Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

We watched the Whitman-Brown debate, not far from where we used to live in the Bay Area. More mudslinging. My reaction: Brown won and will win.

But on to more important matters: The “Monday morning quarterbacking” on the debate was interrupted to report that the first of 33 Chilean miners — trapped underground for 69 days — had reached the surface. They hope to have the last one out in two days. The details are here.

“Florencio Avalos, 31, a foreman, was winched to freedom inside a slim capsule pulled through the 28-inch-wide shaft that had been drilled to reach the men’s underground refuge,” the Times reported. “He emerged to ecstatic cheers from rescue workers and the families of the miners, but was shielded from the view of the reporters who had arrived from around the world to cover the dramatic event.”

We have visited Chile twice over the years, and find it very similar to California — in terms of the shape and bounty of the land, but also the “can do” spirit.

Our prayers are with the miners for a continued successful rescue. It’s hard to imagine what that must be like.

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Here’s a group — the middleclass.org — that purports to show Tom McClintock’s scorecard on the middle class. It’s a analysis of legislation that is significant to America’s middle class, and Tom’s vote on bills. The link is here.

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Last we checked The Union and its publisher’s growing list of Facbook “friends” were a cause to celebrate.

But I guess some friends are better than others.

“Just got $1000 on a walmart giftcard!!!” reads one post supposedly from the publisher, with a link to click on, which doesn’t seem to be genuine.

Other “deals” supposedly offer free iPods.

“My IT guys are helping me fix this (darn) problem. Don’t click on any of that stuff,” he warns readers.

“Wow, this is probably the worst hacking I’ve ever seen. Either that or he’s got enough iPads and iPhones for everyone!” one reader responded. Most of it is handled in a good humored way.

I never put much stock in Facebook friends, except the ones we mutually agree to.

Some background on Facebook scam awareness is here.

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Giants star pitcher Tim Lincecum is developing a following among the marijuana Internet sites.

Celebstoner.com reports: “Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who was arrested for marijuana possession last year, pitched the Giants to a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the NLDS against the Braves on Oct. 7.

It added: “Another reason to root for the Giants: In August, they held Jerry Garcia Night.”

Earlier the site reported: “Tim Lincecum’s five-game losing streak had Giant fans reaching for their bongs and wishing the Cy Young award-winning hurler could do the same. Fans have created t-shirts that urge the Giants to Let Tim Smoke and Let Timmy Smoke.”

“Tim Lincecum: Cy Young Winner, 2-time All Star, #1 strikeouts, #2 batting average, #2 ERA, cannabis user,” reports the NORML stash blog.

Lincecum has apologized for the Dec. 22 2009 incident of last year. Misdemeanor charges were dropped and Lincecum paid a fine, according to media reports.

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“Final Meetup time/date/place: 2pm Tuesday Oct 12, Calanan Park, Nevada City,” reports Anna Haynes, who has scheduled an informal meet-up for this blog.

Thanks Anna for your continued efforts in the blogosphere.

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The Nevada City Council will revisit plans to lighten up Calanan Park at its Council meeting on Wednesday night.

“Comments on the current state of the park almost always mention that it is very dark, that ‘lightening it up” would help make the park much more useable both for daily and event-type uses,” according to the report that has been circulating.

The report is calanan.

In addition, resident John Givens has a letter in the agenda packet asking that the city support efforts to make sure the historic Nevada City Elementary School not be sold or transfered to any other state agency.

John’s letter is school.

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