History of MAF and Travis Air Force Base Goes Way Back! PAGE 10 IIndependentndependentDixon's VVoiceoice VOLUME 28 • ISSUE 19 MAY 8, 2020 PO Box 1106 • Dixon, CA 95620 • (707) 678-8917 • email: [email protected] • Independentvoice.com SEE Survey INSIDE It’s Virtually a Fair! Shows Strains WHEN MAN on Rural REPLACES GOD California AS GOD By Dave Kranz, California Farm Bureau Federation SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Lost markets and lost off- farm income related to the COVID-19 pandemic have proven doubly difficult for many California farmers and ranchers, according to a survey by the California Farm Bureau Federation. More than half of the farmers responding to the voluntary survey said they PAGE 6 had lost customers or sales due to COVID-19, and nearly half said they or someone in their immedi- ate family had lost off-farm MORE SNEAKY income. The Fair’s youth livestock program typically includes multiple types of competitions and showing of animals on the Fairgrounds over the course of several days leading up to and during the Fair. Image by Catherine Stockinger from Pixabay “Just as in the rest of BUSINESS society, the effects of the By Debbie Egidio, in our community, especially as program, the Fair also plans on mov- pandemic have rever- By Mike Ceremello Solano County Fairgrounds it pertains to our youth livestock ing its Youth Solano Living program berated throughout Press Release exhibitors. We felt that it was vitally to a virtual exhibition. These “still rural California,” CFBF important to figure out a way to exhibits” include arts and crafts, President Jamie Johansson SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - At its continue some form of annual Fair clothing and textiles, graphic arts, said. “There’s no aspect of April 15 meeting, the Board of activities with the top priority being photography and more. Fair staff farming, ranching or agri- Directors of the Solano County Fair our Junior Livestock Auction. This is envisions that many new exhibitors cultural business that has Association (SCFA) made the diffi- an ongoing and ever-changing task, may participate in this area as more been spared.” cult decision, due to the impacts of but we are committed to making it youth have been working on projects CFBF and the Farm COVID-19, to forego its traditional happen.” at home over the last several weeks Employers Labor Service, Fair activities that invite guests to The Fair’s youth livestock program and will continue to do so. The full a Farm Bureau affiliate, gather at the Fairgrounds during the typically includes multiple types of list of categories and entry instruc- asked farmers and ranch- annual Fair celebration. Instead, the competitions and showing of animals tions are being developed now and ers to respond to an online SCFA will pivot its efforts to produc- on the Fairgrounds over the course of will be available on the Fair’s web survey form between April ing a Solano County Virtual Fair & several days leading up to and dur- site soon. The Adult Solano Living, 7 and April 21. More than Livestock Program on its previously ing the Fair. Fair staff is currently Fine Arts and Floriculture programs 500 responded. Nearly PAGE 5 announced dates of June 18 to 21. working on how these activities can will be taking a hiatus this year and 57% of respondents said “As far as our records show, the be modified in order to meet public will return as part of next year’s Fair. they had lost customers or Solano County Fair has never been health guidelines. The end goal is to In addition to the youth exhib- sales during the pandemic, cancelled in its seventy-year history enable a livestock auction for market itor programs, the Fair is excited with most citing stay- and we didn’t want that to happen animals. It is not known yet if it will to embark on a virtual Fair expe- at-home orders that had 47 this year,” stated SCFA Executive be possible to have a live auction on rience for the community. Several closed customers’ busi- Director & CEO, Mike Ioakimedes. site, so plans are also being made for possibilities are being devel- nesses. Forty-two percent “Our Board and staff care deeply the possibility of an online auction. oped for interactive activities and of responding farmers said about our Fair and the role it plays Beyond continuing the livestock Continued on page 3 they or a family member had lost off-farm income, mainly because of jobs unavailable due to stay-at- home orders or to care for children due to school and child-care closures. Balloons Bring ‘Happy’ “Most farm and ranch households count on off- By Debra Dingman but like a lot of people, farm income to supplement she still was struggling what they earn from agri- DIXON, CA (MPG) - We’ve with excess time while culture,” Johansson said, seen children getting drive- the Governor’s Stay-at- “and have seen those jobs by birthday parties with Home Order is in effect. reduced at the same time as police cars and officers, The Event Decorator and prices farmers and ranchers and we’ve seen beauti- CBA would normally be earn for many crops and ful rock paintings secretly super busy working on the commodities have fallen.” placed about town, but Dixon High School All About three-quarters of recently, we were treated to Night Party for graduates the responding farmers a colorful, house-high dis- and booking private parties said they had been able to play of balloons simulating for seniors in June. maintain operations so far, a giant rainbow, complete “Organizers are still and had been able to avoid with a happy-face sun waiting for the school dis- furloughing or laying off peeking over the edge of trict to decide if there is employees. Of those who its half-sphere. going to be a graduation,” reported reducing opera- “I’ve been trying to she said, adding that they tions or staff, most cited think of ways to help,” are talking about pulling cuts to customer orders said long-time Dixonite together a scaled-down or revenue. Only 20% Pam Chesser, a Certified version outdoors, which of reported employees unable Balloon Artist (CBA) course, she will help with. to work, mostly because through the international “It felt good to be doing the employees were con- organization, Qualatex, something since my busi- sidered in a high-risk group that hosts the only World ness dropped to zero,” for the novel coronavirus. Balloon Convention annu- she said. “There is abso- About one-third reported ally. She received an invite lutely nothing for parties. being unable to undertake just recently to participate It was such a relief to not routine planting, cultiva- in the #OneMillionBubbles feel helpless.” Even the tion or crop-care activities project with thousands of Certified Balloon Artist Pam Chesser brings ‘Happy’ to Dixon annual world-wide balloon due to lack of personal pro- balloon artists in 71 coun- via giant bubble creations. This giant man-eating flower convention was all done tective equipment such as was custom to the recipient’s favorite Broadway play on her tries. The purpose: spread a birthday during the COVID shutdown. Courtesy: PJ Designs online, she added. respiratory protection. little happiness. After receiving the “Farmers and ranchers “I thought it was a won- Chesser had already at a Woodland hospital invite, she immediately are doing all they can to derful idea,” she said. sewn masks for the nurses where her daughter works, Continued on page 6 Continued on page 2 Dixon's Independent Voice - Dixon's ONLY Family Owned Newspaper For Over 25 Years 2 • MAY 8, 2020 Dixon's Independent Voice Dave Ramsey Says Ask Dixon Family Services (DFS) If You Can similar to your location. should I approach the next Honestly though, if I had a Baby Step? Get Help During the Coronavirus Crisis valued and respected mem- – Kevin ber of my team moving up By Cookie Powell, many generous individuals, clubs, orga- from hourly to salaried, Dear Kevin, Dixon Family Services nizations and businesses who have made we’d have more of a give- First of all, thank you for charitable contributions to DFS recently. and-take discussion and your service to our country. DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon Family Services If you would also like to help us in this examination of the situation You’re on the right track. is a community-based organization serv- unprecedented time of increased need for rather than a negotiation. Baby Step 3 means hav- ing Dixon and the surrounding rural our services, please send a check to DFS Yeah, in your posi- Be Professional ing three to six months of areas since 1984. Our one-stop-shop of or use a credit card on our website. tion I’d create a few expenses set aside for emer- social services helps hundreds of peo- A huge “thank you” to those who have and Respectful well-researched compen- gencies. Considering the ple each year achieve goals such as already donated!!! sation studies. Give them Dear Dave, stability of your employ- improved/increased employment, house- Some Additional Notes and to your bosses, and talk ment situation, I think hold budgeting, financial stability, Reminders: I’ve always made good with them. I know I would you’d be okay leaning improved nutrition, sobriety, emotional Phone or email messages left during money at my job, but be impressed by that, and recently I was offered a toward the three-month side wellness, positive parenting and family closed hours will be answered on our depending on the size of of expenses.