Volume 6 Number 3

A publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. (http://www.mtncare.com)
Bear Facts Staff
Paul Tetreault
Editor
Shirley Bauer
Advertising Director
Barbara Vance
Mailing Director
to submit
Letters to the Editor
write to:
[email protected]
Mountain C.A.R.E.
Board of Directors
Matt Bottenberg
President
George Forgues
Vice President
Michelle Macri
Secretary
Mitch Ridgeway
Treasurer
Carol Burgess
Membership Director
Jeff Schaefer
Webmaster
Karen Goodyear
Rod Goodyear
Shirley Bauer
Paul Tetreault
Members of the Board
Please Renew $15/yr
Summer 2012 Volume 6 Number 3
Mountain C.A.R.E. President’s Message
by Matt Bottenberg
Summer is turning out important articles covering the upcoming Halloween
pretty nice so far. My Haunt at the Community Center, news about CERT
wife Sue is having a field activities, Community CARES meetings, and recent
day taking photos of the community events. Also Shannon Wray wrote an
amazing birds in our excellent article about music in the mountains that
mountains. But the bird strikes a chord with me.
bath is also attracting all Our three communities of Angelus Oaks, Mounsorts of other interesting tain Home Village, and Forest Falls are blessed with
critters, such as Merriam’s many volunteer groups and organizations that are
Chipmunks,
Beechey doing really good works Many of them contribute
Ground
Squirrels,
a articles to the Bear Facts, or list their activity dates
Raccoon or two, and, of course, our local Black on our community calendar. These organizations
Bears. Speaking of the bears, I have noticed quite a need more volunteers to succeed in what they do. I
few reports on the local Face Book “FF Folks” site encourage you to seek them out and figure out what
about bears breaking into our homes. Somehow we you can do to help. Please get involved
need to get our act together and work to keep this
In closing, I would like the thank those of you
from happening, or something really bad is going
who have donated to Mountain C.A.R.E. over the
to happen. Here is a good link with some common
last year. It really does help us keep things going.
sense ideas. http:// www.lospadresbearaware.net/
Publishing and delivering a quarterly newsletter is
Bear_Proof_Your_Home.html . I recommend
a big and costly effort and we really appreciate the
that you adopt these suggestions, rather than run
encouragement, and the contributions.
screaming and naked at the bears as some have
“We make a living by what we do. We make
suggested on Face Book.
In this issue of the Bear Facts you will find many a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill
Too Early to Talk about the Haunt? ... I Think Not
Last summer a few folks in Forest Falls thought
it would be fun to bring Halloween back to the
canyon. That idea was met with great enthusiasm.
This fundraiser on the last Saturday in October
exceeded most local’s expectations. The key to
that success was planning and the dedication of the
volunteers who put on the event. It’s still summer
and may seem early, but to pull off an experience
like the “Haunt on the Hill” planning needs to start
far in advance.
One thing that was clear after last year’s Haunt, was
in order for this to become a yearly experience, it
was going to take more volunteers. The more people
that get involved, the less each person has to do, and
the more fun each one can have. Even seemingly
tedious jobs can be fun when people work together.
The anticipation during set-up or the congratulatory
banter during clean up all add to the excitement of
participation.
There are several opportunities for those who would
like to join us, committing to designing a scene in
the walk-thru, helping with food prep and serving,
clean up committee, or sponsoring the Haunt monetarily because it does take money to pull this off.
We do hope to generate funds for the Community
Center and the Old Rock Schoolhouse rehab project, but most importantly we want the Haunt to be a
community event that brings us together for a good
time. If you would like to help out in any way, please
call Shannon Hancock 583-4241, or Paul Tetreault
794-0077. We need to get our ducks in a row, sooner than later. Hop on board; let’s have some great
Halloween fun!
Page 2 Volume 6 Issue 3
The Life of the Canyon
The Lone Troubadour
by Shannon Wray
The Saddletramp Saloon
lives in legend in the
canyon as a brief moment
of music, revelry, and
the spirit of the Old West
mountain men. The Saloon
was the brainchild of the
Crofutt brothers, Art and
Ken. In remembrance of
his brother Art, a Western
artist who passed away
in 2007, Ken recalls “in
Forest Falls, mid-70s we
opened the Saddletramp
Saloon as partners. It was
a raucous, boot-stomping
place with live music,
hotly contested horseshoe
matches and a yearly
woodsmen competition.”
The Saloon opened up in
a side room of the old San
Advertisement 1982
Gorgonio Lodge and was
there for a year before the floor got stomped in by dancing and
could no longer support the fun. Saddletramp II moved to what is
now Big Falls Lodge in 1975 where the woodsmen competitions
could spread out and there was more room for music, dancing
and grub. Dave Connors was the cook and he had a sign over
the kitchen that read “bowl of beans $2.00 unless you can jive
the cook.” Its life was brief and controversial. Those who are
still around and remember the Saddletramp prefer to keep their
memories to themselves and let it remain in legend. However, the
music has been kept alive by a lone troubadour.
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
resident Don Hall.
“Don was a television
producer in L.A. who
moved out and played
banjo, guitar, and had
a wonderful vision.”
Hall suggested that
Terry come to Forest
Falls to play at the
Saddletramp Saloon,
saying,
“There’s
people up there who
have your attitude.”
Terry, who grew up
in flat, featureless
Kansas and always
had a romance with
the mountains had
L to R: Don Hall, Buddy Reed, Ron Valenti
been coming to Forest
Falls to climb Mt. San Gorgonio since 1970. He was looking for a
way to disconnect from the hectic, high speed over-stimulated big
city atmosphere, and the community of artists and musicians in the
canyon were exactly what he was looking for. “A lot of the people
were looking for an alternative lifestyle. It was a lot cheaper rent,
you could buy a house for very little in a small community where
everybody knew each other. When I moved to Forest Falls in 1978
you could buy a house for $9,000 and the most fantastic house
on the mountain was $35,000.” More than that, the music of the
mountains called him. “There was a real positive all-out response
about old timey mountain music, blue grass, rock & roll and blues”.
Don Hall and Donna Harmon, Buddy Reed, Jerry Smith, Richard
Innes, Ron and Reggie Valenti were devoted musicians who
still play today. In addition to playing at the Saddletramp, Terry
played at the San Gorgonio Lodge with jazz musician Jody Fisher,
who now teaches music at University of California at Riverside.
“When the road washed out due to rockslides or floods, or we were
snowed in, we would get together at someone’s house and music
would happen. We would play acoustic blue grass or old time
mountain music by candlelight or kerosene lamps. It was potluck
because there was no food in the store, and everyone shared. It was
like before the turn of the century, you weren’t leaving, nobody
was going to bring you anything and you had to deal with it. We
thought we were stuck in paradise.”
Terry played 21 New Year’s Eve parties in a row, either at the
Saddletramp, the café, or the Oaks in Angelus Oaks, and he has
played at El Mexicano for 25 years, missing only 8 Friday nights
in all that time. Over the years, Terry has “seen babies come in
who grew up to have babies.” Recently a 4-year-old girl requested
the Christopher Robin song and when he was done a woman came
up to say hello. With a gleam in his eye he said, “Yes, sweetheart,
I played that song for you when you were two years old.”
The Founders and Staff of the Saddletramp Saloon
photo courtesy of Gary Burgess
Every Friday night at El Mexicano Café Terry Palmer performs
in a corner of the dining room with his guitar and a ready smile.
In 1976, Terry went to a folk club in San Bernardino called Penny
University to an open mic night and met musician and Forest Falls
José Feliciano used to own a home in Forest Falls. Terry heard that
José and his wife were going to come and check him out at the café
but they never did. Many of the musicians that Terry once played
with at the Saddletramp still come and sit in with him from time to
time. He has played at El Mex with broken bones, with the flu, and
even the night his mother passed away in 1981.
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 3 Volume 6 Issue 3
Considering Books
by Katherine Thomerson-Bird
Two books; reflections on how we grow old
and into ourselves; reflections on creativity and
how to pursue your own no matter what it is.
LIVING MY DREAM
by Synthia Saint James
Perhaps this summer
you traveled out of the area through Ontario
International Airport? If so, when you
gathered your luggage in baggage claim,
you noticed the colorful, tiled mural of
beautiful figures with no faces. That mural
was commissioned and created by Synthia
Saint James, artist, writer, poet and painter.
Synthia’s newest book is a personal motivating discussion
on creating art – or an enlightening affirmation for creative
people. The book encourages the reader to “stop dreaming and
start doing.” It begins with a brief biography of her life, moves
through the incidents that made her career, and ends with “The I
Wills According to Synthia Saint James for Artists.” “I will think
courage and strength and become just that.”
The Lone Troubadour (cont.)
1981 L-R: Joe Twaddell, Terry Palmer, and Gary Hignight
He is extraordinarily grateful to Patty and Mario for giving him the
chance to keep music alive in the canyon. The Saddletramp Saloon
is long gone and Terry says, “I thought it was always going to be like
that, that it was not going to change. I thought that attitude was in
Forest Falls and it wasn’t going to go away. There are a lot of great
memories in that building and now it’s the community center. We
owe a lot to Gail Cox for making it possible and to Tom McIntosh for
keeping it going. It’s something we all need to support in whatever
way we can.” Over that past 34 years, Terry has kept the music
alive that began at the Saddletramp and has been an important part
of the soundtrack of our lives. That’s what matters most to him.
“Music is a place where I go as a sanctuary, to get that release
that we all need where you are doing something that you love.”
Ken Crofutt quote courtesy mojavemuleskinners.com
Photographs courtesy Canyon News Gazette. For questions, or
comments on these stories: [email protected].
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Synthia also illustrates the covers of novels; has written and
illustrated several Children’s Books, a poetry collection (Can
I Touch You, a collection of love poetry), and fiction for adults.
She is also the author of CREATIVE FIXINGS – Favorite
Multi-Cultural Recipes which includes African Coconut Spinach,
Brazilian Black Beans, Creole Mixed Gumbo Treat, Mexican
Chilified Beans, and Native American Herbal Game Hens.
A remarkable artist, writer, poet and painter, Synthia’s work
is everywhere – in the airport, on several television shows, the
Kwanza stamp, greeting cards…..LIVING MY DREAM is a
motivational work of art through words.
LOTS OF CANDLES, PLENTY OF CAKE by Anna Quindlen
I have reviewed this favorite author/journalist/
essayist before; she won the Pulitzer Prize for
the book LIVING OUT LOUD. Her book
A SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY LIFE
sold over a million copies. Her newest book
LOTS OF CANDLES, PLENTY OF CAKE
markets readers who have blown out so many
birthday candles, there is no room on the cake.
This includes me; I turn 60 this year – so has
Quindlen.
The book is structured in four sections with titles like; Laboratory
of Life – Stuff, The Wisdom of Why – Solitude, Be All and End
All – Faith and Mortality. The “Stuff” section begins with a quote
from John Randolph, Colonial member of Congress: “Time
is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our
possessions.” And in considering time, Quindlen refers to another
quote from Soren Kierkegaard – “Life must be lived forward,
but understood backward.” Quindlen writes about aging, where
we’ve come from, where we’ve been, and where we are now. She
understands what it means to look in the mirror and wonder how
those crinkles showed-up and explains why you should count them
rather than throwing yourself on the bed sobbing; hey, I screamed.
She writes, “Time passed, almost imperceptibly. First we were so
young and then we were so busy and then one day we awoke to
discover that we were an age we once thought of as old.”
The book is inspirational for all of us “coming into our age” as
Quindlen surmises. I will end this review with three quotes from
the book; I am placing them on my mirror. “Many of us have come
to a surprising conclusion about this moment in our lives. No, it’s
not that there are weird freckly spots on the back of our hands,
although there are, or that construction guys don’t make smutty
comments as we pass, although they don’t. It’s that we’ve done a
pretty good job of becoming ourselves, and that this is in so many
ways, the time of our lives. These are good old days…..You’re
never too old to try something stupid……Life is to be continued
until you die.” To be continued……I like that!!!
To all residents:
of Angeles Oaks, Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls.
If you have a special event, fundraising activity, a cool mountain
fact or story you’d like to share, please submit an article to the
Bear Facts. We’d love to include it in an upcoming issue. We’re
interested in wildlife photos as well. Let us know whats going on
in your neck of the woods! [email protected].
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 4 Volume 6 Issue 3
Flashovers
by Tom McIntosh, Fire Capt. Forest Falls, Station 99
FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE EXPLORERS WANTED
There are openings for both Firefighters and Fire
Explorers at the Forest Falls station. Interested
persons should contact a community Firefighter,
Fire Explorer or the station at (909) 794-4413 for
more information.
Or on the web atwww.sbcfire.org,
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Forest Care Tree Removal Program
Last Chance!
Our canyon topography is officially designated as “Arid Forest”.
That means a fairly light density of trees. Our average annual rainfall
can’t support a lot of trees and when those totals are below normal,
that’s when nature calls on fire and bark beetles to do their job,
cleaning out the forest. The problem is it takes a lot more with it
including homes, and mature trees.
Forest Care is a program that helps homeowners create healthier,
greener, thinner and more fire safe forests on their property. This
program, that’s been helping homeowners by reimbursing them for
up to 75% of the cost of the tree removal, has been going since 2006
but their grant is now up and this is their final season. You have a
“LAST CHANCE” to participate. Call to schedule an appointment
before it’s too late. When you call, a professional forester will walk
your property with you and assist in creating a plan to thin your trees.
You will hire the company you want to do the job and Forest Care
will reimburse up to 75% based on the previous property inspection.
Call 1-888-883-THIN. This is a State run program in
conjunction with Cal Fire and the end is near. DO IT NOW!
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
A Big Anniversary
They say 25 years is Silver and 50 is gold, 75 is the diamond jubilee
but local Redlands Print shop Citrograph just celebrated its 125th
anniversary. Citrograph is the oldest businees in Redlands, startung
out by printing Redlands first newspaper. The current owners Ryan
Bailey and Al Hernandez, local Forest Falls residents, have owned
this long running print shop for 10 years and have a dedicated client
base. Congratulations to them and continued success. I f you have
any printing needs give them a call. 909-792-3901 Shop local.
Some Helpful Phone Numbers
Highway Patrol
SBCounty Sheriff
Please follow these common-sense steps:
909-790-3105 Non-Emergency
Code Enforcement 909-387-4044 illegal dumping &
property complaaints
Building & Safety
Chipper Hotline
909-387-4244 Building codes
855-686-2447 for slash pile removal
FF Firehouse
909-794-4413 Non-Emergency
for many more county phone numbers check www.sbcounty.gov
This is a RECYCLING BIN, Not a DUMPSTER
•
•
Keep our Bears Wild
Since we live in a wildlife habitat with bears, coyotes and mountain •
lions, we CAN NOT feed these wild animals, intentionally or
accidentially. Allowing these animals access to our food is not only •
inviting trouble for you and your neighbors, you’re also harming the
wildlife by letting them get used to being around and depending on
humans to provide them with an unnatural diet.
800-427-7623 for Road Conditions
This bin IS for
Cardboard
Plastic
Glass
Aluminum
•
•
•
•
It is NOT for
TVs
Electronics
Yard waste
Household Trash
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TRASH AT THIS SITE!
If the bin is not there, don’t leave your recyclables here,
keep them in your vehicle until the bin arrives.
- Don’t leave pet food – or human food – outside.
- Don’t let your pets roam outside unattended.
- Don’t leave any uncovered trash outside overnight.
- Don’t put strong-smelling food scraps in an outdoor compost pile.
- Don’t put bird feeders where they become accessible to active bears
- Don’t plant berry shrubs or fruit bearing trees near your house.
- Do consider buying bear-proof garbage cans.
Our local wildlife is intriguing, exciting and beautiful,
since we share the same environment, it is up to us to keep them safe.
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 5 Volume 6 Issue 3
On Being Prepared
by Mill Creek Canyon C.E.R.T.
Are you a Ham? That is to say, an amateur
radio operator. Well then we need to talk.
Calling all resident Hams. Our CERT
Team needs to create a communications
strategy and procedure. If you’re already
part of our CERT, fantastic let’s get this thing going. If you haven’t
yet taken the FREE County CERT Training course, no problem,
we still want you to attend this meeting share ideas and perhaps
get on the training waiting list later.
Steve Gates, who joined the team in March of this year, is heading
up this meeting and we will be putting a date on the calendar soon
but we need to get some idea of how many folks will be attending.
The San Bernardino County Fire department’s ECS (Emergency
Communication Service)
folks from Big Bear have
agreed to assist us in getting
things off the ground. All
we need now is you. Call
Steve at 626-437-0515.
The next CERT Training
is currently being planned.
We hope to have a class
in the Fall. If you would like to participate in this FREE County
provided training, give us a call to get on the waiting list. We also
have a new CERT page on Facebook if anyone would like to be a
part of that page or find out about any upcoming CERT activities
such as skills maintenance days and advanced training classes.
contact Paul and Beth Tetreault at (909) 794-0077.
A Successful Canyon Clean-Up
by Beth Tetreault
Thanks Forest Falls for a successful Canyon Clean-up. Were you
able to take advantage of the large dumpsters? The eWaste or
paper shredding? Hope these were helpful to you. Were you able
to join us with cleaning up our community areas? If you were,
thanks! If you weren’t, think about it for next year. It was only a
couple hours of time, and made a huge difference in the look of our
community… and those volunteers got a free lunch.
Let’s go to the stats:
We filled three 40-cubic yard dumpsters; two for household trash
and one just for green waste (branches, pine needles, scrap wood)
and thanks to San Bernardino County for sponsoring (paying for)
these dumpsters. We recycled over 3 pick up truck & trailer loads
of metal thanks to David Dickenson. We recycled 3929 lbs of
eWaste, thanks to eWaste, Inc. We shredded over 100 boxes of old
documents, thanks to Paper Shredding and Recycling.
A huge “Thank You” to the 65 volunteers who signed in and helped
clean up our community areas these lucky folks got a sneak peek at
the Picnic Grounds before it was opened to the public.
We ended our Canyon Clean-up with a celebration of Gail D.
Cox and the Big Falls Lodge community center. Hope everyone
enjoyed the food and music.
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
It’s Always Gardening Time
by Bernadette Griffith, Frozen Green Thumb Garden Club
As the beautiful blooms of our canyon’s summer start to
fade, here are a few tips to help prepare for the change of
season. Resist the urge to cut off all the dying greenery
from the bloomed out bulbs and perennials in your garden
that are past their peak. These last few days of summer and
into fall are a plants last opportunity to store up nutrients
that fortify them for next season. As sad as it is to watch
your hastas brown and droop, remember they will be your
first bits of green to reappear from under the snow come
spring.
If you are itching to squeeze in just a little bit more time in your
garden why don’t you try collecting the seeds of your columbine,
snapdragons and Humboldt lilies this year? If you do decide to
indulge in a plant purchase this late in our growing season double
check the cold hardiness information on the tags. Remember that our
little box canyon is subject to early frosts and various microclimate
effects that growers marketing for the masses rarely take into
account. Plants hardy to temperatures between 0-20 degrees are a
safe bet but those only rated to 30 degrees might freeze on a chilly
night that follows a moist day. If you have any questions about
these tips or about anything else in your garden feel free to stop by
a Frozen Green Thumb Garden Club meeting. Visitors are always
welcome! Check out the FGTGarden Club’s new Facebook page
www.facebook.com/ForestFallsFrozenGreenThumbGardenClub
~ Good Gardening.
“Whoever loves and understands a garden will find
contentment within.”
~ Chinese Proverb
Garden Club Program Calendar
Meetings start at 11:30 am Location varies call 909-794-0885
August 20, 2012
Progressive lunch featuring
the “Gorgeous Canyon Gardens and Gazebo’s”
September 17, 2012
Garden Art “Propagating and Profiling your personality thru your
garden” featuring a museum collection of World Trade Beads
October 15, 2012
“The Changing Landscapes of Mill Creek Canyon”
Pictorial Highlights from the history of Mill Creek Canyon
November 19, 2012
Birds Unlimited
909-389-2300
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 6 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Dog Tails
Do You Understand Your Dog?
By MJ Turner
MJ Turner, a 9 year resident of Forest Falls, moved to
Yucaipa to train dogs full time at her business Ready 2 Wag.
Pavlov was the scientist who came up with the idea that if
you pair a treat with an action you can change the behavior
of a dog. He paired the ring of a bell with feeding a dog
and got the involuntary behavior of drooling. Therefore you
could ring a bell and the dog would start to drool whether
there was food around or not.
Several decades of research continued and the art of clicker
training was created. A handler can pair the sound of a party
clicker with a high value reward such as liver or sirloin and
get a dog to do any number of things. It has been successfully
used in the training of marine mammals for not only crazy
shows at amusement parks but also with marine tactics such
as placing bombs on enemy ships under water. It has also
been used to get semen samples to artificially inseminate
female dolphins for reproduction in captivity. Now that is
some serious work that all started with drooling dogs.
So now you are wondering what kinds of things can you
get your dog to do? Have you ever seen a dog dance the
salsa (check it out on youtube). All that work started with
incremental behavior achieved by prompting or shaping a
particular behavior and then linking them all together to
perform a particular dance. Now granted this can take a lot
of time but think of all the great bonding time with your dog
and at the end be able to dance the salsa with your dog.
I don’t want to get too technical with you but the best way
to achieve these behaviors is to do something called backchaining. You teach the last move first and then incrementally
add each behavior up to the first. So if you want to teach
your dog to get a beer from the fridge. You teach the dog to
deliver the beer to hand. Then bring beer to you and then to
hand. Then close fridge door, bring beer to hand. Then take
beer from fridge, close door, bring beer to hand. Then open
fridge door, take beer, close door, bring beer to hand! Voila.
Piece of cake (or beer).
Of course you need to teach each behavior separately, but
that is the easy part and that is where the Pavlov technique
comes into play. Each behavior needs to be broken down into
small increments until you get what you want. For example,
to get the dog to put a bottle into your hand. Your first need
to get them to pick up the bottle. Then pick up the bottle and
move it toward you. Then pick up the bottle and move it
toward you and put it in your hand.
Once you have all that worked out you add what is called
a cue, such as a word that represents that whole sequence.
The command, “Get the Bottle” which indicates all of the
behaviors to get the bottle into your hand.
The bigger sequence is then created by reversing your Cues
until you have the performance of your dog getting you a
beer from the fridge. And that can be a routine you have your
dog do every night you come home from work! Enjoy!
by Ann Klingbeil
Summer time and the “livin is easy.”
However, in Forest Falls it is very
dry and so we have our annual fire
danger. Be sure you have a disaster
plan for your pets, especially if you go down the mountain
to work every day. Find a neighbor or friend in the canyon
that can get acquainted with your pet(s) and be able to
transport them if need be.
Be sure your pets always have shelter from the sun and
fresh, cool drinking water. The bears are out looking for
food now, so remember to leave your pet’s food inside, not
outside.
If you take your dog to the creek to cool off, watch out for
rattlesnakes! If you are interested in the Rattlesnake Clinic
for your dog, the phone number is (909) 982-4442.
Don’t forget the heartworm preventative for your dog (and
cat). Ann Klingbeil (909) 794-3192
Editor’s note: Please wear reflective garments when
walking your dog in the early morning and evening hours.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
for Soup Night
It’s a great event, but doesn’t run by itself - Contact Dee Konczal
to lend a hand, 909-794-0885, email [email protected]
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 7 Volume 6 Issue 3
Summmer 2012
Forest Falls
Fire Department
Valley of the Falls
Community Church
Youth Group
Girl Scouts
Explorer Post 128
Frozen Green
Thumb Garden
Club
Souper Thursday
FREE SOUP!
Aug 11, 25
Sept 15, 29
Oct 27
TRI-COMMUNITIES
EVENT CALENDAR
Meets every Tuesday at 6:30 pm,
Forest Falls Fire Station.
Call 794-4413
Angeles Oaks
Fire Department
Meets every other Friday at 5:30 pm
Valley of the Falls Community Church
Call Kristi Ranabauer 794-5131 for
more information.
Mountain Home
Village
Meets every Wednesday from 6:00 pm
to 8:00 pm. Ages 12-18.
Valley of the Falls Community Church
Angeles Oaks
Fire Safe Council
Meets 1st & 3rd Monday at 6:00pm Forest
Falls Fire Station. New Explorers welcome.
Call 794-4413 to leave info.
Mill Creek Canyon
C.E.R.T.
Meets 3rd Monday every month. Call
Dee 794-0885 for monthly location.
Mill Creek Canyon
Fire Safe Council
First and Third Thursday of the month
4pm -7pm at Big Falls Lodge.
(VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)
Valley of the Falls
Search And Rescue
Mark Your Calendars
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Meets on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every
month at 6:00pm.
Angeles Oaks Fire Station.
Meets periodically. Dates are
announced on the A.O. FSC Bulletin
Board in the Angeles Oaks Post Office.
This calendar space is available for any
Mountain Home Village community
groups that we should mention.
Skills Maintenance Days in planning
stage call Paul Tetreault 794-0077 to
get on a waiting list for new courses.
Currently reforming,
Contact Tim Lange at 909-794-2588 or
[email protected]
Meets 2nd Monday every month at
7:00 pm, Forest Falls Sheriff Station
909-389-2435.
LADY BE AWARE Course
(Don’t become a victim)
San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Dept Training Center in Devore 8 hours
cost $60 multiple dates available, call to register in a class 909-473-2549
Sept 3
Fire House Dinner
5:00 pm, at the Forest Falls Fire Station. for more info
watch for upcoming emails or call 794-4413
Sept 15
Big Falls Swap Meet
Oct 27
The HAUNT on The Hill
Oct 31
The Trick or Treat Trail
9:00 am at Big Falls Lodge for space reservation and developing details
call Dan Forgues 794-1212
The Last Saturday in October, Food and spooky fun,
6-9 pm at Big Falls Lodge, for more info call Shannon Hancock 583-4241
6-8 pm in Downtown Forest Falls in front of Jessica’s Treasures and the
Elkhorn General Store, for more info call 794-4359.
Inquire about how easy it is to have YOUR business ad in the Bear Facts
Contact [email protected]
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 8 Volume 6 Issue 3
News from Valley of the Falls
Community Center, Inc.
www.VFCCi.org
We have some new Members on the Board of Directors at VFCCi,
we would like to extend a warm welcome to Erik Foxvog, a 12
year resident of Forest Falls and Bernadette Griffith who you
might have seen around town
with her affilliation with the
Elkhorn General Store, the
CERT Team and the Garden
Club. It is great to have you
both on board. Erik is the
new “Member at Large”
and “Bernie” is the member
representing the Frozen
Green Thumb Garden Club,
filling the shoes of long
time member and major
contributor Shirley Bauer.
MEMBERSHIP IN
VFCCi IS FREE
AND OPEN TO ALL
RESIDENTS AND
PROPERTY OWNERS
IN ANGELUS OAKS,
FOREST FALLS, AND
MOUNTAIN HOME
VILLAGE
Got and Idea or Suggestion? Send it via email to
[email protected] or [email protected]. For those who do not
use email a suggestion box has been placed at the main entry at
Big Falls Lodge, kindly identify yourself if you leave a note.
Remember, Big Falls Lodge is your event location.
Community Cares
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Chili Cook-Off Success Again
So ends the 15th annual Chili Cook-Off here in Forest Falls. A
splendid time was had by all. It was so popular that some of the
12 chili cookers ran out of chili. Between the food and the fun,
the parade of pets, the hula-hooping, the refreshing dunk tank and
dancing the afternoon away to the sounds of Endless Maze, the
Pet Parade at the 15th Annual Forest Falls Chili Cook-Off
event was able to raise almost $6000 for the Big Falls Lodge and
Old Rock Schoolhouse rehab project. First Place in the judged
Chili went to first-time cooker Garth Jensen, while second place
for judged chili and First Place for “People’s Choice” went to
Samantha Peoples. Gayle Boghosian took top honors for her salsa
while Marcie Green-Whitney won for her Cake entry and Martha
Foster won for the pie she entered.
The Chili Cook-Off committee would like thank the many volunteers that were a part of making this event happen. There really
are too many to mention here, but the efforts of all those who had
a hand in this, and you know who you are, are very much appreciated. We could not do this without you. Thank you all so much.
Yoga at Big Falls Lodge
The Yoga classes being offered at the community center by David
Lyons are being very well received. Those of you who go, know.
Classes are Tuesdays at 6pm and 7:15 pm as well as Thursdays at
6 pm on NON-Soup Nights. $7 for community members and $14
for non-members. The life you stretch may be your own.
by Michelle Macri
The topics being discussed at our current
meetings include:
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- Soup Night success and need for volunteers
- The Welcome Package
- Bear break-ins, and how to handle them
Big Falls Day-Use Picnic Area:
for construction updates and information, check out this National
Forest link:www.twitter.com/sanbernardinonf
Meetings bi-monthly, To be added to the Community Cares agenda
contact Michelle Macri at [email protected]
community
news
at www.mtncare.com
If you would check
like toout
seecurrent
most of
this issue’s
photos
in color, visit www.mtncare.com
Page 9 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Valley of the Falls
Community Center
Inc.
Think Big Falls Lodge for your event…
Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries,
Family and Class Reunions, Memorials, Graduations, Meetings, Classes….
BFL rental rates & policy
www.VFCCi.org
Event Coordinator
Marcie Green-Whitney
909.794.2870 or
909.794-2518 or
[email protected]
Event Staffers
Dee Konzal
Bernadette Griffith
Caretaker/Custodian
Bob Riddle
Board of Directors
Tom McIntosh, President
[email protected]
909.794.2518
Thom Wellman, V-Pres
[email protected]
909.794.2065
Patricia Drummond, Sec.
[email protected]
909.794.7927
Susan Iles, Treasurer
[email protected]
909.794.5756
Erik Foxvog
Bernadette Griffith
George Forgues
[email protected]
909.794.5431
• Do you receive periodic emails of community events and items
of interest? Not on our email list? Send your email address to
[email protected] (put “Add to Email List” on subject line). We do not
share our email list with others.
• Referral Fee$ Paid. Refer a non-member who books an event and
earn a 10% referral fee, up to $226 on a full day rental… more for
multi-day events. (some conditions apply, if in doubt, contact us)
• Become a Summit Sponsor or Fallsvale Friend. VFCCi is a
charitable, non-profit organization and your donations should be tax
deductible. While we appreciate your donation in any amount, those
who meet $2500 are designated a “Summit Sponsor” and those who
wish to earmark their gift for the restoration of the old Fallsvale School
to a Day Care/Latch Key site and reach $1000 in donations will be
designated as a Fallsvale Friend. Summit Sponsor’s and Fallsvale
Friends are recognized with bronze plaques. Payment plans available,
Visa-Mastercard accepted.
• Casual Donations gratefully accepted. Payment programs, Visa
and Master Card accepted for all plans supporting VFCCi.
• Consider a donation of your estate or marketable asset. The Gail
D. Cox Community Center at Big Falls Lodge was made possible this
way and your donation can help make the old Fallsvale School Day
Care/Latch Key program a reality as well as enhance our community
goals.
Check the www.VFCCi.org calendar
for events, classes, changes & updates
Have a class or event to put on? Let us know!
Call or email your suggestions to
[email protected]
• Post Office Box 41, Forest Falls, CA. 92339 • A Charitable Not for Profit Organization • EIN 33-0876386
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 10 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
The Bear Facts is a Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E., a non-profit organization
We appreciate the patronage of our advertisers and the services they offer to our readers.
However, the membership and the Board of Directors of Mountain C.A.R.E. are not endorsing these companies simply by
including the ads in this publication. The advertisers pay for the priviledge and the Bear Facts is produced in part by those
fees. We hope you will enjoy the services these companies offer.
Bear Facts Ad Rates
Half Page
$300 /year
Quarter Page
Business Card
$220 /year
$130 /year
Third Page
contact Shirley Bauer
$260 /year
[email protected]
36930 Old Mill Creek Road
Mentone, CA 92359
Office: (909) 794-1096
[email protected]
[email protected]
909-253-8262
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 11 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 12 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 13 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
“Our task must be to free ourselves— by widening our
circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and
the whole of nature and its beauty.” ~Albert Einstein
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Page 14 Volume 6 Issue 3
A Korean Connection
Forest Falls, Seoul, and Hiking
by Rod Goodyear
Forest Home Christian Conference Center and The
Forest Falls Korean Retreat Center on Island Drive
draw many Korean Americans to our mountain and to our hiking
trails. I want to dedicate this article to them.
Karen and I recently returned from five months in Seoul where
I had a Fulbright appointment at Yonsei University. We quickly learned that Koreans are avid hikers. In fact, Korea’s mandatory retirement age of 55 means that many still-robust people
have plenty of time to hike, with some trails easily accessible to
them via the Seoul subway (the entire country is very mountainous; Seoul itself has mountains within city limits). It is common
on the subways to see older men and women with backpacks and
hiking equipment. Because Koreans tend to dress stylishly and
neatly, hikers -- there and here in Forest Falls-- tend to wear crisply pressed outdoor clothing that is in stark contrast to my own
tee-shirt-and-jeans hiking attire.
I was able to do some limited hiking in the mountains above Chuncheon, about 60 miles east of Seoul. It was spring with cherry
blossoms and other flowering bushes and so remarkably beautiful
as we walked up to the centuries-old Cheongpyeongsa temple (it
has a wonderful origin myth about a princess and a commoner
who loved her so much he became a snake). But here I will focus
on the Fortress Wall, which is readily accessible to any of you who
might have occasion to visit Seoul.
A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
stretch of the wall. In response, public had no access to that portion of the wall until 2007. Hikers now need to sign in (foreigners
must show a passport) and be assigned an ID tag; soldiers then
are stationed every 200 yards or so along that portion of the wall.
The hike is a strenuous stair-stepping exercise as the wall goes up
and down sometimes-steep mountain slopes. But it is nice to be in
the woods, to feel connected to this bit of history, and to have the
sweeping vistas of modern Seoul down below. Hiking is done on
the other side, using the walkway that is sufficiently near the top
to have permitted soldiers to fire down on intruders. This picture
is of me and my Fortress Wall hiking buddies: Yonsei graduate
students, and Yonsei faculty colleague, Young Seok Seo at the top
of Mt. Bugaksan (1,122’) next to the wall.
Seoul Fortress Wall
DON”T FORGET -- The 3rd Saturday of every month, the kind
folks at Heska’s Sugar Shack will donate 10% of the GROSS sales
for the ENTIRE day to VFCCi! Thanks for all your support!
The 11 mile Fortress Wall initially was built in 1396 to link four
peaks, enclosing what then was Seoul. King Taejo of the Joseon
Dynasty conscripted nearly 200,000 men who finished this early
version of the wall in 98 days. The wall was improved in 1422; a
third renovation was finished in 1704. Because of that wall, Seoul
is billed as “the only castle city in the world” (in fact, one story
about the origin of the name “Seoul” is that it came from “Seultari,” which literally means “new walls” or “new castle).
Though in the city, much of this wall is in a wooded, secluded
area, which makes for exceptionally nice urban hiking. But those
woods also provided cover for a North Korean attempt on the
South Korean President’s life in 1968; the “Blue House” (Korea’s
analog to our White House) is below and not far from the northern
check out current community news at www.mtncare.com
Page 15 Volume 6 Issue 3
Have You Seen It?
by Paul Tetreault
America loves super heroes, there have
been a number of films and TV shows on
this subject. There is a little something
for everyone, romantic hunks with super
powers, millionaires with high tech toys,
girls ready to kick some butt, and even talking turtles named after
famous artists. (don’t forget a toxic hero made of trash w/ 3 films)
As early as 1920 Zorro was fascinating Americans on the big
screen, then there were 3 Zorro sequels before 1940. More recently
the number of super hero pictures has exploded. They have become more complicated and sophisticated. Growing up, my brothers and I loved watching the1960’s Batman TV series, which by
today’s standards looks more like comedy than action adventure.
Just this summer 3 blockbuster super hero films were released, The
Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, and the Dark Knight Rises.
The new Spider-Man film comes just 10 years after the Tobey Maguire feature and this new release tells the same origin story with
a different twist and a new actor in the title role. I’ll let you be the
judge of which is better. Point is, they are coming faster all the
time.
Parents need to be careful since nearly all of these films have some
level of violence, it’s just the nature of the beast and little kids will
often want to emulate the actions of their on screen wonder-folk.
There really are so many films here it’s hard to recommend just
a couple but that’s all I have room for. I am really suggesting the
genre as escapism, rather than one particular film. These films
rarely win little statues because they just don’t have what industry
judges are looking for come award time, however they are the
biggest monetary winners at the box office and the home video
sales as well.
I would like to recommend the two Tim Burton Batman films (1989
& 1992) where Michael Keaton plays the Caped Crusader and he
is pitted against Jack Nicholson as the Joker, Danny DeVito as
the Penguin and Michele Pfeiffer as Catwoman. The art direction
alone in these films is worth the price of admission. Although it is
probably the most violent of the whole genre, I really enjoyed the
second installment of the current Christian Bale Batman series,
the Oscar winning, “Dark Knight” with a brilliant performance by
Heath Ledger in the nominated role as the Joker. Although I must
say my favorite superhero film of all time is “the Incredibles” by
Pixar, a story about a retired Super hero who just can’t let go of the
glory days. Such an excellent film!
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A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.
Did You Know?
by Shirley Bauer
Summer time is here! Don’t you love it!!
Living in the mountains is so---- great!!!
It’s barbeque time. Here’s an easy tip for great
sauce. Mix equal amounts coke and catsup.
The things people think of - To make a quick
ice pack, saturate a baby disposable diaper with water and freeze.
The super absorbent polymer flakes in the diaper absorb 300 times
the weight in liquid. Barbara Walters was recently seen on The
View with a frozen diaper on her head; she really had a headache
and the diaper ice pack worked.
This is a repeat and one I think is important with all the viruses
and diseases around us. Kitchen sponges are filled with bacteria.
Tests recently showed an amazing number of bacteria in a CLEAN
sink. So if you use sponges, throw them in the dishwasher every
time you run it. Also, you could nuke them in the microwave for a
couple of minutes. I have switched to a clean dish cloth every day,
since reading about the level of bacteria in a sink.
Wish I had known this a long time ago… to slow an unpeeled
banana from getting brown spots, brush the banana skin with
lemon juice.
Those cute little critters, called ground squirrels, are a nuisance
- eating our flowers and veggies as they come up. To discourage
them from bothering our gardens, sprinkle hot pepper flakes on the
garden soil.
Here is a tip I’ve been asked to repeat. Get a burn – break an egg
and pat the egg white on the burn. Repeat every few minutes. The
pain will go away.
Speaking of eggs, when they are stored with the large end up they
remain fresh longer. With the large end up the air pocket inside the
egg rises to the top, keeping the yolks centered, so the eggs stay
fresher longer.
All my life I have believed that brown eggs were better for us than
white. Well not true! The only difference between brown eggs
and white is the breed of the hens that lay them.
To cure hiccups, try eating a heaping spoonful of peanut butter.
Here is a good idea, for those who have a small family that may
not use up milk or cream quickly. Put a pinch of salt in the milk or
cream carton. It keeps it from souring so quickly.
There is a wonderful book called, The China Study, available at
Barnes and Noble, in soft cover. It describes how peanut butter is
really made (now I only buy organic from the health food store),
how our foods are made and processed, how food lobbies and food
producers handle our food products. This book is enlightening for
all of us who are interested in our health and what goes into our
bodies.
Soak your diamonds in a glass of water and Efferdent denture
cleaning tablets. Makes them sparkle with no effort on your part
and is a lot cheaper than buying expensive cleaning solutions.
Katie Couric did this on the Today Show.
Send your ideas for this column to [email protected]
They are always very welcome.
check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com
Mountain C.A.R.E.
P.O. Box 13
Forest Falls, CA 92339
ECR WSS
Postal Patron
Forest Falls, CA 92339
ECR WSS
Postal Patron
Angeles Oaks, CA 92305
ECR WSS
Postal Patron
Mountain Home Village, CA 92359
Summer 2012 Volume 6 Number 3