Colfax Chronicles

10 YEARS AGOJan. 10, 1962 – Colfax is lighting up the screen in "The Independent," a movie starring veteran comedian Jerry Stiller filmed almost four years ago but only now released in theaters. In "The Independent," Stiller is a veteran maker of crudely made "schlock" movies who has fallen on hard times but derives some sense of warped credibility when his works are featured at a seedy Southwest town's film festival. Colfax – with its picture-postcard Main Street – got the part of the fictional Nevada town of Chaparral and more than 100 people showed up as volunteer extras for a parade scene in June 1998. As well as Stiller, the movie features Janeane Garafalo, and appearances by punk rock icon John Lydon, Stiller's son Ben, actor and football player Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, porn actress Ginger Lynn Allen as Chaparral mayor Kitty Storm, Fred "Hunter" Dryer and Karen Black. Directors Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Corman and Ron Howard also appear.Upon hearing that the Olympic Torch would be passing through Colfax on Jan. 20, vivid memories quickly returned to the forefront of Pedro Garcia's mind. Garcia, a sophomore at Colfax High School, ran the torch – which came to town on its way to the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley – from Weimar Crossroads to the intersection at Dingus McGee's. He was one of five Colfax High runners who carried the torch from Weimar to Baxter.20 YEARS AGOJan. 8, 1992 – A new playground for young children will be constructed at the Applegate Library and Civic Center, following approval by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. The new tot lot will cost an estimated $25,000 to build. It will be paid for with park dedication fees.A surprise snowstorm yesterday morning surprised many Colfax residents. School was not cancelled because children were already on campus and the storm was expected to subside before dismissal.50 YEARS AGOJan. 11, 1962 – The county board of supervisors has approved the proposed crossing over the railroad tracks at Applegate and has consented to purchase the property for the right-of-way if the state will construct the overpass.The state division of highways in planning for the conversion of Highway 40 to a freeway had not planned an overpass for the railroad tracks. Applegate residents petitioned the board of supervisors for the overpass.Nothing but sunshine has been the weather for Colfax for the past three weeks, while down the freeway a few miles fog has enveloped the country. The highest temperature recorded at the Southern Pacific depot for the past week was 78 degrees, which is high for this time of the year.The California Division of Forestry was called to the Cape Horn area late Tuesday where a brush fire was burning. Two acres were burned before the fire was brought under control.The band uniform fund for dressing up the Colfax High School Band in future years is steadily growing. Several large donations and pledges were made this past week, which brings the total to near $1,250. The Soroptimist Club of Colfax, at their business meeting held last week at the Colfax Hotel, donated $150 for the purchase of uniforms. The Colfax Lions Club this week pledged $200 toward the fund. It is hoped that the goal of $1,700 can be met by the end of the school year, so that the uniforms may be ordered for school in the fall. The Placer Joint Union High School District will supply matching funds. Thirty-five uniforms will be purchased.Dutch Flat News by Clyde Kellogg: Last Saturday morning citizens were shocked to discover they had advanced one more step toward becoming a suburban area. The Gold Run dump had been closed by order of the Placer County Health Department. Arthur Schnormeier started business at his land fill dump in Dutch Flat under county charter Saturday morning. The minimum charge will be 50 cents for small amounts. Mr. Schnormeier will have a service to pick up refuse from residences on all days but Monday. The collection of not to exceed two 30-gallon containers at one time will cost $3 per month.