A publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. (http://www.mtncare.com) Winter 2013 Volume 7 Number 1 Winter Boutique A Success Bear Facts Staff Mountain C.A.R.E. Hooray!!! Our community craft fair, “Winter Paul Tetreault President’s Message Boutique” on Sunday, Dec 6th at the Community Editor Center was a huge success. The day was so festive, by Matt Bottenberg Shirley Bauer the handcrafted creations so awesome. A huge Advertising Director Well, old man winter thank you to all our dedicated workers and talented Carol Burgess reminded us how cold crafters. Many of us found it a great day to purchase original hand made Christmas gifts. Mailing Director it can get up here with to submit frozen pipes, very Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 5th, Letters to the Editor slick roads, and a 11am to 4pm for our Spring Boutique . There will be write to: beautiful gifts, just in time for Mothers Day, Fathers general desire by all [email protected] Day, graduations, and weddings. Refreshments will of us to stay inside be available. We’ll have a raffle of crafters pieces and hunker down. to help fund the upkeep of the Community Center. I recorded 11 degrees In late March a notice will be emailed to all past Mountain C.A.R.E. at my place at the crafters (and you who are interested), about spaces Board of Directors coldest. Brrrr! I hope folks are going to available for crafters. Want on Dee’s list? email Matt Bottenberg mtncare.com, and clicking on the webcam [email protected]. For raffle prize donors President tab to get a good view of weather conditions email [email protected] George Forgues at the entrance to Forest Falls. This is also a We appriciate very much all of you who help Vice President good spot to look at when you wonder about make this twice yearly event a success. Michelle Michelle Macri conditions at about 4500 feet in the mountains. Macri, Dee Konczal, Shirley Bauer. Secretary Other local webcams in the Mountain C.A.R.E Mitch Ridgeway communities will be coming online very soon Save The Date Treasurer to give you even more detail. Canyon Clean-up and Gail D. Cox Day Saturday, May 18 http://mtncare.com/forest-falls-web-cam.aspx Carol Burgess It will soon be time to celebrate spring and the Subscription Director canyon’s awakening from a blanket of snow. One Jeff Schaefer In this issue of the Bear Facts you will find way Mill Creek Canyon has celebrated spring is Webmaster with our annual Canyon Clean-up and Gail D. many important articles covering recent and Cox Day. Volunteers will be encouraged to meet upcoming community events, local history, and form groups to clean our community areas and Shirley Bauer safety tips, and good books to read by a warm Karen Goodyear everyone is welcome to do a little spring cleaning winter fire. Rod Goodyear around our yards and local streets. Paul Tetreault But soon, it will be a new spring, and we will In the afternoon, we’ll sit back and (hopefully, in the Members of the Board emerge from our hibernation, to experience a spring sunshine) enjoy an afternoon with friends to new beginning. That means that there will be a celebrate Gail D. Cox Day and the establishment of the Big Falls Lodge Community Center. lot of yard clean-up, and other spring cleaning Between now and then, we’ll be working to activities to deal with. Mountain C.A.R.E. is organize metal recycling, eWaste (electronics), here to help. We are planning the next annual HHW (household hazardous waste), and large canyon cleanup for May 18th. We need dumpsters for yard and household trash. Details volunteers to help, and I can’t wait to help you will be posted around the canyon and shared in the stuff your old unneeded junk into a dumpster. next issue of the Bear Facts. Have an idea on an additional way to celebrate But before I do that, please continue to contrib- spring? Call, Beth Tetreault, at 909-794-0077 ute your donations at mtncare.com so that we Save the Date and join the fun. Please Renew $15/yr can really make an impact! Recycle, Renew, Reuse, Repurpose Page 2 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. The Life of the Canyon in the caves, his strobe mysteriously blew out, not once but twice. Out of options, they moved to the cliffs just as the sun was rising Eyes of Our World and got the famous album cover shot. by Shannon Wray In 1969, Gary fled the crime of the city to Forest Falls permanently, Every summer after we’ve done some street dancing, sipped some eventually setting up shop and home in the building behind where beverages, and sampled a whole lot of chili, we gather at the creek Coyote Unlimited is now. At an earlier time in his career he had as a community for our annual photograph. From atop his truck, taken camp photos for the YMCA and it seemed a viable thing to photographer Gary Burgess gets cheesy with everyone and like do in the San Bernardino Mountains. His first summer he took magic has pictures ready at the store that evening as a souvenir of camp photos for three camps, but within a few years he was the our hometown fun. camp photographer for 30 camps. At his peak, he photographed In the mid-1940’s Gary’s grandfather bought eight lots, at a an average of 7,000 people a week. Another specialty is family whopping price of $250 each, located between Forest Home and portraits and he has taken tens of thousands of them, over multiple Prospect Drive. He built a house for himself and one for Gary’s mother. As a boy, Gary spent his summers in Forest Falls – but with a hitch. If he stayed for longer than a week his family told him that he had to have a part time job. The San Gorgonio Lodge was then a store and a restaurant owned by Bob and Fay Holman featuring Fay’s homemade pies. Holman was a jack of all trades and he hired Gary for a variety of jobs that included riding a burro up the Alger Creek trail (now Momyer) with huge buckets of trout to stock the creek, and standing by while the fearless Holman climbed up a telephone pole to weld a wire between the power lines and a trailer frame watching the sparks fly. Although Gary learned a thing or two from Holman, his passion was photography. By the 1960’s Burgess had a well-established studio in the Long Beach area. He was hired by New Orleans musician Dr. John to do photography for his album Sun Moon & Herbs with Eric Clapton.

Clockwise: Bob Clark Jr., Paul Clark, Danny Clark, Mark Clark 1970’s Photo: Burgess Photographics. generations. Unlike most staid family photos, Gary endeavors to capture what is unique about his subjects. One portrait featured the four Clark sons on an old bulldozer and for another family he shot the dad chopping wood while the mother worked at her loom. At one time, he lived across the creek from the store working on an unfinished house before there were any others. On a hot, dry summer day he was watering with the hose trying to cool things off when the hose dramatically expanded. He ran to turn the water Dr. John Album Cover 1960’s off, after inspecting the hose discovered that there was a trout in it! Photo: Burgess Photographics His water was piped directly from a large spring higher up and after his adventure with the fish he realized that there was enough At the concert at Fillmore West, he thought the lead-in act wasn’t water pressure to generate electricity. Using a car alternator, a fan, important enough to spend a lot of energy on. In retrospect he says, and a piece of tin he harnessed the water power and was able to run “I wish that I had shot them because it was Santana!” During the a saw, lights, a radio, and a refrigerator on it. Emboldened by this show he worked to capture images for the album cover, but nothing experiment, he devised a way to heat his own water, using pipes seemed quite right. Afterward, he suggested that they have some in his fireplace and a tank in his attic. The clever design switched breakfast then go to the beach where there were some interesting when the fire died down and the cold water diverted to his horse’s cliffs and caves. While taking photographs of the voodoo master watering trough. During a winter party, a helpful guest grabbed a check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 3 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. pitch pine stump from outside and chucked it into the fireplace. In short order people were jumping for doors and windows as his Considering Books water heating pipes shot torrents of steam into the room. normally by Katherine Thomerson-Bird The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood. This cheeky book was recommended by resident and disaster prep master Thom Wellman. I didn’t ask him for an official review, but as I am only your poor editor enjoying this book now, and our normal Book authority is getting over what ailments spread through town during the holidaze, let me take Thom’s modest recommendation and a review from a pro who blogs about this stuff, as a way of providing you, with content to fill this spot. Review by Dan Zak, a writer for The Post’s Style section. Wednesday, January 21, 2009. “The Survivors Club” reminds its reader to approach each day with a healthy dose of Gary Burgess - The Eyes of Our World paranoia. Death is just around the corner, courtesy of the cement truck, the maniac with a knife, or the gag- In 1980, he bought the historic Igo’s store in Mountain Home gle of geese that gets sucked into your plane’s engines over the Village. The place was an abandoned wreck, but over the years Bronx. The book has an ingenious built-in marketing hook: Read he has renovated and restored the old building, turning it into a this if you want to live! Join the Survivors Club, why don’t you? creative compound that includes his studio and a comfortable We’re hanging by a thread, as Ben Sherwood repeats throughout home for him and his wife Carol. He has no regrets about leaving his pseudo-self-help book, but there are ways we can tighten our the big city. “I was in business in Long Beach for ten years and grip on that thread. Such as by honing a healthy will to live, being during that time people owed me about $15,000 in bad debt. I’ve mindful. Or crossing our fingers. Or praying. been in business in Mill Creek Canyon for 43 years and I’ve never These conclusions hardly warrant a 383-page treatment, even had any.” Gary Burgess has been the maker of memories for from a novelist who subjected himself to military survival training families, campers, graduates, and the community, and through his for the book. Tucked between these obvious feel-good tenets, passionate eye we see our mountain home and ourselves. however, are more compelling tips. “The Survivors Club” is not for those who feel faint at the men- “You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. tion of blood. Beyond Sherwood’s tips is an impressive parade of You bring to the act of photography all the pictures survivor anecdotes. The book is essentially about bearing witness to survival. It is suitably graphic. you have seen, the books you have read, the music There’s the man who escaped a capsizing freighter in stormy seas, you have heard, the people you have loved.” the woman flayed within a millimeter of her life by a mountain ~ Ansel Adams lion and, most miraculously, the man trapped in the World Trade Center on 9/11. They all made it out alive despite microscopic odds. How? Sherwood interviews dozens of survivors but one wonders if a survival thesis can be drawn from both the man who drunkenly tumbled over the side of a cruise ship and the woman who withstood the torture chamber of the Holocaust. Yes, they survived, but such disparate, disorganized examples make “The Survivors Club” more of a pulse-pounding scrapbook than an en- lightening how-to manual or definitive dissertation. He does not spit out a cohesive conclusion other than: be pre- pared because bad things are going to happen. It’s good advice -but hardly revelatory. As a consolation prize, the end of the book instructs you to get a Survivor IQ by visiting www.thesurvivorsclub.com. Then Sher- wood spends the final 30 pages of the book defining Survivor Types and their corresponding traits. As a realist, I can’t see how reading “The Survivors Club” will give an edge when adversity strikes. Most things are out of our control, and there’s no way we can really change how we deal with a crisis. We just have to hope for the best. Hone a healthy will to live. Be mindful, cross our fingers, and pray. If you would like checkto see outmost old of issues this issue’s of the Bearphotos Facts in color,at www.mtncare.com visit www.mtncare.com Page 4 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Flashovers Severe Weather Alerts On Your Cell by Tom McIntosh, Fire Capt. Forest Falls, Station 99 by Capt. Jeff Britton, Forest Falls, Station 99 2012, Forest Falls Station 99 in Review. “Stuff This article is reprinted from last issue since it’s so important. Happens”, day or night… rain, snow or sunshine Dark, ominous clouds begin to gather. The clap of the thunder is accidents and other incidents take place that require deafening. Rain begins to dump so heavily that windshield wipers dialing that universal call for help, 911, seeking a can’t keep up. The rain turns to hail. If you have lived in the fire department response for assistance. mountains for any length of time, you have no doubt experienced 2012 was one of the lightest years in the rapid onset of severe weather. Or, maybe you have been alarm volume in recent history with 191 down the hill and seen the dark ominous clouds gather over our calls for service broken down as follows; communities. In the past, most residents had no way of knowing Medical Aid: 89, Traffic Accidents: 38, Rescue: if these events were potentially dangerous, or if they were “just” 10, Fire: Structure Fire, 5. Vegetation Fire (Wildland), 8, Truck thunderstorms. Severe weather has caused flash flooding, property Fire, 1, Vehicle Fire, 4, Fire Other, 1. Other alarms, inside/outside damage, and even death. Residents have been asking for years for investigation, public service, aircraft standby, ringing alarm, etc., a system that would alert them to potentially dangerous storms. 35. Consistent with most years about 20% of all alarms resulted An early warning system could help residents avoid situations that in being “Cancelled Enroute” when firefighters from Forest Falls might place them in danger. responded into neighboring Primary Response Area’s and it was Several years ago, efforts were made to install a warning siren on determined by those other units that additional assistance was not Fire Station 99. It would have sounded when the National Weather needed. Service declared a Flash Flood Warning for the area. Unfortunately, it was determined that the heavy rain present during a severe storm Let’s all make 2013 the safest year ever would drown out the siren; the sound would not carry throughout but when in need, CALL 911! the canyon. One resident donated software that would allow Fire Personnel. Farewell to Captain Hyla Palmese who retired on Dept dispatch to alert subscribers of severe weather via pagers. her birthday in November of 2012 after serving our community Unfortunately, it proved impractical for civilians to carry a pager and the County for 37 years. You seldom know how much one that would rarely alert. Fortunately, newer technology gives us person does until they are gone and others try and fill her boots. options that were only a fantasy a few years ago. Welcome aboard to Firefighter Trainees Daniel Swanson and Residents with cell phone or internet service can now sign up for Josh Barsugli. Congratulations also to Brandon Barsugli who free services that will alert subscribers of a variety of severe weather has promoted from Trainee to Firefighter. conditions via text and e-mail. Several providers offer this service. Rescuing a down firefighter in a burning building is a supreme Find one that suits your needs with just a little research. One that challenge. Recently firefighters from Forest Falls joined others is user-friendly and customizable to suit your needs is offered from Angelus Oaks, Fawnskin and Green Valley Lake for a 2 by The Weather Channel. By logging onto https://registration. day training/drill for self survival and rescue as part of a Rapid weather.com/ursa/alerts/step1?initAlerts=SVR you can choose to Intervention Team. be notified of a variety of severe weather conditions (flash flood, In addition to specialized and out of station classes, your firefighters snow, freezing temperatures, etc.). Notifications will be specific continue to train/drill on Tuesday nights and some weekend days to the zip code. For those with SmartPhones, there’s an “app” that in the community. will allow you to do the same thing. Look at http://weather.com/ services/mobilesplash.html for more phone specific information. County Fire Chipper Program to Expire this June: Might be Although services depend on internet or cell phone service, they your last chance to take advantage of this great service as the have proven to be fairly reliable during severe weather. grant is scheduled to expire in June of 2013. Create defensible Another option you may want to consider is signing up for the space by limbing up ladder fuels and taking out trees that are too Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS) provided by close together. The toll free Chipping Hot Line Number, for areas the San Bernardino County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments. By outside the Big Bear Valley is 855-MTN-CHIP (855-686-2447). logging onto http://my.sbcounty.gov/Tens/TensContact.aspx Learn more about your community fire department at: you can elect to receive notifications via “Reverse 911” where a http://departments.firehouse.com/dept/ForestFallsCA recorded message will call any landline you designate, and alert our County Fire department at: www.sbcfire.org you to emergency situations relevant to where you live. You can and our Firefighters Association on Facebook at: also opt to receive text notifications via your cell phone. The www.facebook.com/pages/Forest-Falls-CA/Forest-Falls- telephone numbers you register will only be contacted when the Firefighters/125319903281 address with which it is associated is impacted by a disaster or emergency. These notifications could relate to weather, fires, or law enforcement activities. Those without internet access can call Some Helpful Phone Numbers 211 or (888)435-7565 to sign up for this service. Highway Patrol 800-427-7623 for Road Conditions Notification systems can be a valuable tool to help you deal with Code Enforcement 909-387-4044 illegal dumping emergency situations you might encounter by living in the moun- Building & Safety 909-387-4244 Building codes tains. However, you should not rely exclusively on mass notifica- tion systems to warn you of impending danger. If in doubt, take FF Firehouse 909-794-4413 Non-Emergency precautions to protect yourself and your family. check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 5 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. On Being Prepared Let’s Get Growing by Mill Creek Canyon C.E.R.T. by Bernadette Griffith, Frozen Green Thumb Garden Club Have you reviewed or practiced your Started in 1980 the Frozen Green Thumb Garden Club’s family evacuation plan lately? Remember, original purpose was the beautification of our canyon all family members should know the two and the education of its residents to the pleasures and places to meet during and after a disaster. rewards of gardening. Plants sales were held and canyon One just outside your home and another cleanups were led, bulbs were planted and the grounds of outside Forest Falls. Also, don’t forget to assign family members the post office bloomed! Unfortunately time passes and various emergency plan responsibilities; shutting off the water aging occurs. Over the years as our members became less and propane, gathering emergency information and supplies, and energetic and bones became tired, the spirit of community activism faded somewhat and we became content to rest on gathering the family pets. You can learn the details about creating the laurels of accomplishments past. a Family Emergency Plan in the upcoming C.E.R.T. training. The American Red Cross reminds us that the Emergency Alert The past couple years have been a time of rejuvenation and rebirth for our club and we are once again motivated to help our canyon System (EAS) provides immediate information through radio, and its residents flourish and thrive. 2012 saw us refocusing our television and cable TV if life or property is in danger. Local talents and attention to learning and growing. We had programs and EAS stations include: 95.1 KFRG for the valley and high desert, speakers on a wide range of subjects including plant propagation 93.3 KBHR for the Big Bear Valley. Other important emergency & how to attract birds native to our area. We had demonstrations information may be found at the following internet sites: on forcing bulbs and shared secrets to growing perfect African redcross.org, sbcfire.org, ready.gov violets. In 2013 we have big plans to continue to share our renewed vitality with our friends and neighbors on the mountain. Has the The next CERT Training will be Mar 9, 16, and 23. If you want ever changing variety of plants highlighting the post office caught to take this FREE SB County provided training, call to get on the your eye? Are you interested in what greenery will do well in your list. We also have a CERT page on Facebook, if you want to be a own garden? Find out the answers to these questions and more part of that page conversation or to find out about upcoming CERT at the very first Garden X-travagana on June 1! This spectacular activities, skills maintenance and advanced classes. contact Paul or event will feature plants for sale grown by our members and will Beth Tetreault (909) 794-0077. also provide a venue for our artistic residents to show off their creations that spotlight their love of the outdoors and all things wild or green. Our “X” will also feature baked goods, a raffle, and a flea market highlighting only gardening, the birds, the flowers New Course Starting and general out of doors! If you have baked goods or outdoor flea market “stuff” please feel free to donate it. All proceeds support our continuing efforts to bring color to the canyon. Just contact your local garden club member or email [email protected]. Your thoughtfulness will be much appreciated!! Visitors and c.e.r.t.Community Emergency questions are always welcome!! Response Team training

FIRE • FLOOD • AVALANCHE • EARTHQUAKE

Be Part of the Team or just get some really great training • Home Evacuation Planning • Fire Suppression • Search & Rescue it’s • First Aid FREE! • Disaster Communications

The County Provides a Book, Backpack, and Helmet This is a 3-day course March 9th Participants must attend all three March 16th eight hour Saturday sessions March 23rd SIGN UP NOW - CALL 909-794-0077 Living Above the Clouds - photo by Paul Tetreault You’ve got to see this one in COLOR!

check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com Page 6 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Have You Seen It? This is a RECYCLING BIN, Not a DUMPSTER by Paul Tetreault

Welcome to the new year! I really love music and I was fortunate enough to be asked to DJ the New Year’s Eve party here at Big Falls Lodge. It was a great time. Not only do I love to listen to music, I love to make music. I know we have several residents up here who are fabulous musicians. So with that love in mind and the hope to share that passion This bin IS for It is NOT for with you, I have chosen this issue’s column to be based on the “Rockumentary Film”. There have been several accounts • Cardboard • TVs on how musicians hone their craft and move through their • Plastic • Electronics projects, these flics always get my creative juices flowing. • Glass • Yard waste So in an attempt to inspire you in whatever your creative outlet might be, here are some of my favorite “Rock & Roll” • Aluminum • Household Trash documentaries. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TRASH AT THIS SITE! Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (1984) This film is If the bin is not there, don’t leave your recyclables here, more of a concert experience than a traditional interview keep them in your vehicle until the bin arrives. style doc. It begins with singer David Byrne walking on to the stage of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood with a boom Remember: box playing the backbeat to Psycho Killer and then one by one the rest of makes their way to the stage with their sound getting bigger and fuller with each arrival. The energy remains high as the band plays their quirky hits that brought them to public notoriety. Even if you’ve never liked the T-heads before, you just might before this flic is over. both the current issue & old issues Sting - Bring On The Night (1985) Sting newly soloed are On-Line with Live Links at: Rocker fresh out of the hit band, the Police, rounds up several virtuoso Jazz musicians and proceeds to record the landmark http://www.mtncare.com/bear-facts.aspx Pop album “Dream of the Blue Turtles” in the living room of a rented french villa. The behind the scenes interaction of the players along with the frustrations of creation is engaging. Jazz finesse and Rock energy meld in this project that makes me want to jump into the studio right away. This quote from Sting kind of sums up the feel of the film, “In Jazz, …the soloist is allowed…to warm up…in you have to burn from the first bar.” ’s - It Might Get Loud (2008) ’s Rock God Guitarist Jimmy Page invites ’s axeman, and multi-band front man to hang out and chat about guitars, licks, and riffs. Even if you’re not a guitar player you can still enjoy a conversation between three experts with very different styles discuss their craft. What long strange trip it’s been (to quote another legendary musician) for Jimmy Page, who looks a lot more like a martial art’s sensei rather than the sweaty, bushy- haired arena rocker that we’ve come to know. What a fresh and unique perspective, it’s a fantastic fly on the wall experience. For a list of other great Rockumentary films to consider like U2’s “Rattle & Hum” (1988) The Rolling Stone’s Gimme Shelter (1970), or “The Last Waltz” (1978) spotlighting Bob Dylan former backup ensemble, The Band in their last concert appearance, can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockumentary

check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 7 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. TRI-COMMUNITIES EVENT CALENDAR Winter 2013 Forest Falls Meets every Tuesday at 6:30 pm, Angeles Oaks Meets on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every Fire Department Forest Falls Fire Station. Fire Department month at 6:00pm. Call 794-4413 Angeles Oaks Fire Station. Valley of the Falls Meets every Wednesday from 6:00 pm Angeles Oaks Meets periodically. Dates are Community Church to 8:00 pm. Ages 12-18. Fire Safe Council announced on the A.O. FSC Bulletin Board Youth Group Valley of the Falls Community Church in the Angeles Oaks Post Office. Meets every other Friday at 5:30 pm Meets every Thursday, 6pm at the Girl Scouts Valley of the Falls Community Church Cub Scouts Valley of the Falls Community Church. Call Kristi Ranabauer 794-5131 for Pack #794 Cubmaster, Lili Brown at 809-9483 FF more information. Den Leader Stephen Lehigh 794-3853 AO Meets 1st & 3rd Monday at 6:00pm Forest Mill Creek Canyon Skills Maintenance Days in planning stage Explorer Post 128 Falls Fire Station. New Explorers welcome. C.E.R.T. call Paul Tetreault 794-0077 to get on a Call 794-4413 to leave info. waiting list for new courses. Frozen Green Meets 3rd Monday every month. Call Valley of the Falls Meets 2nd Monday each month, 7:00pm Thumb Garden Dee 794-0885 for monthly location. Search And Rescue Forest Falls Sheriff Station Club 909-389-2435.

Souper Thursday First Thursday of the month 4pm -7pm Mountain Home This calendar space is available for any FREE SOUP! at Big Falls Lodge. Call Dee 794-0885 Village Mountain Home Village community (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED) groups that we should mention. Mark Your Calendars

Mar 9th Community Emergency Response Team - fire supression, 1st aid, disaster prep Mar 16th CERT Training Are you prepared? Get this FREE training from our own County Fire Fighters, Mar 23rd must attend all 3 Saturdays, Call 794-0077 to sign up To be determined Spring Swap Meet Big Falls Lodge CC, for spaces contact Dan or Gail at 794-1212 (Apr?-May?) Big Falls Lodge CC, Sunday 11:00 am-4:00 pm Lunch $3 May 5th Spring Art & Craft Boutique contact Shirley for a space. Canyon Clean-up & Meet at Big Falls Lodge CC at 9:00 am to assist in Canyon-wide trash pick-up. May 18th Gail D. Cox Day Free lunch to those who assist. Gail Cox Celebration begins at 1:00 pm.

check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com Page 8 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Local Photogs Make the Dates Valley of the Falls Community Center News www.VFCCi.org Things may be a little slower because it’s winter, but that doesn’t mean that Big Falls Lodge a.k.a. the Gail Cox Community Center is closed for the season. There are still goings on that you might want to know about. To kick the year off there was a very nice New Year’s Eve potluck with games and music and nice warm BYOL (Bring Your Own Log) fire. • Yoga with David Lyon is alive and well. • A new morning Dance Exercise program has gotten underway. • Mountain Munchkins is creating play-dates and social interaction for parents of young ones. • A new CERT class kicks off at Big falls Lodge on March 9th. BearFoot - winning cover photo by Sue Bottenberg • Look for a Spring Swap-meet when the snow clears. The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust is an organization • A new Craft Boutique just in time for Mother’s Day. that uses donations to acquire forest open space on private and of course or annual Canyon Clean-up and Gail D. Cox land inholdings within the National Forest in order to ensure • celebration coming in May. lasting public benefit of the natural mountain environment. www.sbmlt.net If you have a private event to hold or a public program to offer One way they generate funds is by selling a calendar filled with check out all those phone numbers on the next page! images shot in our local mountains. Images are submitted as MEMBERSHIP IN VFCCi IS FREE contest entrys for the annual calendar filled with over two dozen AND OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY beautiful pictures. OWNERS IN ANGELUS OAKS, FOREST FALLS, AND MOUNTAIN HOME VILLAGE

Big Horns - photo courtesy of Michelle Macri Two of our Forest Falls residents, Sue Bottenberg and Michelle Community Cares Macri, submitted images in the aforementioned contest and they by Michelle Macri each had several mountain pics appearing in the 2013 Calendar. The Canyon Critters sketch design T-Shirts Congrats Ladies! originally concieved here at the Community Cares group has been generating some nice funds to help keep the Community Center op- erational. Keep it coming, Do you have all 3? The Bear, The Bighorn and the new Coyote? Show your Community spirit, don’t forget they make great gifts. Pick yours up at the Elkhorn General Store or order one by giving me a call (Michelle 794-6142). Although it’s be open for snow play, The National Forest Picnic Grounds rehab project which is not yet complete, is coming to a close. Look forward to a Springtime re-opening. The Bears in our canyon do not hibernate, they may not be as prevelent, but we as residents need to maintain our diligence, keep food (including pet food) indoors, keep trash behind looked Butterfly - photo courtesy of Sue Bottenberg doors. Don’t give them any reason to hang out at your place. If you wouldcheck like to out see current most of community this issue’s news photos at www.mtncare.comin color, visit www.mtncare.com Page 9 Volume 7 Issue 1 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 • Do you receive periodic emails of community events and items www.VFCCi.org 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 Event Coordinator share our email list with others. Marcie Green-Whitney 909.794.2870 or • Referral Fee$ Paid. Refer a non-member who books an event and 909.794-2518 or [email protected] earn a 10% referral fee, up to $226 on a full day rental… more for Event Staffers multi-day events. (some conditions apply, if in doubt, contact us) Dee Konzal Bernadette Griffith • Become a Summit Sponsor or Fallsvale Friend. VFCCi is a charitable, non-profit organization and your donations should be tax Caretaker/Custodian deductible. While we appreciate your donation in any amount, those Bob Riddle who meet $2500 are designated a “Summit Sponsor” and those who Board of Directors 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 Tom McIntosh, President [email protected] designated as a Fallsvale Friend. Summit Sponsor’s and Fallsvale 909.794.2518 Friends are recognized with bronze plaques. Payment plans available, Thom Wellman, V-Pres Visa-Mastercard accepted. [email protected] 909.794.2065 • Casual Donations gratefully accepted. Payment programs, Visa and Master Card accepted for all plans supporting VFCCi. Patricia Drummond, Sec. [email protected] 909.794.7927 • Consider a donation of your estate or marketable asset. The Gail D. Cox Community Center at Big Falls Lodge was made possible this Susan Iles, Treasurer [email protected] way and your donation can help make the old Fallsvale School Day 909.794.5756 Care/Latch Key program a reality as well as enhance our community goals. George Forgues [email protected] 909.794.5431 Check the www.VFCCi.org calendar Erik Foxvog [email protected] for events, classes, changes & updates 909.389.0116 Have a class or event to put on? Let us know! Bernadette Griffith 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 7 Issue 1 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 subscribers 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. Inquire about how easy it is to have YOUR business ad in the Bear Facts Contact [email protected] Bear Facts Ad Rates Half Page $300 /year Third Page $260 /year Quarter Page $220 /year Business Card $130 /year contact Shirley Bauer [email protected]

36930 Old Mill Creek Road Mentone, CA 92359 Office: (909) 794-1096 [email protected]

check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 11 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.

check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com Page 12 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.

Inquire about how easy it is to have YOUR business ad in the Bear Facts Contact [email protected] check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 13 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.

E-Waste & Haz Mat Disposal every Saturday in Redlands 9:30am-12:30 pm City of Redlands Corpate Yard at 1270 West Park Ave near Kansas Street.

check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com Page 14 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Dog Tails Do You Understand Your Dog? by Ann Klingbeil By MJ Turner A very cold winter in Forest Falls! I On Dogs Learning hope all of your pets; dogs, cats, etc. People often think it might be a good idea to get another dog are warm and cozy in your house. before their older dog crosses the rainbow bridge (a phrase for Even dogs that are use to being outside when their “best friend” dies). It is thought the older dog can teach need a heated dog house or garage to stay in. Our domestic pets the younger dog the ropes, like where to pee and how to behave are not use to the winter weather when it is this cold. with the family cat. And yes, the older dog can facilitate this but it Freezing temperatures bring dangers for our pets. Anti-freeze and is up to the human handler to make sure the younger dog doesn’t de-icers are toxic chemicals. Anti-freeze is the most dangerous. pick up bad habits and reinforces the good. The key is to make sure The anti-freeze poisoning symptoms can start with vomiting, you have a well behaved dog or at least a dog that does what you acting drunk, panting, lethargy, an increase in thirst and urination like them to do. or no urine production at all. Get your dog to the vet immediately! Studies have shown when you expose a puppy at certain ages to If a de-icer is used on sidewalks and your dog is walking on a the working skills of an adult dog they are able to pick up those sidewalk or driveway with de-icer on it without proper protection skills much faster than learning them directly from a human. The (dog boots), ingestion can come from your dog eating the de-icer sheep herding dog is an excellent example. Younger dogs are often or licking it from its paws or fur. Even rock salt can cause a health sent out with the wiser older dogs to learn their craft of bringing in problem if ingested. the sheep. It has also been seen to work with scent detection dogs. Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s paws and stomach area after A younger dog is brought in to watch the older dog do it’s job of coming in from snow, sleet or ice to remove any chemical residues finding the dope and soon the younger dog is doing the same thing. it might have been exposed to. So yes, it is possible that dogs can learn by observation but not strictly speaking. For instance, a dog can not be made to watch. Continue giving your dog heartworm preventative, even in winter. They have to want to eagerly participate which will make them then want to watch what is going on. Another part which is vitally necessary is that in order for the dog which is observing to be successful, it needs to “practice” in the same place and context the dog was observing. In other words, if the dog was observing agility at a particular facility and you then plop the dog down in a gymnasium (or even at a local park) the dog will not be able to generalize in order to then perform the behavior. The place and all the props need to be in place for the dog to then take whatever it was “learning” into play. I actually had such a case in Agility. One of my students was training with a Rat Terrier and brought their Chihuahua mix just for fun. After several months of training the Terrier, I suggested we give the Chihuahua a chance. He had been eagerly watching and when he finally got his chance he didn’t run flawless but it was obvious he had “picked it up” since learning the obstacles seemed to be an easy task for him. And it took him no time at all to catch up to the Terrier. So don’t go thinking you can put Fido down in front of your television and expect them to pickup the next greatest thing on Animal Planet. However, if you have a wise older dog who behaves well, then it might be a good idea to think about getting a younger dog who can learn. And if you don’t, start looking for one of those wiser dogs to introduce your dog to. MJ Turner of Ready 2 Wag can be contacted at (909) 894-6423 To all residents of: CALIFORNIA Angeles Oaks, Mountain Home Village & Forest Falls NOTARY Aknowledgements PUBLIC Real Estate Court Documents 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 Deeds Divorce 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 Phone: 909.496.7412 in your neck of the woods! [email protected]. [email protected] NEXT Submission DEADLINE: April 15th

check out current community news at www.mtncare.com Page 15 Volume 7 Issue 1 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Did You Know? by Shirley Bauer “Oh baby it’s cold outside” That song is appropriate right now. It’s that awesome wonderland of white in our villages. Welcome all you beautiful snowflakes! Remember to carry chains, flares, cell phone and charger, a blanket, warm socks, and a good flashlight in your vehicle. Even if you have 4 wheel drive, you can be stopped by CHP at a vehicle check point. You still may be required to put chains on. Anywhere on Hwy 38 above snow level, may be a check point. Usually it is at the scenic outlook spot just before the Forest Falls turn off. Chains are obligatory after Angelus Oaks. DON”T FORGET -- The 3rd Saturday of every month, the kind Visitors driving further than Angeles Oaks may purchase chains at folks at Heska’s Sugar Shack will donate 10% of the GROSS sales The Oaks restaurant. for the ENTIRE day to VFCCi! Thanks for all your support! Oh my gosh, getting food poisoning, or a simple upset stomach is awful. To help your ailing tummy, open a can of coke, let it sit until it goes flat and drink it. Pharmacies sell cola syrup as a cure for upset stomach. We get it in a bottle or can of Coke. I keep some, just in case its needed. If you’ve got kids, then THIS will happen once in a while….chew- ing gum in their hair. To remove gum, rub a spoonful of peanut butter into the gum. Let it set for 5 minutes, Comb out. The oils in the peanut butter dissolve the adhesives in the gum Hypothermia presents problems in the winter for everyone, but es- pecially middle aged and the elderly. It is a condition in which the body loses more heat than it can produce. Symptoms are cold hands, cold feet, sleepy, confused, pale, and body temperature un- der 94 degrees. So if there’s an older person in your house, keep the house warm, keep a thermometer handy, make sure they’re bundled up, drink lots of liquids, and eat well. Going outside? Wear a cap. I saw one that has flaps on each side to protect the ears; (heat is lost from the head faster than any other part of the body). Do not store lettuce, other vegetables and fruits next to apples. The ethanol in the apples turns produce brown. I keep apples in a Ziplock bag to prevent this in our refrigerator. A good idea this time of year, to keep little faces from chapping, is to put Vaseline or a heavy moisturizer on their faces before they go outside. Guys, your lady’s moisturizer will feel so good on your faces in this cold weather. Just try it!! I was very happy to find that [email protected] 909-253-8262 any lotion containing formalin, used daily, would help my brittle splitting dry nails. I have found it helps a lot. They are growing strong, not breaking or splitting. Load up on vitamins C & D to keep colds from knocking on your door. Fiber is something our bodies need. An easy way to get fiber is eating what Polynesians eat…..pineapple, yams, bananas. These help our colons stay healthy. To prevent a drain from clogging, pour a tablespoon of coffee grounds down the drain and run hot water for 1 minute. In Ireland a poor but independent minded farmer had a sign in his untidy home, for folks hinting about tidiness to him. The sign read “We keep this house for our own accommodation!” Comments, ideas…[email protected]. 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 Winter 2013 Volume 7 Number 1