From the Editor: With Love to You, Amador County!

Shop Local, Amador County!

Well, the holidays are upon us. Funny how that happens so fast.

I want to thank the supporting advertisers that make Amador Community News what it is. Believe me, I'm not "rollin' in the [Christmas cookie] dough" myself, but...I have a heart for "The County", as I have for the past 12 years. ACN has been around since April of 2007. From the time I moved to Pioneer in August of 2000, moved to Nashville, TN in 2008 and returned in 2010...until this very day, relocating in nearby Sacramento...I've always believed in our small, Americana hometown livelihoods and businesses. Small business is what makes America great. When the global economy ever clues into this will be the day that I feel I've accomplished a bit of something for the sake of community media...for the strength of our community bonds is what makes us great.

I still feel I have much to do to help our communities understand that what they offer their hometowns is far more than what the world has to offer. In a world bent on consumerism and marketed fluff, well...I see you, as individuals and people...not numbers, nor statistics that have to report to a corporate media to make their quota or advertising "numbers" look good in order to appeal to the higher ups. As I open my PO box, and then look into the trash/recycling bins at the US Post Office in Ione, I am reminded of what is important to the populace of Amador County, and what is not. A ton of circulars, newspaper inserts and direct mail pieces are being thrown away. I was friended by about 40 Facebook friends this week. This is a bit of a direct and indirect message to me that there is a vast majority of those who don't care about the dollar signs...but do care greatly about value, about what is important to individual lives and families. Is this not who we are? Do we not rely upon each other when times are tough, when bottom lines are calculated, when we find out who our real clients and "friends" are?

This word ["value"] has many meanings to me...but what does it mean to you? What do you value? Do you value the latest XBox game, the last fashions, designs and useless "Black Friday" fodder? The latest "high-tech" toys to pacify your spoiled, wanting children as you try so hard to rest from the hard labor you relentlessly and actively work at, just to meagerly provide for your family and loved ones? I am grateful to Facebook for creating a platform for which a global community can connect and share. If you are on Facebook, please...friend ACN at: facebook.com/AmadorCounty, and please feel free to share on our Wall. In the last week, I've confirmed about 40 new FB friends. I've come to realize that, as a staff of one, I simply cannot do it all. But with your help, we can help our future generations realize what is great and wonderful about Amador County, and that's all because we have many words of wisdom to speak to future generations, and hope that they value of the wisdom of past generations.

I remember my first Winter in Pioneer, back in the year 2000. The realtor said, "Oh yeah, you might get a light dusting of snow." Ummmm, my house was at a near 4,000 feet, and yeah, it was dumped on. Ya think? I was musing:"If this is a 'light dusting', I'd freakin' hate to see a full-on dump."  Fortunately, I'm a mom-warrior that has no qualms about anything...I'll chop/split wood, rake those freakin' pine needles, start up that generator, and raise two [US Marine] children that have the same fight in them. Through it all, what I've learned as a naive adult (who is always learning and growing) is that the world seems hell-bent on the fabrication of hope, when what we all need is real hope. Real honor and integrity.

Real hope completely relies on you, Amador County; and I am here for you...we are growing together. I am SOOooo glad for your friendship, both grateful and conflicted when I can't even go into a local store in Amador County and hear, "OMG, you're Carol Harper! I'm friends with you on Facebook!" All I can do is smile and say, "Thank you, so much, for your support. You are Amador County!"

I know where that support comes from: your heart...and that means everything to me. It sends chills up my very human spine. I may not know or remember your name, I may have a quizzical look on my face when you approach me, but...don't ever think I don't care about you! Just know that it will never be about me; it is you that carries the strength of Amador County. This little sliver on California's map has yet to be reckoned with, because it is you that gives it hope and strength. It is you that puts Amador County on the global map. I'm just waiting to see that day arrive, and give a hearty smile and laugh, because...I knew it all along.

Happy holidays, Amador County! I love you all...

Carol Harper, Editor
Amador Community News
NewsAmador.com

AWA Accounting Adjustments Expose $6 Million Omission

Click on the link below to view release:
http://www.amadorwatchdog.org/minutes/20121025_minutes.html