A LifeStream Blood Drive and Marrow Screening will be hosted by the Idyllwild Fire Station from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 10.
Donors are asked to be sure at least 56 days have elapsed since last donating blood. Also, photo identification is required to donate.
Donors will receive points as part of the Gift of Life donor loyalty program that may be redeemed for items through LifeStream's online store and a discounted coupon to Knott's Soak City. Donors are eligible for a for a complimentary ticket with each subsequent donation until Sept. 26, 2010.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Burrown Owl
The following information was generously provided by Avianna Jones. Her letter to the editor appears in the May 6, 2010 issue of he Town Crier. Readers are referred here to see information on the owl's legal status and photos of the owl (one above and one at the bottom).
To the Editor:
Burrowing owls are listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of special concern in most states where they occur. In California, populations are declining and they are listed as a species of Special Concern.
The legal status of the burrowing owl (From Appendix F, California Department of Fish and Game Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation, September 25, 1995):
"The burrowing owl is a migratory species protected by international treaty under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-711). The MBTA makes it unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, purchase or barter any migratory bird listed in 50 C.F.R. Part 10, including feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, or products, except as allowed by implementing regulations (50 C.F.R. 21). Sections 3505, 3503.5, and 3800 of the California Department of Fish and Game Code prohibit the take, possession, or destruction of birds, their nests or eggs. ... Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort (e.g., killing or abandonment of eggs or young) may be considered "take" and is potentially punishable by fines and/or imprisonment."
“Take” is defined in the MBTA to include by any means or in any manner, any attempt at hunting, pursuing, wounding, killing, possessing or transporting any migratory bird, nest, egg, or part thereof.
Individuals or organizations may be fined up to $15,000, and may face up to six months imprisonment for misdemeanor violations of the Act. Felony violations may result in fines of up to $250,000 for individuals, $500,000 for organizations, and up to two years imprisonment.
The MBTA protects all native birds and excludes only non-native birds and birds classified as game during designated seasons. A list of protected birds may be found on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtandx.html. The California Department of Fish and Game has published a report “Guidance for Burrowing Owl Conservation”: http://www.thebirdersreport.com/BUOW_Guidance_14_April_2008-CDFG.pdf.
We are so fortunate to live in a place with so many beautiful birds. They deserve our respect and protection as they work tirelessly to raise the next generation. Hopefully they will succeed and mountain residents and visitors will continue to be blessed by their presence.
Avianna Jones
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Snow difficulties for PCT hikers
“Bacon,” “Yellowstone,” “Skyward,“ “Trailhacker,” “Backtrack,” “Nitro,” “Schroomer” — each year Pacific Crest Trail through hikers known by their trail names stop in Idyllwild not long after beginning their 2,650 mile northward trek to the Canadian border. This year they are challenged by late snow. Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) conducted an April snow survey that found 3 feet of snow still in the Saddle and likely more in the high country.
As a result, some PCT’ers are opting to rent vans to skirt local snow and ice encrusted sections of the trail and return at the end of their 6-month jaunt to complete the section they missed. Of the 300 or so hikers that begin, roughly 60 percent complete the entire trail to receive certification as “2600-Milers.”
Surprised by a six-inch Idyllwild snowfall on Wednesday and Thursday April 21 and 22, many hikers hunkered down in Idyllwild to wait out conditions, rethink next steps and regroup. One hiker, “Trailhacker,” fell down a snow and ice chute and had to be airlifted off Apache Peak, at a much lower elevation than local sections of the trail a little farther on. News of the cautionary episode spread through town and southward to hikers just approaching our local mountains.
“Shroomer,” Scott Williams from Martinez, California, was one who was opting for van rental and returning to the San Jacintos at the conclusion of his hike. He, as had others, had heard about Trailhacker’s fall and rescue. “We’re all talking to each other,” he said. “A bunch of people are still planning to go up [the week of the 26th],” he worried.
The local PCT office notified hikers of the potential dangers but can’t prevent hikers from going on through dangerous sections. PCT representative Sam Commarto acknowledged the risks but said, “It’s their hike and their adventure. We’re advising them that if they do this section they must have snow equipment, compass and maps. People need to be cautious.”
Trailhackers girlfriend came to get him on April 27th — his through hike deferred for this year.
Although bad for hikers, Idyllwild’s late snows are good for the mountain. Still, locals who know how surprisingly treacherous San Jacinto can be with late spring snow, have to worry about those PCT hikers who opt to continue on the mostly north facing high elevation sections of the trail.
Through hiker John Donovan from Virginia disappeared on May 2, 2005, much like this year, in a late spring snow. Donovan, whose remains were found a year later in a box canyon, almost a year to the day he disappeared, apparently lost the trail in snow.
Many hikers, not just those on the PCT, seriously underestimate these mountains. That mistake has too often proved to be fatal.
As a result, some PCT’ers are opting to rent vans to skirt local snow and ice encrusted sections of the trail and return at the end of their 6-month jaunt to complete the section they missed. Of the 300 or so hikers that begin, roughly 60 percent complete the entire trail to receive certification as “2600-Milers.”
Surprised by a six-inch Idyllwild snowfall on Wednesday and Thursday April 21 and 22, many hikers hunkered down in Idyllwild to wait out conditions, rethink next steps and regroup. One hiker, “Trailhacker,” fell down a snow and ice chute and had to be airlifted off Apache Peak, at a much lower elevation than local sections of the trail a little farther on. News of the cautionary episode spread through town and southward to hikers just approaching our local mountains.
“Shroomer,” Scott Williams from Martinez, California, was one who was opting for van rental and returning to the San Jacintos at the conclusion of his hike. He, as had others, had heard about Trailhacker’s fall and rescue. “We’re all talking to each other,” he said. “A bunch of people are still planning to go up [the week of the 26th],” he worried.
The local PCT office notified hikers of the potential dangers but can’t prevent hikers from going on through dangerous sections. PCT representative Sam Commarto acknowledged the risks but said, “It’s their hike and their adventure. We’re advising them that if they do this section they must have snow equipment, compass and maps. People need to be cautious.”
Trailhackers girlfriend came to get him on April 27th — his through hike deferred for this year.
Although bad for hikers, Idyllwild’s late snows are good for the mountain. Still, locals who know how surprisingly treacherous San Jacinto can be with late spring snow, have to worry about those PCT hikers who opt to continue on the mostly north facing high elevation sections of the trail.
Through hiker John Donovan from Virginia disappeared on May 2, 2005, much like this year, in a late spring snow. Donovan, whose remains were found a year later in a box canyon, almost a year to the day he disappeared, apparently lost the trail in snow.
Many hikers, not just those on the PCT, seriously underestimate these mountains. That mistake has too often proved to be fatal.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Business Roundtable meeting
The next Idyllwild Business Roundtable meeting is 8 a.m, next Thursday, April 15.
The Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority and Palm Springs Celebrity Tours both return to continue discussions on how Idyllwild can partner with off-hill tourism businesses.
This is an open meeting with no Charge. Everyone is invited to the Caine Learning Center. Future meeting announcements can be sent directly to you if you, please, sign up at idy4u.com.
Doug Yagaloff is the contoact person and can be reached at his e-mail: info@mountainharvestmarket.com
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Hemet Unified School District superintendent search
Dr. Phil Pendley, superintendent of the Hemet Unified School District, announced his retirement last week. The board has already engaged a search firm to find a successor to Pendley.
If you have ideas and thoughts about the next superintendent, the board is soliciting these comments. See below:
If you have ideas and thoughts about the next superintendent, the board is soliciting these comments. See below:
Notice to the Public
Request for Community Input
Subject: Superintendent Search
The Governing Board of Hemet Unified School District will select a new district superintendent. Community input about the desired characteristics to be used in recruiting and selecting this person is desired. The board is soliciting input to respond to these two questions: What personal and professional qualities for an in-coming superintendent will be a match for the Hemet Unified School District? What do you see as the strengths of the district and the major challenges facing the district in the years ahead?
Walter Buster and Rene Townsend of Leadership Associates were selected to advise the Board in this important process. They will be in our district on Monday, April 12, 2010.
The opportunity for the community to share its input and hear more about the process will be at an Open Forum to be held at the Professional Development Service Center Board Room, 1791 W. Acacia Ave., Hemet (corner of Lyon and Acacia Ave.) from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on April 12, 2010.
If you are unable to attend the Open Forum, input may also be offered through fax, letter, email, telephone or individual conversation by contacting the Board’s advisors. You may send a fax to 949-461-9119; a letter to PMB-455, 23052-H Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692; an email to leadershipassociates@cox.net; or speak by phone to either Mr. Buster or Ms. Townsend, at 949-461-9119.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
SR 371 road work on SR 371 next two weeks
State Route 371 Pavement Rehabilitation Project Begins Riverside County –
Next week, crews will begin rehabilitating the pavement on State Route 371 in Cahuilla from east of Wilson Valley Road to east of Howard Road. The work involves repairing the pavement, applying a slurry seal coat to the existing asphalt and restriping the roadway.
The project was awarded to Valley Slurry Seal Company for $415,000.
Lanes will be closed as needed within the days and times shown below.
LOCATION Northbound and Southbound SR-371
From Wilson Valley Road to Howard Road
CLOSURE HOURS 7:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
LANE INFORMATIONLane #1 & right shoulder
The closures in each direction will be no longer than 2 miles at a time. The contractor will implement one-way traffic control with a pilot car. Traffic may be stopped in one direction for up to 15 minutes. Construction is expected to last through May 2010.
No lanes will be closed on Wednesday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez holiday. Crews will also not close lanes from Friday, April 2 through Sunday, April 4 because of the Easter weekend.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
H1N1 Flu shots
Free H1N1 flu shots at Riverside County malls on March 6
Add one more item to your Saturday errand list: an H1N1 flu shot.
Add one more item to your Saturday errand list: an H1N1 flu shot.
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