Elevated Dreams: The Jordan Romero Story will be aired at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival this weekend. For those who don’t know Jordan, he grew up here in Fawnskin.

GG is currently reviewing films for the Big Bear International Film Festival this fall but I have not seen this yet!

As for Jordan, I used to see him regularly in the local’s gathering for Sunday breakfast but you can head over and meet “the youngest climber to scale Mt. Everest and the famed Seven Summits” this Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 1:30pm.

In case you missed any of GG’s previous coverage:

• Jordan Romero of Fawnskin – Everest
• Jordan Romero Local Boy Does Good – Seven Summits
• Jordan Romero Book Wins Award

The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival, runs from May 18 – 20, 2012 at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and this year is the festival’s 13th anniversary.

Events begin at 10:00am Friday, May 18, 2012 and an estimated 2000 film-lovers, filmmakers and celebrities are expected to attend.

Highlights?

• A Filmmakers Reception will take place on Friday, May 18 at 6:00pm and will be hosted by actor Ernie Hudson.
• The Sunday Filmmaker Awards Luncheon will be hosted by actor Christopher McDonald.
• N. Bird Runningwater from the Sundance Institute will also be honored on Sunday for his outstanding contribution to Native American film.

Friday

• A free screening of family film, Mickey Matson and The Copperhead Conspiracy will air on Friday May 18th at 4:00pm.
• At 8:00pm view the Warner Bros. documentary Charlton Heston & Ben-Hur: A Personal Journey followed by Q&A with Executive Producer Fraser C. Heston.
• Then at 10:00pm there will be a Red Carpet Event and West Coast Premiere of The Last Gamble.

Saturday Gala

The Gala Awards Dinner at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa Ballroom will take place on Saturday, May 19th at 5:30pm honoring Director and Producer Rod Holcomb, Weathercaster Fritz Coleman and Academy Award nominated actress Kathleen Quinlan.

Sunday

Free screenings of all award-winning films take place on Sunday, May 20th starting at 2:30pm

To see the schedule and get more information or tickets visit the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival.

Okay, so this week I am doing the TOT on Tuesday instead of Thursday–mainly because there is a lot of info to get to you and then simply because I can do what I want–which is one of the benefits of being editor-in-chief!

Eric of Bear Valley Electric gave me the scoop on the happenings around town.

New electrical poles are going in and work will continue in Fawnskin until the end of May which is why the North Shore delays have been making locals grumpy but at least the flagging crews are polite.

GG especially likes when they smile and wave.

What you need to know is that an interruption of electric service scheduled to take place this Wednesday, May 16, 2012 from 9:00am until 2:00pm on Garden Place, Brookside Lane and Lodge. Homes closest to the junction will be affected.

Neighbors in those areas should have received red notices alerting you to the outage.

GG had her computer blown up a few years back when a electric pole was moved and no alerts were given.

So, you’ve been warned! Consider unplugging some of your more delicate electronics–just in case.

Eric was nice enough to let me take the nice breaking news action photo while I delayed his task of delivering those notices.

You know how I get when I’ve been locked in the cabin too long!

New to the valley since January, he should check with some of the other utility workers around these parts about the perks of being cooperative with GG since a mention in the Fawnskin Flyer is usually good for some beer or something similar.

Plus, BVES now knows that he was on the job and doing a fine PR job for them putting up with talkin’ to GG.

He also mentioned that there will be no road blocks from them this Friday due to the Amgen Tour–nor will there be any road action from BVES on May 28th–being a holiday and all.

Thanks for being a good sport and humoring me Eric. (BTW you should read the Mountain Folk Dating Criteria if you are not hooked up already–fair warning.)

Jeep Jeep

So, Fawnskin Folks RD and Mike headed off on a jeep excursion to explore part of the Mormon Trail.

The duo took off on about a 12 day adventure into some pretty knarly country. Both survived just fine.

Of the nine jeeps that headed out for the extreme adventure, only five actually navigated through the roughest terrain to see how folks traveled in the olden days.

When you think about how they cut through the rock, tunneled and created pathways by hauling dirt and rocks–well, it is just pretty darn amazing.

Truth be told, we are all wimps in comparison.

Mike made it back just fine and I am hoping for some great action shots if I can get him to cough them up!

In the meantime, you can check out some of the interesting info on the Mormon Trail pioneers!

• Mormon Trail National Park Service
• Hole in the Rock Trail
• Hole in the Rock Trail Off Road Photos
• Mormon Trail TV
• Mormon Pioneer Videos
• Which Mike?

So another Mike, our Postmaster, and his wife made it back after heading down the hill to party it up during the marriage of their daughter.

Although he was a bit tuckered out after the event, he was back at work on Monday.

Sadly, he missed the weekend adventures that delayed the mail sorting but that is something he will just have to live with.

And yes, the Fawnskin Post Office still reeks of that nasty oil treatment that went up last week which should help keep the building in fair shape despite the snow, sleet and sun.

Wind in the Willows

So this last weekend was a good example of spring pollination.

All the plants have been blooming and throwing out seeds or pollen–so if you have been sneezin’ that is the reason.

Don’t ‘cha love when GG tries poetry?

Never mind…

So, if you are not on the mountain at the moment, enjoy the snaps I took to show you all the nice scenery here in Fawnskin.

As for Jack, well GG misses him but is glad he is so busy that I haven’t been able to spot him.

I have however been watching an Osprey, Cooper’s hawk and assorted avian brethren in his absence.

But to tell you the truth…it ain’t the same!

I’ll be back on Thursday even though I have to travel down the hill, you’ll find something here.

Fawnskin is pretty in pink since the cherry blossoms have been making their grand appearance.

In some areas, they have already bloomed and changed–but in other locations, such as this one, they are still buzzing with bees as pollination takes place–which might be why you are sneezing.

Over at GG’s Grotto I have a lot of apple and pear blossoms. The lilacs have bloomed but are very dark this year.

My Aspen buds have finally opened up–and I am hoping we don’t have any freezes until they stabilize since that type of late event can ruin the crop for the year.

Postal

Post Master Mike is off for his daughter’s wedding this weekend and GG hopes to have breaking news photos from the event soon.

This wedding has been keeping him busy and the family is excited about it for some time.

However, PM Mike has been talking about the possibility of a five day delivery week for a while. In case you missed it, the US Postal Service hit the news yesterday.

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe indicated that no post office closures were likely. However, more rural mail facilities could see reduced hours of operations.

The Postal Service is exploring options and anticipates completing the research by September 2014 with the goal of saving an estimated half billion dollars annually.

Under the new plan, communities would be given the option of keeping their area post offices open but at reduced hours. USPS is pushing for Congress to pass legislation that would allow the agency to move forward on its multi-billion dollar cost-cutting plan, which includes an end to Saturday mail delivery.

Rural communities such as Fawnskin are concerned over proposed cuts include ability to get timely mail delivery of prescription drugs, newspapers, etc., during this election year.

Don’t go postal…read more at NPR or the USPS FAQ page.

In the meantime, our Post Office is finally getting that face lift–new stain went on today.

Fawnkin Monthly Potluck

It is once again time for the monthly North Shore Improvement Association’s potluck.

During the winter months, residents and members meet at the old Miller Park School House located at 1178 Chickasaw (at Mohawk) in Fawnskin.

The NSIA wants you to show up at 5:30pm for socializing but the potluck starts at 6:00pm.

Bring a dish to share and grab a friend, neighbor, relative or guest to join the fun.

Speaker this month is Stacey Gorin of the Discovery Center and her presentation will be followed by Bingo.
Bingo to follow the guest speaker

For more information or questions please call Chris at (310) 880-3645.

Coffee Time

Starbucks on Christmas Tree Lane (aka Interlaken) will be hosting a coffee seminar and tasting for locals and visitors on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 from 2:00pm until 3:00pm. You’ll be able to taste coffee and sample pastries during this informative session that will share information on their roasting process and coffees.

No RSVP is required to attend. GG also wants to congratulate Big Bear local, Nicole Berneker for her May 7th promotion to manager. It is always nice to have a local in charge–plus, GG was there on the day she started so it is super exciting to see her progress.

If you haven’t heard, you can take advantage of the Frappuccino Happy Hour until May 13, 2012 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm.

Moose Lodge 2085

Moose Lodge 2085 is holding a Legion Meeting on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 9:00am to be followed by a Highway Clean-Up at around 10 or so. Drop by and sign up if you would like to volunteer.

Moose Lodge 2085 will also be serving up burgers and hot dogs starting at 10:00am on Friday, May 18, 2012 for the Big Bear Climb aka Amgen Tour. Stop on by for a snack while you wait for the racers. Learn more about Stage 6 of the Amgen Tour.

That is it for now…except Jack left the nest again on Tuesday. I saw an adult over at Grout Creek that day–but no Jack yet.