All too often we take for granted the many wonderful blessings that have been given to us to enjoy.Some of these earthly blessings are sturdy enough to survive a century of neglect and exploitation, yet remain with us in smaller numbers to this day. Our beautiful redwoods come to mind.Others are more fragile, and require the direct intervention of mankind to rescue from the brink of extinction. The California Condor is a remarkable example of this achievement.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');Still others, entirely the creation of man, when lost, will be gone forever. Redwood Welding Services, owned and operated by the late Don Nuss is a local institution that is leaving us.Now, it would be easy to dismiss a comparison of Don Nuss and his custom automotive race shop in Crescent City with the majestic redwoods and Godlike condors. Yet, Don’s creations are manmade miracles. He designed, produced and raced some of the fastest automobiles in the world. His creations soared to world record speed over the Bonneville Salt Flats.Don Nuss left us last year. Next month the remnants of his speed factory will be sold at auction. The cars, the motorcycles, the tools and the machinery that built them will be dispersed to the highest bidder amongst those who may have been inspired by what Don Nuss accomplished.Let us hope that maybe a few of them, with Don’s tools, will be inspired to create their own mechanical miracles.Soar with the Condors, Don.And speaking of condors…After dwindling to fewer than two dozen individuals in the wild, the California Condor was saved from imminent extinction. Their still fragile existence reached a milestone this week when four condors, raised in a captive breeding program, were rto the forests of the Redwood National and State Parks to soar over the ancestral territory of Yurok Nation. These four condors are the first to return to their prehistoric homeland since their near extermination in the 1880s.Welcome home, condors. We missed you.In my short time in Crescent City I have been amazed with the greatness, splendor and beauty of Del Norte County. It is a joy to discover something new and inspiring each day. With your permission, I would like to occasionally share these discoveries with you. I would be especially grateful if you would share with me the special discoveries you have made here in this blessed community.Whether natural or manmade, or the combined spirit of both, there is so much to be enjoyed here at home, and so much to be thankful for.Please write me here and let me know what you think.Oh, and by the way…Local Housing Element is worthwhile readingDel Norte County planning commissioners and the Board of Supervisors this past week got a preview of the draft Housing Element of the Del Norte County General Plan for 2022-2030.The Housing Element is one of seven mandated elements of the General Plan which, as a whole, provides the guiding principles for local county government.This 186-page document, while not among the manmade miracles described above, is an invaluable resource for government officials, planners, developers, business owners and the public at large. There’s something in the Housing Element for everyone. A reader will learn much about Del Norte County’s history and future. I could describe it to you, but it would take more than 186 pages.I would expect every candidate running for a seat on the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors to become familiar with the General Plan, and in particular with the Housing Element, as it affects everyone in Del Norte County.It is available on-line at the County of Del Norte website for review or download. I will lend my personal copy to someone who wants to read it. But bring it back. I only got to page 34.So, put down that romance novel or monster truck magazine for a moment and pick up a copy of the Draft Housing Element of the Del Norte County General Plan. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });