Opinion

This holiday season, we once again challenge you to spend $100 locally.

Two years ago we began challenging our readers to spend $100 locally during the holiday season. With our still sagging economy it’s worth making the challenge again for one reason: a number of you have taken it to heart — and it has helped.

I just love this time of year, from the time spent with family and friends around the Thanksgiving table, to the countdown to a new year.

Even though I cringe when Christmas decorations start showing up next to Halloween candy and costumes, I can’t help but smile when I see peppermintstick ice cream in the store and when I get my coffee from a red Christmas cup from Starbucks earlier than December.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars because all the splendor of the holiday arrives on Main Street with the Magical Country Christmas between 5 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3.

Nov. 22, 2011 — Leave it to Governor Jerry Brown and the California Legislature to come up with a way to raise $50 million a year from rural homeowners who live in areas served by Calfire with a new State Responsibility Area fire fee.

But here’s the real rub — Calfire won’t spend any of that money actually fighting a wildfire anywhere across this great state of ours. Instead the money goes to fire prevention activities.

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the fee last week after the legislature failed to provide additional direction to clean up AB 29, the bill that authorized the fee.