Winner of the 2008 Joel Blanco Clean Water Cup Reverge Anselmo

Ecce homo
Behold The Man.
Vulgate 19.5

When I read this tale I quickly thought this youngster has taught adults a lesson in concerned citizenship... After spending some time convincing the powers that be that Joel and his friends were entitled to a little recognition. I contacted talented ceramic artist girl friend Shelly Simon who made the 1st Joel Blanco Clean Water cup. Myself Shelly and good pal Mike Garrigus went to the Berkeley Middle school and presented Joel with the 1st Clean Water Cup named after him. A wonderful morning never to be forgotten!

A few years later I came across another miracle worker named Jim Wilcox Water Specialist Scientist working in Plumas County California. Jim and his crew restored many miles of creek, river, stream that had been neglected in Plumas County. I spent time with Jim and learned much about restructuring and allowing streams to reestablish their natural meanders. Jim cleaned local waters, replanted natural grass’s , rebuilding stream’s with his own unique methods most impressive indeed. Jim Wilcox and Plumas County were awarded the 2nd Blanco Clean Water Cup.

This inviromental award is not awarded every year because I rarely find fellows like Joel and Jim in my fly travels. Tears fall from these ancient eyes as I roam California and the world seeing first hand how little respect rivers, streams, creeks have endured! The damage done at the hands of cattle ranchers, industry, ignorance and apathy created the mess we have today. Yes, in some places educated green oriented people are changing their ways, much too late in my mind. The disrespect and damage done is mind boggling not just here in America...

7 Hills Cattle & Land Company Inwood Valley Shingletown California

Thanks to a very dear friend Angela Weston proprietress of Weston House Bed & Breakfast Shingletown’s true diplomat I was introduced to Reverge and his ranch.

Metamorphosis Marine Style

Upper California still semi wild and undeveloped has been my favorite hunting, fly fishing venue for many years. Have spent much time walking, sampling streams and rivers and writing feature stories for my monthly column and local newspapers. Reverge and his lovely wife ( Chicken ) and Angela and I were given the grand tour of the 7 hills Ranch/Vineyard. It was a little quiet in that pick up at first as Mr. Anselmo and I had never met before nor did I know of his Hollywood background. Things changed quickly when he uttered these words, “ I was Marine Helicopter Pilot. “ Bam, that was it brotherhood established no more peace and quiet!

After pedigree’s were clarified the ranch tour included waterfalls, streams so perfectly groomed with stream banks and grass’s restored ,waters running crystal clean, I was knocked out by the sheer amount of labor ( much of it done by Anselmo himself! ). By the time the tour ended and I had spoken with those who live near the ranch it became clear this man earned the 2008 Blanco Clean Water Cup hands down. Congratulations Marine an honor to meet you and see for myself what hard labor intellect and caring can do to reverse serious neglect and natural decay. An amazing job done with love for the land and it’s many resident creatures, birds, insects, fish, humans all benefit.

2008 Joel Blanco Clean Water Cup Designer Builder Aletha Soule

The first two clean water cups were created by world renown ceramic artist Shelly Simon of Ruby’s Studio San Francisco California . They were artistic triumphs indeed! The 3rd cup was created by the gifted Sebastopol ceramic artist Aletha Soule ( 707-829-0146 web sight www. Soulestudio.com ) Thank you very much Aletha your work is much appreciated. This lady’s ceramic work is highly sought after and elegant to behold... Those interested in unique classic ceramics need look no further then Soule Studio.

In my mind these three men have set the bar high enough other industrious citizens may begin to understand in many cases disastrous foot prints left by contemporary man can be erased! Rivers, streams , creeks are capable of being restored to their natural health, meander, proof is the lives of these miracle workers. Each of them woke up one morning and looked out the window deciding today I’m going to make a difference just Like Al Gore or any number of proactive groups. California Trout, Trout Unlimited are fine examples of groups that have walked the walk.

California is the first stages of a serious drought that may or may not be cyclical? Our esteemed Govanotor wants to erect dam’s and throw out all considerations in regard to salmon, trout endangered species! Its is a bit early to begin restructuring and killing game fish so farmer’s who are heavily subsidized can do what they wish with our precious agua gold? As usual apathy and ignorance prevails as the majority of transplanted souls who live in this once golden state sit on their fat ass’s watching reality shows and bitching about gas prices... Human nature rarely lets me down in its continual downward spiral toward complete mindless knee jerk reactions. Really wish Sharon Stone had run for the Oval Office, she would have my vote...

Sharon Stone Mahogany Stone