DOG-TRAINING PONDS MAY IMPACT LOCAL GROUNDWATER

PROPOSED DOG TRAINING "PONDS" NEAR HONEY SPRINGS RANCH HAVE POTENTIAL TO DEPLETE LOCAL GROUNDWATER

Neighbors on Honey Springs are worried.  Private sporting groups plan to create "ponds" for dog training on public lands: Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area.  The two ponds will require 2.4 million gallons of groundwater to fill, and an equal amount each year to maintain. 

Long-time DV'ers remember the Honey Springs Development idea of 1979. When they tested the well at the ranch, the draw down was so great that nearby wells ran dry.  Groundwater in our area is held in fractured rock, and pumping below existing wells has the potential to siphon away the water from uphill wells miles away. 

You can read the official proposal and report by going to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/mgmtplans/hcwa/  Look for the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area-Honey Springs Unit-Dog Training Ponds.

POND ONE:  (Already has a "Final" CEQA designation)

300' x 100' x 4' deep  (football field size)

897,000 gal. of water to fill

2,457 gal/day (73,726 gal/mo) to maintain

POND TWO:

420 ’x 100’ x 4-10’ deep

1.5 million gal. of water to fill

4,109 gal/day (123,287 gal/mo) to maintain

SOME HOMEOWNER CONCERNS:

• The two wells together will require a staggering 2.4 million gallons of water to fill, and equal amount to maintain the water level each year.
• Residents, who could potentially lose their wells, have received no notice of this proposal, no opportunity to be informed, and no chance to give input.  Of more concern, there has apparently been no groundwater study.
• This project was brought forward by private sporting clubs.  If local wells fail, who will be accountable?
• You can voice your opinion and/or support others at the December meeting of the Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group

FIND OUT MORE AND HAVE YOUR SAY...

Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group Meeting

Oak Grove Middle School Library

December 13th

7:30 PM 

PowerLink: The towers are going up.

Photo posted to DV FaceBook, courtesy of Peter Premananda Dyke

PowerLink Towers: Thank you to Peter P. Dyke for this photo taken from Mother Grundy/Upper Deerhorn.  The reported height of the (9) towers in our area ranges from 150-200 feet.

A composite of SDG&E's maps of the project through our area is posted here:  http://www.deerhornvalley.net/sunrisepowerlink.html  The map had to be located among hundreds of maps in SDGE's report that were labeled only by code, not place names.  This Southern route, originally determined to be unacceptable, was rushed through during the months following the Harris Fire.  Deerhorn, Potrero, Dulzura residents were scattered, dealing with loss of their homes, insurance issues, FEMA, rebuilding and all the emotional trauma of the disaster.  There was little time or energy to face the consequences of SDG&E's last-minute route change.  (KH)

RAIN~STRAWBALE~LOCAL CRAFTS~BUTTERFLY MASK~

SATURDAY MORNING RAIN GAUGE...

Rob and I measured 1.40 inches here on Elena Ln and Deerhorn Valley Rd.  Weather Guru Bill Stevens got 1.71 in Upper Deerhorn.  Mother Grundy station (http://weather.mothergrundy.org/) showed 1.07 inches.  Any other reports?   A very nice rain (although I can do without the winds!)  Sure beats Red Flag Alerts!   Julian has snow... and DPW says the roads are open.  Not that I would brave those crowds for anything.  But the pie IS good!  -Kim

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EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE:

AT HOME IN DEERHORN VALLEY: AN ARTISTS’ STRAW BALE STUDIO RISES FROM THE ASHES, DOUBLING AS COMMUNITY CENTER

http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/7715

“Straw bale  is like a barn raising—a wonderful, friendly activity that reaches out and brings people together.” – Kim Hamilton 

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CRAFT FAIR AT THE BLOCKERS...

I wanted to let you know and anyone in Deerhorn Valley, we are having a craft fair at my house, 18750 Deerhorn Valley Road on Dec. 3rd from 1-3pm.  We will have hand made crafts from Her Grace Soaps, Tiny Toes Flip Flops, Scentsy, Kathleen Holt, registered RN with all your facial needs and questions, Handmade Aprons and a Trunk show of women's clothing. Come do some holiday shopping!!!!  -Thanks, Andy Blocker

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WILDE OAKS FARM HOLIDAY SALE

November 12-13, 19-20  December 10-11

10 am to 3 pm

At Wilde Oaks Farm

(across the street from 21181 Deerhorn Valley Rd.)

Please bring cash or check.

Hand thrown pottery--pitchers, mugs, butter crocks, salad bowls, tumblers, etc.; hand-dipped beeswax candles, artisan crafted jewelry, and home-made wooden ornaments, seasonal vegetables, herbs, seeds, wildcrafted honey and much more!!  All is locally handcrafted by myself, or friends and neighbors in the East County.

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LOCAL, ORGANIC TURKEYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A neighbor here in Deerhorn has been raising turkeys for the holidays and is offering 10 for sale.  They are large birds, all less than 6 months old, weighing between 20+-35+ pounds dressed.  All raised without hormones and antibiotics, and with lots of garden veggies to snack on. $100/ per bird, dressed--your choice (females are usually smaller and more tender and males are typically larger and also delicious).  Please email wildeoaksgardens@yahoo.com if interested.

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TRUNK OR TREAT

LOST/FOUND BUTTERFLY MASK

Thanks to you folks in the Deerhorn Community for making this such a great success!  Looks like we have an Annual Happening and the start of a new tradition right here in our own backcountry.  It was delightful to see all the costumes and smiles... not to mention just getting together to visit.

Found: A beautiful Mardi Gras mask seen in this photo of a young "butterfly girl" was found on the ground.  Email (dvca@deerhornvalley.net) or call Karen Koop (468-3627) to claim it:

FOUND: THIS BUTTERFLY MASK (Picture #65): 

http://dvcafirstannualtrunkortreat.shutterfly.com/

More photos of everyone are posted on our FaceBook Page:

http://facebook.com/deerhornvalley

MEXICO FIRE - 4 HOURS

MEXICO FIRE... Wheeww!

11:00 AM 

12 NOON

3 PM

NWS RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL 6PM

The red flag warning is now in effect until 6 pm PDT this evening.

• Winds...northeast 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
• Relative Humidity...lowest daytime around 5 percent with poor overnight recovery.
• Timing...strongest winds this morning...then slowly decreasing during the afternoon.
• Outlook...poor humidity recovery tonight. Low daytime humidity thursday afternoon

RED FLAG WARNING 11/2/11