Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Here’s a video introducing “Sacramento Connect,” the Sacramento Bee’s Web 2.0 venture that launches from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. It’s a noble attempt to create a community-wide website and bloggers network of independent voices. From our neck of the woods, the launch partners include yubanet.com, the Nevada City Advocate, Jeff Pelline’s blog and SierraCulture.com. So put on your “best Sunday clothes,” a Kevlar tie and brush your hair — we’re going to introduce ourselves to more readers outside the “cul de sac” we call home. Will this “water down” this blog? No. The more views, the merrier. After all, it’s why Al Gore “invented” the Internet. LOL.

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Longtime Nevada City photographer Bob Lickter — who has contributed photos to this blog and other local publications —died in his sleep Saturday morning, his daughter Kate Lickter of Santa Cruz confirmed on Sunday.

Kate, who answered the phone at Bob’s house, said his death was “totally unexpected” and a memorial is planned for next Saturday with more details to come. Bob was 68 years old.

“Bob has the largest and best collection of photos of us our cute little town that anyone will ever have,” wrote Dave “Sparky” Parker on his Facebook page. “Our journey over the last 30 years will always be priceless to me. May you rest in peace Robert ‘Bob’ Lickter, 1942 – 2010.” (This photo of Bob is by Dave, from a photo journey last week in the town of Washington).

“Wow. You really never know what life is going to offer next,” wrote Judi Funk on Dave’s page. “He will be missed dearly.”

Bob was always very interested in the opportunities for “new media” and “citizen journalism” that the Internet has created in our area and elsewhere.

“Very cool technique for displaying a lot of photos without distracting from copy,” he wrote to me in one recent email, pointing to a uniquely designed photo gallery from the Washington Post about the Chilean earthquake.

Bob had just sent me this link to his photos from the Google rally in Nevada City.

Last weekend, I ran Bob’s photos from a peace rally in downtown Nevada City.

Last month, I ran this photo from Manzinar, to coincide with the local production of “Snow Falling on Cedars.” (scroll to the bottom). Some other examples from earlier this year are here and here

This is Bob’s site at mountainlight.org.

Here’s one of Bob’s photos from the recent Google rally, a real “slice of life” from Nevada City:

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Grass Valley and Nevada City figure prominently in the Spring issue of Sierra FoodWineArt magazine — the biggest issue yet — which is being released this week. This includes an exclusive food, wine and art guide to the Amgen bike race in May as it winds through the foothills. Highlights of this issue are here. You can read a digital version of the magazine by clicking on the “click here to read the Spring issue” icon here. Or go directly to the issue here. We also have a cool chart of local seasonal produce in the foothills from Wendy Van Wagner’s “In the Kitchen” in Nevada City (page 10). SierraCulture.com will be promoted on sacbee.com’s new “Sacramento Connect” website that launches this week — a network of blogs and websites that includes yubanet.com, the Nevada City Advocate and Jeff Pelline’s blog — all foothills publications. The Internet has opened the door to a new media age in our region, providing expanded choice and distribution channels.

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Nowhere is the “in your face” power of persuasion more apparent than with the Earth Hour protests touted by our local “right-wing” bloggers and The Union columnists George Rebane and Russ Steele.

During Earth Hour, organized by the National Wildlife Fund, 4,000 cities in more than 120 countries voluntary switched off their lights to push for support for “green jobs,” “green technology” and climate change legislation.

But not with them. “All the outside lights are on — place is lit up like a Christmas Tree,” Russ crows on his blog.

On his blog, George went outside to photograph his house during Earth Hour — all lit up too. He posted a fill-sized version of the photo on his page.

More on the anti-Earth Hour protests is here. “In fact, turn everything on!” advises this blog. “Below, I will provide you with a list of all potential items and objects that you can turn ON as a way to counter the effects of Earth Hour. Possible items you may want to switch ON: -all household lights; -air conditioner; -heater; -automobiles (your ride); -automobile headlights;-washer; -dryer; -dishwasher;-stove/oven; -put on oven’s self-cleaning cycle; -microwave; -any/all kitchen appliances; -television; -dvd player; -game system; -stereo; -and any other electrical equipment you can think of.”

Here’s an Earth Hour video:

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