Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Adopt a wild horse or burro

Strength, endurance, and spirit are qualities embodied in wild horses and burros that roam America’s rangelands. These living legends are available for adoption at the Ridgecrest Corrals near Ridgecrest, Calif., April 29-30, 2011 through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Wild Horse and Burro Program. Spectators are welcome.

There are 30 young animals available for adoption, 20 wild horses, and 10 burros. The mustangs and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada, have been wormed and vaccinated, and are in excellent health. Potential adopters may view the mustangs and burros from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

BLM staff will approve adoption applications from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The adoption fee is $125.00 per animal. Animals will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.

Qualified adopters must be 18 years old, have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and would have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. Adopters also must be a resident of the United States and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Qualified individuals with the proper facilities may adopt up to four animals. Adopters should bring a nylon web halter and 20-foot, cotton lead rope for each animal. A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Drop-ramp trailers will not be allowed. BLM wranglers will load the animals into the trailer.

The process is called an “adoption” because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During the year, a BLM compliance officer or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved. After the first year, adopters may apply for title. BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process.

Directions to the Ridgecrest Corrals: from China Lake Boulevard in Ridgecrest, east on California Highway 178 four miles to Randsburg-Wash Road. Corrals immediately on right. For more information about the adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Wild Horse and Burro Program, contact BLM toll free at 866-4Mustangs, or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Nature Trail Clean-up

The Valley Center Democratic Club is holding a Nature Trail Clean-up at the Valley Center Library on Saturday, May 7 from 9-11 a.m. The group will be weeding, raking and clearing the trail. The event is open to the community, regardless of political affiliation. Kids are welcome as well, and can receive community service hours. Bring gloves and a hand shovel or rake for weeding. Black plastic bags will be provided along with other supplies.

The Importance of House Numbers for Emergency Vehicles

In the case of an emergency, such as a fire or medical aid, a difference in minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Fire fighters are equipped with many tools to help improve their arrival time. One of these tools is a detailed map of their designated area(s). However, house numbers are imperative for a quick reference. The more camouflaged and hard to find the numbers are, the longer it will take emergency personnel to arrive at the scene. VCFPD encourages citizens to check their address numbers on their residences to make sure they are clearly visible from the roadway. Anything you can do, such as cut back trees or place clearly visible house address numbers on your house, helps the fire department and emergency responders do their job more quickly and easily.
So you may be wondering, what are some of the requirements for house numbers? Here are some of the basic requirements:
• Approved numbers and/or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings, and the numbers should be displayed on a gate post, fence, mailbox, or other appropriate place and at appropriate additional locations to be plainly visible and legible from the street or roadway fronting the property from either direction of approach. Numbers need to be a minimum of 4" high with a 1/2” stroke and in a contrasting color to their immediate background. Brass or bronze numbers are difficult to see in the day or nighttime. (CFC Section 505.1 ADDRESS NUMBERS.)
• All easements, which are not named differently from the roadway, from which they originate, shall have an address sign installed and maintained, listing all street numbers occurring on that easement, located where the easement intersects the named roadway. (CFC Section 505.3 EASEMENT ADDRESS SIGNS.)
• Cannot be obstructed by shrubs, trees, decorations, etc.

Monday, April 25, 2011

ANIMAL RESCUER PUTS OUT PLEA FOR HELP

We received the following plea for help from an animal rescuer in Warner Springs. We're running it in the paper this week, but I thought we should get the word out ASAP since he has a time problem:


My name is Stacie Stephens. I am in a desperate situation that calls for desperate measures.
I operate a 'non-profit', 'no-kill' animal rescue and sanctuary, currently located in Warner Springs on San Felipe Rd (S-2). The property which was originally supposed to be donated to us... is now in a short-sale escrow following foreclosure notifications.
I am looking for help, in obtaining the use of property, located preferably in the Valley Center/No. Escondido area even Temecula. I need a min. of 2 1/2 - 4 acres with somewhere for me to live. I am also willing to work in exchange for the use of the property. Anything from a ranch-hand, caretaker, property manager, computer work, caregiver, etc.
We have to be completely moved off this property and relocated by Thursday, May 5 and ready for the walk-thru inspection.
I do have all my own corrals, chain-link fencing and panels for enclosures. Our animals including rescue & personal are: nine big horses, seven mini/ponies, three dogs, one pot-bellied pig, three goats, an outdoor chain-link cattery and a bird area with one Emu, one goose, eight ducks, three roosters.
We have three burros in a foster home in Temecula and two iguanas in a foster home in San Diego.
At this time, not only do we need a place to move but also volunteers, trucks, trailers, etc. to make this move possible.
Moving requires setting up a new location with enough corrals and chain link ahead of time to facilitate the move of the animals on Sunday, May 1. Humane Society and the ARR team are helping to move animals that day.
Please contact me as soon as possible at 619-592-2696
Thank you so much in advance,
STACIE STEPHENS, Warner Springs
* * *

Monday, April 18, 2011

On the Mojave Trail




Valley Center 4 Wheel Drivers recently completed a two day 140 mile drive across the old historic Mojave Trail between Barstow, CA and Laughlin, NV. Pictured in front of the “Rock House” are Jim and Lyn Renouard, Ron and Dottie Rayhawk, Bill and Bobbie Paulson, Trail Masters John and Kitty Purvis, and Chris and Flo  Walmsley. The trip included many E Ride bumps and whoopdi-doos

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

TRAINING TO WARN PARENTS ABOUT ‘CYBER DANGER’

The Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District is sponsoring a special event to train parents how to protect their children from cyber world dangers, such as the pitfalls of social networking (e.g., Facebook), texting and “sexting,” cyber-bullying, child pornography, predators and potential dangers in online gaming, and how your digital footprint can affect your future.
The San Diego Police Foundation, in cooperation with the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, will offer this free seminar for parents on May 11 at the Maxine Theater at Valley Center High School. Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. and the seminar begins promptly at 7 p.m. and lasts until 8:15 p.m. The middle school’s ASB will sell pizza and beverages starting at 6 p.m.
Parents or community members who wish to attend this informative presentation need to register in advance at the San Diego Police Foundation’s Web site—www.sdpolicefoundation.org—or by calling the foundation at 858-453-5060. At least 75 people need to RSVP before the foundation will hold the event.
Although children in grades 7–9 are most prone to encountering problems in the cyber world, parents of children of all ages (K–12) are encouraged to attend to learn strategies and habits that will protect their children. Because the seminar will touch on some sensitive topics of a mature nature, the foundation requests that only adults attend the presentation.

"We the People" Rally This Weekend

North County Conservatives will be sponsoring a "We The People" Weekend Celebration on April 15 and 16.

It kicks off on Saturday with the 3rd Annual Tax Day TEA Party from 5–6:30 p.m. across from the Escondido Post Office at 403 N. Escondido Blvd.

Everyone in the community is invited to attend (more information at http://northcountyconservatives.org/index.html).

The follow up event is a free Advanced Constitution Seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the San Marcos Joslyn Senior Center at 411 Richmar Ave. People interested in learning more about our nation's founding documents can register on-line at http://northcountyconservatives.org/6.html or by calling Gene Buehl at 760-749-1010.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Bible Quiz Winners



Wendy Sullivan sent us this photo of the Valley Center Community church Awana club, which participated in the San Diego County Bible Quiz earlier this month. Competing against 12 churches from around the county, the 3rd grade team placed 4th, the 4th grade team placed 2nd, and the 5th grade team placed 8th.

Escondido Republican Women welcomes Superior Court Judge Jeffery Bostwick

Escondido Republican Women, Federated will feature Jeffery Bostwick, San Diego Superior Court Judge, as the guest speaker at their Wednesday, April 27th luncheon.  Elected to his judicial position in 2002, he was the Supervising Family Court Judge for the North County Division between 2003 and 2006. Additionally, he chaired the California Judicial Education and Research Family Law Education Committee from 2007 to 2009. Judge Bostwick will be speaking about "Certain Values in Uncertain Times."



Open to the public, this event is held at the Escondido Country Club, 1800 County Club Lane. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and the program speaker. For reservations, contact Vivian Herron at v.herron@cox.net or 760.480-7850 (cost is $16 for lunch).

Sunday, April 10, 2011

PLANNING GROUP TO MEET MONDAY (APRIL 11) NIGHT

We asked planning group chairman Oliver Smith to update our readers on what will be happening at tomorrow night's meeting.

Smith told us,



"I will be (again) proposing an equine subcommittee. The County Equine Ordinance Stakeholders group got to review the planned initial response of DPLU and consultant to the Board of Supervisors regarding the BOS request for looking at changes to the equine ordinance. The county and consultant have asked for local feedback on their proposal (attached) and I want to assure that Valley Center's voice is clearly heard.

"The Mobility and GP Update Subcommittees will be talking about the responses from the county DPW on our list of ideas on how to spend the $425,000 available for Valley Center Road safety and capacity improvements.

"The second set of wind turbine project applications will be heard and voted on."

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at VC Community Hall. The public is invited.

Locals at Fallbrook Film Festival



Local youths Sammi Carr and her brother, Alex played important roles over the weekend at the Fallbrook Film Festival. She's Director of Youth Projects and Red Carpet host for the Fallbrook Film Festival and Alex is cameraman and all-thing-tech. She has interviewed several Academy Award-winners including Shirley Jones (Elmer Gantry, The Music Man) and Hollywood makeup artist Barney Burman (Star Trek, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.) Their dad, Charles Carr, was producer for all the interview segments.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Antique Show Sunday

I have attended this show and can attest to how amazing an event it is, with dozens of vendors and just about any kind of easily movable antique you can name (that means they don't sell furniture.)

You can read about it in March 2011 issue of The Boulevard Magazine, which you can find online at: http://www.theboulevardonline.com/archives/2011/0311.htm


Antique & Collectible Show

At the California Center for the Arts, Escondido

Upcoming Antique Show
Sunday, APRIL 10 , 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.0
Free Admission


The North San Diego County Antique and Collectible Show has made its home at the Center, creating a one-stop shop for a variety of exquisite and hard-to-find items. Between 35-50 quality vendors from around the San Diego area come together to sell their unique antiques and collectibles on the second Sunday of the month from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Conference Center. 

Admission into the show is FREE. Professional appraisals are available for $5.00 per item (limit 3 per guest). For more information on the show, please contact Timothy Swift at (858) 232-9474.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido

340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Escondido, CA 92025

(800) 988-4253

www.artcenter.org

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD TO MEET TUESDAY

The next meeting of the Valley Center Design Review Board will be Tuesday, April 12, from 4-6 p.m. The agenda is below. The public is invited.





Valley Center Design Review Board

PRELIMINARY AGENDA- April 12, 2011

4-6 PM Valley Center Library Seminar Room


Chair
Lael Montgomery
760-751-0300

Vice Chair
Robson Splane
760-749-6018

Secretary
Robson Splane
760-749-6018

Members
Jeffrey Herr
Susan Moore
Keith Robertson

Regular Meeting:



1. Open Forum: public may speak on any subject that is not on the agenda.

2. PROJECTS
1. 3500 08-005 Site Plan Review: Valley Center Towing
28425 South Cole Grade Road
Applicant: Valley Center Towing, Michael Signes
Property Owner: VC Industrial LLC, Michael Schimpf
2. S10-013 Site Plan Replacement Review: Matz Commercial Building
8719 Old Castle Road

3. Design Guidelines: Signs and Landscaping on VC Road
4. Approval Minutes: March 8, 2011
5. Chairman’s Announcements



Valley Center Library
29200 Cole Grade Rd.
Valley Center, CA 92082

2nd Tuesday, 4-6PM