Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so. ~ Douglas Adams, author, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Fairs Year-round Information	F.Y.I. Volume 7, Issue 7 March 28, 1997

AFTER THE FLOOD

And Mother Nature did just that, with the all-too-recent tropical storms and torrential rains which caused widespread flooding, displacing thousands of people, pets and livestock. Fortunately, with the water came a flood of volunteer aid. Among those offering assistance were a number of California fairgrounds.

This week, F.Y.I. salutes the call-to-action spirit of the Placer County Fairgrounds. According to Management Assistant Clyde Ireland:

Turning the Placer County Fairgrounds into command central for animals displaced by the flood was a natural move. Not only is there a chapter of the SPCA located on the grounds, the community and fair staff provided an abundance of knowledgeable and compassionate volunteers.

Animals from Yuba County, as well as the Sacramento and Stanislaus areas were brought to the Roseville location. A regular Noah’s Ark, the fairgrounds became safe harbor for dogs, cats, birds, horses, a pygmy goat, even a bull.

A total of 783 animals were sheltered, and by January 23, four hundred animals had been claimed by their owners. The remaining 383 were placed into foster homes (if the owner didn’t claim his or her animal within a designated period of time, the “foster parents” could keep the animal), including the homes of two fair staff members, Marge Day and Rick Poppert.

More than once, Ireland commented on how organized and well run the animal rescue program was, giving credit to fair staff members as well as the folks from United Animal Nations’ EARS (Emergency Animal Rescue Service), headquartered in Sacramento. He added that costs to the fairgrounds were minimal — there was enough donated feed to fill a barn — and that the city of Roseville and Placer County were pitching in to help cover costs.

Looking back at the three weeks in January, Ireland emphasized how valuable positive exposure like this was for the fairgrounds. Not only had the facility provided a valuable service, but staff had successfully demonstrated to the community how they could come to the community’s rescue at a moment’s notice.

KEEP YOUR FAIR ON SOLID GROUND WITH MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM CCA

According to Bob Nixon, CFSA’s general liability claims administrator, the most common accidents on fairgrounds for visitors are slips, trips and falls, in parking lots, driveways and walkways. It’s easy to see how preventative maintenance of paved surfaces is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your fairgrounds safe and inviting.

To economically maintain long-lasting surfaces for asphalt and aggregate roads (light to medium traffic), the California Construction Authority recommends treatment with a chip or slurry seal. These seals fill holes, prevent surface water from penetrating into weathered pavement, and renew the surfaces of slick and aging pavement.

Chip seal is an asphalt-aggregate surface treatment used as a wearing and waterproofing layer. Application of a chip seal also increases the structural strength of the pavement with each layer of seal applied. This seal consists of a sprayed layer of asphalt, immediately covered by a layer of aggregate (rocks) of uniform size pressed and set into the asphalt layer with a rolling machine. Most of the loose rock is usually swept up with a rotary power broom, and any remaining rock is, over time, either removed or embedded by daily traffic into the asphalt. Something to keep in the back of your mind: this loose rock has the potential to cause vehicular damage when picked up and thrown from car or truck tires.

Slurry seal is an emulsified asphalt treatment generally used as a protective and maintenance layer over existing layers of pavement. Even though slurry seal doesn’t increase the pavement’s structural strength, it will extend the life of your pavement. Slurry seal consists of a layer of small, fine aggregate (a mixture of sand and/or small rock), emulsified asphalt and water.

If you have any questions about chip or slurry seals, please contact Mike Amoretti at CCA, 916/263-6126..

PIPE TO PALLET RACKS, CHECK OUT THE SURPLUS WAREHOUSE FOR GREAT VALUES!

You never know what will turn up in the Surplus Warehouse, which is why you’ll want to stay in close contact with Surplus buyer Graeme Stewart. Let him know what you’re in the market for, and he’ll keep his eyes open while making his frequent shopping rounds of California’s military and government surplus yards.

Here's a sampling of items currently in stock. Remember, quantities are limited, so shop early and shop often:

• Galvanized pipe:
  • 5 pcs. - 1½” x 20’
  • 8 pcs. - ½” x 20’
• Aluminum conduit:
  • 42 pcs. - 1¼ ” x 10’
• Pallet racking - 10’ uprights with 9’ rails.
• 80-drawer cabinets - ideal for storing prize ribbons, or small parts used in Maintenance shops.
• Like-new, small brown refrigerators - very clean, single-door style. Ideal for employee break rooms. Eight available.
• Small safe - combination lock.

For more information on these and other great buys, or if you’d like to arrange a tour of the South Sacramento surplus warehouse or accompany the buyer on a visit to a surplus yard, please call Graeme Stewart at 916/765-3673.

Please Note: CFSA’s Surplus Purchasing Program is only uthorized to obtain surplus property for California’s fairs.