REDDING RECREATION Category
Mary Lake Beaver Mystery Continues
REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
I was surprised when journalist Ryan Sabalow of the Record Searchlight called to ask me if I heard the news regarding the suspicious deaths of 5 beavers in the past few months in Mary Lake. Apparently he found numerous posts I had on my blog regarding the life and times of Mary Lake’s beaver family. First, I didn’t know we had so many beavers living in Mary Lake. Second, I had no idea five of these playful critters had been killed or died and local Fish and Game wardens were investigating.
The mystery centers on the cause of death of these water rodents. Did they die of natural causes, from competing wildlife such as river otters, or as one neighbor believes, malicious actions of teenage boys? Hopefully, a necropsy soon to be performed by state officials will shed some light on the cause of death for one unlucky beaver.
After the Record Searchlight featured Ryan’s story on the plight of the beavers on the front page of Saturday’s paper, I was contacted by a neighbor who saw three teenage boys recently kill a mallard and hurl huge boulders at a beaver. My neighbor confronted the boys but did not stick around to see the outcome of their actions. The article spurred my neighbor to file a report with state wildlife officials including a description of the boys and the vehicle one was seen driving.
Thank you Record Searchlight for bringing attention to this tragedy. Time will tell if the cause will be determined and appropriate actions taken to protect the critters that call Mary Lake home.
Please contact me if you have any information on these events.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
CORNER OF COURT AND PLACER
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Earth Day Arrives April 22nd
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
The first official Earth Day was celebrated on the March equinox by the United Nations in 1969. Another Earth Day was started the following year by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. April 22 is the date Earth Day is celebrated every year during spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. Senator Nelson used the day to have a “teach in” to focus on the impact of population growth. The grassroots effort coincided with a strong push towards “Zero Population Growth”.
UN Secretary-General U Thant supported this global initiative and on Feb. 26, 1971 signed a proclamation worth noting that said:
May there only be peaceful and cheerful Earth Days to come for our beautiful Spaceship Earth as it continues to spin and circle in frigid space with its warm and fragile cargo of animate life.
Today, Earth Day is a celebration of political support for an environmental agenda. Senator Nelson was inspired by a visit to Santa Barbara after the horrific oil spill in 1969. He went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22nd as a national day to celebrate the earth. Today, millions of people celebrate Earth Day or Earth Week worldwide.
Many colleges and government agencies have developed programs to engage citizens in environmental projects in their communities during Earth Day or Earth Week. The California State Parks Foundation has developed a Earth day Restoration and Cleanup Program.
Click here for more information: http://www.calparks.org/programs/earth-day
My wife and I have become involved with Redding’s Adopt-A-Park Program and help keep one park clean year round. The city has found many sponsors since starting the program 2 1/2 years ago but there are still parks and trails in need of adoption. 15 of the 33 parks in the program still need a sponsor. They include:
- Minder Park and Trail in the Edgewood neighborhood
- Alta Mesa/ Western Oaks Park in Enterprise
- Clover Creek Park/ Hawn Park near Starview Estates
- Creekside Park in South Redding
- Ridgeview Park in West Redding
- Vista Ridge Park in North Redding
Of the 12 trails up for adoption, only two remain available:
- Old 99 Trail
- Palatine Trail
A new trail will be available for adoption once the Sacramento River Trail is extended to the Hwy 44/Hilltop Drive area.
Visit the Redding Community Services department at the following link for details:
http://www.ci.redding.ca.us/CommunityServices/adopt.html
Make Earth Day Earth Year by adopting and caring for a small slice of this beautiful place we call home!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Turtle Bay Looking For Friends
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
Some locals bash Turtle Bay for being a financial burden to the city. Perhaps that is why a campaign has been launched for the silent majority to show their support for this local museum. It could also be a way for Turtle Bay to build a list of possible prospects for future membership. In any case, Turtle Bay would like advocates to sign up for free to “demonstrate that large numbers of people in this community care about the continued operation and public funding of Turtle Bay Exploration Park.”
They would like the public to voice their support and encourage their friends to do the same. They also are encouraging supporters to write letters to the editor, talk to local elected officials and spread the word about positive experiences they have had at Turtle Bay.
I have noticed several Redding.com commenters consistently bashing Turtle Bay, The Sundial Bridge, Big League Dreams and City Hall every opportunity they get. They claim these new additions to the city are unneeded and expensive amenities that drain the city’s budget. The city has maintained these venues bring additional revenues to local businesses which eventually trickle back into the city’s coffers from tax revenues. Locals and tourists end up indirectly funding these cultural additions built during the years Mike Warren was city manager.
Join the friends of Turtle Bay if you are so inclined. Here’s the link: http://www.turtlebay.org/
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
REP GMAC On The Move
INDUSTRY NEWS, REAL ESTATE PRACTICE, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
Apparently the word is not out yet about our move to a new West Redding location. Over the next few days, agents and staff will pack up and move either to our Hilltop office or new location at the corner of Court and Placer. The building has undergone extensive remodeling and promises to bring state-of-the-art technology capabilities. Bridge Mortgage will share the office space with Real Estate Professionals GMAC.
Originally, the Court Street property housed a mortuary before I arrived in town. That was demolished to make room for the current building which housed a title and escrow office over the past few decades. The location is convenient to county facilities including the planning, building and assessor’s office. This area is likely to see tremendous change when the new county courthouse is constructed nearby.
I will miss the Cobblestone Court office location I have called home for 16 years but also look forward to being much closer to my West Redding abode. Downtown eateries can expect new customers from the 40+ new arrivals within easy walking distance of their dining establishments. Some of the lunch spots I visited when I worked for 10 years at Medley Realty on Market Street in the 80’s and 90’s may see my shadow grace their doorways once again. Pat and Sandy, see you soon at The Sandwichery!
Shasta County Jail inmates will notice more activity looking out their east facing vertical windows once our busy office comes to life. The post office will be nearby when important snail mail documents must be deposited. Market Fest will be an easy walk after Thursday work day. Carnegie’s will beckon on those 100+ degree days when we need to wet our whistle.
Change is the sign of the times and I look forward to new memories in a new location with old friends. Stop by and say hi if you get the chance.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
Ruggles Robbery Revisited
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
A reader of my blog emailed me recently regarding my post that retold the story of the Ruggles brothers stage robbery in Shasta. She was writing a play loosely based on this local historic event and wanted to visit the site of the robbery for inspiration. I provided some brief directions and I hope she found the right spot.
It has been a number of years since I rode past that marker on my mountain bike, so I asked my wife if she would join me for a leisurely walk on this unseasonably warm winter afternoon. She lived in Old Shasta for years but never ventured down this old wagon trail. Off we went!
We drove to Middle Creek Road and turned north off Hwy 299 to find a gate blocking the road. We parked, I grabbed my camera pack and headed down the paved road behind the gate until we crossed the bridge over Middle Creek then veered right to begin the gradual descent down the dirt wagon road. Middle Creek drops sharply into a rocky canyon as it twists its way toward Iron Mountain Road. The wagon road winds its way along the side of the south facing hills above the creek offering occasional glimpses of the tumbling waters at the bottom of the gorge.
We walked by signs warning visitors not to remove any artifacts. We hadn’t seen any yet but suddenly we felt the historical significance of this pretty valley on the outskirts of Redding. As we passed a sharp bend in the road that crossed a small side drainage we noticed some man-made rock walls that appeared to funnel the water across the road. A shear wall covered in brush supported the downhill side of the grade. Not far from this point, about a mile down the wagon trail from the pavement was the spot that I recall being marked with a stake and small metal plaque signifying the place 
where the Ruggles brothers held up the stage in the Spring of 1892.
The robbery site is located where the road cuts through a hill with high road banks on either side. I assume the brothers positioned themselves on top of the road banks (photos right) to take advantage of the view and shooting angle as the stage approached. The photo below is the hillside behind and below the south road bank looking east toward Mt. Lassen.
Click here for robbery details: http://movetoredding.com/2008/09/25/ruggles-brothers-loot-never-found/
For those with GPS capability, here’s the UTM coordinates of the site I believe to be the spot where the marker once stood: 10 T 0544616 /4494068
Click here for a slide show of our hike:
http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1828662
For a map, click here:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Shasta&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.915634,78.134766&ie=UTF8&ll=40.59714,-122.471766&spn=0.017303,0.038152&t=p&z=15
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
SHASTA HISTORIC PARK RENOVATIONS NEARING COMPLETION
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
The recent winter dry spell, including balmy mid-January temperatures, provides a great opportunity to take advantage of local outdoor attractions. The ruins at Shasta State Historic Park have been closed to park visitors for several months for renovations until just recently. The temporary 
construction fences are gone, new elevated walkways constructed, iron shutters freshly painted green and black and new steel reinforcements for the freestanding brick walls installed.
Missing are the yet-to-be-installed exhibits describing the ruins and history of this town that prospered for several decades in the mid-1800’s.
Much of the original town was destroyed by fire in December 1852, rebuilt, then six months later all 70 businesses on Main Street were destroyed again by fire. After most of the gold claims were exhausted in the late 1860’s, freight service, supplies and stagecoach business dropped off over time. The ultimate demise of Shasta as a commercial center was sealed when Redding was selected for the new Central Pacific Railroad Terminal. Businesses moved away from Shasta and Redding took over as county seat in 1888.
Don’t miss the Ruins Trail that traverses the hill above the ruins. The view
over the top of the ruins to the Courthouse and the Masonic Hall are spectacular. Take a quick tour of the Courthouse Museum including the basement jail and gallows. Just west of the park are the Union and Catholic Cemeteries connected by a hiking trail.
Today, Old Shasta, as locals refer to this town a couple miles west of Redding, is a delightful community of country homes at the doorstep of Whiskeytown Lake. Take a closer look if you get the chance!
View a slide show of Old Shasta http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1775800&prt=10003
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
WHISKEYTOWN LAKE SUFFERING IDENTITY CRISIS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
The latest salvo form Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Superintendent Jim Milestone is to rid Shasta Bally of its communication towers utilized for decades by radio, TV and government agencies. In fact, these towers were there before Whiskeytown Lake was filled with water behind the man-made dam. Now the man in charge at Whiskeytown NRA equates Shasta Bally to Yosemite’s Half Dome. The towers mustn’t mar such a pristine mountaintop, according to Jim.
Comparing a man-made recreation area to a naturally beautiful National Park is comparing apples to oranges. If Jim believes he is overseeing a pristine national park, he may want to review the brief history of Whiskeytown NRA. Understand that this lake, beautiful as it is, is part of a huge plumbing project. It impounds clear, cold water diverted from the Trinity River near Lewiston, then pipes it down through Shasta where it joins the Sacramento River near the town of Keswick.
September 28, President Kennedy dedicated Whiskeytown NRA just weeks before his assassination in November, 1963. In his dedication speech, he said “Shasta and its neighbors are assured water and power. They can enjoy new chances for recreational growth, and new access to open space.” Managers have expanded trail systems for horseback riders, hikers and mountain bikers but banned personal watercraft from the lake and closed some roads to 4WD users. Much of the back country is closed this winter, at the direction of the superintendent, due to hazards posed by potential mudslides after last summer’s fires burnt hundreds of acres in the area.
Jim has also made life difficult for some private property owners around the perimeter of the recreation area’s boundaries. If their access road has been gated and locked by NRA employees, property owners must prove, to Jim’s satisfaction, legal deeded access exists across the recreation area’s land. This can be a daunting task, and failure to provide satisfactory records means these properties are effectively landlocked.
As long as Superintendent Milestone keeps calling the recreation area a park, expect further limitations on access and elimination of man-made facilities, such as the towers atop Shasta Bally. It wouldn’t surprise me if this leads to an eventual ban on motor boats and vehicles on the back roads of the recreation area. In my experience, this has been the trend in National Parks across the West.
Visit the Whiskeytown Web cam at the following link: http://www.whiskeytowncam.com/
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
REALTORS TO PUBLISH WINNERS OF ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT CONTEST
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
Realtors, along with Affiliate members of the Shasta Association of Realtors, toured the Greater Redding area to view dozens of entries for the Annual Christmas Light Decorating Contest. All contestants were grouped by location and the homes were viewed Monday evening by association volunteers. The list was whittled down to the best two entries from each area and those were viewed Tuesday evening by all the judges.
The hardest part was selecting the Grand Prize winner. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as Honorable Mention. The Best Street was also given an award of $800. Here are some of the finalists:
- 12949 Akrich Street- Take I-5 North to Pine Grove exit, right on Pine Grove, left on Virginia, right on Akrich
- 2499 El Verano-Rancho Road to Saratoga, north to El Verano-on corner, tune your radio
- 21316 Gaines Lane, Anderson- I-5 to Deschutes, North to balls Ferry, left to Gaines lane
- 3187 Barrel Court- S. Bonnyview to E. Bonnyview, north to Barrel Court
Here are some of my favorites:
- 292 Ironwood- Market Street to Benton to Riverpark Highlands to Ironwood, tune your radio
- Lucerne Court- 4 homes-Eastside Road to Sacramento/Star, right on Balaton to Lucerne
- 11565 Fox Estates Court-Collyer to Ridgewood, left on Hollow, Right on Fox Estates Ct, home on right
- 16974 Catalina-Quartz Hill to Keswick Dam, west to Menlo, left on Catalina Way. Meet Santa!
All the entries and prize winners will be published in the local paper in the next day or two.
I suggested a new category for next year- The Green Award! This would go to the home that utilized green products for decorating purposes such as LED lights, solar-powered lights and/or figurines, decorations made with recycled products, etc. The lead committee member that organizes the contest thought it was a great idea and may devise such a category for next year’s competition.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
FUTURE OF RIVER BEND GOLF COURSE DISCUSSED
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
Kim Niemer, City of Redding’s Community Services Director, met with residents of River Bend Estates to discuss the future of the neighborhood golf course. Apparently, the golf course is struggling financially and the city wants the residents input should the city exercise their right to buy the property. The city may consider purchasing the land the golf course occupies and developing a park.
Apparently, the city questioned the viability of a golf course during the planning phase of developing this prime riverfront property in 1988, which was designated parkland in the General Plan and thus stipulated that should the golf course fail, the city would have the first right of refusal to purchase the land for park purposes. Area residents are probably concerned a park could dramatically change the character and desirability of the subdivision and potentially attract unwanted loitering and vandalism.
An interesting side note is the fact that a swath of vacant land in the middle of the subdivision has
been set aside because it is documented burial grounds for Native Americans. I always thought this was another undeveloped pocket park, which are common in Redding. Since the 1970’s, developers have been required to set aside a portion of their land for future park development even though the city, in most cases, does not have the financial resources to build or maintain these parks. One such park was recently abandoned in Lake Redding Estates and the land auctioned off on Ebay. One lot sold and the other is still for sale by the city.
The city is doing a great job locking up property for future park development. Finding enough money to develop and maintain the parks seems to be a big obstacle to these grandiose plans.
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
CHRISTMAS PARADE DAZZLES REDDING
REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
Shame on me! Twenty five years in Redding and I finally saw my first Christmas Parade. I wasn’t alone 
though, my wife and her twin sister have lived here longer than I have and this was their first experience seeing this event. It helps when you have some youngsters in tow that were 
excited by all the floats, marching bands, decorated motor vehicles and pets including horses, sheep, donkeys, etc. More than 130 entries passed our great viewing spot in front of the Lorenz Hotel.
My 3-year-old grandson cringed at the loud boats, cars and truck horns while his brother savored every moment of the parade. The chilly evening could not cool the glee of thousands of spectators. Most came prepared with chairs, hot drinks, blankets and munchies. We stood while the kids stood on the deep window sill of Deja Vu Cafe enjoying a commanding view over our heads of the varied entrants.
The Sons of Italy had an interesting version of the 12 Days of Christmas from their float. Partridges and 
maids-a-milking were replaced with meatballs and bottles of vino. The best float I saw was a replica of a paddle-wheeler decked with lights and animation. I wish that one had led the parade instead of being near the end. Our young ones bladders were about to explode by the time it came rolling by!
Certainly worth the trip and we’ll be back next year, better prepared and positioned to see this wonderful small town parade!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
PREMIER SERVICE® is the focus of Real Estate Professionals/GMAC. We are located in Redding, CA (at the North end of the Sacramento River Valley) in the midst of river, lake, ranch and mountain terrain.
Our Customer Satisfaction Rating, based on an independent survey, exceeds 97%. This is reflected in our 2008 "QUIE" Award recognizing the TOP 10 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES in NORTH AMERICA! REP/GMAC in #2.
