Aug 2020-Mountain Lifestyle-Crestline & Lake Arrowhead edition

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Vol. 6, issue 3

August

2020

A Monthly publication serving Crestline (incl. V.O.E.), Cedarpines Park, Twin Peaks, Rimforest, Lake Arrowhead, Blue Jay, Cedar Glen, and Skyforest

MCH’s Skilled Nurses from L to R are: Luna Assumpta CNA, Elizabeth Mendoza

CNA, Stephanie Abraham LVN, Serina Hurtado (Front) CNA, Carly

Parro CNA (with red hair), Alex Fuller LVN, Jessica Cressy CNA, Ashley Altmeyer

Clinical Coordinator, and Cynthia Bush RN Manager

Keeping the Most Vulnerable Safe at Home

by Mountains Community Hospital

With the news of the

COVID-19 pandemic, Cynthia Bush,

RN, Director of the Skilled Nursing

Facility (SNF) at Mountains Community

Hospital, immediately closed

its doors to nonessential staff and visitors

at the beginning of March.

“The only visitors allowed,”

she said, “are for compassionate care

situations such as end-of-life.” The

residents, she noted, have been staying

in their rooms, as mandated by

the California Department of Public

Health, so they can’t engage in any

communal dining or group activities.

If the residents venture out on their

own to the solarium, they are wearing

masks. Should anyone wish to go

for a walk, Cheri Altmeyer, Activities

Director, will take him or her outside,

one by one.

Cheri has also been coming

up with creative ways to keep

the residents entertained. They have

been doing arts and crafts projects

like painting birdhouses. They have

also been playing bingo, their favorite

game, from their rooms. Sandals

Church recently donated five tablets

for the residents to use for video

communications with their families

Mountain Lifestyle

P.O. Box 2725

Running Springs, CA 92382

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or to watch movies and play games.

“The residents have been frustrated,”

Bush said, “as none of them are sick,

so they are having a hard time understanding

why they must maintain

social distancing. Cheri is working

wonders, keeping them occupied!”

In talking about MCH’s response

to COVID-19, CEO Charlie

Harrison noted that all the SNF residents

are healthy. “It’s imperative for

us to protect the residents,” he said.

“It’s easier to do because they are in

their own wing.”

That MCH cares for and

about its long-term residents is evident

in the recent five-star rating the

Skilled

Nursing Facility received for

the second year in a row from the

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Services. In addition, the SNF was

named to the list of America’s Best

Nursing Homes. The nurses who care

for the residents, Bush said, know

them so well “they can anticipate

their needs and they know everything

about them, including how they take

their coffee in the morning.”

The SNF is inspected every

Skilled Nursing:cont. on page 11

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EDDM Retail

New Partnership to Help Fight Wildfires

The Forestry and Fire Recruitment

Program (FFRP) is proud

to partner with the Mountain Rim Fire

Safe Council to provide wildfire prevention

and fuels reduction services to

low income and disabled homeowners

in the San Bernardino Mountain community.

FFRP is a nonprofit organization

that provides career training opportunities

to people interested in fire

/ forestry careers who were previously

in California’s “Fire Camps”. This

partnership serves the community by

providing a professional, reliable and

capable workforce to support homeowners

fulfil their defensible space,

land, and weed abatement obligations.

FFRP is available to work

with additional partners to meet your

needs. By deploying a motivated and

talented pool of workers, who have

been vetted and trained to perform a

variety of services, FFRP is able to

rapidly implement work projects and

provide solutions. Services include:

Fire Prevention, Fuels Reduction,

Defensible Space Projects, Basic

Tree Felling, Vegetation Hauling and

Clearing, Vacant Lot Clearing, and

Land Abatement.

Additionally, crews can assist

in Pre/post construction clean up,

Light demolition/construction, Construction

site prep, Renovation/installation,

Curb cutting, Highway maintenance,

Painting, Weatherization, Light

demolition, Groundskeeping, Snow

removal, Tree maintenance, Graffiti

and litter clean up, Mowing and

Rubbish removal. FFRP has talented,

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Pg. 2-Newsbriefs & Updates

Pg. 3-Glider Flights

Pg. 4-Morrell—Pandemic Response

Pg. 6-Local Fruits: High Elevation

Pg. 7-Partnering With Rim Schools

Pg. 8-Mural Mecca

Pg, 10-RS Car Cruise

Pg. 12-Mtn Artists: John Smeby

Pg. 14-Perseid Meteor Shower

Pg. 15-A Dash of Cinnamon

Pg. 16-Business Directory

Pg. 17-Bracken Fern

Pg. 18-Church Services

trained and motivated wildland firefighters

waiting on the sidelines this

fire season.

This past year was California’s

most destructive wildfire season

on record with 8,500 fires, two million

acres burned, $20 billion in losses and

over 100 deaths. One reason for this

is a severe laborshortage. Agencies report

significant vacancies and a scarcity

of trained talent. To address this

gap,

California utilizes currently

incarcerated people in its “fire camps”

- 4,500 as firefighters and 3,500 assupport

staff - totaling 35% of the firefighting

force.

Despite their extensive training

and experience, these firefighters

face nearly insurmountable barriers

to full-time employment fighting

wildland fires after they return home

from prison. Fire camp firefighters

save California billions every year

and have the potential to fill a critical

labor shortage and securing stable,

middle-class jobs, yet few are able to

attain these jobs due to their past convictions.

FFRP was founded by former

fire camp residents who successfully

transitioned to become full-time firefighters

after returning from prison.

FFRP is designed to help thousands

more people in fire

camps obtain gainful employment

post-release.

For more information contact

either MRFSC (www.Mountain-

RimFSC.org) or brandon@forestryfirerp.org.

COVID 19 UPDATES

ON PAGES 16 & 17

August 2020 Mountain Lifestyle (C) Page 1

The

Mountain

Lifestyle

Publisher: Steven Peter

Editor: open

Distribution: various

Writers: Lynette Eastwood, Steven

Peter, Joan Moseley, Kevin

Somes, Susan Campbell, Alex

Lim, Barbara Vernon,

Advertising Sales: STEP Advertising

(909) 939-2522

Email us at steve.mountainlife@

gmail.com for advertising or potential

articles for the paper.

We market and mail, the

areas of Running Springs, Arrowbear,

and Green Valley Lake, and

Skyforest, and also deliver adjacent

areas of the San Bernardino

Mountain Communities! Our

unique area sports a mountain

bike area for off-road biking, a full

service ski area, a small lake with

great fi shing, and tons of hiking

trails and well as shops, antique

stores, and great places to eat.

Our distribution uses direct bulk

mail in Green Valley Lake, Running

Springs, and Skyforest. The

Mountain Lifestyle is also distributed

for customers to pick up in

the above cities and others on the

mountain, as well as targeted locations

and visitor centers ‘down

the hill’ in San Bernardino County.

Those locations are on file.

sincerely the

Mountain Lifestyle

Deadlines:

Articles and copy are due by the

18th of the prior month preceding

publication unless prior arrangements

has been made.

Advertising space is due by the

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and all proofs are to be finished

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the month prior to publication.

The Mountain Lifestyle is published

the 25th of each month

for the following month’s issue.

$15 yr Mailed

Anywhere in USA

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Mail to: Mountain Lifestyle

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Note: we are currently bulk mailing

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Mountain Lifestyle Subscription

News Briefs

Ye Old Thrift Shoppe

The Olde Thrift Shoppe in Crestline

is a great place to shop for almost

new items and is located in an area

of Crestline called Top Town. Stop

by when you have a chance. The shop

has been so successful that it has

been able to expand an annex next to

the original store. The annex is used

as a furniture store and you may be

able to find just the right piece of furniture.

The shelves at their Thrift Shoppe

are always filled will great merchandise;

books, music, clothing, home

goods/décor, and much more! With

the help from the amazing Crestline

and surrounding communities, they

are constantly adding more items so

there is always something new.

The proceeds from Ye Olde Thrift

Shoppe and additionally with the furniture

annex are used to run the Crest

Forest Senior Citizens’ Club which,

in turn, gives back into the community

to support vital programs like

Transportation, Senior Nutrition

Lunch, and many other senior needs.

Crest Forest Senior Citizens’

Club is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 membership

organization for the interests

of and benefit of the Senior Citizens

(50 years and up) of the Crestline

community.

The Thrift Shoppe hours are

Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00am

to 4:30pm and Sunday from Noon

to 4:00 located at 23454 Crest Forest

Drive, Crestline, CA 92325. (909)

338-5413

Enjoy your shopping, wear a face

covering are required, and hand sanitizer

will be available as soon as you

enter the store. Social Distancing is

still required for everyone’s safety.

Name____________________________________

Address__________________________________

City____________________________State_____

Email address____________________________

(This will be used only to confirm subsciption, receipt of subscription,

and start date, and will not be used for any marketing purposes)

August 2020 issue

News Briefs

From Rim Unified

School District

The national news coverage

concerning the Novel Coronavirus

(COVID-19) has sparked conversations

and questions regarding the health and

safety of our students and staff. Watching

the news reports may be unsettling

and we understand your concerns. We

would like to reassure you that our district,

in partnership with all districts in

San Bernardino County, has been working

with San Bernardino County Superintendent

of Schools and the County

Health Department. They are our lead

agencies and putting information out

to the public county-wide. ROWUSD

follows the guidance from local, state

and federal public health agencies. Currently,

the health risk of COVID-19 to

the general public in our region remains

low. Regardless, we encourage you to

prevent the spread of germs by following

the health guidelines from the Center

for Disease Control:

* If you or your child is sick with flu/

cold or respiratory virus symptoms, the

CDC recommends that you stay home

for at least 24 hours after your fever is

gone except to get medical care or for

other necessities.

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue

when you cough or sneeze. Throw

the tissue in the trash after you use it. If

you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough

into your sleeve or arm.

* Wash your hands often with soap and

water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid

touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect

surfaces and objects that may be

contaminated with germs like the flu.

* Do not send your child to school if

he/she has a temperature of 100°F or

higher. Students must be fever-free for

24 hours without having taken fever-reducing

medication (i.e. Advil, Tylenol,

Motrin, etc.)

We want to emphasize that there are

no known cases of coronavirus in our

schools, and they remain a safe place for

your children, and we are working diligently

to take preventative measures.

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Businesses that continue to operate

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Strike Team and/or local authorities for

follow-up. Business owners or residents

interested in reviewing the details

can find a PDF of the EEE Plan on the

County’s COVID-19 website.

“Since our initial response to the

pandemic, our goal has been to gain

voluntary compliance from County

businesses and residents, many of

whom have suffered from COVID-19

and the resulting economic lockdowns,”

said Sheriff John McMahon.

“We want to help them survive and

prosper — while doing everything possible

to halt the spread of this disease.

But we need their cooperation if we are

to succeed in this effort.”

Avoid COVID-19 Scams

Have you gotten robocalls, text

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masks? Or maybe you’ve seen social

media posts about free COVID-19 testing

kits, “cures,” or protective equipment?

Unfortunately scammers are using

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The Crestline Soaring Society invites interested persons to watch hang gliders

launch at Teddy Bear Peak in Crestline. (Photo by Louise Cecil)

Sunday Night Glider Flights from

Teddy Bear Peak

By Louise Cecil

August is the month the paragliders

and hang glider enthusiasts invite

the community to join them for

Sunday Night Flights. Every other

Sunday evening on August 2nd,

16th and 30th the Crestline fliers,

who call themselves the Crestline

Kooks, who have a U-Tube video

made about them, invite those who

would like to see them perform

their aerial antics and listen to some

live music and eat from the food

truck to come to Teddy Bear Peak.

The pilots begin taking-off around

5:30 p.m. and they fly until around

sunset. It is all wind-dependent.

The Crestline Kooks are a group

of friends and lighter-than-air pilots

who come together every other Sunday

during the summer to fly around

Teddy Bear Peak and entertain

spectators. Hang gliders and paragliding

pilots launch from the US

Forest Service launch site in Crestline

all year long, but the Kooks are

offering these special events during

this summer to give the community

some good clean fun. They started

these Flight Nights last summer

on Friday nights, but have moved

them to Sunday evenings this year.

These free, early evening, informal

get togethers are when anyone can

come watch the paragliders have

fun, and the hang gliders launch.

Those flying activities occur most

every afternoon when the winds are

correct, but these specially designated

Sundays also have a live band

performing, a food truck, a slack

line to try out, hacky-sack challenges

and community members just

gathering together (at a reasonable

social distance) to enjoy the wonderful

view of the valley below

and to listen to the wind through

the trees, while watching the aerial

show. About 100 attend these special

Sunday evenings.

Spectators bring folding beach

chairs or blankets to the launch site

to relax while watching the paragliders

do amazing aerobatics, in-

cluding upside-down-loops, and

crisscrossing with each other directly

in front of those sitting on the

hillside.

Glider Flights: cont. on pg. 8

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Page 2 Mountain Lifestyle (C) August 2020


Pandemic Mandate Response:

Frustrations and Inconsistencies

State Senator Mike Morrell

represents the 23rd Senate District

by State Senator Mike Morrell

Experts in the medical field

and those in positions to make decisions

over our lives frequently use

the word “science” in reference to the

pandemic. Sometimes, though, scientific

facts intersect with politics, leading

to arbitrary and detrimental sets

of restrictive government guidelines.

I certainly have taken

COVID-19 seriously, exercising the

necessary precautions, as all of us

should. However, I am concerned

more damage may be done long term

if the approach we adopt does not

weigh all the factors.

Accomplishing the task

ahead requires clarity of resolve.

Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill

were great communicators in

times of crisis. You always knew

where they stood.

Today, though, many Americans

and Californians – in general,

a responsible people – are frustrated.

We regularly hear conflicting information

and see government mandates

changing weekly. Consider just a few.

On March 30, the Imperial

College of London model said the

U.S. could reach 2.2 million deaths

by September 1, which it since

walked back. In a March 19 letter to

the president, Governor Newsom estimated

over 25 million Californians

could contract the virus by May.

Feeding further skepticism,

the media reports that labs in Florida

have stated test results are 100 percent

positive and that they did not account

for negative tests. Having done

so, it throws the numbers into doubt.

Messaging on face coverings

has been mixed too. In a March 8

“60 Minutes” interview, Dr. Anthony

Fauci, director of the National Institute

of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,

advised, “There’s no reason

to be walking around with a mask.”

Now we recognize wearing them as

important measures for slowing the

spread.

On physical distancing, the

World Health Organization (WHO)

recommends maintaining space of at

least three feet. The Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention says it

should be six.

One day, an expert at WHO

suggests asymptomatic spread is

“very rare,” making headlines. The

next day, WHO appears to bow to

pressure and rolls back the statement.

The seeming randomness of

shutdown guidance also raises questions.

In early April, Michigan Governor

Gretchen Whitmer attracted national

attention for banning big box

stores from selling plants.

California now wants to bar

singing at church. Backyard barbecues

and family gatherings are

blamed for the rise in COVID cases,

but the activities of thousands of protesters

in the streets are not.

Against this backdrop, you

cannot fault individuals for taking

pause with the uncertainties caused

by back-and-forth shutdowns and reopenings.

Containing the virus must

be the top priority, but the reality we

confront is that isolation, combined

with jobs and livelihoods lost in such

an unprecedented way, can very well

lead to other negative health consequences.

Reports indicate that domestic

violence, suicide rates, and

deaths from drug overdoses have risen

significantly.

Additionally, since the onset,

postponed “elective” surgeries and

treatment have become more urgent.

Dr. Scott Atlas, a senior fellow at

Stanford University’s Hoover Institution,

wrote in The Hill that cancer

patients deferred chemotherapy. Approximately

80 percent of brain surgeries

were skipped. Now the system

is dealing with a backlog. On July 6,

Atlas observed that 80-85 percent of

hospitalizations in Texas were non-

COVID related.

Tragically, the median age

of death caused by the pandemic is

over 70. An estimated 40 percent of

fatalities in California are traceable

to nursing homes. Other factors like

obesity and diabetes also play a role

in susceptibility.

With these statistics, it is clear

we can identify the most vulnerable

populations, protecting them while at

the same time empowering Californians

to provide for themselves and

preserve public health.

Small businesses by and

large are doing their part to combat

the pandemic. They have gone extra

lengths to comply with current guidance,

churches have adopted strict

safety protocols, and outdoor venues

have welcomed visitors back with

safeguards in place.

Any hope of economic resilience

or normalcy, however, is

repeatedly dashed by unpredictable

government orders. I have personally

spoken to over 300 business owners

and heard their anxiety and stress as

well as that of constituents. The situation

feels endless with little optimism

a finish line is in sight.

Americans by nature are

fiercely independent with a keen eye

toward overreaching government.

What we want is consistency, direct

communication, and not a constantly

moving one-size-fits-all approach to

this challenge.

For the most part, Americans

will do the right thing and act in good

faith, but government bureaucrats

must remember they are public servants

and not our masters.

It is time to stop politicizing

the virus at the expense of lives and

our overall well-being.

State Senator Mike Morrell

represents the 23rd Senate District

in the California State Legislature,

which includes the communities of

the San Bernardino Mountains.

Senior’s Don’t Be

Scammed

To help safeguard your money

— and your identity — here are

three rules to remember:

1. Hang up on Fraudsters

The Internal Revenue Service

will never call you and demand money.

An IRS agent is never going start

an inquiry via email, text message or

social media. Generally, if the IRS

wants to contact you about your taxes,

you’ll get a letter in the mail.

IRS isn’t won’t ask you to pay an

obligation with a prepaid debit card,

or threaten to call the police and drag

you off to jail, or suspend your driver’s

license, or deport you. If you do

owe taxes, the IRS will tell you to

make payments only to the United

States Treasury.

If you ever get a call from anyone

claiming to be and IRS agent and

threatening you to suspend your Social

Security number, hang up. The

IRS never does do that.

2. Guard your Social Security

Number

Con artists who get your nine-digit

number and other personal information,

such as your address, they can

file fake tax returns and seek a refund.

You won’t discover the fraudulent act

until you try to file an electronic return

and it’s kicked back, or if the IRS

flags your paper return by letter. File

your taxes early.

3. Beware of Ghosts

Professional tax preparers have

a preparer tax identification number,

or PTIN, and they sign your return.

These Ghost Preparers, who are not

authorized to complete or file returns,

won’t sign your return. They sometimes

promise big refunds or charge

you a percentage of your expected

refund. In the worst case, they might

divert refunds to their own accounts.

Trails of the San Bernardino’s

The views are quite spectacular from the Big Pine Flat Trail. The trail is fairly

wide in most places and accommodates both hikers and off-road vehicles

and is 16.2 miles long. Photo by John Tosdal

Big Pine Flat Trail

by Steven Peter

The Big Pine Flat Trail is a

popular trail for hikers and off-road

vehicles with lots of interesting stops

and campgrounds along the way. It is

a moderately trafficked trail located

near Green Valley Lake and is pointto-point,

which means it doesn’t loop

back, and ends near Big Bear Lake.

It features beautiful wildflowers in

the spring and early summer and is

good for all skill levels. It is also an

easy trail to learn or for beginners to

off-roading as you may be able to accomplish

the whole trail with just a

high clearance car, but it’s much easier

in a jeep or off-road vehicle. The

entire length of the trail is 16.2 miles.

The first campground you

come across is Crab Flats Campground.

This campground is a staging

area for ATV/OHV’s. Crab Flats is

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accessed via a 4-mile dirt road which

was graded this spring. Available at

the campground are tent camping,

picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking

water. Parking is limited to two

vehicles per site with extra charges

for additional vehicles.

Big Pine Flat Family Campground

is located in the Big Bear

area at an elevation of 6,820 feet.

The campground roads are partially

paved around the campground and

it is located about 12 miles in from

the start near Green Valley Lake. The

campground has a nice meadow area

and tall pines; it has 19 sites and is

a first-come, first-serve campground.

There is an on-site campground host.

Campsites include picnic table, fire

ring, vault toilet, and drinking water

(but the availability of water is limited).

A single site $26 per night/per

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Very shallow Holcomb Creek runs alongside of parts of the Big Pine Flat

Trail. Photo by Derrick Hall

site. A second vehicle parking fee is

$8 per night. An Adventure Pass is

required at the staging area (across

from the campground) for Off Highway

Vehicles. All pets must be on a

leash in the campground.

With an elevation gain of

2,522 feet, it may be easier to stop

overnight at a campsite if hiking or

along-side the road, but make sure

you have an Adventure Pass either

way.

Along the way you may

cross over a few smaller streams and

puddles but mostly in the winter and

spring. When you cross Holcomb

Creek you are nearing the area of

Big Bear Lake and the Pacific Coast

Trail. Some roads are narrower for

the off-roader, so leave room, especially

when going around the turns

that could be obstructed, as some

off-roaders may be driving fast.

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The end of the trail is where

the immensely popular Hanna Flats

Campground lies just two miles from

Hwy. 38 and Big Bear Lake. Tucked

away down a winding dirt road and

under towering Jeffrey pine trees,

the Hanna Flat campground offers

an escape for visitors who want a

more primitive camping experience

that still offers many amenities. Each

campsite has 1 fire ring, picnic table

and bear box. All in all, the trail

is popular due to the many campgrounds

and scenery along the way.

Hanna Flat campground offers

an escape for visitors who want

a more primitive camping experience

that still offers many amenities.

Each campsite has 1 fire ring, picnic

table and bear box. All in all, the trail

is popular due to the many campgrounds

and scenery along the way.



MOUNTAIN GARDENING

These hundred year-old mountain apples were spotted at Orchard Bay in

Lake Arrowhead. Photo by Michele Martinez

Local Fruits: High Elevation Harvest

by Michele Martínez

Summer is fruit season all

over California. Even our high altitude

gardens with their short growing

seasons are host to wonderful

fruiting trees and shrubs. In the

mountains, harvest season stretches

from June through the fall. For those

who love fresh-picked berries and

apples, the San Bernardino Mountains

are a delight. Whether you are

a home orchard gardener or just a fan

of delicious fresh fruits, the secret

to enjoying high altitude harvests is

remembering the three “Ws”: What,

Where and When.

What apple trees grow here?

Mountain gardeners have

their favorites among fruit-bearing

trees. Our communities are famous

for groves of apple trees, some of

which were planted over a hundred

years ago. According to the Mountain

History Museum, Lake Arrowhead’s

apple grove at Orchard Bay

was established before the construction

of the Lake Arrowhead dam

(1920 – 23). The trees, which existed

back when the area was a logging

camp, continue to bear fruit, today.

If we plant fruit trees in 2020, will

they still be here a one hundred years

from now? Choosing the right apple

variety and providing the right conditions

could help make this happen.

The fruit of high altitude-loving

apple trees tends toward the tart

and crisp. A study of short-season

fruit growing at the University of

Idaho identifies apple varieties that

are well-suited to high altitude settings.

Our USDA growing zones,

from Crestline to Arrowbear range

from 8a to 8b. The apple tree choices

for these zones include Yellow Delicious,

Red Delicious, Honey Crisp,

Gala, Granny Smith, MacIntosh, and

some other, newer varieties. These

trees all have a fairly short fruiting

season: the time needed between

spring blossoms and the ripening of

the fruit. Apple trees require a combination

of both cold days and sunlight

hours before the fruit can properly

set. A knowledgeable nursery person

can help you choose the right tree for

your particular backyard orchard.

Where to plant a tree?

Your nursery person can advise

you on a tree’s needs. In general,

fruit trees prefer a slightly acidic,

sandy/loamy soil in a location that’s

got plenty of room for water drainage

and root growth. An important factor

with fruit trees is the presence of

a “pollinator tree” in the area. Nurseries

will often recommend that we

plant more than one tree, each of a

different variety, or that we locate our

new tree within 200 feet of an existing

one. Apple trees are not self-pollinating,

and the 200 foot guideline

reflects a bee’s “pollination zone,” or

how far it can travel in a day of foraging.

Apple trees prefer five to six

hours of sunlight, per day, so choosing

the right spot is crucial.

When is harvest time?

In addition to apples, berries

also thrive in the cool, dry micro climates

of the San Bernardino Mountains.

In August, blackberries usher

in the local harvest season which

culminates with apple-picking in the

fall. Some mountain residents grow

blackberries. Others have favorite

wild brambles that they visit each

year. If you’re not lucky enough to

have a backyard apple tree or blackberry

bramble, there are day-trip

harvest options that mountain residents

have long enjoyed. The foothill

community of Oak Glen, located east

of Yucaipa, is famous for apple and

berry-picking farms that are open to

visitors. Families are invited to get

out in nature and harvest their own

fruit. Berry season begins now, in

August, followed by apple picking

after Labor Day. For those of us who

have stayed close to home for many

months, an outing to the farm might

be a refreshing change. Farms like

Los Rios Rancho, Snowline, Willowbrook,

and others have websites

with up-to-date information. They’ll

let you know what’s in season, and

they’ll help you plan a visit. If you

decide to take the hour-plus trip, be

sure to enjoy the sights along the

way. The changing seasons here are

always spectacular.

August To-do List

For any trees where you’ve

already picked fruit, fertilize with Nitrogen

and water.

Fertilize roses six weeks after the last

application.

To manage codling worms and other

pests, spray pears and apple trees.

Check instructions to be sure pre-harvest

spraying intervals are being observed.

After harvest, do a final pruning of

fruit bushes.

Remove spent flowers of daylilies,

roses, and other bloomers as they finish

flowering.

Pick up fallen fruit from around trees

to prevent brown rot.

Spray off aphids with water or use an

insecticidal soap.

Continue mulching to conserve soil

moisture and control weeds, especially

with young trees and shrubs.

MRFSC Announces Final Curbside

Chipping Cycle!

Since the severe winter

storms hit the mountain in November/December,

Mountain Rim Fire

Safe Council has been working with

several chipping contractors to chip

and remove the woody material.

By the end of this season we

will be approaching almost 1,000

parcels served this year. There have

been challenges along the way. Winter

weather interfered during the

first three months of the year. Crews

encountered properties with piles

two blocks long and five feet high!

These locations often took several

days each to do! Contractors faced

equipment breakdowns and personnel

challenges (with and without involving

COVID). MRFSC’s standard

turnaround commitment of 10 – 14

days has been beat up and bruised by

the tremendous number of requests

and the sheer volume of the piles

created by the property owners. The

good news is the HUGE amount of

“fuel” which has been removed from

our wildfire prone communities.

The grant awarded by CAL

FIRE was

awarded in late

2018 and was

to be for four

years (through

March 2022).

The demand has

almost exhausted

the funds

($189,945.00);

our last monthly

deadline under

this grant

will be August

9, 2020.

While we have been fortunate

over the years to find and secure grant

funds for this wonderful service, we

cannot assume that will continue.

Please take advantage of this August

cycle to get rid of all woody slash and

debris on your property. Visit www.

FREEchipping.org for details and to

submit a request form.

For questions, call 866-923-3473

Partnering with the Rim Schools

Each year the Rim of the

World Educational Foundation asks

the schools in the Rim of the World

Unified School District to submit

applications for its Partnerships with

Schools grants. The amount of each

school’s grant is determined by a

per-student allocation, based on that

school’s current enrollment.

Grant funds are to be used

for projects that are educational in

nature and aligned with California

state standards. Each school reaches

consensus on how the allocation

should be spent (using the School

Site Council) and presents its project

to Rim of the World Educational

Foundation.

Each school makes a 10-minute

presentation to the Partnerships

with Schools grants committee with

a follow up question and answer session.

The committee makes recommendations

to the Rim of the World

Educational Foundation board of directors

for approval, and funds are

allocated. At the end of the school

year, awardees are required to submit

a report that includes photos of

their project and receipts for items

purchased. This year the Foundation

has mailed out checks to the six

schools totaling $29,054.98

Charles Hoffman Elementary

School

Charles Hoffman proposed

purchasing small Bluetooth camer-

as that could be attached to a tripod

and used by the teachers should they

have to teach virtually. While the

teachers have cameras on their laptops,

it would be difficult to use as

they move from the whiteboard to

the SMART board to the reading table.

Hoffman also plans to purchase

additional Chromebooks so the students

in first through fifth grade have

their own computers to use daily.

Their total grant is $2,680.

Lake Arrowhead Elementary

School

LAE began a Leader in Me

journey this past year and wants to

implement the model more thoroughly

in the 2020-2021 school year.

LiM is an evidence-based model developed

in partnership with educators

that empowers students with the

leadership and life skills they need

to thrive in the 21st century.

The model is based on a

theory of change known as the See-

Do-Get cycle. When you change

the way you See things, it influences

what you Do and the results you

Get. LiM offers a schoolwide experience

for staff, students, and parents,

creating a common language

and culture within the school. All

certificated and classified staff and

all families will benefit from the

program. LAE’s grant is $5,100.

Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate

School

MPH asked for funding for

three different things. As they have

requested in the past, they are asking

for funding for Reminder Binders,

which help students keep track

of assignments and dates for testing.

These personal agendas also include

the schoolwide behavior matrix.

They are required to be in the students’

possession every day.

The MPH music department

has asked that eight instruments be

repaired so the students are able to

use them again. Students have had

to share instruments or are unable to

practice or perform. And the communication,

yearbook and photography

department asked for filters

and lenses to increase their capacity

to document the activities that take

place on campus. The three requests

total $5,919.89, the amount of the

MPH grant.

Mountain High School

Mountain High requested

books so the students can read ones

that interest them. The school also

asked for a pullup bar the students

could use at lunchtime.

The English teacher plans

to track how many students use the

books and see if their reading proficiency

increases.

The students who make

use of the pullup bar will improve

their strength and physical fitness.

Mountain High received a grant of

$449.30.

Rim Of The World High School

Rim High requested 36

Chromebooks and a charging cart.

The computers will feature an education

upgrade.

The cost of the computers is

$9,509.79, which was granted.

Valley Of Enchantment Elementary

School

VOE focused on providing a

safe environment for their students

in their grant application, which

asks for three things.

Signage for students to Be

Safe, Be Responsible and Be Respectful

will be specific to different

settings – restrooms, classrooms,

cafeteria. The package will include

templates for the school’s Hawk

Pride rewards system.

Virtual Job Shadow Jr. for

grades kindergarten through fourth

is an online program that exposes

students to careers through videos,

readings, games and more. Teachers

can assign specific careers to

students for them to explore. Families

will be able to explore careers

together while at home. This program

supports the district’s goals of

preparing students for college and

careers. The district has funded the

program for the fifth grade.

The Peaceful Playground

Supervisor Training will provide

support and tools for adults working

with students during playtime, conflicts,

and instruction. VOE received

a grant in the amount of $5,396.



The new mural at Akasha painted by Molly Collins is but one of the many

new murals that are being painted this summer in the Crestline area. Photo

by Louise Cecil

Crestline becoming a Mountain

Mural Mecca

By Louise Cecil

The San Bernardino Mountains

are soon to get a new motto.

The “Mountain Mural Mecca.”

Rather soon, almost everywhere

you turn, murals mostly new ones,

will be within your gaze.

This summer after a complete

painting of Rim of the World

High School last year (covering

over the previous murals, which

created some outrage from alumni),

new murals are gracing the theater,

outback facing the football field,

and now the final mural to be completed

is the mural of the Scottish

sword over the original administration

building. These bold murals are

the work of muralist Wes Abarca,

who has been creating the murals

at the Lake Gregory Education and

Community Center for the Rim of

the World Recreation and Park District.

He also did the mural on the

front of the Rim Bowling Center,

Crestline has long been

known for having colorful murals

on its buildings. Goodwin’s Market

has a multi-media mural with

wood carving ,of Lake Gregory and

Across

from Lake

Gregory

sharing a bit of the history of the

grizzly bear in these mountains and

California. That mural was painted

by muralist Molly Collins, who

also painted the mural of the deer in

the forest in Blue Jay, across from

Jensen’s Market. Collins has quite

an extensive resume of large mural

projects that she has completed for

The Los Angeles Zoo, the Madrona

Marsh Nature Center in Torrance

and the George F. Canyon Nature

Center in Rolling Hills Estates,

she’s taught for the Cal Arts Work

Project and has restored murals in

several churches in Los Angeles

and the statue at Our Lady of the

Lake Catholic Church. Collins also

has painted many murals in homes

that have been on the annual Lake

Arrowhead Home Tour.

She has just completed a

colorful mural in Crestline for the

Akasha Healing Center on Lake

Drive at the corner of Forest Shade

Road. It has attracted much attention

during its completion. The

formerly drab, non-descript building

now shows a tropical vacation

paradise, with a rainbow flowing

into a night sky, with many lush

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details, including palm trees, many

tropical flowers and birds and a

bird of paradise plant with a waterfall.

“It depicts the four hula goddesses,

Pele the Goddess of Fire,

representing the south, Lilnoe the

north, Laka the east, and Hi`ika the

west. “It is meant to be a tribute to

the Hawaiian culture, which we at

Akasha take very seriously,” said

Akasha’s owner Thaddeus Meairs.

Although the Healing Center is not

currently open due to the coronavirus

restrictions, we wanted to bring

some brightness to the community,

because it needs it now. We decided

to do the projects we haven’t

had time to do previously. Among

the other activities of yoga and holistic

life coaching, we teach many

forms of hula.” The west side of the

building will in painted in clouds

and sky. When the Hula Goddesses

mural is completed, Meairs knows

it will make a significant difference

and impact the community. “We’ve

had many positive comments even

before it was completed,” Meairs

added.

The Crestline Chamber of

Commerce has also been considering

new murals in town. Crestline

has embraced murals as part of its

community art for decades.

The mural next to 7/11 is

getting older and faded. It is actually

the second mural to be in that

location. It currently celebrates the

Switzerland monuments and hometown

Crestline with Boy Scouts, canoeing

on the lake and the old car

shows.

The former lakeview mural

under the Lake Mud Pottery Shop

had been painted over several years

ago and needs to be redone. The

wall has already been water blasted

to remove the many layers of old

paint. The chamber has decided that

a mural project for the community

Glider Flights: from page 3

Susan Green of Crestline said, “It

was so much fun spending the afternoon

watching the paragliders.

It offered a great opportunity and

such a fantastic outdoor location to

get out of the house on such a beautiful,

warm Sunday evening. This is

so family-friendly, with many local

families, with their toddlers, kids

and even teens enjoying the event.”

The Teddy Bear launch site is an

excellent location to watch a sunset

any day of the year. Hang glider

enthusiasts travel from around the

world to launch from Teddy Bear.

The site is well written about in

flying journals around the world.

Hang gliders launch at Teddy Bear

at a 5,000-foot elevation and land

at the Andy Jackson Field, located

behind Cal State University in San

Bernardino, which is maintained

and operated by the Crestline Soaring

Society.

There is no cost to attend the

Sunday Night Flight, no RSVP is

will bring up spirits and highlight

many of the best parts of the community.

It hopes to do it in WWII/

WPA style like many of the classic

posters of the national parks.

Crestline Chamber President

Louis Boehle says a committee

is now picking out the topics and

locations for the proposed murals.

“We hope to have one celebrating

Teddy Bear Point, an internationally

recognized hang glider jump-off

point that people come from all over

to enjoy. That location has been

written up in magazines and books

for decades. One mural should be

about Lake Gregory, maybe a map

to orientate visitors, and the other

ones showing local points of interest.

We hope to get started on this

mural project this month.” There

may be as many as six new murals

in the Crestline area when all the

murals are completed, hopefully

before winter arrives and definitely

before spring, and several muralists

have submitted their proposals for

the murals.

There will be two murals

in Top Town Crestline when this is

completed and several in the Lake

Gregory Business district. One is

projected to be next to the Shell gas

station on the Crestline Professional

Office building, one on the textured

wall below Lake Mud Pottery, and

the wall of Liberation Therapies has

also been suggested for a mural.

“After the murals are completed,

it is our hope to design a little

travel brochure to all the murals

and local historical locations and

create a little mini tour of the town,

showcasing all the unique features

of Crestline,” said Boehle adding,

“We’d like to draw visitors to

Crestline and have it be the become

known as a ‘Mountain Mural Mecca,”

on top of our other amenities

and attractions.

required and parking is along the

roadside on Playground Drive,

which is off of Crest Forest Drive

in Crestline. The Teddy Bear launch

site is a U.S. Forest Service established

site at 600 Playground Road

in Crestline.

The Crestline Kooks are excited

to put on this bi-monthly event, inviting

anyone interested to attend.

They suggest those who are interested

in learning more about them

and Teddy Bear Peak to watch their

“Crestline Kooks” U-Tube video.

Most afternoons there is someone

launching from the launch site,

but on these special Sundays they

put on a show for those who come

out to enjoy. People may visit the

launch site any day of the year, with

the best launch time in the afternoon.

Luke Weaver is the coordinator

of this event. You can contact

him through Instagram at “Crestline

Kooks.” Another way to contact

him is through Fort Gregory in Top-

Town Crestline.


Running Springs Area Farmers Market and Artisan Faire Update

Gaytan Family Farms is a perennial supplier at the Running Springs Farmers

Market on Saturday Mornings throughout the summer. The market

runs from 9 am to 1 pm. Photo by Cathy Clemens

by Cathy Clemens

The Running Springs Area

Farmers Market and Artisan Faire

runs on Saturdays from 9am-1pm

from May-September. Enjoy 160

feet worth of tables filled with Naturally

Grown Sweet Fruit, Vegetables,

Microgreens, Cage-Free Eggs,

Honey (when available), Spices and

Jams. 50 vendors offer Face Masks,

Bread, Sweets, Baked Goods, Packaged

Tea, Dips, Food, Hot Food (to

go), Plants, Body Products, Art,

Crafts, Clothing, Products and

Community Group Information.

The market is located at 2645 Whispering

Pines Drive next to the now

open Running Springs Library (9-4

pm modified Saturday hours; temperature

check and a few questions

asked before entering).

August Volunteer Musicians (tips

& job leads welcome):

August 1: Highland Pickers (HighlandPickers.com)

August 8: Jerry Boquette (909-219-

0464; jboquette@yahoo.com)

August 15: Calvary Chapel Running

Springs (calvaryrs.org)

August 22: Jimmy Reid (909-867-

2536)

August 29: Mark P. Segal (310-963-

3620); Facebook@markpsegal)

August Events and Promotions:

• August 8 - FREE School Supply

Giveaway while supplies last.

• August 8 - Mountain Top Days

Community Car Cruise starts in

Green Valley Lake at 9am and ends

at the farmers market. Come early

to see the decorated cars and community

groups honoring First Responders

driving in this year’s parade/Community

Car Cruise.

• August 29 (+ Every Saturday in

September) Snow Valley Mountain

Resort FREE Ski Lift Ticket (with

$25 purchase; 2 per person while

supplies last)

If you would like to know

which vendors will be coming on a

specific day, and what some of their

products are or where their booth

is located (although things can

change last minute) search for the

Running Springs Farmers Market

Banda Bags

Aromathrapy

woodworking

items

-ask about upcoming classes-

and Artisan Faire at farmspread.

com. If you are not comfortable

visiting the market, some vendors

on farmspread.com do mail orders.

This is a great time to support small

businesses.

Remember, San Bernardino

County requires people to wear

mandatory face masks/coverings,

distance 6 feet (unless family/

roomies), sanitize/wash hands and

cough/sneeze into your elbow/

tissue and away from products/

people. If you are sick, please stay

home.

Thank You Customers,

Vendors, Running Springs Area

Chamber of Commerce (sponsor),

Market Manager Susan Heisler,

Snow Valley Mountain Resort, the

Running Springs Water District,

Golden Oaks Senior Citizens, The

Cut Above Beauty Salon, Mountain

Lifestyle Newspaper, Digital

Mountaineers, Starlight Photogra-

Now Open!

Art

Gemstones

Herbs

Essential Oils

Banda Bags

Amethyst

Jewelry

Aromatherapy

Wood carvings

Candles

assorted gemstones

10% OFF

For All Locals

(with this ad)

offer good until August 31, 2020

Juniper Moon

31988 Hilltop Blvd

Running Springs, CA.

909-939-0577

Hours: Fri.12 Noon - 6pm

Sat.-Mon.10am-4pm

www.junipermoononline.com

phy, G & D Signs, Many Chamber

Volunteers, Burkitt’s Bugs,

Inc., Rim of the World Recreation

and Park District, Dry Again Water,

Mold and Fire Damage Restoration,

First Foundation Bank,

the Running Springs Library, Inland

Regional Center (for donating

backpacks), Really Fresh Bread

and Vendor Volunteers.

Updates: Facebook & Twitter @

RSfarmersmarket or Instagram @

RS_farmersmarket

Market Manager Susan Heisler,

909-280-1667, heisuz@aol.com

Info Contact: 909-362-6610, cathyclemens@msn.com

Chamber: 909-867-2411, info@

runningspringschamber.com

909-280-1667, heisuz@aol.com

Info Contact: 909-362-6610, cathyclemens@msn.com

Chamber: 909-867-2411, info@

runningspringschamber.com

Amethyst

assorted jewelry

& necklaces

candles & assorted

items


Further Adventures of Yoda

by Lynette Eastwood

For all of us in our mountain

communities this pandemic

in our lives has not been the most

pleasant one for most all of us. It’s

difficult for me and Yoda to imagine

that anyone is really enjoying

the current circumstances that we

have during this unprecedented

time in our lives. We cannot attend

church, students cannot have

their usual graduation commencements

as was the norm in the past,

also having great fear of just going

shopping to pick up milk and, in

Yoda’s case, some juicy hamburger

for us to have a nice little barbeque.

However, we can’t just hop in a car

and go buy it leisurely as before

because of the COVID 19 situation

and social distancing.

There has to be an upside to

it and for Yoda it is that he is able

to be around us more. We aren’t off

to our usual business meetings as in

the past. We are home more but not

by choice of course. There’s only so

much television a person can watch.

Yoda is joining me in my gardening

efforts. He doesn’t really know

what we are doing playing around

with dirt, he’s probably thinking

that he should be squirting on it,

but we won’t let him. Been lucky

in that regard come to think of it, I

haven’t seen him try to pee on one

of our tomato plants yet unless he’s

doing it while we aren’t watching.

He prefers to stay inside when the

sun is out because of the heat or he

will lie down under a chair or table

out of the sunshine. Sometimes in

the morning, if I am going outside,

usually to water our veggies and

flowers, he will look out the door

and decide it’s not worth going outside

so he will back away from the

door and stay inside usually waiting

on his dog bed.

I want to thank a nice reader

for giving me information about a

dog food to try for Yoda. I asked because

I sometimes think how nice it

would be if I didn’t have to cook for

him. From what I have heard lately

about dog food being criticized on

the internet I do not know whether

to believe it or not, so I go with caution

so that I will keep him healthy.

He did experience problems with

allergies which was really scary to

watch and he had to get shots for it.

We are all happy that the allergens

have calmed down a little now.

I have tried playing that new

doggie channel that you can get on

your tv, but he isn’t interested in it

and neither am I. Sometimes when

we are watching tv on a weekend

when we are relaxing on the couch,

he will see a dog or another kind of

animal, and he gets all excited and

barks at the TV just like every other

dog would do I suppose. It is one

of the rare times that he gets so animated.

It is really remarkable what

we can do with our computers. You

can google area trails on the internet

and actually find one that you would

like to visit and someone may have

downloaded their experience of it

and show a video of them hiking

on it while narrating what they are

actually experiencing, It is really

helpful; you can actually see it and

decide if you want to take a chance

and venture out on it yourself. You

will know if it is too steep, what to

expect, if it is too rugged or if it is

just an easy hike that anyone should

be able to handle. It helps you to

plan what you should bring with

you, how long it is expected to take

the average person to finish it, etc.

The Running Springs Chamber’s

new magazine for the summer is

helpful also. It has local hikes that

are open to the public and has a map

displaying where the trails are (and

proposed trails too). Rather than

being homebound it’s a good alternative

to spend a day enjoying our

beautiful outdoors up here in the

mountains.

We watched some of the

videos and found an easy one, dog

friendly with pretty scenery, that we

can take Yoda on for a nice little

outing someday. Before we tackle

it, Yoda and I will probably take a

few little longer dog walks around

the neighborhood to get me in better

shape. It will be fun, healthy,

and entertaining so why not…it’s

also free. Will be good to get away

from commercial things and enjoy

nature.

Yoda himself is in great

shape and has a healthy trim body

now. He gets lots of exercise barking

at anything as he puts his whole

body into the effort. Guess dogs

Since the Running Springs

Area Chamber of Commerce cannot

celebrate Mountain Top Days in the

traditional way due to state and county

mandates against gatherings and the

current COVID-19 crisis this year, it

was decided by the chamber go to the

people. It is also easier to social distance

inside of a car than any kind of

crowd or gathering—so a car cruise

fits the ticket. Also, a decision to honor

our first responders was decided as

living in the mountains makes us quite

dependent on them be it fire, accident,

or emergency.

The cruise is to feature those

first responders and drive-by each of

the fire departments in Green Valley

Lake, Arrowbear Lake, and Running

Springs, including the CHP office in

Running Springs. Since most are located

close to Hwy. 18, it could be easy to

drive by all of them in a shorter period

of time. The car cruise itself is open to

anyone who wishes to participate on

the morning of August 8th. The route

will start at 9 am in the parking area adjacent

to Green Valley Lake, but cruisers

are requested to be there at 8:30

am sharp. Decorating your car for the

cruise is strongly encouraged but not

required. The cruise will also coincide

with Mountain Top Days and will end

at the Running Springs Farmers Market

during the event. The route will be given

out before the cruise for those wanting

to join in. Be sure to check with

the Running Springs Area Chamber of

Commerce website for any route maps

take it very seriously but he’s a

male, don’t know if the female dogs

put so much effort into it. Guess it’s

a dog’s duty to protect us by barking,

but in his case, he is usually

trying to invite them to come over

and play with me.

By the way, we are still looking

for “doggy dates”. We don’t

have the concerts in the village this

year and it looks as if it won’t be

able to happen at all this year. Yoda

really enjoyed it so much, just like

his humans did. Oh well, there’s

next year, hopefully.

The more outrageous, the better as this car cruise photo shows. Running

Springs area car cruisers will meet at 9:00 am at Green Valley Lake’s parking

area before proceeding on Aug. 8 in a cruise to honor our First Responders.

this event will kick off the Mountain Top Days celebration.

Car Cruise to Highlight Mountain

Top Days in Running Springs

by Lynette Eastwood

or updated directions as well as to register.

This is a unique situation due

to the current Coronavirus Pandemic

and we definitely want to keep everyone

safe. If you can’t make the cruise,

join us for a totally unique Mountain

Top Days celebration however muted it

may be at the Farmers Market grounds

next to First Foundation Bank on August

8.

There will be a few modified

activities during the Mountain Top

Days event, but they are may change

slightly to accommodate county and

state COVID 19 mandates and regulations.

We want to thank our Platinum

Sponsors, Snow Valley Mountain

Resort and Golden Oaks Seniors for

their generous contributions. Also contributing

to Mountain Top Days are the

Mountain Lifestyle Newspaper, Rim

Family Services, Rustic Arts Cabin

Outfitters, CHP Arrowhead Senior Volunteers

and the Somes Family.

This year, instead of watching

the parade go by this year, you’re invited

to be a part of it! Decorate your

car and join us for fun at Green Valley

Lake at 8:30 AM or jump in along

the route to honor our first responders.

To join the cruise: https://www.

runningspringschamber.com/mountain-top-days-car-application/.

For any

updated information, contact the Running

Springs Area Chamber of Commerce

at www.runningspringschamber.

com/

Skilled Nursing:from front page

year by a federal agency and every

other year by the state. Bush works

closely with Ashley Altmeyer, Nursing

Clinical Coordinator, who oversees

the nursing staff and coordinates

the residents’ care. Ashley was

quick to give credit where it is due.

“Our five-star rating is directly related

to the care the nursing staff gives.

The CNAs anticipate the residents’

needs and develop relationships

with them.”

Some of the residents have

been referred to the SNF by their

physician. For others, the family

has been trying to care for them at

home and now understands the patient

needs care 24 hours a day. Still

others have been in another facility

and the family would like to transfer

them closer to home. “You can’t just

walk in and get a bed,” Bush said.

“You have to show you need skilled

nursing 24/7.” Cynthia Bush and a

team comprised of Ashley Altmeyer,

a physical therapist, and a social

worker, interview the patient and the

family to see if the patient will be

a good fit for the SNF. “We have to

see if we are able to provide for their

needs,” Bush said, noting, for example,

that they cannot accommodate

ventilators in the SNF. “We look

at their overall health conditions –

some people are too healthy,” Bush

said. “And the patient has to be covered

by Medi-Cal,” which reimburses

the facility for the bed. Medicare

covers medications and lab work.

In addition, Bush said, they

talk to the potential resident about

what their expectations are and their

current struggles. “We schedule a

roundtable meeting with the full disciplinary

team,” she noted, “to get

a broad understanding of what they

require before admission.” Dr. Walter

Maier heads up the team as the

SNF’s Medical Director. He does

monthly rounds and is kept abreast

of any changes in their conditions by

Ashley Altmeyer.

Under more normal conditions,

the goal of the SNF staff is to

help the residents have as normal a

life as possible. “We want to make

sure their life is outside the four

walls of their rooms,” Bush said. The

activity van, equipped to accommodate

wheelchairs, enables residents

of all levels of mobility to enjoy

outings to nearby stores, parks, museums,

restaurants, and other areas

they have an interest in. Spiritual

services are also available upon request.

Hortencia’s has invited the

residents to enjoy lunch there at no

cost to them. “They are definitely an

active bunch,” Bush said. “At a lot

of skilled nursing facilities,” Bush

said, “you don’t see the residents involved.

Ours are up and out of bed at

least a couple of times a day.”

In addition to playing bingo,

the residents have also enjoyed yoga

with Polly Sauer. SNF is fortunate

to have community members who

volunteer their time and expertise

for classes on yoga, cooking, and

storytelling. It even has a professionally

trained singer who shares

an afternoon of playing and singing

show tunes and musical hits, that the

residents sing along to. Since the

Solarium was renovated last year by

local resident and interior designer,

Grania Murray, the residents have

enjoyed spending time there too.

The SNF keeps an interest

list of potential residents. Many are

folks who are currently doing well

at home, where their families want

to care for them as long as possible.

Bush said they ask the family about

the patient’s needs; what they feel

they might not be able to provide.

They also ask about the patient’s diagnosis;

diabetes, COPD, MS, and

Parkinson’s disease are the big qualifiers

as they are progressive diseases.

“The patient will eventually be

more dependent on care,” Bush said.

As a patient is admitted to the

SNF, the staff works hard to match

that person up with the right roommate.

“We’ve gotten pretty good at

it,” Bush said.

“They take a

liking to each

other. We look

at their personalities

and

interests.” In

fact, she added,

“they get protective

of each

other. One will

tell a nurse that

the roommate

isn’t feeling

well.”

When

visiting is allowed, many family

members come to dine with their

loved ones. Some bring in doughnuts.

Others take the resident’s laundry

home. And, when the COVID-19

restrictions are lifted, residents will

once again be able to leave the facility

for up to seven days to visit with

family. “That gives them the ability

to go home for the holidays,” Bush

said. “They’re always happy to come

back. We want our residents to be

Cynthia Bush, RN, Director of the Skilled Nursing Facility

with a patient.

SOMES FAMILY

able to do as much as they can while

we maintain their quality of life and

independence. We want them to

keep their dignity,” Bush said.

The Skilled Nursing Facility

can accommodate 20 residents

at a time and there is typically always

a waiting list. Contact Ashley

Altmeyer, Unit Supervisor, at (909)

436-3016 to get more information or

schedule a tour.



Twin Lakes-Mammoth Lake Basic. Photo by John Smeby

Restless Spirit John Smeby

by Steven Peter

eryday existence.

Two years of photographs…

a decade of song lyrics…a lifetime of

memories — this is fusionart. Fusionogy

when editing his nature photography.

John appreciates the challenge

of improving as an artist from year to

year.

Growing up in Pasadena,

John spent his summers at Camp

O-Ongo, a church camp in Run-

John Smeby is a nature photographer

first and foremost, but he has

ventured into other aspects of art. He

can find joy in turning a car wash

photo into a framed work of art and

loves to “tinker” with digital technolning

Springs. He now lives both in

Fawnskin, in a small cabin on the

north shore of Big Bear Lake, or in

Yucaipa, depending on the time of

year. It was here where he discovered

pine forests, campfires, and alpine

beauty.

One of John’s ‘other’ great

passions is education. From 1995

until 2001, John was an English

teacher teaching 9th and 12th grade

English at Cajon High School in San

Bernardino. He also coached varsity

boys’ and girls’ tennis and was a

Peer Leadership advisor. John eventually

accepted a job as a middle

school counselor at Golden Valley

Middle School in San Bernardino

where he put his skills and training

to work helping young minds.

But the restless spirit spoke

again, and he went back to continue

his lifelong love of ‘photography’.

In October 2017, Smeby opened

Infusionartworks in Redlands with

partner Evan Roy Dahlke. Infusionartworks

recently changed its name

to The Threshold Art Gallery. Fusionart

creates a story which carries

us through different stages of life.

From the struggle of growing up, to

the confusion of why we are here,

to the joys of experiencing hope and

love--fusionart blends lyrics which

are profound, deep, and probing with

images that display the majesty of

creation. In fusionart, there is also

mystery—just as there is mystery in

art, in science, in God, and in our ev-

Summer on the Lake-Big Bear Lake,

CA. Photo by John Smeby

Rainforest (mixed media on canvas. by

John Smeby

Beyond-Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo

by John Smeby

art is, pure and simple, an art book. It

combines song lyrics from CDs which

were popular during the ‘80s and ‘90s

with photographic images from John

Smeby. From the early ‘80s to the

mid-’90s, John worked with different

artists as a part of Reality Rock, a

youth outreach organization.

In May 2017, John wrote,

“Stories from the Classroom,” a collection

of 61 stories from 23 years in

education. Anecdotes and inspirational

stories make up this unique look inside

our educational system. It is now

available on amazon.com, and www.

johnsmebybooks.com

He currently is a resident artist

in Wild Coyote Gallery (Big Bear

Lake), Mountain Arts Network and

Gallery SOHO (Montclair). He lives

in Yucaipa and has a part-time cabin

in Fawnskin. When not creating art he

enjoys traveling, sports, reading and

spending time with family. His website

is etsy.com/shop/SmebdogPhotography

MOUNTAIN

DINING

RUNNING SPRINGS AREA

El Toto’s Restaurant

31927 Hilltop Blvd., Running Springs

Phone: (909) 939- 0291

Deep Creek Drive- In

32890 Hilltop Blvd., Arrowbear

Phone: (909) 867-3700

Hilltop Chinese Restaurant


Phone: (909) 891-0965

Neo’s Pizza House


Phone: (909) 867-5373

Old Country Coffee Shop

32019 Holiday Ln., Running Springs

Phone:(909) 867-3100

Blondie’s Grill & Bar

33227 Hilltop Blvd., Arrowbear

Phone: (909) 867-9000

Rocky’s Outpost & Trading Co.


Phone: (909) 939-0501

The Malt Shoppe

33249 Green Valley Lake Rd.

Green Valley Lake

Phone: (909) 939-0515

LAKE ARROWHEAD AREA

LouEddies Pizza

28561 Hwy. 18, Skyforest

Phone: (909) 336-4931

Rosalva’s Skyforest

28575 Hwy. 18, Skyforest

Phone: (909) 337-7733

The Tudor House

800 Arrowhead Villas Rd.

Lake Arrowhead

Phone: (909) 336-5000

Cedar Glen Malt Shop

29125 Hook Creek Rd,

Cedar Glen

909-337-6640

Cedar Glen Coffee Shop

28942 Hook Creek Rd.,

Cedar Glen

909-337-8999

Papaguyo’s

28200 Hwy 189 Bldg P-100

Lake Arrowhead

(909) 337-9529

LAKE ARROWHEAD AREA (cont.)

Bill’s Villager Coffee Shop

27195CA-189, Blue Jay

Phone: (909) 337-9069

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant

27159 CA-189, Blue Jay

(909) 337-5500

RB’s Steak House

29020 Oak Terrace, Cedar Glen

(909) 336-4363

Belgian Waffle Works

28200 State Hwy 189 Suite E-15

Lake Arrowhead

(909) 337-5222

CRESTLINE AREA

Stockade

23881 Lake Drive, Crestline

(909) 338-2465

Subway


(909) 338-5551

The A Restaurant


(909) 338-2423

Higher Grounds Coffee House

23776 Lake Dr, , Crestline

(909) 589-2772

Crestline Café

23943 Lake Dr. Crestline

(909) 338-4128

La Casita

633 Forest Shade Road, Crestline

(909) 338-9196

Mandarin Garden


(909) 338-6482

McDonald’s


(909) 693-3388

Toni’s Kitchen Mexican Food


(909) 338-9377

Giuseppi’s Pizza

(inside Rim Bowling)

23991 Lake Dr, Crestline

(909) 338-5550

27195 CA-189, Blue Jay, CA

(909) 337-9069

The Bear House

Family Restaurant

Live Entertainment (In Our Lounge) 8PM-11PM

(Friday & Sat. Nights)

Happy Hour

3PM-6PM

Happy Hour Menu (Mon-Thurs.)

$2 Off All Happy Hour Appetizers

TUESDAYS

Street Tacos

$2.00 each

House

Karoake on

Saturdays

23420 Crest Forest Dr., Crestline, CA

(909) 338-8100

on Facebook: thebearhousefamilyrestaurant

Karoake

Fridays 8-11 PM

DJ Nora

TACO

WEDNESDAYS

specials mon thru sunday

RIM NORDIC BIKE PARK

RIM NORDIC RACING

San Bernardino Mountains

Across from Snow Valley

Home of the Pine Cone Festival

Oct. 3, 2020

Weekends only

Memorial to Labor Day!

Kerry & Bev Brown • www.rimnordic.com

PO Box 2990 • Running Springs • CA 92382 • 909-867-2600

www.billsvillager.com

Stop in and try our “$10 Lunch in a Basket” Special

which includes a drink

Don’t Miss Our Taco Tuesday (11 AM-7 PM)

coupon

Free drink

with purchase of any entree

-covid 19 compliant-

Good through Aug. 31, 2020

• Up to 4 persons • one coupon per table •



The ever-popular Perseid Meteor Shower in August draws the biggest

crowds due to it arriving in the warmer summer months. Photo courtesy of

NASA and Griffith Observatory.

The 2020 Perseid Meteor Shower

by Steven Peter

Star gazing is a great idea that

can be accomplished outside during

the current Coronavirus crisis. Better

yet, a meteor shower to tantalize

those young viewers might be a great

evening’s distraction.

The Perseids are the most

popular meteor shower as they peak

on warm August nights as seen from

the northern hemisphere. The Perseids

are active from July 17 to August

24. The Perseids will peak on the

night of Aug 11-12, 2020. On this

night, the moon will be 47% full.

Normal rates seen from dark and rural

locations range from 50-75 meteors

per hour at maximum. The Perseids

are particles released from comet

109P/Swift-Tuttle during its numerous

returns to the inner solar system.

They are called Perseids since the radiant

(the area of the sky where the

meteors seem to originate) is located

near the prominent constellation of

Perseus the hero when at maximum

activity.

“Unfortunately, this year the

moon will be very close to full on the

night of the peak, which will wash

out the fainter Perseids. The Perseids

are rich in fireballs, so you’ll still see

Perseids; you just won’t see the show

you’ve seen on nights when the moon

has not been around,” states NASA

astronomer Bill Cooke.

To best see the Perseids, go to

the darkest possible location and lean

back to observe as much sky as possible

directly above you. The rates of

Perseids visible will increase from

about 10 p.m. in your local time zone

all the way through dawn, so the later

you can look the better. Earlier in the

night there will be fewer meteors, but

the ones that appear will have longer

tails as they graze along more of the

atmosphere. Those in southern latitudes

can look toward the northeast

to see more meteors.

From the San Bernardino

Mountains, the radiant (apparent center

where the meteors appear to originate

from) of the shower will appear

24° above your north-eastern horizon

at midnight. This means you are likely

to see only around 33 meteors per

hour, since the radiant will be low in

the sky, reducing the chance of seeing

meteors. Most of the meteors will

appear to be travelling directly outward

from this point.

Our laboratory is excited

to announce that we are now

offering antibody, or serology

testing, to determine if you

have been previously infected

with COVID-19. At Mountains

Community Hospital, we use

the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys

There is basically no difference

between a meteor and a meteoroid

or meteorite; it’s very simple-

-they’re all space rocks! The largest

rocks are called asteroids. Asteroids

are like minor planets which orbit

around the Sun similar to Earth. Over

time, these asteroids break down into

smaller particles of rock called meteoroids.

Meteoroids orbit our Sun,

also. When one of those meteoroids

enters the Earth’s atmosphere and

vaporizes, it is called a meteor —or,

shooting star. The meteor heats up

and makes the air around it glow and

we usually see a streak of light. Most

meteors burn up.

If a meteor enters the Earth’s

atmosphere and reaches the Earth’s

surface without burning up, it’s called

a meteorite. Meteorites range in size

from tiny pebbles to boulders. Some

planets and moons don’t have enough

atmosphere to protect them against

meteor and asteroid impacts. Earth’s

moon, Mercury and even Mars are

covered with round impact craters

from these collisions.

Highly accurate antibody testing is here!

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody

test due to its accuracy and reliability.

This test will determine

a correct result for the presence

or absence of COVID-19 antibodies

99.81 percent of the

time, meaning false positives

are rare. It has proven 100 percent

sensitive for the presence

of antibodies 14 days or more after a

confirmed infection.

We are running the antibody

tests on our Cobas e 411 Analyzer,

and depending on when you have

your blood drawn, you will receive

results within 1-7 days.

Antibody testing must be ordered

by a physician, so the first step

is to call your health care provider and

request an order for the test. Then you

will register over the phone by calling

our Patient Access Department at

(909) 436-3002. The cost of the test is

$75 dollars. If your insurance is contracted

with MCH, we will submit a

claim on your behalf. We offer a 40%

discount for cash-pay patients. If you

are paying cash, payment is due on

the day of your blood draw.

Antibody tests are great for

finding out whether or not you’ve

had an infection in the past, but a positive

antibody test doesn’t necessarily

mean you’ll be protected from infection

in the future. Since there is still so

much that is unknown, it is best to err

on the side of caution and continue to

take precautions — including wearing

a face mask in public, frequently

washing your hands, and practicing

social distancing — to avoid the risk

of spreading the virus. I believe we

Karen Valles running the Cobas e 411 analyzer

that runs the antibody test.

will know a lot more in the coming

months.

Antibody testing is different

from testing to detect an active infection.

COVID-19 testing supplies are

still difficult to come by. Our lab is

very fortunate to have a BioFire FilmArray,

thanks to generous community

donors. The BioFire enables us to

run a respiratory panel, that includes

COVID-19. We are reserving these

limited test kits for emergencies and

surgeries.

We are still testing local residents

who are symptomatic or have

had direct contact with someone

that tested positive for COVID-19

through our Rural Health Clinic, but

these tests are sent to a lab down the

hill, so you can expect to wait up to 10

days for results. If you are asymptomatic

but would like to be tested, you

can do that through the County. If you

need results quickly, Equaltox Laboratory

in Santa Ana can turn around

results in 24-48 hours. If you have

any questions about our lab services,

please call (909) 336-3140.

Yours in good health,

Karen Vales, Clinical Laboratory

Scientist

Microbiologist, MCH Laboratory

Add A Dash Of Cinnamon For Your

Health

by Lynette Eastwood

There are two main types of

cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon, the authentic

spice, and Cassia cinnamon,

which is the common variety. They

both come from the stem of the Cinnamomum

tree. Cinnamon is available

in powder or sticks and can be

added to both sweet and savory dishes,

but it is more than just a versatile

seasoning. This spice’s potent smell

and unique flavor come from a compound

called cinnamaldehyde, which

has many therapeutic properties.

Rich in Antioxidants. Cinnamon

is a powerful antioxidant. It

contains more antioxidants than garlic

and oregano. All of these substances

shield the body from free radicals that

cause oxidative stress, which occurs

when the body cannot detoxify all the

damaging free radicals building up.

These antioxidants can help prevent

the negative impact excess free radicals

can have on your immune system.

Cinnamon has been best

known as a spice, sprinkled on toast

and lattes. However, extracts from

the bark of the cinnamon tree have

also been used in traditional medicine

around the world.

There are several types of cinnamon,

but the darker-colored cassia

is the one most commonly sold in the

United States. Ceylon cinnamon, also

known as true cinnamon, is frequently

found in other countries.

Does Cinnamon Have Health

Benefits? Some research has shown,

cassia cinnamon may lower blood

sugar in people with diabetes. However,

other studies haven’t found it

to be a benefit. There’s also no proof

that cinnamon can lower cholesterol

or treat yeast infections in people with

HIV.

Cinnamon does show promise

as an antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory.

Presently, currently

there aren’t enough studies to prove it

can help.

How Much Cinnamon Should

You Take? Because cinnamon is an

unproven treatment, there hasn’t been

a set dose. Some experts have suggested

1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2-4 grams)

of powder a day. Other studies have

used between 1 gram and 6 grams of

cinnamon. Since it still unknown, extremely

high doses might be toxic.

Lynette Eastwood

Can You Get Cinnamon Naturally

from Foods? Cinnamon is added

to so many countless foods. The cinnamon

you buy at the store could be

one of the two main types, Ceylon or

cassia, or a mixture of both. Ceylon is

easier to grind but it may not work as

well for diabetes.

Cinnamon Side Effects. Irritation

and allergies. Cinnamon has

shown to usually cause no side effects.

But with heavy use it could irritate

your mouth and lips, causing sores.

Some people are allergic to it. It might

cause redness and irritation if you put

it on your skin.

Toxicity. Eating lots of cassia

cinnamon could be toxic, especially if

you have liver problems. Coumarin,

an ingredient in some cinnamon products,

can cause you liver problems, but

the amount you’d get is so small that

it probably won’t be a problem. Due

to the lack of evidence about its safety

it is better to be cautious for children,

pregnant women, and women who are

breastfeeding, and they should avoid

cinnamon as a treatment.

Lower blood sugar. Cinnamon

may affect your blood sugar, so if

you have diabetes and take cinnamon

supplements, you might need to adjust

your treatment while consuming it.

Interactions. If you are taking

any medication regularly, talk to

your doctor before you start using

cinnamon supplements. They could

affect the way antibiotics, diabetes

drugs, blood thinners, heart medicines,

and others work.

If not for any other reason to

put cinnamon in your diet, it does

make food tastier for many people

as many cooks have for hundreds of

years used it to spice up their life.

A couple riding through Rim Nordic’s many trails. Photo courtesy of Rim

Nordic Bike Park.

Rim Nordic Bike Park Open Through

Labor Day

As August comes, midway

through summer, Rim Nordic Bike

Park has seen the best summer season

in many years. Mountain bike

races were approved to go forward

with many changes to be compliant

with the requirements and guidelines

from state and county entities. None

of those things stopped Rim Nordic

from making those efforts to allow

bike riders and racers to visit the bike

park.

Yes, face coverings are required

when entering the lodge to

purchase a bike park trail pass, but

not required to ride the 15 miles of

cross-country trails on the property.

There are lots of single-track sections

among the trail system, with some

technical to challenge the best riders.

Some rentals are still available,

including e-bikes but call ahead as

the rental’s bikes are up for sale and

many sizes are unavailable now.

Adults can ride the trail system

for only $10, youth 12-18 yrs.

old are $5, and kids 11 & under are

free. Plenty of parking is available

and portable restrooms and wash stations

are on site. Hours are 9-4pm,

weekends ONLY this summer, and

last day open for the season will be

Labor Day, September 7th. Two

more cross country mountain bike

races are scheduled for August 16th

and September 13th and no public

riding will be available on those days.

For more information about

summer and winter season, visit

www.rimnordic.com, Facebook and

Instagram.



The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Helps

Fund New 3D Mammography Machine

Patients scheduling appointments

for mammograms at Mountains

Community Hospital (MCH),

can rest assured they are getting the

most advanced diagnostic technology.

Thanks to a generous grant from

the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians,

and donations from community

members, the hospital was able to

purchase a Genius 3D mammography

machine, developed by Hologic,

Inc.

Using advanced breast tomosynthesis

technology, 3D mammography

exams have been clinically

proven to significantly increase the

detection of breast cancers, while at

the same time decreasing the number

of patients asked to return for additional

testing.

Tomosynthesis is an imaging

technique that can be used to screen

for early signs of breast cancer in patients

with no symptoms. It can also

be used as a diagnostic tool for patients

exhibiting symptoms. Multiple

images of the breast are taken and

then sent to a computer that uses an

algorithm to combine them into a 3D

image of the entire breast.

Conventional mammography

equipment provides physicians with

2D images to evaluate the breast.

This can be limiting due to overlapping

layers of tissue. The result can

be unclear results, false alarms or

missed malignancies. The 3D mammography

system, chosen by MCH,

produces the only mammogram FDA

approved as superior for women with

dense breasts.

During the mammogram,

both 2D images and tomosynthesis

scans are performed. During the tomosynthesis

portion of the exam, an

X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over

the breast, taking multiple images. A

computer then converts the images

into a stack of thin layers, allowing

the radiologist to review the breast

tissue one layer at a time.

The 3D exam requires no

additional compression and takes

the same amount of time as a conventional

2D exam. Because of the

curved compression surface – which

mirrors the shape of the breast – the

exam has been clinically proven to be

more comfortable than a traditional

2D exam. It also delivers a more even

compression.

The result is sharper images

that make it easier to find invasive

breast cancers – regardless of the patient’s

age or breast density. Studies

have shown that a 3D mammogram

can detect 20 to 65 percent more invasive

cancer than 2D alone. In addition,

it reduces recalls by up to 40

percent compared to 2D alone.

“We are grateful to the San

Manuel Band of Mission Indians

and the community for giving us the

opportunity to offer this superior diagnostic

tool to our patients,” said

Charlie Harrison, CEO of Mountains

Community Hospital.

To schedule a mammogram

appointment, call the MCH Radiology

Department at (909) 436-3130.

Over the past eight years, the

San Manuel Band of Missions Indians

have donated close to $200,000

to MCH, enabling the purchase of

equipment for Radiology, Surgery,

and the Skilled Nursing Departments,

that would not be possible with patient

revenue alone.

About Mountains Community

Hospital Foundation

The MCH Foundation’s mission is

to secure healthcare for the mountain

community by providing consistent

financial support to Mountains Community

Hospital. Many rural community

hospitals are little more than first

aid stations, and in this cost-cutting

environment, many have had to end

services altogether, forcing remote

populations to face long drives when

they need medical attention. However,

thanks to gifts from community

members and charitable foundations,

Mountains Community

Hospital is not

only surviving, but

thriving, and continuing

to add services

for the people

who depend on it.

The Foundation has

provided more than

$5 million in patient

care support

in the past 10 years.

Recently we have

funded much-needed

equipment and projects

such as:

• 3D Mammography

Machine

• Clorox UV Machine

• Toshiba Aquilion

Prime 80-slice CT

Scanner for the Radiology

Department

• Toshiba Aplio 300

Ultrasound Machine

for the Radiology Department

• 12-seat activity van and truck for

our Skilled Nursing Facility’s residents

• Automated External Defibrillator

(AED) for our Skilled Nursing Facility

• Fully adjustable electric beds for

our Skilled Nursing Facility and

Medical/Surgical Nursing Unit

• Financial support for $6 million

seismic strengthening project mandated

by the state

• Cardiac, telemetry and vital signs

monitors for the Emergency and

Medical/Surgical Departments and

Kim Fry showing the newly purchased a Genius

3-D Mammography machine. Photo courtesy of MCH.

MOUNTAIN LIFESTYLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Arrowhead

Farms

Direct

Post Anesthesia Care Unit

• BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® system

for our Laboratory

• Omnicell medication dispensing

system for our Pharmacy

• Bench and lending library for our

patient waiting area

• Mobile C-arm for our Operating

Room

• State-of-the-art gurneys for our

Emergency and Medical/Surgical

Departments

If you are interested in learning more

about the Foundation, or would like

a tour of the hospital, please contact

Kim McGuire, Foundation Director,

at (909) 436-3263.

Christopher M. Day

Owner

christopherday@ptriotmountainllc.com

day fresh veggies!

call 909-375-1803

P.O. Box 3162


909-324-2700

Typical Bracken Fern found typically throughout our mountain. Photo by

S. Peter

The Bracken Fern: A Natural Born Killer?

by Steven Peter

Few wild plants are as polarizing

as bracken fern, pteridium aquilinum.

It is a global species, living

everywhere but the harshest deserts

and the coldest tundra. Here in California,

it is abundant, especially in

the San Bernardino Mountains.

The growing portion of the

plant and where the curl on the plant

that tends to unfurl when it grows

is called a fiddlehead. The Bracken

fern has odd looking fiddleheads

which seem to look like an eagle’s

clenched talon. There is no doubt

that there’s only a short time that the

fiddlehead portion of the fern is edible¬—in

springtime between April

and early June.

Scary, but Bracken fern does

indeed contain carcinogens, that

much is very clear. There are many

foraging stories about Bracken fern

on the internet, but don’t trust them

all. Bracken is so controversial you

will see statements ranging from “eat

it as much as you want, it’s fine,” to

“never, ever, ever eat bracken, raw or

cooked.” And like most blatant statements,

both are wrong.

The primary villain lurking

within bracken fern is a substance

called ptalquiloside. It is, by all accounts,

nasty stuff. And bracken fiddleheads

are packed with it, just under

1 percent by dry weight, according to

some studies. But therein lies the first

caveat: A raft of other studies shows

that ptalquiloside levels vary wildly

in bracken stands. Some in New Zealand

were even found with none of

the stuff at all. So, you really have no

idea how much, if any, of the carcinogen

lies within your little fiddlehead.

It is abundantly clear, however,

that if you eat raw bracken fiddleheads

in the woods you will probably

ingest ptalquiloside. And that’s not

good eats. But ptalquiloside has two

properties that are of interest to us:

First, it is water soluble.

That means if you soak bracken fiddleheads

in cool water (cool to keep

them crunchy), and change that water

every so often, you will greatly

reduce the level of ptalquiloside in

the fiddlehead; the Japanese often eat

bracken this way.

Second, ptalquiloside is notoriously

volatile at normal temperatures.

The pure stuff degenerates at

room temperature. Once exposed to

boiling temperatures, the carcinogen

denatures almost completely. Salt

and baking soda increase this effect.

What this means is that a very normal

cooking process for fiddleheads—

blanching in salty water, then shocking

in ice water, then sauteeing—renders

the fiddlehead close to harmless.

Note that it’s “close to harmless.”

The reason we know that

bracken can cause cancer is not only

because of all sorts of livestock studies—cows

sometimes eat the fully

grown fronds and get urinary tract

cancers—but also because bracken

is widely eaten in Korea, Japan and

parts of China. And when it states

“widely,” it means many people eat

it almost every day in some cases.

Bracken (gosari) is a classic part of

bibimbap, one of the most famous

Korean dishes there is.

Most of the research has

been done by Japanese and Koreans,

searching for clues as to why they

seem to have high rates of throat and

stomach cancer. Apparently, there are

a kaleidoscope of reasons, and habitual

bracken-eating is among them.

Like anything, ptalquiloside’s poison

is in the dose. The body can process

out only so much of the stuff, and

Bracken Fern fiddleheads form usually

in the early Spring.

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A small bunch of Bracken Fern fiddleheads

being prepared to eat

constant eating of bracken

puts too much ptalquiloside

in the system—that’s what

causes cancer.

If you do pick your

own bracken fiddleheads,

choose those that are not fully

extended. You want them

either in the horseshoe bend

or at least tightly closed.

Remember, the eagle’s talon

should be clenched, not

open.

I know what you

are thinking. Why even

mess with this crazy bracken

thing? Why even have the risk? It

is said that bracken tastes wonderful,

like asparagus, almonds, and Tuscan

black kale all rolled into one. Second,

eating bracken if done responsibly, it

is enjoyable and perfectly safe. How

often should I eat Bracken fern? Maybe

a handful of times a year. Go for it.

Eat them once and you will see what

all the fuss is about. Just remember, “

All Things in Moderation.”

The young immature fronds

of bracken ferns were widely consumed

by Native Americans in the

U.S. for centuries as well as in other

regions of the world. They are still

consumed by millions throughout the

world today, are considered more of

a delicacy in the U.S. now, but are

exceedingly popular and common in

Japan and Korea.

Bracken ferns are most prolific

herbaceous plant in North America,

and with the exception of Antarctica,

are found on every continent and

in every environment except for deserts.

They’re also one of the oldest

ferns in the world with fossil records

going back 55 million years.

Bracken has large, triangular-shaped

fronds and is the only fern

with side branches. It’s bright green

in the spring and then in late summer

the leaves turn golden and then

brown. The fern never completely

dies but remains in this “dead stage”

through the winter and then new

shoots come up the next spring where

the old growth is.

Bracken fern are also a good

source of antioxidants, vitamins (especially

vitamin A and carotenes),

electrolytes, omega-3 and omega-6

essential fatty acids, and minerals

(especially potassium, iron, manganese,

and copper).

And, they’re delicious and

fun to forage! You might start looking

after the last snow begins to melt

in early spring in the San Bernardino

Mountains.

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Local Area Churches

Rates are Great, Lots of Inventory, Time to Buy!!

1410 Calgary Drive

Lake Arrowhead, CA

(909)337-5483

www.churchofthewoods.org

Sunday Service

Times:

9 & 11 a.m.

Wed. Night

Free Dinner &

-Activities for All Ages-

5:30-8:00 p.m.

While some churches may be in various stages of opening

up, Check Online For Current Facebook or Online Services

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church,

Lake Arrowhead

27415 School Rd.

(Behind Rim High School)

(909) 337-1412

Connecting People

to Jesus

Love God, Love Others,

Serve the World

worship Services

8 AM Informal Traditional

9:30 AM Praise and Worship

11 AM Traditional

$139,000

Fixer Upper. Needs a buyer who is not

afraid to put some hard work in. Cozy

wood burning fireplace in living room.

Two decks off of back of home to sit

and enjoy the peaceful setting. Most

windows are dual pane. Great location

with large corner 13,200 lot. Hoping

price will encourage an offer. Close

to ski resorts, Sky Park, hiking trails,

clean and cool air.

$152,999

Bring your tool box and finish this

adorable fixer upper. Two bedroom and

1 1/2 baths. Bathroom flooring, vanity,

shower/tub and some fixtures included

but need installation. Entire main level

needs flooring. Living room (with

wood burning fireplace), kitchen, one

bedroom and full bath on main floor.

One bedroom and half bath on lower

level. Large buildup for storage and

large deck. Lower level bedroom and

bath not permitted.

$210,000

This adorable ‘Artist Cottage’ features

so many little treasures. The living

room has vaulted ceilings, dining area

with fireplace and tons of sunlight. The

wood flooring is original and has been

refurbished. The kitchen has wood block

countertops and access to the back deck.

This main level has a bathroom w/ stackable

laundry units. Tankless water heater.

Main level bedroom w/ bathroom access.

Custom stairs leading to a loft that can be

used as a 2nd bed./ office. Double lot.

$210,000

Enter into the laundry area / mudd room.

A full bath room w/ separate shower and

tub are on the main entry level. Shutters

separate the entry area to the open living

room. Kitchen with granite countertops

is open to the dining/living room. Large

sliding glass door that opens to the

front deck, perfect for enjoying the cool

mountain air. Upstairs has 2 Jack & Jill

bedrooms. Generator hookup, outside

storage shed - workshop off of the entry

door. Build up area for extra storage.

Service times

in Crestline:

Shabbat (Sabbath):

Friday night @ 7:00 p.m.

Torah Study:

Sunday @ 10:00 a.m.

Service times

in Calimesa:

Shabbat (Sabbath):

Sat. morning @ 10:00 a.m.

Torah Study:

Tuesday night @ 7:00 p.m.

St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church

23079 Crest Forest Dr.

Crestline, Ca. 92382

170 S. Dart Canyon Rd.

Crestline, CA 92325

(909)338-5934

and

9580 Calimesa Blvd.

Calimesa, CA 92320

New Wine Christian Fellowship

340 Hwy. 138, PO Box 3935

www.newwinecrestline.org

Crestline CA 92325

Sunday service at 10:30 am.

Children’s Sunday class: kindergarten through 5th grade.

Youth Sunday class for junior and high school

students during the morning service.

Office Hours – Wednesday 9 am to 2 pm

Thursday 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

MASSES:

Weekend Masses:

Saturday: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:30 a.m.(English) 12:00 pm (Spanish)

Weekday Masses:

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m.

Monday & Tuesday Communion Service at 8:30 a.m.

Phone

909-338-2303

Crestline First Baptist Church

533 Springy Path, Crestline, CA 92325

909 338.6077

Sunday Service Times:

9:00 AM Kids/

Adults Sunday School

10:15 AM Celebration Service

(909) 338-1918

“Where the Word

of God, the Holy

Bible, is preached

and practiced, and

the great triune

God is worshipped

in an atmosphere

of warm Christian

27415 School Rd, Crest Park, CA 92326 fellowship”

(sharing Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church)

www.MountainReformed.com

909-547-4374

Worship Service 1:30 pm • Adult Bible Study 3 pm

St. Richard’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Worship Times

8am Holy Eucharist This is a quiet service with no music.

Our liturgy alternates weekly between Rite 1 and Rite 2.

10:00am Holy Eucharist

28708 Highway 18, Skyforest, CA 92385

909-337-3889 Fax: 909-337-9980

Crestline New Life Christian Fellowship

Contact: Rev. Matthew Shorey

23484 Lake Dr. (PO Box 1957)

Crestline, CA 92325

Phone: 909-338-3213

Email: CrestlineNewLife@outlook.com

Website: CrestlineNewLifeAG.com

$250,000

Remodeled two bedroom house close to

town. Single story on a fairly level lot.

You will love these custom upgrades.

White oak floors, rustic alder door trim,

antique barnwood front door, butcher

block walnut counter tops, high end

Sub Zero and Bertazzoni appliances,

and custom built entertainment center.

Bathrooms have also been refurbished

with new vanities, sinks, and shower tile.

Interior and exterior have been recently

painted. Back yard is fenced with storage

shed and outdoor laundry.

$509,000

Level entry, parking and garage. The main

entry is to the left side of the garage under

a covered walkway through a large mud

room with built in bench seating into the

open living area. Newly remodeled kitchen

with granite counters and breakfast bar.

Private dining room with custom built-in

china cabinets. Large family room with

vaulted ceilings/built in bar. Turret room

w/ built in surround seating/wood burning

stove. Deck on main level, bedroom/full

bath. Laundry on 2nd floor, also 2 bedrooms

and full bath. Master bedroom has

a beautiful waterfall rock spa tub.

$334,000

This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features

easy driveway access with extra parking

and large carport. Permitted 400 sq.

ft. ground level guest room with heat,

refrigerator and microwave. Small storage

room/workshop. Large living room

with vaulted ceilings and rock fireplace.

Updated dining area, breakfast nook and

large pantry. Large deck, main level includes

a laundry area, full bathroom and

bedroom. Upstairs is viewing nook, 2

bedroom with large closets and bath.

$379,999

4 bedroom 3 bath home, located in

desirable Nordic tract area of Running

Springs. Features a 2007 master

suite addition w/ laundry. Living room

has vaulted ceilings, maple hardwood

floors, and wood burning stove. Main

level guest suite with Murphy bed. The

kitchen features stainless steel appliances

and Corian counter tops. Dual paned

windows through out most of the house.

Large garage with dual access to the

build up. Large exterior storage shed.

$339,000

4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with separate

2 bedroom 3/4 bathroom apartment!

3 separate entries, storage and

mud room, spacious kitchen and cozy

dining room. Main level features 2

living rooms with a gas start fireplace,

large entertainers deck, 1 bed and 1 full

bath. Master bedroom upstairs and a

full master bathroom. Full apartment

downstairs/mother in law quarters

with separate entrance, 2 bedrooms,

3/4 bath., full kitchen and Living room

with wood stove insert fireplace! Large

garage, RV parking.

$1,119,999

Magical breath taking location. Attention

to detail and classic styling

blending casual and formal. Includes

chef’s dream kitchen, all high end

appliances, 3 master suites with oversized

jetted jacuzzi tubs, 5 fireplaces,

and more, Oversized 3-car garage and

RV parking. This home is a A movie

star type mansion and designed for

privacy, views & serenity. One acre

in Rimwood Ranch zoned for horses.

Custom upgrade list and an option

with furniture.

$399,999

Mountain home features 6 bedrooms, 3

full bathrooms. Open bright kitchen has

granite counter tops, travertine tile floor,

deep double sinks, extra cabinet space.

Master bathroom features large soaking

tub, tile with mosaic inlay dual sinks with

granite counter top. Weather-resistant

dual paned windows, carpet and wood

flooring. Backyard redone and fenced.

3rd floor has 4 bedrooms and full bathroom

w/double sinks. Sound- proofed

bedroom/laundry on the first floor, full

bathroom, large permitted storage room.

2 car garage with automatic openers.

PRICE

REDUCED !!!

Great exposure

and easy access

directly across

from 330 off

$259,000

ramp. Lots of

possibilities. Buyer

advised to independently verify square

footage of building and lot.

$299,999

Amazing business opportunity. Large

reduction in price. Owner may carry

with 20% down with approved credit.

Located in Arrowbear on Hwy 18. Lots

of visibility and traffic. Located close to

ski resort and other shops. Easy level entry

with lots of parking.

twin peaks community church

Service Times:

Sunday

9:15-Adult Sunday School

10:30 AM-Church Service

909 337-3011

Calvary Chapel, Lake Arrowhead

Service Times:

Sunday

8:30 and 10:30 AM

Wednesday evening

6:30 PM

Sunday School, childcare, Jr High

and High School will be meeting

second service only.

101 Grandview Rd.

Twin Peaks, CA 92391

Join us as Pastor Scott Stout continues

teaching through the Bible. (909) 337-2468

31927 Hilltop Blvd, Running Springs

(909) 867-9772

DRE# 01292179

Local Lender

Jay Houck

909-213-6168 direct

DRE# 01292179

31984 Hilltop Blvd,

Running Springs



Save On

Tickets

Online @

snow-valley.com

Mountain Biking

Hiking

Scenic View Chair Rides

Dining & More

35100 STATE HWY. 18, Running Springs, CA 92382

800-680-7669 (SNOW) • www.snow-valley.com


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