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Best Bet: Check Before You Go to Events

Published on: November 10, 2018

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While the majority of Californians are plugging along with plans for weekend getaways, Veteran’s Day Parades and other events and ceremonies, some of the key thoroughfares in Los Angeles such PCH and the 101 Highway may impact travel. And that’s just one area where you may find traffic snarled or at a stand still on a weekend filled smoke in the sky and fires.

Paradise, a town of 27,000 in Butte County, that has lived up to its name for residents and visitors attracted to its charm, is about 80% gone, according to Councilman Steve Crowder. From McDonald’s to grocery stores to gas stations, and residents’ homes, it looks like a war zone. Now considered the most destructive fire in California history, “This fire took everything. It wasn’t a section, it was town-wide,” said Crowder. While the death toll will likely rise, nine bodies were discovered in and around cars as people tried to escape as of Friday night, November 9, 2018.

Long a fan of Paradise and its incredible Chamber of Commerce that’s busy all year long planning and / or promoting special events, many who see the pictures of devastation may never know about the spirit of the town celebrated in special occasions such as Paradise Chocolate Fest, Johnny Appleseed Days, Gold Nugget Days and the Truck Parade of Lights planned for December.

Back in Los Angeles, I tracked down friends who left their home in Westlake Village under mandatory evacuation. On Thursday night at midnight they began receiving notifications on their cell phone and looked outside to see neighbors’ garage doors open as people packed their cars, preparing to leave.

My friends drove till 4 a.m. and found an available hotel room (1 left) in North Orange County. “We and a quarter-million people are all looking for places to stay till we can get the OK to return — who knows when,” said one friend.

It’s so important to check before you go to anything posted on this or any website. As I looked at Paradise Chamber’s event calendar today, you’d never know about a fire. Their calendar is chock-full of special events and no list of cancellations. They have so much more to think about right now. Our hearts go out to them.

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