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JUNE 2017
BEARS??
In an earlier issue of The Valley Voice, we published some trivia having to do with the last grizzly seen in Garner Valley, which was in the late 1890's. Black bears haven't been seen around Garner Valley in about forty years. Just recently, on May 24, a bear was seen in several neighbors' yards on Gold Shot Creek Road.
One of his visits was to the home of Linda Nassraway's at around 6:45 p.m. Linda called her neighbor Geri Ortega and explained that a bear had just climbed the stairs on her back porch. She had her back to it, and had just finished eating when she could hear strange breathing. When she turned around, the bear was looking in at her through her screen door, which was right behind her. The bear was on all fours, so she appeared bigger than him when she stood up. He just sauntered off. The bear then went next door to visit Reuben and Geri Ortega. This time, things didn't go quite as easily. The bear climbed the stairs to get onto the porch where many hummingbird feeders were hanging. He helped himself to one of the feeders, standing up on his hind legs, thoroughly enjoying the nectar. Geri opened the front door a crack and yelled. It was loud enough that the bear left the porch, but not the ranch.
The Ortega's horses were out and the bear was heading that way. Geri called 911 and firemen quickly responded. Both the fire truck and the Ortega's truck rushed to the horses. The noise from the vehicles may have startled the bear, because he wandered on down the street to visit other neighbors before heading into the forest behind a ranch.
This is a young black bear, in its second year of life. Often the mother bear forces her cubs out on their own if she is pregnant. This is a cinnamon colored black bear, which is very unusual, according to Dustin Holyoak, Fish and Game Warden. The bear is believed to be the same one who was seen in Banning at a Walmart store, dumpster diving for food on several occasions until it was tasered with bean bags. The bear took a southern route under the I-10 freeway street bridge. He then headed into the hills and Idyllwild.
According to the Idyllwild Town Crier, there have been several bear sightings in Idyllwild's residential neighborhoods and at the Tiso residence in Mountain Center. It was seen at their residence at least three times over a four day period. Another picture was posted on Facebook by a hiker on a trail in Idyllwild a couple weekends ago, of coming face to face with a bear. It is believed to be the same one. The bear was then seen in Apple Canyon and then traveled into Garner Valley.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Celebration of Don Kleckner’s Life 3
Putting to Perfection 3
History of Father’s Day 4
A Peaceful Getaway 5
Update from ConnectAnza 6
Celebrate the 4th of July 6
Fire Safe Council Presentation Flyer 7
The Pizza Factory 8
Mark Your Calendars 8
The Valley Voice Page 2
Bears, Continued According to Warden Dustin Holyoak, bears are at their highest number in the state of California in recorded history. He stated that this fact makes it a "game changer." We need to keep the bears wild, so that they do not become dependent on humans for food. We need to be responsible with our food and garbage, not just for bears, but for coyotes and other animals. When bears become a nuisance, there is a chance of either a human getting hurt or a bear getting killed.
Bear Precautions:
* Keep a close watch on children, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
* Cover trash cans or use bear-proof cans.
* Do not leave trash or garbage outside. If bears are around, keep the trash cans in the garage or barn.
Here are a few safety tips when on a trail or camping:
* If you are hiking, make your presence known. Make noise by talking loudly or singing.
* Stay on marked trails and obey the regulation in your area on hiking/camping.
* Leave your dog at home!
* Bears tend to be more active at dawn and dusk so plan your hikes accordingly.
Bear Spotted Near Idyllwild
If you encounter a bear:
* Never approach a bear or pick up a bear cub.
* Remain calm and avoid sudden movements.
* Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. If it changes its behavior, you're too close, so back away.
* If a bear spots you, try to get its attention while it is still farther away. You want it to know you're human and so talk in a normal voice and wave your arms.
* Remember that a standing bear is not always a sign of aggression. Many times, bears will stand to get a better view.
* Throw something onto the ground (like a camera) if the bear pursues you, it may be distracted by this and allow you to escape.
* Never feed or throw food to a bear.
If a bear charges:
* Stand your ground until the bear stops and then slowly back away.
* Never run from a bear! They will chase you and bears can run faster than 30 mph.
* Don't run toward or climb a tree. Black bears and some grizzlies can climb trees, and many bears will be provoked to chase you if they see you climbing.
* If attacked, fight back.
* If a bear attacks a person, immediately call 911.
If in doubt as to what to do, ask your local Fish and Game warden, park ranger, or wildlife biologist.
See website: www.keepmewild.org
The Valley Voice Page 3
Friends and Family Gathered to Celebrate Don Kleckner's Life
On Friday, May 12, friends, neighbors, and family gathered at the Common to honor Don and share memories of the kind gentleman that he was. A horse Honor Guard rode from Don's home to the Common, dressed in black and white with black arm bands which said, "Ride in Peace Don Kleckner." One of the horses was led in with an empty saddle on, to signify the death of a rider. Don will be greatly missed by many.
Putting To Perfection The putting green at the Garner Valley Common had not been used for quite some time because it was in very poor condition. The turf was gone or torn but the cement was there and the holes were in, so the biggest expense had been spent in the past. A few months ago, the Common Committee asked the Board for funds to restore the once popular putting green. The Board approved the restoration, and work began to secure the needed materials to complete the project.
Bob Kaller and Dean Holdridge volunteered to install the material themselves to save money, so that a storage cabinet could built to safely store putters, balls, and other equipment needed for putting.
All residents are welcome to practice their putting, or just enjoy getting out and having some fun with neighbors or guests.
Dean Holdridge and Bob Kaller enjoyed a little
putting practice after they installed the turf for the newly restored putting
green.
The Valley Voice Page 4
The History of Father's Day in the United States There are two stories of when and how the first Father's Day started. According to some accounts, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Washington State on June 19, 1910. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea of honoring and celebrating her father while listening to a Mother's Day sermon at church in 1909. She felt as though mothers were getting all the acclaim while fathers were equally deserving of a day of praise. (Truth is even though Father's Day is celebrated, Mother's Day still gets the greatest attention.)
Sonora's dad was quite a man. William Smart, a veteran of the Civil War, was left a widower when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. He went on to raise the six children by himself on their small farm in Washington. To show her appreciation for all the hard work and love William gave to her and her siblings, Sonora thought there should be a day to pay homage to him and other dads like him. She initially suggested June 5th, the anniversary of her father's death, to be the designated day to celebrate Father's Day. However, due to some bad planning, the celebration in Spokane, Washington was deferred to the third Sunday in June.
The other story of the first Father's Day in America happened all the way on the other side of the country in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 5, 1908. Grace Golden Clayton suggested to the minister of the local Methodist church that they hold services to celebrate fathers after a deadly mine explosion killed 361 men.
While Father's Day was celebrated locally in several communities across the country, unofficial support to make the celebration a national holiday began almost immediately. William Jennings Bryant was one of its staunchest proponents. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father's Day become a national holiday, but no official action was taken.
It wasn't until 1966 when Lyndon B. Johnson, through an executive order, designated the third Sunday in June as the official day to celebrate Father's Day. However, it wasn't until 1972, during the Nixon administration, that Father's Day was officially recognized as a national holiday.
The Valley Voice Page 5
A Peaceful Getaway Close to Home
The Grand Idyllwild Lodge is tucked away in the pines of beautiful Idyllwild. Brad and Jacki Rechtfertig, a husband and wife team, are responsible for the idea, construction, decorating and reality of their vision to create a luxurious, yet comfortable setting for visitors. It took six years to complete the main lodge, with six suites. Today there are nine suites and a home to rent that sleeps up to four. It is hard to believe that neither Brad nor Jacki had any previous hotel and restaurant management experience. Brad was a policeman and Jacki was a nurse, and continued working four days a week until they were able to open.
Upon entering the inn, the soft sound of trickling water can be heard and you are immediately transformed into a quiet relaxed setting, that makes you want to just sit and enjoy the beauty of the inn and view.
Guests can go hiking, mountain climbing, bird watching, or sit in one of two large comfortable rooms or sit out on one of two lovely decks in the pines. Future plans are being made for a nature trail that will allow for enjoying the beautiful setting without having to hike, and a nine hole putting green is also in the plan.
Guests will find luxurious suites that include a fireplace, gorgeous views, private entrances, private baths with a dual shower head, a soaking tub, and a Simmons king sized bed that sounds like you could melt right into it. Each suite is tastefully decorated and inviting.
Wonderful gourmet breakfasts, prepared fresh on the premises, include a fresh cooked hot entree, meat, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and tea are served on the weekends. A deluxe continental breakfast is served Monday through Friday mornings. Coffee and tea is offered in each guest room at the Keurig coffee center.
The Grand has a sauna and spa to really relax and unwind or guests can get their daily exercise in their well equipped gym.
For more information on this "diamond in the rough", visit their website at grandidyllwildlodge.com or call 951-659-2383
Summer Time
I love Summer!
Summer is hot.
It's sun and shade.
It's water to wade.
It's frogs and bugs.
It's grass for rugs.
It's eating outside.
It's a tree-swing ride.
It's tomatoes and corn.
It's dew in the morn.
It's dogs and boys
And lots of noise.
It's a hot sunny sky.
It's summer.
That's why
I love summer!!
The Valley Voice Page 6
Update from ConnectAnza Kevin Short and Debbie Winger from Anza Electric/ConnectAnza attended the May Board meeting and provided an update on internet access for Garner Valley.
Kevin thanked our community for the many letters of support they received which will be included in another grant request for the Garner Valley/Pinon area. ConnectAnza is currently trying to get approval to use existing poles along Hwy. 74 to string one additional wire, but because it is a Scenic Highway, another CEQA review is required which may cause an additional six-month delay. Kevin thanked us for our patience and encouraged everyone to sign up on the interest list on their website.
Celebrate the 4th of July! The Garner Valley Gals will host their annual Ice Cream Social at the Common. This year, they will have hot dogs as well as homemade ice cream to taste and to auction. This event is open to all GVPOA members free of charge and begins at 1:00 p.m.
Home Tour 2017 Plans are underway for the Garner Valley Gals’ Home Tour! It will be held on October 14 this year. Details to follow!
For Sale Long Beach Sierra Pak (Pine) Shavings
10 Cubic feet packs in original wrapping
Over 400 packs available in Garner Valley
$5 per pack, 10 pack minimum purchase
You pick up!
Please call Jill at 949-677-7421
or email [email protected]
The Valley Voice Page 7
The Valley Voice Page 8
“We Toss ‘Em, They’re Awesome!” That’s the motto of the new Pizza Factory in Anza, so of course we had to go check it out.
The Pizza Factory itself has been in business for 30 years and their mission statement is “to provide a positive family atmosphere and serve a high-quality, fresh product that reflects our integrity and commitment to the communities we are a part of” … just what we wanted to hear!
In addition to the standard all meat, veggie, Hawaiian and special combo pizzas, they also offer grilled or BBQ chicken pizzas, Greek, spinach/garlic, and pesto, sun-dried tomato and garlic. If you don’t feel like pizza, there are lots of other options -- spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo, ravioli and calzones, salads and soup, and a variety of sandwiches are on the menu. We tried the pepperoni pizza, ravioli, calzone and Greek salad. All of the portions were generous and tasty!
There is a lunch buffet on weekdays from 11-2, all you can eat for $7.99. The Kids Menu is sure to please, with cheese pizza, kids spaghetti and meatballs, pizza bread or mac &
cheese, a cookie and beverage for only $4.99.
Online ordering is available or call 951-389-6155. Pizzafactory.com/anza. 56030 Hwy. 371 … look for the sign and give it a try! We’ll definitely be back.
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events! June 5, 2017 @ 5:45 p.m. Reconvened Annual Meeting of the Members (Board election). Counting of votes at 3:30 p.m., annual meeting at 5:45 p.m.
June 19, 2017 @ 7:30 p.m. FireSafe Council Presentation after the Board Meeting Open Session. See flyer on page 7.
July 4, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m. Ice Cream Social at the Common, hosted by the Garner Valley Gals. See info on page 6.
YOUR EDITORS
Lynnette Holdridge (626) 233-1224
Leslie Ingham
(909) 631-3685
Email: [email protected]
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