The Siskiyou Chapter looks forward to its first meeting of the year on Sunday, January 11th (next Sunday) in Lidgate Hall. I (Kathleen Pyle, program Chairperson) will present the program, "Three Women in the 'Land of Little Rain'."  It's based on last summer's trip to the Owens Valley/Bishop area and my visit to the very small town of Independence, California. In Independence, I heard the stories of three remarkable women who made significant contributions to botany, literature and geology. My program describes the lives and achievements of each woman, set against a backdrop of mountains, ranch land, water wars, indigenous people and mining. Native plants are also part of the story.