Quality of Life

Let me tell you a little about a special little village in Siskiyou County. Mt. Shasta City is a very proud community. It is nestled beneath the mountain, which soars 14,179 feet in the air. Wondering down the main street is a treat. There are lots of quaint little shops along the tree-lined sidewalk. I often find myself going in to Village Books, a quaint little bookstore, and ordering a delicious coffee while I wonder the isles looking at the variety of subject matter, both fiction and nonfiction.

But the truth is the city of Mt. Shasta is made up of a variety of religious and interest groups. The Zen Buddhists have a monastery nearby and sometimes you can see them dressed in their traditional robes doing business in the local shops. The Saint Germain Foundation has a yearly pageant in which they present a play about the life of Christ. They are an interesting group. The “I Am” religion was founded by Guy Ballard, who in 1930 claims to have seen a panther on Mt. Shasta. The panther changed and revealed itself as St. Germain. The “I Am” activity was founded through the daily teachings of St. Germain. People from around the world come to see this pageant in August. You can always spot and “I Am” person as they wear very light, pastel or white clothes.

But the variety of people goes on. During the winter season, you see cars with skis or snowboards loaded on top for a trip to the Mt. Shasta Ski and Board Park. In the summer months, the 4th of July is a huge celebration. The town, which normally has a population of around 3500 swells to double that size. The big event is the foot race that draws runners and walkers from all over. There is a parade, music vendors, and just a good old-fashioned day.

In my next blog, I will tell you more about this delightful village.