Fawnskin Flyer Mountain Lake Resort News

Long Day, Early Day, End of Day in Fawnskin

GG (Gossip Girl) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:29:50 +0000

So I betcha you were checking back all day long to see if I posted yet, right?

LOL

Yesterday I was carted down to the hot springs for some hydrotherapy–which did the body a lot of good.

The other nice thing was that it was so nice and toasty! I don’t mind heat as long as I can be in the water and it was in the 80s all day.

Now the reason I am only now getting around to posting is that it has been another full day for me.

Big stress release after this mornings good news at the new doctor. I’ve had enough of health stuff last year and really did not want to believe that I’d have to endure more and the second opinion says I don’t.

Whew!

Now I know you won’t believe that I missed the big MS Walk fundraiser on St Patrick’s Day–but I did.

It pissed me off because I had been looking forward to it–and then I didn’t get any corned beef and cabbage either!

However the big buzz is that the fundraiser went really well and lots of the townsfolk showed up to party. (Maybe Dave will have pity on me and give me the results via a comment–hint, hint.)

Evelyn has been out hiking and rumor has it that she hike out with a load of cement to create a copy of one of the bear prints she has been seeing.

Then, she lugged it home and has been showing it off.

Yep, just like a Fawnskin dweller–we just love that wildlife.

The bear was all the way up Brookside (near Lodge) in his quest for food last week and locals are talking all kinds of trash.

Seriously, keep your trash in until Thursday morning if you have pickup.

BTW to clear things up–bears don’t take food back to their cubs.

Plus, the males are more likely to harm a cub than to help it–so stop imagining that it is a benevolent act…the bear is simply taking advantage of easy food sources!

Now this week the BIG breaking news in town is that the North Shore Tavern actually has a permanent sign.

It just went up and is pretty nice looking. I’ll have to snoop and see if it puts off good light and get a snap for you all.

If anything, that makes the locals feel a bit better about the place–like it might be around for a while.

Which has not been the case of many of the other businesses that tried to make it a go there.

In fact, I am actually going to go have a meal there next week with another valley resident who is making the long commute over to partake of libations and tasty treats.

This week everyone has been enjoying the trout are already coming up Grout Creek and there are certainly some huge fish.

You can see locals stopping by to view. I just love seeing work crews, locals, and visitors stopping to enjoy nature. It makes me smile every time.

At the moment, the best viewing is in the morning before the runoff begins stirring up silt up stream–go have a glance, you’ll be glad you did.

For those of you wondering about it, Dennis is hosting the steak dinners at the Moose Lodge tonight and Kevin is cooking tomorrow so if you don’t have plans, head on down.

Finally, what did you all think about that surprise sleet/snow that hit last night. I just shook my head and was happy to not see a ton of it this morning!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

GG (Gossip Girl) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:23:42 +0000

So, GG is in the video and MIA until you see me at the Moose Lodge tonight. Hope to catch up with you later and have a great day!

Sunny Days in Fawnskin

GG (Gossip Girl) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:47:11 +0000

So, I was very glad to have been able to enjoy the sudden shift to sunny days and warmer weather.

I felt the shift and saw how fast the snow and ice began to melt despite the cold but four days ago the presence of ants in my house that confirmed that spring is indeed on its way for me.

My gauge of spring is when the bugs begin to appear–and I’ve seen another flying insect and so go with the signs from mother nature despite the fact that the official day of spring is March 20th.

This last month has been a bit of a challenge emotionally but the nice weather has helped make things brighter and I hope to be able to begin hiking more regularly now that I am acclimated and doing better.

For those of you who still think Shadow is my dog, she isn’t.

Shadow belongs to Snoop Sister Deb who lets me take her along on my hikes so that I am not hiking alone and so that Shadow gets a work out.

Lots of people forgot about the time change which made for some amusing stories and I am not certain I like it but we will all adjust.

Big Bear Business Buzz

I was sad to hear that Sol Foods Market has closed its doors but did not have any confirmation of the information yet and rumors that Forest Farms is not doing so hot are also circulating around town.

Both Vons and Stater Brothers have been offering more and more organic options and there is an Organic Buying Club in Redlands.

Supporting local businesses is important to the local mom and pop operations which is why I get mad when more franchises are allowed in.

Lots of people are excited about El Pollo Loco’s anticipated arrival but my take is that people don’t go to resort area that looks like any other town and just what demographic are you attracting and serving?

Yesterday found discussions about some of the big losses to the valley (at least from my perspective) such as the Serenity Place Gallery, East Side Book Cafe, and Edelweiss Books to mention a few.

One of the things I love about Fawnskin is that it remains a quaint, rustic, small town but a lot of people won’t make the “commute” of 7.5 miles or so because it is “too far.”

I remember when Lance Fowler learned that I was moving to Fawnskin. He said, “Hell girl, you are moving half way to Los Angeles.”

Now if you think about all those people who commute hours every day in congested traffic and how people spend hours driving up here to enjoy the environment and outdoor sports, you see how stupid the local mentality is over such things.

Even so, we all tend to consolidate our trips so as not to have to make multiple ventures but in the past my motivation is to avoid the visitor onslaught.

As a result, mid-week is my favorite time to venture over to the south shore of the lake.

Hopefully this year the First Fridays will receive better promotion and better attendance of chamber members in addition to the vendors.

I’ve mentioned more artistic venues with music and artists but it takes a while to make it happen.

When I was down in Oceanside, the merchants and people who operate the open air market told me it took ages to get the now popular event going–but it is a huge happening these days.

I hope you have a great week and maybe I’ll see you at the Moose Lodge 2085 for tacos tonight or even the St Patrick’s Day meal.

Busted in Fawnskin

GG (Gossip Girl) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:09:58 +0000

Fawnskin Bear Paw Photo by Rita Robinson Campell

So, photographic evidence on the Fawnskin black bear who is breaking and entering into the trash cans throughout town is the only thing we have at the moment but, as usual, Fawnskin made the big news again–but not for this furry felon.

A drug bust took place on the 42000 block of North Shore Drive in Fawnskin.

The arraignment took place yesterday at the San Bernardino County Superior Court but during the warrant service that took place earlier in the week turned up methamphetamine, marijuana, and other tems used in the sales and packaging of illegal drugs.

In addition, hundreds of dollars in cash and a loaded firearm were also seized.

Suspects arrested include Fawnskin residents Jessica Baca, Kelley Perez and Kenneth Burhop.

All of them are in their 20s and I don’t know any of them.

Burhop is a prior convicted felon who is currently on parole.

Always nice to know you have a felon in town. Crooks seem to think small towns make a good hideout around these parts.

During the sheriff’s raid all were suspected to be under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant and were booked at the Big Bear jail.

All suspects were detained at West Valley Detention Center.

Busy Black Bear & Other News

GG (Gossip Girl) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:47:14 +0000

Above: View across Grout Bay

So, I hope you listened to me but a lot of people did not and the local black bear had an active night Wednesday around those homes who put out their trash early.

He is not only hitting the streets but going into properties and onto decks.

This was the case at Snoop Sister Deb’s house when she spied her can with sunflower seeds knocked over and the seed bag out in the middle of Mohawk.

Luckily he did not pull down her bird feeders.

The bear ambled all the way down Chickasaw and I also spied trash strewn on Illini and Comanchi too.

Once again I urge you to lock up your trash bins until the morning of pick up for those of you who have trash service–otherwise the habituation is likely to put this bear into big trouble with the authorities.

Also, bears are most active at night and dawn or dusk. So use caution when going in and out during those times.

Has Spring Sprung?
I am happy to report that I have begun to walk again. It has been a long road to get here but I am slowly working up to my goal of daily walks.

Shadow and I took a long hike before she had to head down the hill for adventures and it was so nice to have weather that was fairly warm after a few days of a cold snap.

The highs at my house? Around 34 degrees until yesterday.

I enjoyed going out without my cap and jacket and only a light sweatshirt over my shirt–and no gloves!

There are a few buds on some of the plants and faint signs of grass on the hill.

BTW: Paul said preliminary guesstimates are that the kill sites out in the forest that he and the dogs discovered contained deer fur and probably that of a bear scavenger.

Fire House Forms
I forgot to mention that you can pick up forms to fill out at Fire Station 49 for neighbors (or yourself) if help might be needed in the event of a big storm or other emergency.

Those with limited mobility, breathing issues, or other medical conditions are encouraged to submit forms.

I am happy to say that a couple of neighbors took action for their neighbors so that in the future those people will be checked on during times when the power may go out during storms and other events.

I know that I could not get in to check on a couple of my elderly neighbors due to the intense snow load and this will give everyone peace of mind.

More Activities for Fawnskin
I don’t have a lot of news for you today but next week is going to be a busy one here in Fawnskin.

The North Shore Tavern is serving up “Irish Stew & Green Brew” all week and on March 17, 2010 you can get the best corned beef and cabbage at Moose Lodge 2085 for a mere $8 and all proceeds go to the MS Walk (scheduled for April 17th).

Finally, if you see Alexis, wish her well because she is leaving for England this weekend!

We vote for a narrated slide show tour when she gets back. LOL

Finally, have a great weekend and enjoy the weather change.

Fawnskin’s Black Bear Buzz

GG (Gossip Girl) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:25:59 +0000

Most Fawnskin residents were taken by surprise by the snowfall that occurred Monday night.

The winds howled and we got a few inches of white snow. Plus, the unseasonably cold temperatures (high of 33 at my house) really kept people hunkered down.

Surprisingly, the snow was light even though it was wet.

Spring snow tends to melt quickly and despite the cold temperatures a lot melted quickly.

I know I am not alone when I saw I am looking forward to the weather change as we move into another season.

However the snow has not been the big buzz around town.

It seems we have a very brave black bear that has moved into town.

Usually bear sightings occur in town in the fall before the snow flies but he is brazenly coming onto porches and yards in the quest for food.

Up toward Ridge he actually took off with a couple of trash cans and hauled them down the trail toward the forest.

On Chickasaw and Mohawk he entered the porch areas of two different homes to get at trash.

If you have feeders, he is likely to try and glean some tasty morsels from them.

To avoid any trouble consider temporarily removing any dog food, trash, or other food and water sources that could be accessed.

Because of the temperate weather in southern California not all black bears hibernate and this is not the first time black bears have invaded Fawnskin (you can see local pictures and get more tips there).

Habituated bears are a danger to themselves not just residents.

If this bear gets too comfortable raiding town he could be in danger of being labeled a nuisance animal and face subsequent consequences.

The Department of Fish & Game says that bears are attracted to anything smelly or edible, especially garbage.

To help keep your home bear proof be sure to:

Deodorize garbage cans with bleach or ammonia.
Double-bag garbage to help eliminate odors.
Separate wet garbage and keep it in an air and odor tight container.
Use a garbage disposal whenever possible.
Freeze meat bones or other smelly items until pick-up day.
Be sure to keep barbecue grills clean.
Pick up fallen tree fruit, and put away pet food and bird feeders at night.
Close windows at night on accessible ground floors and decks.
Don’t leave food in or near a window sill or on a counter near an open window.
Securely block access to potential hibernation sites, such as crawl spaces under decks or buildings.
Install bear-proof garbage and compost containers.
Get a bear-proof garbage bin for your neighborhood.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

GG (Gossip Girl) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:56:00 +0000

So, last week morphed into a flurry of fun adventures around the valley.

I have to admit that I have been kind of down in the dumps since I had some not-so-hot news on Monday combined with a few other bummer news items.

Lucky for me I got out a few days in a row.

Funny, when you live in a small town, it is the little things that end up being really exciting.

Running into pals at the Post Office, grocery shopping, and having internet access across the lake were just some of the highlights. LOL

Once again, I visited the Copper Q again and am finding it to be a magnet to a lot of people.

The place looks great and is also open seven days a week from 7am until 7pm.

777!

This time I envied the nice looking hot chocolates my pals indulged in as we watched the cooking expert put together a chocolate torte.

It seems that they do demonstrations on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You’d have to call to get the right time but times tend to be 10:30am or 1:00pm.

The theater on Pine Knot is the only one operating at the moment and I was thrilled to be able to enjoy both Alice in Wonderland and Crazy Heart.

Now a lot of people complain about the small theaters up here but I have to say that being able to still take in a movie for $4.50 to $9.00 is a perk. Locals tend to use the local coupons or head over on family day for the weekly discount day.

Today the down the hill the matinees tend to be from about $8.50 to around $11.00 for regularly priced viewings–plus they subject you to all that obnoxious advertising.

At least here we have advertising slides that allow discussion and that actually work for the merchants.

But the big joy was going back to the Himalayan, which has to be my favorite restaurant in Big Bear since I have not been there since before my return to the mountain.

We watched the snow fall quickly (and heavily) as we enjoyed dinner but lucked out since it didn’t stick to the street and only the cars and higher elevated places remained white.

I haven’t done another long hike yet but last week’s was a joy.

However, on my amble into town on Sunday I noticed that there was some drama that had taken place on the property–because raccoon fur was everywhere.

Tail fur to be more specific.

It was too muddy to tell what went on but no blood or body parts were found so I just have to make something spectacular up in my head.

Since the building was allowed on the hillside a few years ago I seldom see the raccoons and other wildlife that used to visit my place nightly.

The animal path was altered and the terrain on the hill still has not recovered either from the heavy equipment damage probably because a lot of the top soil being carted away.

Plus, because the seepage pipes were removed, the spring that runs through the hillside keeps it pretty saturated which makes it hard to navigate when it is not frozen during the winter. Fortunately it gets better once summer is upon us.

As for the birds and squirrel, they managed to power through 50 pounds of food over the last week and a half. Now the feeders are empty and the deck is a mess.

I’ve swept, but the bird poop is everywhere. Another reason I do not feed the birds unless it snows but I was on a roll.

As for those expensive window stickers I bought to help my avian buddies not hit the glass?

The day I put them up I had a bird hit the window pretty hard right by the decals.

So much for that idea. I moved them around a bit but he hit pretty close which makes me think they are not so great.

BTW no bears came to raid my feeders but down on Chickasaw, Adrian said one came onto his porch to have a snack. Just a reminder to wait to put out your trash cans.

And speaking of trash cans, I think someone stole my neighbor’s cans.

I usually put them out and take them back in but all that is there are the lids! So, I took a look around but no sign of them. Go figure.

The cold weather has prompted me to keep a roaring fire burning and I keep putting off some of the chores I should do. The snow is melting fast and I am thinking spring is around the corner–but at the moment the toasty fire is a comfort.

I also found out the Moose Lodge 2085 had music and frivolity on Saturday night but I was over in the “big city” on the South Shore of the lake.

However, I did amble over to see Alexis (and her new hairstyle) on Sunday but she was gone already.

In case you have not heard, she is getting ready for a trip to England!

Okay, that is it for now except make sure you don’t forget about the NSIA potluck tonight at 6pm at the old Miller School House.

Fawnskin Fundraiser & More

GG (Gossip Girl) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:54:22 +0000

Above: Moose Lodge 2085

There is always something brewing here in Fawnskin and I’m not just talking about coffee.

This week I ambled down to the Post Office and discovered that the big news is that Herb had new seamless rain gutters installed under the eves on part of his building.

Yep, big breaking news here in Fawnskin.

I also took snaps of some of the potholes but witnessed a CalTrans employee taking snaps so I am hoping they implement some repairs and wonder if they will end up doing some better paving in the future.

This week Snoop Sister Deb and I took a very long amble through Fawnskin.

Walks are always good because we get to catch up and discover the latest changes in the lives of neighbors or in the local area.

We got to see some neighbors who were breaking up snow and found that they, like many of us, are looking forward to spring.

One of the reasons we clear snow right away is because it does become ice and is harder to clear the longer it sits.

Yesterday we were watching a couple of ravens tormenting a red tail hawk. It is amazing to observe just how in sync our feathered friends can be.

They move in synchrony as a unit and when these two were tormenting the hawk, they had no trouble anticipating his next moves an matching him.

Since the storms I’ve seen a lot of new birds over at my place. It has been a critter gorge fest to say the least.

They have pretty much powered through my supplies and the variety of songs and different types of bird drama has kept me entertained and amused.

Other scuttlebutt around town?

I just got the news that the funds from the St Patrick’s Day dinner at Moose Lodge 2085 will be used as a fundraiser for the 2010 MS Walk.

The North Shore Improvement Association potluck is also scheduled for this Monday, March 8th at 6:00pm at the old Miller School House. Bring a dish to share and get the scoop while you are there.

Fawnskin Weather etc.,

GG (Gossip Girl) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:23:19 +0000

Above: GG’s official decree: Amangela’s has the best lattes in Big Bear

So, what am I doing over at Starbucks when Amangela’s has the best latte in town?

*Gulp*

I am running errands with a neighbor and besides Amangela’s doesn’t open until 8am!

AND a girl has to get out of the cabin and neighborhood once in a while.

The staff over here is always great and they do have a fireplace, although it is not as cool as the chalet one that Amangela’s lights every day.

Amangela’s is a big secret and nobody lists the place as a good WiFi location either. (You can get WiFi at Starbucks if you have a card with a particular balance for two hours but Amangela’s has better food and drinks and no limit.)

Anyway, we were glad to not see any snow on the ground early this am. Lots of ice but no snow.

Now don’t get me wrong, we LIKE the snow but the intensity of this winter is making many of us ready for spring and we like to get our errands done without having to navigate crazy visitor traffic and without having to shovel out and breaking down berms.

Speaking of weather, I use the Fawnskin Weather gadget here on the Fawnskin Flyer but I also check several others.

Correspondent Rick reminded me recently of a site I forgot about, Big Bear City’s CSD Weather Station.

If you are not aware, RimOfTheWorld.Net now has a weather page too.

My favorite recently has been the weather channel since they have been pretty on target but one thing about the weather around these parts–it is bound to change quickly and varies from one part of the valley to the other.

Angela told me yesterday that Baldwin is muddy and more like spring conditions while over here in Fawnskin we still have large berms and a fair amount of snow that is melting and creating big ice sheets on a variety of different roads.

The berms melt and then that water forms a thin layer of water that freezes overnight when the temperatures drop. It makes things a bit precarious.

The potholes and cinders on the highways are awful and it makes me wonder just how well the Amgen tour is going to do if that mess is not addressed by the time they head up to our quaint little mountain lake resort.

Then there are the people who barrel through town at record speeds–breaking the speed limit and splashing anyone (like me, Kay or Cheryl) as we amble innocently along the roadside when we are in town.

It is very unpleasant to say the least.

Okay, I don’t have much news today but there is bound to be some heavy excitement sometime soon.

RD was up visiting but he left already and I met Sylvia, who moved to town in December and is liking life up here. She lost her husband not too long ago and relocated from Santa Clarita.

She is currently a Moose Lodge 2085 regular.

Also, Barbara’s brother Pee Wee is back visiting so drop by the Moose Lodge to say hello as they are both likely to be there!

Weekend Weather Means Business in Fawnskin!

GG (Gossip Girl) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:16:21 +0000

Above: Sunset in Fawnskin

So this weekend’s storm dumped really heavy, wet snow. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of visitors to the mountain.

When the highway closed temporarily, visitors had to commute through Fawnskin and local businesses benefited as the place was hopping.

I shoveled my way out in the middle of the storm and took a walk (don’t start) and ambled down into town for a break and to check out the activity.

By the time I got back the snow had really started coming down heavily.

It was a good thing neighbor Chris had brought over supplies for the critters because every animal seemed to show up on the deck to gorge themselves!

The old squirrel is looking better. His tail is fluffed up and now he is being picky.

It seems he prefers sunflower seeds to peanuts but the local jays are liking them just fine.

Funny how they all band together to make a such a big mess but it is nice to hear them chirping and kicking up a ruckus.

Hard to say just how much snow fell.

Somewhere between 8-10 inches in my guesstimation–so the weather channel was about right on their predictions.

Check four different weather sources and you’ll get four different forecasts.

In the end, it is what it is.

Now I know that March is usually our heaviest snow fall month (or so it seems) but I have to say that I will be really ready to celebrate spring when it arrives.

In the meantime, I am happy to be strong enough to shovel through to the street.

Now if only those plows would quit dumping those enormous ice boulders in front of my stair entryway!

Neighbors were out today enjoying the sunshine.

Grout Creek is running strong and it won’t be long until we begin seeing the trout making their way up it.

Rita and Andy headed out for some snowshoeing and the word is that North Shore Trading Company will be adding a new snowshoe line to their inventory.

Alas, I had some work to do as I will be off the hill again for more doctor stuff tomorrow.

Reports from the Moose Lodge were that things were really happening and everyone was having such a good time that a bunch of the party animals migrated to Cindy and Damon’s house afterward.

Sad News from Arrowbear
I am very sad to report that Ron Gentili of Arrowbear lost his fight against pancreatic cancer on Friday and moved on to other realms.

The Gentili family is a gregarious and generous bunch of individuals and my heart and prayers go out to them.

If you have never met Ron, his smile lit up a room and his eyes always twinkled with merriment and projected love that embraced you completely.

He was a warm, talented individual who will be missed greatly by all that knew him.

Fawnskin Flyer Mountain Lake Resort News

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