State Parks Will Not Close

In May, Schwarzenegger proposed cutting $70 million in general fund support for the State Parks system and warned that 220 of the 279 parks would close. On Friday, September 25, 2009 the governor’s office announced that they will not close State parks.

Rather than closing parks the administration will delay maintenance and the purchase of vehicles and other equipment. Other costs saving measures are cutting of positions and reducing hours of operation.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

Help Needed for Field Trip to October 10th Rededication

The Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers are asking for the public’s help to cover the cost of a student field trip to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for the October 10th re-dedication ceremony. The Buffalo Soldiers are working with the Los Banos Unified School District to take 60 students to the re-dedication ceremony. If they cannot raise the $2,000 that is needed to cover the cost of the trip by October 4th they will have to cancel the trip.

Donation amounts start at $25.00 but any amount is welcome. Checks and money orders can be sent to:



Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Calvary Association

Attention: Allensworth Field Trip Committee

1350 E. Pacheco Blvd, Ste; B-167

Los Banos, CA 93635



To learn more about the Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers Association visit their web site.  The above photo was taken by Jeff Periera.


Stephen Hill, Sr.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

The PBS film The National Parks: America's Best Idea premieres on Sunday, September 27th. One of the featured interviews is with Shelton Johnson, the only African American Park Ranger at Yosemite National Park. Whose of you who were at the Allensworth Centennial Celebration last year saw him perform his Buffalo Soldier Living History Interpretation.


A preview of “The National Parks” film is located on the PBS web site. You can also see Shelton Johnson in the PBS Untold Stories Project video “Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers”.


Stephen Hill, Sr.

3rd Annual Colonel Allensworth Century and Fun Ride

The Crankin Time Cycling club is looking for volunteers to help provide water and snacks to cyclists during their 3rd annual Colonel Allensworth Century and Fun ride, on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Volunteers are needed at the starting line, at the four rest stops, and to patrol the bike routes.

To volunteer or register to participate in the ride contact Thomas Ward at 323-810-0141 or visit the Crankin Time  web site.

Stephen Hill, Sr.

State Senate Approved SB 679

The state senate voted to approve SB 679, it's now on the way to the Governor's desk.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Bill to protect California State Parks failed

The State Assembly failed to pass Senate Bill 679 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Linden), a bill sponsored by California State Parks Foundation to protect our state park system and ensure that lands used as state parks cannot be used for non-park purposes without providing substitute lands to make Californians' investment in our state parks whole.

Assemblymember Marty Block, did not cast a vote on the measure when it was before him on the Assembly Floor. When it was taken up, SB 679 fell just two votes shy. (Additionally, there is a second park protection bill, SB 372 (Kehoe) that will be taken up next week and needs his support as well.)

Please take a moment to contact Assemblymember Block and urge him to support SB 679. The Assembly will have another opportunity to take up the bill on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 for a vote only, and his vote will be important to ensure the bill's successful passage.