Column 290 - May 8, 2026
Bob's Tire's Parrots, CA D-1 Congressional Races, Fundraiser For Critters
Big news! The two parrots at Bob’s Tire on Walnut in Red Bluff are now hanging out together in the same cage. We have been loyal customers at Bob’s for decades and I love engaging with the birds while waiting for my new tires or rotation or whatever I need that day.
One parrot is an African Grey and the other is green (maybe some variety of Amazon? I am not up on my parrots.) They both had “partners” who have passed away over the years and everyone thought different types of parrots would fight, so they have been in huge adjacent cages for years now.
The crew was doing some floor work and they moved the cages back into the office and opened the cage doors so they could get out and walk around. Instead Bob (Green) moved into Lance’s (Grey) cage and that was that. The Odd Couple.
Both birds seem happy with the new arrangement, and Bob was very talkative and blowing kisses when I was there Wednesday, (but I trust neither with my fingers). A lesson for the humans: if these two can put aside their superficial differences, maybe we can, too. Nah, we’re birdbrains.
And speaking of differences, how about this June primary? It’s about as different as they get. I’ll put the local stuff aside for now, because we must discuss the two Congressional races. We have the normal 2-year term Primary and a Special Election to finish the late Doug LaMalfa’s term. There are three main candidates for both of the contests, James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), Audrey Denney (D-Chico), and Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg). Prop. 50 changed California’s Congressional District lines and that’s where it gets squirrelly.
The Special Election adheres to the current lines and McGuire does not live in our district, while Gallagher lives out of district for the 2-year Primary. It is legal for them to run out of district, but it feels wrong to me. Denney is the only major candidate who actually lives within both old and new district lines of CA D-1.
I have problems with McGuire. He allegedly helped draw the new district lines because he wanted LaMalfa’s seat and it was just serendipitous for him when LaMalfa passed away unexpectedly. Lately McGuire has resorted to running a hit-piece tv ad against Denney in which she is accused of having supported State Senator Brian Dahle, which he implies makes her MAGA, which is laughable. And it wouldn’t hurt her in this currently ruby red district anyway. McGuire reminds me of what you’d get if you asked AI to create the typical Democrat. Good looking, polished, inauthentic.
So, who will win which race? One of the male carpetbaggers or the progressive farmgirl who stays in her lane? My guess is Gallagher for the Special Election and McGuire for the Primary. Audrey Denney will have my vote in both. Did I mention she doesn’t take corporate PAC money? If I did, sorry, but it’s important.
Action News Now will broadcast a live debate with McGuire, Gallagher and Denney Sunday at 8pm on Channel 24. Our own Tehama County Supervisor Greg Jones will be one of the moderators along with Addison Winslow of the Chico City Council.
On Tuesday’s Supervisors’ Closed Session Agenda, there is an item for an Interim Executive Director of Health Services. Interim? Our HS Director, Jayme Bottke, is leaving? Say it ain’t so! I have always liked Bottke. We are not personal friends, but she has always been friendly to me and I have great respect for her. She has done a terrific job balancing state and federal mandates with our endless financial crunch in a time where funding has slowed to a trickle or stopped completely. She comes prepared to address the board, often fielding unrelated questions and answering in a way even dummies like me can understand.
However, there are some questions about her departure. In January of this year, Bottke negotiated a raise to her contract which was backdated to November of 2024. It was a mid-contract raise (not a renewal) with a retroactive payment to over a year prior. I personally cannot remember that ever happening on any other contract. Now, a few months later, she is leaving us. The raise, because it was backdated, also raises whatever her pension will be, because it’s been in place over a year. I’m sure someone has a reason why this is not “pension spiking”. I emailed Bottke and asked, but have not yet received a response. But she’s a busy gal and I’m sure she’ll clear this up for us.
My annual fundraiser is in full swing and thank you to those who have already participated. Three terrific organizations will be splitting all commissions from my home-based Neora biz for the month of May.
First is SPOT - Stray Pets of Tehama. Their mission is “Helping Homeless Animals Get A Better Life” by improving the welfare and creating public awareness of homeless animals in Tehama County. They organize fostering and subsidize medical attention and equipment for animals that come to the shelter with special needs.
Second is Deserving Pets Rescue, whose mission is to take in injured animals or those in need of medical care, primarily from our local shelter. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome these animals.
Third is a new program called Red Bluff Spay a Stray. It’s a catch and release feral cat spay program and I am so excited to see this! Shout out to Carlene McCaughey who started this one with a very generous donation at Valley Vet. This is not an actual non-profit - just a fund to help pay for the procedures and there are restrictions. Contact them for the skinny.
All these groups have info on their Facebook pages linked above and if you don’t want the skincare or wellness products I swear by and use every day, you can donate directly to them and that is totally cool by me. But if you’d like to look and feel better, visit my website lizmerry.neora.com or email me at lizmerry58@gmail.com and I will help you figure out what might be best for you - and how to get the best deal!
Thank you for helping the critters! And yourself.