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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 13, N0. 10
MAY 12, 2017
Beware: There are rattlers among us By Adam Sullivan
REGION — Now that warm weather’s upon us, everyone’s hiking more and more. But watch your step, because you’re not the only one breaking out of a winter rut. Rattlesnakes are, too. Each spring, North County sees an increase in rattlesnake near-misses, close calls and bites. Identifying them seems simple — their eponymous noise can only come from a snake, or a baby — but it’s not a guarantee. Sometimes, the snake doesn’t rattle at all. Think of it as the polar opposite of a kitten’s purr. Bo Slyapich holds the title of “Rattlesnake WranRattlesnakes are not creatures to mess with. Baby rattlers are especially lethal, so don’t let them fool you. When hiking, riding bikes, and working gler.” In addition to home in the yard, wear high booted work shoes. Also, watch your pets. Don’t let them get near a snake. If they find one, call them away from it. Veter- and community relocations, inarians have a rattesnake vaccine now for dogs. It is a multi part vaccine, so do it soon. They also have snake bite antidote. See our article on he also clears out fields and zones for construcWhat To Do If You Are Bit. Stock photo
tion crews and Hollywood productions. Slyapich explained that the unseasonal weather Southern California has been experiencing will affect the frequency, and activity, of the snakes. “Usually with the rain it’s the following year, or the end of the season,” he said. Conversely, the drought we’ve experienced in years prior has affected the population as well. “In the last four years the females have had low numbers,” Slyapich said. “They haven’t been healthy.” According to Slyapich, the proliferation of rattlesnakes is all a part of a healthy, working ecosystem. “More growth means more seeds, means more rodents, means fat rattlers,” he said. “Mom can have 20TURN TO RATTLERS ON 16
Sawyer’s presentation helps prevent falls By Christina Macone-Greene
A pair of kittens awaiting care. The Humane Society recommends fostering in pairs, so kittens can have companionship and socialization. Photo by Adam Sullivan
‘Kitten season’ descends on San Diego County Humane Society By Adam Sullivan
REGION — San Diego County is being overrun, as it is each April, by a plague. But it’s not frogs or locusts that overrun the county. It’s kittens. This feline population leap, commonly referred to as “kitten season,” is the direct result of stray cats doing the stray cat strut (love was in the air approximately two months back), and kittens are showing up at Humane Societies all around San Diego. Kelli Schry, communications manager for the Humane Society, explained the phenomenon. “Kitten season is the time of year when cat breeding is at its highest,” she said. “Due to San Diego’s warmer climate, kitten season lasts most of the year, compared to other parts of the country. It is not uncommon for people to set out food and water for a lost cat, but
never take ownership of the cat, which results in thousands of stray, unaltered cats throughout our community.” Because of the increased volume (the “season” can last from April through November), each year the Humane Society reaches out to the public for temporary foster homes. This allows the caregivers to handle the increase in care. Becoming a foster home for one of these adorable, potato-sized babies is not a simple process. To adopt, fill out an application on the Humane Society’s website (sdhumane. org) that asks for, among other things, your previous experience with animals and any accommodations you may need. Potential foster families are invited to attend a monthly orientation meeting to learn about their pets.
RANCHO SANTA FE — When Cindy Sawyer gives her presentation about fall prevention, she delivers her information with passion. Sawyer’s mother had a fall and spent seven hours on the floor. “Her fall was a life changer,” Sawyer said. It’s Sawyer’s goal to educate those who plan to remain living in their homes well into their senior years. Sawyer shared valuable input at the RSF Senior Center in April on how to achieve those goals. “If staying in your home is your plan then that is great,” she said. “However, you have to be prepared for those emergencies so a medical alert is the best way to be able to get help quickly, so you can fulfill the dreams that you have to age in your home.” Sawyer represents Southwest Lifeline, a distributor of Philips Lifeline. While she chatted about the company, she also offered some sage advice on fall prevention strategies within the home.
Cindy Sawyer recently spoke at the RSF Senior Center about fall prevention. Photo by Christina Macone-Greene. Medications and knowing their side effects was a key point, particularly if they can increase a fall risk.
“It’s really important to stay healthy and exercise 30 minutes a day,” she said. “The strength you build in your muscles, even if it’s just your arms, could help you as you try to recover from a misstep.” Rugs can also be hazardous as well as clutter around the home. Sawyer also pointed out how lighting is critical as one grows older since vision changes. “You might need to light spots that you didn’t before,” she said. Sawyer explained that although people are first reluctant in considering a medical alert device, it can do a world of good. Instead of losing independence, a device like this can enhance it. “Everything I mentioned is important, but what’s near and dear to my heart and my passion is the medical alert,” Sawyer said. It gives you the ability to get help because the device is on your body. Something like this could change the outcome of your fall.”
Association names Farrar as RSFA building commissioner By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — RSF Association Vice President Ken Markstein appointed Tom Farrar as the Association’s building commissioner in April and the board agreed. Markstein shared with the board how Farrar served as the interim building commissioner since the retirement of Robert Green in September 2016. Following the appointment, Farrar told the board that it was an honor to take on the position. Farrar then segued into meeting matters, citing that the Covenant Design Re-
view Committee (CDRC) recently had 27 new projects. At the time of the report, 17 projects were approved and nine were in the process pipelines. An uptick in projects was also noted. “Staff anticipates 430 projects in the fiscal year,” Farrar said. Farrar noted that within the last couple weeks the Association received more than 12 comments and concerns regarding leaf blower disturbances. “We are trying to see what we can do to help the community,” Farrar said regarding the noise.
For comparison purposes, Farrar explained how staff was currently researching times of days that leaf blowers were utilized in areas such as Fairbanks Ranch and Santaluz. Also being assessed were prohibitive times, and gas leaf blowers versus the use of electric. Farrar said the goal was uncovering ways to quiet these gardening tools down. President Fred Wasserman told the board and Covenant residents that other items of concern being researched were running lawn mowers on Sundays.
“Most associations prohibit that,” Wasserman said. Another inquiry from Wasserman was construction on Sundays. Markstein suggested that Farrar look into San Diego County rules, while Wasserman asked that Farrar bring back his findings to the board regarding construction and gardening. Farrar ended his presentation with code enforcement updates. At the time of the meeting, the 80 cases the Association was addressing were down to 65. “We resolved eight cases in two weeks,” he said.