.” New Hampshire that pro- thing they’ve seen happen about $50 to make and snowstorm.
Freezing temperatures vides medical supplies and already.” distribute. After the first sleeping
in Syria and surround- everyday items to refugees The project joins other Some of the design is bags are delivered to Syria,
ing countries have been in Syria. efforts to help refugees based on Liu’s experience Liu’s team aims to send
blamed for causing hypo- The group partnered through the winter, includ- as an Eagle Scout who another 1,000 to refugee
thermia and some refugee with Liu after hearing ing programs by the U.N. grew up backpacking in camps in Lebanon and Jor-
deaths in recent years. The from families who feared a and other nonprofits that cold conditions. But other dan, where fires for warmth
United Nations says up to repeat of last year’s winter, distribute blankets and features were suggested by can be a deadly hazard. The
4 million refugees in the one of the worst in recent warm clothing. Syrian refugees Liu met students are now trying
Middle East face “extreme history. Workers say even Liu’s work began last through a friend, includ- to raise $50,000 for that
risk” this winter, but that a sleeping bag can make a year in his dorm room, ing a waterproof pocket effort. Once that’s finished,
only a quarter are expected major difference for refu- where the Los Angeles for travel documents and a Liu plans to turn the proj-
to get assistance preparing gees who had to flee home native crafted a prototype shoulder strap for porta- ect into a nonprofit group
for the cold. without warm clothing and using a sewing machine bility. Multiple bags can be and look for other refugees
To help, Liu and a team who can’t afford fuel for gas and materials stashed un- zipped together to create a in need.
of five classmates recently heaters. der his bed. larger blanket for families. “At the end of the day, we
raised $17,000 to manu- “We have 8-year-old chil- His final product is “I made it a point not to didn’t start this to make
facture 250 bedrolls and dren saying, ‘I don’t want called the TravlerPack, a assume what their needs money. We didn’t start this
send them to resettlement my brother to die,’” said lightweight sleeping bag were, but to go out and to get a ton of prestige,” he
areas in northwest Syria. Huda Alawa, grants and that’s filled with duck down find out,” said Liu, who said. “We just wanted to
They’ll be distributed in logistics coordinator for the insulation and can handle tested one of his early help people.”
Both PCs and Macs support a built-in guest user, GEORGE community vitality, environ-
From page B1 mental quality, economic
allowing you to grant access to the internet, and prosperity, and social fair-
Contact Barry Worthing- ness in the Sierra Nevada.
basic file handling, without granting access to any ton, 916-327-5262 or barry. Sierra Business Council’s
of your content, when you let someone borrow worthington@etp.ca.gov. work includes research, poli-
■ The California Small cy analysis, public education
your computer. Business Loan Guarantee and leadership development.
Program enables small busi- Call 530-582-4800 or visit
as you can yourself! but the linked article makes it clear nesses to obtain credit when sierrabusiness.org.
The trick is to first ensure that the how to proceed. it cannot otherwise qualify ■ The Small Business
guest account is enabled on your No matter which operating sys- for a loan. Association Resource part-
computer. tem you’re using, handing a friend The program provides a ners is collaborating with
On a Mac, go to System Prefer- your laptop while logged into your lender with necessary secu- the Nevada County Region-
ences, then Users & Groups, and own account is a bad idea. First, log rity in the form of guarantee. al Chamber of Commerce
enable the Guest User if current- out, and then have them in as the Contact Anthony Rucker, SR. alliance to put in place a
ly disabled. On a Windows 7 or 8 guest/visitor user, and you’ll feel a Loan Officer, 916-442-1729 county-wide web-based cal-
computer, it’s really easy: from the lot safer! or arucker@cacapital.org. endar of business workshops
Start menu, type “user accounts.” ■ Alliance for Workforce and business related events.
Click on “User Accounts” in Doug Behl and Ken Getz spent years Development is a local one- It is estimated the site will
the search results, and from this answering technical questions stop business and job seeker be launched within a couple
window, click “Manage another in private, and are minimizing center that assists those seek- of weeks. For more informa-
account.” Click “Guest.” If necessary, the questions by pre-emptively ing employment, wanting to tion, please contact Susan
click “Turn On.” publishing the answers. Hear Doug improve career opportuni- George, sugeorge@earth-
In Windows 10, it’s a lot more and Ken’s tech tips on KNCO radio ties or a business looking for link.net.
complicated. You’ll find the details weekdays at around 8:21 a.m. trained and skilled employ-
here: https://goo.gl/HwUXRV. It’s and 5:38 p.m.; find full write-ups ees. Call 530-265-7088 for Susan George is a co-
not a difficult process, but it does including links to the products more information. founder of The Nevada
require a few steps. It’s hard to they mention at http://blog. ■ Sierra Business Council County Regional Chambers
know exactly why Microsoft made it techtipguys.com. Submit your own pioneers and demonstrates of Commerce. She can be
more obscure to enable a guest user technical questions to questions@ innovative approaches reached at sugeorge@
(called a Visitor in Windows 10), techtipguys.com. and solutions to increase earthlink.net.