Deerhorn Welcome: Union-Trib

Today's issue of the Union Tribune is carrying this article on the front page of the Local Section (B). Funny how we take things for granted -like our Welcome Sign- until outside eyes bring a new perspective.
New neighbor, Francine Garrett, is looking for some donations from the SD Native Plant Society to help spruce up the slope behind. A little TLC would help, too. Paul Jacob replaced to left post that burned in the fire, and it looks like the Community Association will be providing a little extra love and care. Thanks to Steve Schmidt, U-T East County journalist/writer. Great article!



- Posted via iPhone

WE'RE IN THE NEWS!

Who needs Twitter when you've got a chalkboard?

BY STEVE SCHMIDT

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 22, 2010 AT 1:50 P.M., UPDATED OCTOBER 22, 2010 AT 1:49 P.M.

You can have your Twitter and your Facebook. One East County community continues to go the low-tech route when it comes to social networking. [Except when it goes Twitter/FB/Blog!]

It's got a board and some chalk. ...

AND HERE'S REST OF THE STORY:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/22/who-needs-twitter-when-youve-got-a-chalkboard/

WET WEATHER COMING: Cover the woodpile and plant the natives!

We have a few wet days coming.  It's time to cover the woodpile if you want some dry logs and kindling.  The National Weather Service says we may get as much as an inch or more of rain from late Tuesday through Thursday.  

The San Diego Chapter of the Calif Native Plant Society (CNPS) had a big sale at Balboa Park last Saturday.  There were several Deerhorn faces there, and a great selection of plants suited to our Chaparral and Oak Woodlands.  If the rain really does come it's a great time to do some planting.

Here' s my haul: manzanita, ceanothus, several sages, Mexican flannelbush, wild grape and rose, bush poppy, penstemon, and monkey flower.  C'mon rain!

--Posted by Kim

SWAP MEET: DEERHORN STYLE

7am Saturday morning–– the guide balloons were flying, the flags were up, pickups, trailers, and cars turned into the the McKinley's driveway off Elena Lane--- site of the Old DV Lodge.
It was a good, old-fashioned Swap-Meet-Deerhorn-Style: furniture, tools, liniments, t-shirts, secret seasonings, handcrafted gifts: the basic "what-all's" of backcountry sheds and barns.
There was a serious discussion of swapping an electric people-mover for a mini 4WD Jeep-ette. Rob Deason lugged home a tank and regulators-- with a smile the size of Mother Grundy.  Mark Payne almost ran out of BBQ, and Tom Lamb brought down the new state-of-the art chipper-shredder, weekwhackers, chainsaws, and cutters, all just purchased with our FireSafe Council USFS grant.  A crowd gathered to admire this candy-store of super-tools.
The Community Association offered DV Antlers, Deerhorn Connected info, directory signups, reflective signs order forms, all neatly arranged and presided over with "g'mornin's, smiles and hello's.
Maybe the best part was just having the time to stop, and talk, and swap stories.  Neighbors and friends and newcomers all enjoying a perfect day.
Big Thank-You's to Anne Evosevich and the coordinators, and to Rod and Pam McKinley for opening up their property for this event.

 

Ice-cold tea and lemonade   -   Homemade jellies... from homegrown grapes

A "giddy" Tom Lamb shows off the new Outer Jamul FireSafe Council chipper.

Bill and Vicki Stevens with their Watkins liniments and extra goodies.

Deerhorn t-shirts -- $8 adults and $5 kids -- SUch a deal!

Metalworker Ruth: There's talent in this valley!

DVCA exhibits its candleholders!

- Posted by Kim via iPhone

THE OWL

For me, our wonderful presentation on raptures hinted to publish a short story I wrote years ago which shows my reverence for owls. I placed it in the DV JOURNAL on our web page.  I hope my own story being the first published in the Journal won't be mistaken as self-serving.  I also have writings from Ariel, and a beautiful short poem from Jim Norton which I'll place.   Rob

Our Deerhorn Valley Journal: 

 http://www.deerhornvalley.net/journal.html

Raptors Up Close-- WOW!

It was standing room only at The Red Barn for the SkyHunters Presentation. Raptor Rehabilitator, Nancy Conney, brought four beautiful birds: an American kestrel (falcon), red-tailed hawk, screech owl, and a white-faced barn owl. As promised, the interactions were up close and personal. More than 80 moms, dads, kids, grandparents, neighbors, and friends brought their chairs, kids, and cameras. Really a day to remember!

TUESDAY UPDATE: Nancy Conney of SkyHunters called and asked me to pass her thanks on to everyone who attended the her program at the Red Barn.  She was so appreciative of your generous donations, great questions, and the community spirit so in evidence. She was inspired by our turnout and the interest we all showed in raptors and their preservation. I know she doesn't want to wait another decade to return!  And we don't either.

It was wonderful to see so many old and new faces. Our gratitude to Paul for entrusting us with his Red Barn for the venue. 

PS- The Fall Antler is out. Don't forget to download your copy at deerhornvalley.net

Nancy and friend... a red-tailed hawk.

- Posted by Kim via iPhone

Rainbows and ice cream

On October 1, as the sun set, Kim and I saw a rainbow through the oaks.  Out the back we have a full view of the morning and sunset sky, and we saw this!  We stood, captured by this beautiful scene.  It filled the sky!  This picture is composed of four photos "stitched" together, and it lacks the BIGness of it.  My niece said it best, "WOW!"

Now, I think it's a myth that there's a pot of gold at one end.  But at the other there IS a box-car-size frosty container of Ben & Jerry's mint-chocolate-chip . . . I grabbed a big spoon and ran.  Wouldn't you know, the sun set just before I got there!   – Rob Deason

- Posted by Rob D.