Mother’s Day is the biggest holiday for flower deliveries nationwide, as Americans spend a whopping $1.9 billion each year, according to the National Retail Federation. How do you make sure your flowers are a cut above the rest?

“Flowers, like any other present, make a bold statement. If it’s the thought that counts, then choose thoughtfully,” says Farbod Shoraka, CEO of BloomNation.com, the online floral marketplace that connects local florists around the country with savvy consumers.

When it comes to ordering your Mother’s Day flowers, here are some key tips:

• Go local: Avoid websites that post generic stock photos instead of accurate pictures of what you’re really ordering. These sites are generally floral brokers that take a large commission from the florist while charging expensive service fees to consumers. The result can be lower quality and higher prices for products with an impersonal feel. Instead, opt for a local florist.

• Seek quality: The difference between a top local florist and a run-of-the-mill amateur can be enormous. Look for online reviews, Facebook fans and even a well-maintained Pinterest page as clues that you are dealing with a florist who can turn flowers into art!

When shopping online, consider checking out a site like www.BloomNation.com, which features top floral artisans from across the country, showcasing real images of their actual work. All the designs on the website are uploaded by the individual local florists, so what you see is what Mom gets.

An online floral marketplace like this offers the personal shopping experience of walking into a real flower shop from the comfort of your own home. You can rest assure you will be sending Mom something great. 

• Make it easy: Some websites ship flowers in a box. Don’t make flower delivery a hassle for Mom. Ensure that the flowers are already designed and will be hand delivered, so she doesn’t have any extra work to do on her special day.

With a unique and special floral arrangement, you can use this Mother’s Day as an opportunity to show Mom how much you really love her.

Here are some of Colusa Counties Local Florists:

• Amedee’s Flower & Gift Shop – 734 E St, Williams – (530) 473-5957
• Richies Flowers & Gifts- 427 Market Street, Colusa – (530) 458-5174 – www.richiesflorist.com
• Sierra Flowers – 613 Market St  Colusa – (530) 458-8128 – www.colusasierraflowers.com

Although the event was staged, it can be assured that the emotions were very, very real and that the hard facts and consequences of driving under the influence, are all too real.

The grisly mock accident scene was staged as part of the Every 15 minutes program, which aims to prevent drunk-driving fatalities. A reminder that there is no such thing as a second chance, emphasizing the minute an individual gets behind the wheel while drunk, high or distracted that they are no longer in control – and in just one second, their lives could change forever.

During Thursday morning classes, Pierce High School Students were reminded on just how quickly lives can change. Preselected students were pulled out of classrooms – every 15 minutes by the ‘Grim Reaper’.

These students became members of the walking dead, claimed victim to an alcohol related automotive fatality. The student’s obituary was read aloud to the class as they left the classroom.

Later that morning, the crash scene dramatization began where the driver of a pickup, Oscar Sanchez and his passengers Hayden Kalfsbeek, Kendra Kent and Angelina Silva were returning back to school.

The driver claiming to have had few alcoholic beverages failed to stop at the intersection of Smoky Hallow Rd, and Wildwood Road, impacting a small sedan carrying Margarito Meza, Andy Corona, Paola Ayala and Ricardo Jauregui.

Sanchez emerged from the wreck, wandering and stumbling crying in fear over his passengers and friends whom were motionless in the sedan.

As emergency personal arrived at the scene, Sanchez was completely disoriented as he tugged and pulled on the twisted metal of the vehicles trying to get the passengers to respond.

Sanchez realized the result of his decision to drive while under the influence as events unfolded.

Air ambulances transported Ayala and Kalfsbeek to Colusa Regional Medical Center.

Kalfsbeek died en route. Corona was pronounced dead at the scene and was covered and transported to the morgue.

Although a drama recreation of an actual crash scene, emergency personnel treat the crash scene very seriously using the opportunity for training purposes – making the scene very realistic. Vehicle extraction tools, the Jaws-of-Life, were used to extract occupants.

As the victims were removed one-by-one, Sanchez was apprehended by police officers and was given a field sobriety test by California High Way Patrol Officer, L. Murphy and Colusa County Sheriffs Officer K. Cooper – the officers determined Sanchez to be under the influence and placed him under arrest.

Emotions were high as the mock accident concluded, students were sent back to their classes; a mock cemetery was erected in front of the High School’s Gym, handmade tombstones marking those who lost their lives that day during event.

“I was pleased when Matt wanted to participate, I saw this program in 2009 and though it was a very good thing for the kids,” commented Tracy Delcour “I knew that it would have a big impact on him.”

Delcour’s son Matt Delcour was a participant in the Pierce High School, Every 15 Minutes program as a ‘Walking Dead”.

Parents of the participants in the program also partook in a gruesome emotional part of the program.

As the parents sit at home, or go about their day at their jobs – they often wonder where their children are and never expect the dreaded ‘knock’ on the door.

“I was prepared that someone was going to come up and deliver the “bad news” so when I saw the CHP car come up the drive way, I prepared myself and I went out to meet them,” said Delcour “They were very somber and professional, for a moment I was going to pass out. They made it feel, very real.”

When parents are greeted by a Police Officer and Chaplin, the one sentence changes their lives forever: “I hate and regret to inform you that your son/daughter has been killed by a drunk driver.” The mothers fall on the floor; uncontrollable, deep, heart-broken, unable to control themselves, while fathers try their very best.

“I was told to go into my son’s room and think about him not coming home,” said Delcour, “I did and then the tears started.”

“We have always told our boys that if they do drink somewhere, to call us or just stay put, no questions asked,” said Delcour, “I hope our boys will make good choices and not drink and drive, this was a good refresher and wake-up call.”

The all too real event played out to completion that included a funeral service the following day after the students involved in the event attended an overnight retreat.

During Thursday’s simulated funeral service, several speakers shared stories of their experiences and consequences of driving drunk, or riding with a drunk driver.

The event was made possible through the collective efforts of: the California Highway Patrol, Colusa County Sheriff’s Department, Arbuckle Fire Department, Colusa Regional Medical Cetner, Enloe, and McNary-Moore Funeral Service.

The program is named for the statistic that someone dies in an alcohol-related accident every 15 minutes during its creation back in 1995 and is presented in hopes that our teens will reflect upon their decisions to drink and drive or to get into a car with someone who has been drinking.

The rates of alcohol-related fatalities have gradually declined and at the end of 2007, it is reported that one death occurred every 40.4 minutes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes. That is one death every 51 minutes.

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, protects workers and the public from safety hazards through its Occupational Safety and Health programs, and with thousands of pages of safety code – it can be a cumbersome task to understand and implement the correct codes and programs into your workplace.

Cunningham and his staff provide local businesses with the ability to become complaint with the ever changing state and federal regulations while providing a safe and healthy working environment.

“A non compliant business is not only putting its customers and employees at risk, it is also putting its stability at risk,” said Cunningham, “a serious accident could cost the business thousands of dollars in fines.”

OnSite Safety Services provides its clients with scheduled Safety Meetings, CPR & First Aid Classes, Written Safety Programs, Drug Testing, Inspections and investigations to ensure their clients biggest investment, its employees, is protected.

By evaluating your current safety programs, OnSite Safety services will develop a plan of action for your business.

Primarily specializing in the agriculture industry, Cunningham says its business emphasizes the importance of compliance with the 10/10 rule, “Our goal is to keep safety on workers minds, and given them the tools they need to ensure that they will go home with all 10 fingers, and 10 toes.”

Although OnSite Safety Services specializes in the Agriculture industry, it also expands its services into all commercial businesses.

“It’s best to be proactive and progressive when it comes to safety” said Cunningham

OnSite Safety Services also provides First Aid and CPR Classes to the general public, in addition to providing safety supplies for businesses.

CPR Classes available on the first Saturday of every month.

The current ‘hot’ topics for safety these past few years have been Heat Safety, and Confined Space Safety.

Cunningham, “there really hasn’t been a change in laws, just more emphasis on what has been already established.”

“Everyone knows they need to be compliant, but the hardest aspect is getting the companies to follow through,” said Cunningham, “That’s where we come in.”

Safety meetings can be scheduled to fit the client’s needs, and conducted right at the place of business.

“The cost and time in a proper safety program is minimal,” said Cunningham, “considering the alternative.”

Located in the Historic China Town District of Colusa, Cunningham and his staff are located at 739 Main Street. To start your business evaluation or to inquire about OnSites Services, call (530) 458-7879.

Alex Rodriguez and Brandon Weber lead the Willilams Elementary Transitional Kindergartners across the street to the Sacramento Valley Museum on Thursday, to hunt for Easter Eggs. (Submitted Photo)

Andy Gonzalez, Michael Cervantes, and Diego Ambriz take a break to count their eggs. (Submitted Photo)

Transitional Kindergartners from Williams Elementary School enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt on the front lawn of the Sacramento Valley Museum on Thursday. (Submitted Photo)

2013 Colusa County Elementary Spelling Bee competitors.
(Submitted Photo)

John Boeger and Jocelyn Kishore, Colusa County’s top elementary school spellers, will represent Colusa County on Saturday, April 20, 2013, in the California State Elementary Spelling

Championship.
    John, a 6th grade student at Egling Middle School, took top honors, and Jocelyn, a 5th grade student at Williams Upper Elementary School, was runner-up in the Colusa County Elementary Spelling Championship.

2013 Colusa County Elementary Spelling Bee runner up Jocelyn Kishore and first place winner John Boeger
(Submitted Photo)

    The 2013 Colusa County competition was the third for John, but the first for all of the other 29 competitors.  Colusa County Superintendent of Schools Kay Spurgeon and Administrative Assistant Tina Maxwell moderated and judged the competition that advances John and Jocelyn to the State event.  In addition to Superintendent Spurgeon, an audience including family, friends, teachers, and principals was on hand to support the competitors.  At the end of the fast-paced event, “amphibious” was finally Jocelyn’s undoing, while John took the first place title by correctly spelling “parliamentary”.
  

 As runner up in 2011 and winner in 2012 of the Colusa County competitions, expectations are high for John’s third trip to the annual state contest held in Stockton.  All 58 counties in California are eligible to send two spellers to the state competition, hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education.  The public is invited to attend the state event at the Wentworth Education Center, 2707 Transworld Drive in Stockton.  For further information, contact Tina Maxwell at 458-0350, ext. 10354, or tmaxwell@ccoe.net.P

Working to inspire our homeless population prompted her to return to school where she is currently completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Service Administration. Her desire to help others combined with a passion to positively impact communities became the inspiration behind her company; Out Loud Events, which specializes in resource development and fundraising for non profit organizations and agencies who work to implement change in their communities.

As a freelance writer, Matteri has had personal essays published in Parents for Parents Magazine, Northern California Poker Room News, Patterson Irrigator, imperfectparent.com and currently produces website content for a number of online forums.

“I believe that far too often we find ourselves so caught up in the existence of survival that we forget about the life we are called to lead. Life is about helping others, kindness and seeking truth in the passion that defines us.” — Robin

Matteri returns to Colusa County with the desire to highlight the people, places and things that evoke change and inspire our community to unite. Her desire to document the truth behind the faces of Colusa County is hopefully a testimony to the fact that we all have a story.

Matteri is welcomed into the Williams Pioneer Review Staff as a Freelance Community Reporter and will be heading our Advertising Sales for the magazine.

“Robin expresses the kind of desire and passion our publication has and needs,” said Lloyd Green Jr, Publisher of the Williams Pioneer Review, “I look forward to working with Robin and seeing how she can help contribute to our community and its news magazine.”

Robin can be contacted at robin@williamspioneerreview.com or by calling (530) 924-0225 ext 108.

Maybe you did not grow up on a farm or ranch like me. But did you know that 97% of farms in the US are family owned? That is pretty impressive! The USDA Economic Research Service conducted an ag survey in 2011. They defined a farm as a place that produces and sells at least $1,000 of agricultural products in a year. They also say a family farm is where the majority of the business is owned and operated by people related to one another. In my travels, I have met many friends who are the 5th generation on their family’s farm. That kind of legacy is remarkable. Can you imagine the fascinating stories shared around that dinner table?

The USDA survey also shows that 87% of the farms in the United States are small family farms. Just how small is small? A small family farm is one where the yearly sales of agricultural products are less than $250,000. On average, small family farms make less of a profit than large farms. Therefore, many small family operations rely on off the farm work as their primary source of income.

Let’s break this down to a more personal level. Think of any family members, friends, or acquaintances you know related to agriculture. Now imagine that more than 80% of them run a small family farm. Along with the daily farming tasks, these people also work a job off the farm to bring in 44-92% of their income. I am picturing a farmer who puts in a full day at the office and then comes home to plow fields or work with livestock. And all in an effort to provide food for other people. Talk about dedication and passion for their craft!

For me, growing up on a small family ranch provided some unique opportunities, including good beef and lamb. While I couldn’t ride my bike down the street to a friend’s house, my backyard was a giant playground of rolling hills and oak trees. Most importantly, the ranch provided valuable learning experiences. Raising animals for the fair taught me to be responsible for another living creature. Weekends spent cleaning barns, sorting sheep, and building fence taught me the value of hard work. And to appreciate my hard earned cash!

Family farms, small and large, account for 85% of agricultural production. The next time you buy food, fiber, or flowers, remember there is a good chance that it came from a family farm.

■ “Ray Bradbury – An American Icon”: Friday, April 19 2013 – 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Get to know science fiction novelist and playwright Ray Bradbury in this special video highlighting the full scope of the writer’s five-decade career. Please join us and other community members for this 45-minute film, followed by refreshments, and the opportunity to “strike up a conversation” about Fahrenheit 451, this year’s Virginia Yerxa Community Read. Colusa Fire Department, 750 Market Street, Colusa. For more information visit: www.virginiaread.net

■ Virgina Read Day: April 27th, 2013. The Timeless Classic, Fahrenheit 451 bu Ray Bradbury. Book Presentation from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. led by UCR Professor Rob Latham at the Colusa Fire Department, 750 Market Street, Colusa. • “Strike Up a Conversation” 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fire Department Demonstration, Exhibits, Book Swap and More! 735 Main Street, Colusa • Movie 7:00 p.m. A free screening of “Fahrenheit 451” at the Colusa Movie Theatre, 513 Market Street, Colusa. For more information visit: www.virginiaread.net

■ Up Coming Stagehands Play Steel Magnolias: Directed by, Dawn Gonzales. Play dates are April 26, 27 and Sunday April 28. The following weekend April 3 & 4 The cast is Samantha Shifflett as M’Lynn, Kindra Hester as Shelby, Melissa Howard as Annelle, Cristina Townsend as Truvy, Beth Young as Clairee and Noel Johnson as Ouiser. The Friday and Saturday night performances, door open at 6:30 Play starts at 7:15. The Sunday Matinee performance. Doors open at 1:30 play starts at 2:15 For more information please call Susan Gibbs @ 530-458-5479 Our website is www. thestagehands.net.

■ Because We Care!: Become apart of your community and assist in the efforts to keep our town clean. Volunteer with the Citizens for a Better Williams. Meetings are held the 4th Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at Louis Cairo’s.

■ Seniors Come Join us for Lunch!: If you are 60 years of age or older and are interested in getting out of the house and meeting others over a delicious hot lunch, please join us! Located at the Boy Scout Cabin, 901 Parkhill Street, in the City of Colusa. Monday through Thursday at noon. Please call Colusa County Public Health at 530-458- 0380 to let us know you are coming! A donation of $3.00 per meal is recommended, but not required. ■ Smoke-free works for me! Interested in making our community healthier and tobacco-free? If so, join the Colusa County Tobacco Prevention Coalition today! Time commitment is minimal and lunch will be provided. Call us at (530) 458-0380 or send an e-mail to TEP@colusadhhs.org

■ Child Safety Seat Classes: “Is your child safe in your car? Certified child safety seat technicians are providing classes at the Colusa County Public Health Department. You will learn how to properly install and use the correct type of car seat for your child. Registration fee is $20 and low-income families may qualify for a free car seat. Call (530) 458-0380 to sign up for the next class.”

■ BBQ Rib Cook-off: The Glenn-Colusa Cattle Women will host their 9th Annual BBQ Rib Cook-off on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Colusa County Fairgrounds During Colusa Western Days. Beef & Pork Lunch can be purchased from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. $12 per person. Anyone interested in competing in the cook-off competition please call Jolyn Campbell (530)521-0711 or e-mail jolyn.wells@hotmail.com

■ Williams Fun Run: It’s time to get in shape for the WILLIAMS FUN RUN. It is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 and the gun goes off @ 8:00 a.m. There will be more information as the date approaches.

■ Computer Help for Seniors: Colusa County Library presents our new series: Computer Help for Seniors, every Monday from 11:30 am to 12:30pm, through April 2013. Seniors: Do you need help with Email? Facebook? Browsing? Research? Etc.? No appointment is needed for our Drop-in Tutoring sessions, which will be held inside the Colusa Main Branch at 738 Main Street Colusa. Contact Ricardo for more information at 481-5678 or drop by the library today. Limited

• Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without.
• If at first you don’t succeed, trying thinking.
• If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
• To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
• In the end, only kindness matters.
• And my favorite for Williams Pioneer Deadlines…

“Git er done!” P

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 535 young adults between the ages of 16-24 were killed in traffic collisions in California in 2010, representing nearly 20 percent of the total number of people killed on the state’s roadways. Nationally, drivers ages 16 to 19 are three times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a fatal collision, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010, collisions in which distracted driving was a factor killed about 2,700 people between the ages of 16 to 19 – more than seven per day.

“Driving a vehicle is a task that requires a driver’s full attention. Inattention, combined with the inexperience of our young drivers, can be deadly,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The consequences of distracted and reckless driving are real. The moment we step into a vehicle, we have to ask ourselves if sending that text or dialing that phone number or any behavior that takes our focus off the road is worth the risk.”

During National Distracted Driving Month, law enforcement agencies across the country are raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and in California, officials are emphasizing the need for a strong combination of education and enforcement to change driving attitudes and behaviors. They also emphasize that distracted driving injuries and fatalities are 100 percent preventable.

“We lose sight of the fact that everyday behaviors we see on the roadways are a threat to all motorists,” said Impact Teen Drivers Executive Director Dr. Kelly Browning. “Texting, eating, applying make-up, reaching for an object – these split-second decisions take our focus away from the act of driving, and create the perfect condition for potential distracted driving crashes.”

As part of the kick-off for California Teen Safe Driving Week (April 1 – 7), parents, educators, elected officials, affected families, and partnering agencies gathered at John Burroughs High School in Burbank to witness firsthand the dangers of distracted driving. On a closed-course track set up by the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy, teens tried to navigate around cones while experiencing the impairment caused by everyday distractions.

“It’s always an eye-opening experience for teens to see the tremendous impact distracted driving has on their ability to handle the wheel and the vehicle,” said Carolyn Duchene, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. “The trail of knocked over cones the teens leave behind on the course gives a pretty clear visual of what might happen if they drive distracted out on the roadway.”

Following the event, teens also had the opportunity to meet with family members who have lost loved ones in distracted driving collisions.

“If the knocked over cones aren’t visually impactful enough, the sorrow and grief of a mother or father who lost a teenage daughter or son definitely is,” acknowledged Browning. “We don’t do this to scare teens or the driving public. We do it to show the reality of decisions we all make behind the wheel. Our hope is to change behavior and make people recognize the very real consequences of their actions.”

The event was made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.