SNAKES ALIVE!

When it gets hot outside, everyone wants to borrow your pool. Bryan Bahlmann tells The Roadrunner, "This is why I never jump in the pool at night without turning the lights on. Yes, they are VERY GOOD swimmers."

Wild Mouse Tests Positive for Hantavirus (but not in VC)

Residents Are Urged To Use Caution When Cleaning Up Rodent Droppings

County Vector Control officials confirmed that one Harvest mouse trapped in an open space near Fairbanks Ranch during routine monitoring tested positive for Hantavirus.
“We want to remind people to be aware that Hantavirus is here in the County. It is important to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds to prevent infection,” said Jack Miller, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “People contract Hantavirus by inhaling the virus, often when they are cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting materials. Wet cleaning methods should be used to prevent inhaling the virus.”
Vector Control randomly samples wild mice to determine the extent of the virus. Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, primarily Deer and Harvest mice. The virus is found in rodent droppings and urine and can be inhaled by humans when it becomes airborne. The airborne virus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can begin with symptoms similar to the flu, but in rare cases, can lead to severe breathing difficulties and even death. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Hantavirus.
Several precautions should be taken to avoid exposure:
〈         Eliminate rodent infestations immediately.
〈         Avoid rodent-infested areas and do not stir up dust or materials that may be contaminated with rodent droppings and urine.
〈         Clean up rodent droppings and urine using the wet cleaning method described below.

DO NOT SWEEP OR VACUUM INFESTED AREAS. Instead, use wet cleaning methods:
〈         Ventilate affected area by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes.
〈         Use rubber gloves. Spray a 10 percent bleach solution (2 tablespoons bleach to 1 cup of water) onto dead rodents, rodent droppings, nests, contaminated traps, and surrounding areas and let the disinfectant stand for at least 15 minutes before cleaning. Clean with a sponge or a mop.
〈         Place disinfected rodents and debris into two plastic bags, seal them and discard in the trash.
〈         Wash gloves in a bleach solution, then soap and water, and dispose of them using the same double-bag method. Thoroughly wash your bare hands with soap and water.

For more information, contact the County Department of Environmental Health at (858) 694-2888 or visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/pests/hantavirus.html.

PALA FIRE CONTAINED AT 106 ACRES

The Pala Fire has been contained at 106 acres.


Cal Fire and associated agencies are still at the scene of a fire on the north side of Hwy 76, at the base of Palomar Mountain. At its height about 20 fire engines and crews, 3 bulldozers, 4 water tenders, 4 airtankers and 4 helicopters responded to the incident.

The cause is still under investigation. Ten homes were evacuated, none damaged. The Incident Commander has released all of the airtankers. Firefighters will remain on scene for several hours mopping up any remaining hot spots.

Signs of Summer

Off of Mirar De Valle, in Valley Center. You know it's a country summer... even in Southern California. Photo submitted by Bryan Bahlmann.

The Rest of the Story

KIWANIS SPEAKER—The VC Kiwanis Club’s breakfast speaker on Friday June 25 will be Don Foulkes from Fallbrook, the WWII bombardier who became a prisoner of war, and lived to tell about it. He spoke at the Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast on May 7, and is returning, to tell "the rest of the story."
His prison experiences , his release and return to freedom, is the part the group has not yet heard. Guests are invited, especially those who heard the first part of his amazing story, and want to know how it all turned out.

NEWS OF LARRY READ

Former Valley Center resident Larry Read wants his VC friends to know that you can find him now on Facebook, where he has posted his pictures, videos and events.

FREE Smoke Alarms, LED Nightlights

Throughout the year, the Burn Institute, community volunteers and members of the fire service take part in a collaborative effort to install FREE lifesaving smoke alarms for qualified seniors in San Diego County.

New for 2010: The Burn Institute has partnered with SDG&E to provide FREE energy-saving LED nightlights to each senior household (while supplies last).

To qualify for the Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program, seniors must be 55 years or older, own their own home and live within San Diego County.


The Burn Institute is taking reservations for May and June installations
(Note: Installations are performed monthly throughout the year)

Did you know that having a working smoke alarm in your residence decreases your chances of dying in a house fire by 50% percent? Yet, thousands of seniors throughout San Diego County live in homes without a working smoke alarm. National safety statistics confirm that adults 65 and older are two times more likely to die in a house fire than any other segment of the population -- and for those older than 75, the risk nearly quadruples. One way that seniors can improve their chances of escaping a home fire is to make sure they have a working smoke alarm.

The Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program is available to seniors year-round. Installations are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Slots fill-up quickly -- call now! Gwen Lammers at 858-541-2277 x13 , or glammers@burninstitute.org. Find out more at www.burninstitute.org.