WEED – The College of the Siskiyous Foundation has announced the four nationally touring programs for the 2008-09 Performing Arts Series (PAS). The College Theatre Department will also perform fall and winter plays and a spring musical. The Music Department will host a variety of musical concerts both fall and spring. All performances are held at the College of the Siskiyous Weed Campus in the Kenneth W. Ford Theatre.

General admission tickets are $20, Senior citizen tickets (60 years and older) are $19 and children 12 and under are $12. For groups purchasing 20 or more tickets, the cost is $15 per ticket. For a series brochure or for additional information, call the Weed Campus Foundation Office at (530) 938-5373 or toll-free from (888) 397-4339. Patrons may purchase performance tickets to all performances beginning Monday, September 8. Tickets are available from the COS Foundation Office at the Weed Campus. The Series is generously co-sponsored by the COS Foundation and the Siskiyou Training and Employment Program (STEP). (more…)

YREKA – Frequent siskiyouyouth.com contributor Suzzanne Lunney of Mt. Shasta took first place in the Photo Journalism category at the 2008 Siskiyou Golden Fair.

The photo of Boy Scout Clayton Poore holding a folded American flag was taken during a flag retirement ceremony held at the Mount Shasta City Park on June 28, 2008. Over 70 flags were retired during the ceremony conducted by the Elk’s Lodge BPOE 2333 of Mount Shasta, the Marine Corp League, and Boy Scout Troop 97 of Mount Shasta.

For Lunney, a Desert Storm veteran, honoring the American flag is “very important,” and while she was at the ceremony she “just started snapping pictures.”

Viewing the pictures later at home was an emotional experience for Lunney, as was the ceremony.

“I was stunned at the emotions that I caught on that young man’s face…. And the pictures of the flags, the ceremony, were very touching and moving,” said Lunney. “I just got caught up in the moment, and once I started taking pictures, I couldn’t stop. I was very excited to send them to the Elk’s, and to others that were involved with the ceremony once I saw them.” (more…)

WEED – As children, many of us looked forward to watching the Olympics. The talent, the energy, and the passion the athletes demonstrate are amazing. Dr. Sherry Ackerman, a Philosophy and Psychology Instructor for the College of the Siskiyous, has her own special tie to the Beijing Olympics.

What is Dr. Ackerman’s tie to the 2008 Olympics? Rociero XV, a Spanish Andalusian (Baroque) horse whose bloodlines can be traced to the Renaissance, received his preliminary training from Ackerman. Ackerman is an internationally acclaimed dressage clinician and is one of the American dressage industry’s leading proponents of dressage as a philosophical, spiritual, artistic practice, and of animal spirituality. Dressage, as defined by Wikipedia, (pronounced dress-ahhzh – a French term, most commonly translated to mean “training”) is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. Dressage is also occasionally referred to as “Horse Ballet.”

As a child, Ackerman grew up with horses. Her father, also a professor, adored horses, and they always had them. As a teenager, Ackerman became involved with Combined Training. One of the three phases of Combined Training is dressage. In 1971, Ackerman traveled to Germany to study with Herr Egon von Neindorff. At the time, Herr von Neindorff was considered “the best dressage teacher in the world.” (more…)

By Chet Collins, D.C.

It’s that time of year again. summer is over and it’s time to begin re-training your mind and body after a fun and relaxing vacation. Remember to pay attention as you get back into practice. This is the time that it is easy to get hurt. Focus on getting limber as you begin training for the fall and winter seasons. By focusing on stretching you will allow your joints to move easier and your muscles to contract with more force during exercise. This will allow you to make higher gains in strength, endurance and speed throughout the season.

Tune in to how your body is responding to those first few days, and weeks, of practice. Do you feel overly tired, consistently sore, or have a specific area that returns to bother you? These are signs that your body is having a bit of difficulty keeping up with the workouts. Remember, your body has to respond to the training stress you give it. This causes a bit of tissue breakdown and your body responds by replacing the weaker parts of the tissue. (more…)

ANAHEIM – It’s been a busy summer for Mt. Shasta’s Jerika Hutchinson—racing with the women’s U.S. elite cycling team in the Czech Republic, competing in the Junior World Championships in South Africa, and last week winning the Time Trial at the Junior National Championships (17-18 year-old).

Hutchinson, riding for Team TIBCO, finished the race in 31:43.40, nearly 34 seconds ahead of second place finisher Danielle Haulman. She also finished eighth in the Road Race (2:34:24).

After a grueling trip through Europe, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Germany and Austria, as well as the Junior Worlds in South Africa. Hutchinson recently took the time to do an interview with Siskiyou Youth.

Hutchinson started cycling in a rather unusual way. (more…)

Complete rodeo results below

YREKA – Laramie Collins of Weed won the Bull Riding event last Saturday in front of a large crowd at the Siskiyou Golden Fair. Collins was the first competitor with a successful ride, and celebrated with mock gun slinging and a toss of his hat.

One oddity was that Collins was wearing chaps that had belonged to the 2007 CHSRA District – 4 rodeo queen.

“Last year at state, I didn’t want to rip my one pair of chaps that I had for bronc riding. So I asked the rodeo queens if I could borrow a pair for bull riding,” said Collins.

As it turned out, D-4 Queen Taylor Degret volunteered her chaps. Unfortunately for Collins, Degret’s mother stepped in and nixed the deal because the queen still needed them for other appearances. However, earlier this year, Degret’s mother gave Collins the chaps, and he’s been wearing them for bull riding ever since. Collins said he hasn’t had time to take the “queen” off, and will probably just leave it there. (more…)

WEED – A variety of Administration of Justice (ADJ) courses will be offered at College of the Siskiyous during the fall 2008 semester. In July, COS accepted an agreement with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office who have assigned a full-time deputy to the district for the purpose of coordinating the Administration of Justice program, teaching ADJ classes, and providing mutually agreed-upon standardized training certified by the Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) to law enforcement officers and other emergency response personnel.

Glenn (Tad) White, Deputy – Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and COS Adjunct Faculty member, has been assigned as the new ADJ Program Coordinator. White has over twenty-two years of law enforcement and Educational Teaching and administration experience and looks forward to his new duties as Coordinator. According to White, the ADJ program will feature an expanded Reserve Training staff which will include patrol officers, detectives, administrative personnel, personnel from the District Attorney’s Office, and field experts. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office will be donating new upgraded safety and duty equipment, crime scene investigation equipment, and in the near future – fully outfitted patrol vehicles that will be used to familiarize students with all aspects of field patrol and investigation. (more…)

YREKA – Kaylee Pimentel of Montague took top honors at the KSYC Siskiyou Superstars Talent Show at the Siskiyou Golden Fair on Wednesday night.

The 18-year-old will now travel to Sacramento to compete in the State Fair Star competition at the California State Fair on Labor Day. She won a trophy and $250 on Wednesday night.

Second place winner in the 16-28 age category was Tony Crisi from Mount Shasta, winning a trophy and $100. First in the 29 and over category was Becky Patti from Yreka, winning a trophy and $250. Second place went to Robert Harrison of Yreka who won $100 and a trophy.

On Friday night PremierWest Bank presents the Xtremely Amped! motocross show in the grandstand (tickets required). It is also Teen Night in the new Pacific Power Technology Pavilion featuring great contests and prizes.

Xtremely Amped is the ultimate combination of high voltage rock and high flying stunts. Live bands will constantly pump rock favorites, which will crescendo into a crowd-pleasing, extreme-sport spectacular.

In the Technology Pavilion, there are interactive computer games for the teenagers including Guitar Hero and Play Station, plus during Teen Night there will be contests and prizes.

YREKA – Thursday, Aug. 7, is McDonald’s Kids Day, with kids 12 and under getting in free all day The day starts off with Kids Games at 10:00 am with Lanky the Clown, as well as fun entertainment all day long. Pepsi Bottling Co. of Mount Shasta presents Clay Walker and Steve Holy in the Scott Valley Bank Grandstand that evening (tickets required).

Lanky the Clown is one of the most energetic and colorful clowns on the fair circuit. With over 25 years of clowning experience, Lanky and friends have traveled the world to bring smiles and laughter to over 10 different countries.
In addition, international goodwill clowning tours and church clowning are part of his dedication to the art. He has repeatedly toured Russia and Guatemala, and has toured Afghanistan and Cambodia as part of an International Coalition of Clowns put together by renowned Medical Doctor, Patch Adams – yes the same Patch from the famed movie. The concept was to take the simple universal language of clowning to the children of that war torn country. Thousands of children were visited, many in hospitals and orphanages. This tour was undertaken at great risk to the thirty or so clowns from around the world that took part in it. Most of the tour participants returned to their home counties feeling enriched for the opportunity. (more…)

WEED – College of the Siskiyous is inviting students to register today for “Mathematics for the Totally Confused” (Math 90 / #0600-0605 / 1.5 units). The class will begin Tuesday, August 19, in the Distance Learning Center, room 8 on the Weed Campus and will be taught via videoconferencing to sites in Yreka, Happy Camp, Butte Valley, Etna, and Tulelake. The class will continue to meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:20 pm until November 6. Deborah Randolph is the instructor. (more…)

FORT JONES – The Smiley’s team battled through the elimination bracket of the 26^th annual Bev White Memorial Mush Ball Tournament, and swept the Sue Tribe in the double elimination championship games.

Four teams out of nine entered the final day of competition on Sunday—The Crew and the Sue Tribe on the winner’s side of the bracket, and 5150 and Smiley’s on the elimination side. The Sue Tribe defeated The Crew in the first game of the day to advance to the championship game.

Smiley’s beat 5150 to move into the semifinal game against The Crew. Smiley’s punched its ticket to the championship game with a 7-3 win, avenging a game-2 loss to The Crew on Saturday. The Crew, sponsored by Karen Pearson of AAA, took third place.

Smiley’s faced a daunting task coming into the championship game, having to beat the undefeated Sue Tribe not just once but twice to capture the title.

Smiley’s set the tone early in game-1, with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. They then proceeded to play stellar defense, and add two more runs in the third inning on the way to a 4-0 shutout.

In the second championship game, Smiley’s pasted four runs on the board in both the first and second inning, taking an 8-0 lead. The Sue Tribe scored their only run of the championship games in the third inning, making it 8-1. Smiley’s added a run in the fourth, and went on to win 9-1, capturing the crown. (more…)

YREKA – Thirty-six volleyball players from around the county, ranging from sixth grade to high school seniors, attended this year’s YMCA volleyball camp—and, why not? YMCA Senior Program Director, former collegiate player, and former Yreka High School volleyball coach Scott Eastman assembled an impressive staff.

Former All-League setter for Yreka High School, collegiate player, and current Simpson University volleyball coach Melissa Church and one of her players, defensive specialist Taylor Lukehart, made the trek up from Redding. Yreka varsity head coach Carla Truttman, Yreka JV coach Laura Martin, and Mt. Shasta High School’s varsity coach Greta Jones also brought their talents.

Joining the coaches were YHS All-League and current collegiate players Anna and Mary Leal, as well as recent YHS graduate and future Simpson player Jenny Hopkins. Also assisting was YMCA youth sports coach Teresa Gomes.

One of the features about the YMCA camp that Eastman feels is key to its success is the way that fundamental skills are taught.

“We’ve molded this one to be a real fundamental development camp. I think there is a fine line between teaching what the fundamental skill is, and actually showing the progression of how you achieve that fundamental development,” said Eastman. “A lot of times coaches will have drills where they’ll say, ‘You gotta do this, and this, and this to improve your setting.’ But, what they don’t do is tell them this is exactly where you foot position needs to be to align your hands up, and that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. We need to break it down, and isolate different parts of the fundamental skill.” (more…)