Ramonahomejournal feb 23 17 by Ramona Home Journal

JOURNAL

February 23, 2017 • Volume 19 • Number 23

Ramona Home

12th H.E.A.R.T. Mural Memorializes the Verlaque Store ~ page 2 Students Take Aviation Program to New Heights with Launch of Bulldog ONE ~ page 4 A Long Way from Ike Green’s ‘Swinging Door Saloon’ ~ page 8 Band Director Driven by Passion ~ page 12 RMWD Board Approves Ordering New Fire Engine for $550,000 ~ page 17

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12th H.E.A.R.T. Mural Memorializes the Verlaque Store

By Annette Williams ~ THE JOURNAL

he Verlaque Pioneer Store, built in 1883, is recognized as the first business establishment in Ramona. It was run by Amos Verlaque, and after Amos’ death, by his brother Jeff, and served as a stage stop, general store, post office and a central location where locals could meet and catch up on the latest news. The original store site at 629 Main St. is now occupied by Reds, Whites & Brews. And today, it’s the location of the 12th installation from the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. In advance of the scheduled Feb. 18 mural dedication ceremony, artist Rik Erickson spent a week or so installing the 11 individual panels that make up the completed mural, and applying the final touches. The standout pieces are a depiction of the historic storefront as it appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and a portrait of Jeff Verlaque himself, which was the first image Erickson received after he accepted the commission. These two main panels are accompanied by vintage signs, posters, text boards and illustrations of items that might have been offered for sale in the store more than 100 years ago. Erickson, a resident of North Park,

has been a professional mural artist and painter for 25 years. He is much in demand in the San Diego area, where he’s lived for 35 years, and is able to make his living doing what he loves.

Though this is his first commission for the Mural Project, he said he enjoyed the experience. “It was very fun, because you’re allowed to do it in your own little house,” he said. “No distractions at all

— come up, and just install it — and that’s great! It would take me so long if I had to do all these details here.” The mural’s multiple parts not only need to combine cohesively, but each piece must also be able to

The latest Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project installation is made up of 11 different panels, one of which is a portrait of proprietor PHOTOS BY ANNETTE WILLIAMS Jeff Verlaque.

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The three dolls he painted on one panel are not only accurate to the period, they were on exhibit at the museum. As for the goods that are displayed as though they’re ready to sell, Erickson spent every evening on his computer for a week and a half, researching shelf items of the 1800s, in order to create accurate illustrations. “Anyone who’s a historian would say, ‘Oh yeah, I remember that one.’ Those were all authentic.” The panel with the potbelly stove is a replica of an actual poster from the era, but he created his own version of the cigar company and seed packet signs.

stand alone as its own individual work of art. “The smaller the pieces are, usually the more concentrated the details,” Erickson said. “When you do bigger murals, there are a lot of big, open spaces with no details.” He says he was intrigued by the history surrounding the subjects of the mural. “I love Southwestern motifs, such as Artist Rik Erickson puts the finishing touches on the latest the history of Ramona, mural, the Verlaque Pioneer Store. how it came into great idea, and it will be a great being. And the Verlaque addition to the building.’” family, how they passed the store Bidegain’s caveat was that there down to the son.” be a portrait of Jeff Verlaque and a He set out to learn more about rendering of the front of the store. them at the Guy B. Woodward “I said those two I would like to Museum — especially Jeff Verlaque, see, but everything else, it doesn’t whose picture was specifically matter. So she came up with a whole requested by Peter Bidegain, owner lot of different ideas, hence why we of Reds, Whites & Brews. have a lot of different pictures.” Bidegain has owned the buildBidegain plans to add lights above ing since December 2015, and was the mural. “Every night, when people intrigued by its history even before drive by, it’ll really pop,” he said. “It he purchased it. catches your eye.” “There are so many people who Erickson was also intrigued by the live in Ramona and have no clue as to concept. “The store — I was really the history of this building,” he said. excited about that one. I love Western “Judy Nachazel, of the Mural Project, stuff, and to be able to do that was came in and introduced herself and really fun.” said that she thought the building The artist visited the Woodward would be a great location to have a mural. I said, ‘Fine by me! I think it’s a Museum and snapped some photos.

The project took about two months to complete, and Erickson is pleased with the results. And he’s pleased, too, that his life’s work also feeds his artistic passion. “I am very happy,” he said. “I admire any artist and give them kudos if they can make a living. It can be tough.” Ramona is “a very nice town for murals,” he says. And he envisions that as they increase in number, they will be something people will plan tours to see. n On the cover, a new mural adorns the Reds, Whites & Brews building, depicting the same storefront as it appeared more than 100 years ago.

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RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 3

Students Take Aviation Program to New Heights with Launch of Bulldog ONE By Jack Riordan ~ THE JOURNAL

Bulldog ONE takes flight.

ven the sky is no longer the limit for Ramona High School aviation students who, on Feb. 2, had the honor of officially launching Bulldog ONE, the school’s new aerial drone, a $500 DJI Phantom 3 Unmanned Aerial System. The Naval Science 4A Introduction to Flight/ Aviation Systems class at Ramona High is a yearlong STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) course offered through the school’s NJROTC — Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps — program. In charge of that program is NJROTC Commander Bradley Davis, a retired Navy veteran who sees great potential for students who take advantage of the new course. “The Naval Science

Aviation course is a wonderful option for RHS seniors who are interested in aviation and the principles of flight,” says Davis. “Our new DJI Phantom 3 drone helps bring classroom lessons to life and is a fantastic way to teach the fundamentals of aeronautical systems operations in a safe and low-cost manner.” The program is unique in many ways. The school utilized a $790 grant from Ramona Chamber of Commerce to purchase the drone and an additional battery pack, making Ramona High only the second school in San Diego County to adopt the technology and offer such an elective class, and, according to Davis, the only school in California to embed the program within the NJROTC.

Ramona High School senior Jacob Powers gives a presentation before the official launch of the Bulldog ONE drone.

The 1980s

The 1990s

The 2000s

2010

From left are Alaina Sill, Emma Hopperton, Ethan Parsons and Bradley Davis, following the aerial demonstration of Bulldog ONE. PHOTOS BY ANNETTE WILLIAMS

According to its page on the RHS website, “NJROTC is a cadet-based leadership program focusing on citizenship, patriotism and personal responsibility. NS-1 & NS-2 course study includes topics in Naval Science, Naval History and Leadership. Advanced topics in leadership studies, civics and personal finance are available for NS-3 and NS-4 Cadets.” This year, the Introduction to Flight/Aviation Systems class was made available to Bulldog seniors who were enrolled in the NJROTC program. NS-4 Cadets Emma Hopperton, Ethan Parsons, Jacob Powers and Alaina Sill took part in the official launch of Bulldog ONE. Not only were these cadets trained in how to operate an unmanned aerial system, but they were trained on how to teach others the same skills. Davis hopes that RHS students who will be seniors next year will consider NJROTC as an elective

and take advantage of the aviation program. He refers to his curriculum as “FAA-centric,” and says that cadets who complete the yearlong STEM course will earn an opportunity to take the Federal Aviation Administration private pilot and commercial drone pilot knowledge exams. NJROTC Commanding Officer and RHS senior Jacob Powers gave a detailed presentation shortly before the Feb. 2 launch. He pointed out that the FAA takes drone usage very seriously, and said that learning and abiding by the various regulations is a large part of their coursework. “Because of the FAA rulings, and the way we can operate it safely, we have a box we are limited to,” Powers said. “We can’t go more than two-thirds of a mile away due to Wi-Fi length. We also can’t let it go out of sight. We have a max ceiling of 400 feet, and we can’t fly after dark or before

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bright for those skilled in the operation of unmanned aerial systems. Davis notes that there is already a demand for drone operators in military applications, search and rescue, wildfire location and monitoring, real estate advertising, and much more. Bloomberg Technology recently reported that the drone industry is predicted to grow by a whopping 6,000 percent by the end of the decade. Currently

daybreak, or within five miles of an airport.” The cadets have an established procedure with the Ramona Airport Control Tower, which is alerted prior to any drone operations at the high school. The practice fields located at the back of the RHS campus offer an ideal flight zone, and as Davis puts it, “You can have a lot of fun below 400 feet.” The future is certainly

A still photograph of the Ramona area taken by the drone’s camera. PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMONA HIGH SCHOOL

Present for the inaugural liftoff are, from left, Ramona Unified School District Board Member Kim Lasley, Ramona High School Assistant Principal Ed Van Hoose, RUSD IT department staff member Mark Layte, RHS Principal Rowena Mak, NJROTC Commander Bradley Davis, and students Alaina Sill, Ethan Parsons, who operates the drone using a tablet, and Emma Hopperton.

estimated to be valued at around $2 billion, the global market for drone technology will shoot to $127 billion by 2020, according to Bloomberg’s sources. That equates to a lot of potential opportunities for cadets graduating from the innovative new program offered at Ramona High. Thanks to the generous grant from the Chamber of Commerce and the forwardthinking efforts of the school’s NJROTC program, Bulldog pilots will be poised to take full advantage of this thrilling new career path. n

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A HIKER’S PARADISE

Table Rock

Hikers climb up to Table Rock. By Angela McLaughlin ~ THE JOURNAL

s many Ramonans are aware, there are a couple of popular trails near town that attract a lot of visitors and become very busy during certain times. I am not a fan of battling crowds, so I look for trails typically less traveled. Recently, a friend suggested a hike I had not yet tackled, and I was thrilled with the chance to venture out for a new experience. To reach this hike, you must start at the Ellie Lane trailhead. Heading out of Ramona on Highway 67 toward Poway, you will find a small parking lot and trailhead on the left side of the road before you

reach Poway Road and the Iron Mountain trailhead. At the start of the trail, there is a sign listing the different hikes available. For the ambitious hiker, Ellie Lane may be taken all the way to the peak of Iron Mountain. In this article, however, I will be focusing on a much shorter hike: Table Rock. The trail begins as a dirt path but quickly shifts into rougher terrain, with large rocks and boulders scattered about. Numerous desert plants and shrubs may be found along the path, but there is little to no shade. Table Rock may only be a mile from the trailhead, but the incline

Rock, I decided to bring both of my dogs. Though it was a cool day, the sun was very intense, and we went through several bottles of water. My smaller dog had some difficulty with the incline and rough terrain. We rested at the rock before our descent, but I ended up carrying him for part of the return trip because he was tired. This is something to keep in mind when planning your hike. Oftentimes, I opt to leave my dogs at home when hiking a new trail, until I can check it out for myself and determine if they would do well. If your destination is just Table Rock, this trail is an out-and-back

certainly makes for a good workout! This natural feature looks just the way it sounds — like a stone table. To reach the rock, you will climb a stone incline, which can be slippery if there has been any recent precipitation. Though the rock itself is not overly large, the views from it are breathtaking. On a clear day, you can easily see the ocean in the distance. It is very important to bring plenty of water for all hikers and furry companions. For the most enjoyable experience, I would recommend hiking this trail during a cooler part of the day. The first time I hiked to Table

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Table Rock offers a view of the ocean in the distance.

hike that is two miles round-trip. It is considered moderate in terms of difficulty — though it is not a long hike, the inclines and rocky terrain are obstacles, nonetheless. As with any hike, come prepared and be mindful of your surroundings, as the rocks offer many hiding places for rattlesnakes and other critters. Hikers should always let someone know where they will be hiking, wear sturdy shoes and bring a first aid kit. In order to make the least impact on

PHOTOS BY ANGELA MCLAUGHLIN

the environment, be sure to stay on the designated trail and bring out anything you bring in. Hiking offers a lot of benefits for both mental and physical health — and it’s a fun social activity. The next time you have the urge to get out on the trail, consider a visit to Table Rock. For information or to recommend a trail, email angelamclaughlin@ ramonajournal.com. n

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RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 7

A Long Way from Ike Green’s ‘Swinging Door Saloon’ By Darrell Beck ~ THE JOURNAL

t the turn of the 20th century, the settlement called Ramona was limited to the 600 and 700 blocks of Main Street, which at the time was but a meandering, dusty trail leading to the backcountry and the Julian gold mines. Situated in the 600 block on the north side, from west to east, was the Jerman Drug Store, which was torn down and replaced by the Rexall Drug Store, which became Ramona Pharmacy and now, Affordable Treasures; the Jerman residence, which today houses a number of businesses; the Verlaque House, now home to the Guy B. Woodward Museum; the Verlaque General Store, now an antiques store; and Ike Green’s Swinging Door Saloon, now home to Ramona Home Journal and Julian Journal in the west wing, and CC Cycles in the east. Isaac “Ike” Green, who was born in Poland in 1856 and naturalized as an American citizen in 1867, was listed on the 1880 census as a farmer and a resident of Ballena. The 1900 census recorded him as a

resident of Ramona, where he was described as a saloonkeeper. It is presumed that sometime prior to 1900, he built the saloon building located at 619 Main St., and he may have operated it until 1920. That’s when Prohibition was enacted, which ended the sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States until 1933. He also built a two-story home on the corner of Sixth Pictured in 1902, Ramona’s Main Street is home to many businesses, including Ike Green’s saloon and B streets, where he and PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GUY B. WOODWARD MUSEUM on the far right. his wife, Cecelia, raised their family of six. After Ike died and his widow married James Robinson, the house The Journal’s New Home became known as the Green-Robinson home. Over the years, two annexes were added to the original saloon structure, including the storefront to the west — at 621 Main St. — and the covered entryway, making it functional for many different uses. Stanley Murdo Bachelor, who was born in Ramona in 1901, remembered a poolroom being in one wing. He also told of being a pinsetter at a miniature The Journal office is now located at 621 Main St., in Old Town Ramona. PHOTO BY CAROL KINNEY

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bowling alley situated in one of the wings when he was a child. Dr. Ruben Tellam operated a dentist office in the west wing for many years, from the late 1930s through the mid-1950s. Tellam was the primary dentist in Ramona for many years, and he used the old backcountry methods of dentistry. I can say for a fact that people today are very lucky to have the services of modern, painless dentistry, because frontier dentists like Tellam were very primitive and uncomfortable.

The Ramona Home Journal and Julian Journal office has recently moved to 621 Main St., a building that’s rich with local history. During the 1930s and ’40s, Harriett Miles occupied the original saloon building, where she bought, bartered and sold all kinds of fancy embroidered, crocheted, knitted and sewn articles from local women and had them on display in her store. My grandmother Janneva Harper often made hooked rugs for her to sell. Miles also purchased herbs, plants, roots, bulbs, seeds and Indian remedies from boys who collected

the natural medicinal plants — mint, willow bark, sage, sumac, wild garlic and onion, and herbs — from nearby springs, creeks and foothills. She processed and packaged these remedies and sold them in her shop. My uncle, Warren Harper, collected some of these natural herbs from my grandfather’s ranch in the hills east of Ramona and had a good market for them at Miles’ store during the Depression years. My grandfather was a beekeeper and also sold some of his sage and buckwheat honey there. About 1941, Dr. Robert Stelle moved to Ramona and brought his school of higher philosophy, known as the Lemurian Fellowship. About 1943, the Lemurian Fellowship opened a shop in the east wing, where they displayed and sold their superb wood-crafted articles for many years. In 1956, the local branch of the county library moved from its old location at 579 Main St. to 621 Main. The library remained there under the supervision of longtime librarian Kathryn Thomson, until it moved to 1406 Montecito Rd. in 1976, where it stayed until the new library at 13th and Main was built in 2011. Other businesses that have recently occupied this Ramona landmark include Kirk’s Bike Shop, the Survival Store and Art about Africa, among others long forgotten. n

Passion. People. Purpose. That’s what drives us. Offering the best possible care to our community is our passion. And it starts with our highly skilled doctors and staff. By joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network, we can collaborate on complex cases to offer you the highest level of expertise, right from home. We always put people and patients first by being here when you need us most. So we’re providing hospitals, health centers, and Expresscare clinics across North County. And our purpose is keeping you healthy, so you can live life to its fullest. We are more than a health system. We are your neighbors. We are your advocates. We are Palomar Health.

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LIBRARY NEWS Dr. Seuss Birthday Party and More on Library’s Schedule A Dr. Seuss birthday celebration will be held at Ramona Library on Thursday, March 2, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. “Drop your hat and read with the cat!” says Ramona Library Branch Manager Chelsie Harris. The free “Stoopendous Seusstastical Celebration of Reading” event will be

hosted by the library and the Iota Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, in honor of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, which celebrates Dr. Seuss’ birthday each year with events that focus on literacy. Guests will enjoy crafts, prizes and birthday cake. Acoustic Showcase The library has invited The Full Deck to perform

at its Acoustic Showcase March 9 at 6 p.m. The five-piece combo features a fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass, and will be presented by the San Diego Bluegrass Society. Art Exhibit Open House The library, Ramona Art Guild and 2Create Gallery have partnered to host new rotating art exhibits at the library. An Art & Dessert Open House will be held March 19 at 2 p.m. to introduce this quarter’s exhibit that showcases 13 local artists whose pieces express the theme: “Ramona — A Wonderful Place to Live.” The public is invited to view the art, hear from the artists and enjoy refreshments.

Activities March activities for adults include an arts and crafts class, where participants will learn how to create casttissue paper tiles on March 2 at 1 p.m.; a Gadgets & Gizmos technology session March 3 at 1 p.m.; an introduction to composting class on March 17, with a session for adults at 1 p.m. and for teens at 3 p.m.; and tax assistance March 11 and 25, with appointments available by calling 760-788-5270 or emailing libraryramona@ gmail.com.

to enjoy the sunshine at the library, Harris announced last week. Construction was scheduled to begin Feb. 20 on a new patio connected to the children’s area, with completion expected in March. During construction, a small portion of the parking lot will be closed. The new patio will be used for events, such as animal interactions, painting, and outdoor games and exercises. A children’s patio party is being planned for early April. Ramona Library is located at 1275 Main St. Call 760-788-5270. n

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CALTRANS UPDATE

State Route 67 Construction Traffic Delays to Continue Through Mid-March

tate Route 67 commuters are well aware that traffic has been heavily impacted by construction in the State Route 67, Dye Road, Highland Valley Road Improvement Project zone, with Highland Valley Road particularly affected. As a result, drivers are experiencing longer travel times. Project construction began in May 2016 to make

improvements and widen State Route 67 from two to four lanes through the intersection. In January, crews began widening the eastbound side of intersection, which required reducing the travel lanes on a portion of Highland Valley Road from two lanes to one lane in each direction. The lane reduction resulted in increased queues

struction to be completed this summer, and that landscaping will take another year. Motorists are reminded to watch for highway workers and moving construction equipment in the project area. The work schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions. Caltrans says it continues to monitor traffic signal

and traffic delays during peak commute times. Some relief is expected in mid-March, when construction activities shift to the westbound side of the intersection. During this final stage of the project, crews will open two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane on Highland Valley Road. Caltrans representatives say that they expect con-

operations at the intersections, but that fog and rain may affect vehicle detection. If this occurs, contact Caltrans Public Information Officer Cathryne BruceJohnson at 619-688-6670. Information about the project is available at www. dot.ca.gov/d11/projects/67_ DyeRoad.pdf. n

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RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 11

By Ann Reilly Cole ~ THE JOURNAL

Band Director Driven by Passion

rt Ruiz cops to being “crazy in love” with music, but his enthusiasm for working with the youth at Ramona High School and Olive Peirce Middle School goes deeper than wanting to share his passion for a universal art form unbound by geography, economy, gender or age. At the heart of his enthusiasm is the belief that through attention and discipline, one can improve each day, and that those honed skills can open doors and influence others. A new hire at the Ramona Unified School District, Ruiz aims to create a sense of unity and stability in a program that has seen four different directors over the last four years. Initially hired in March of last year as a drum coach while engaged in undergraduate studies at San Diego State University, Ruiz trained the percussion section to compete at music festivals and directed the American Drum Line Association’s competition in San Marcos. After his graduation from SDSU in May, Ruiz stayed on as drum coach at RHS over the summer, when he learned that the band director, Max Lowe, had resigned to take a position at another high school. Ruiz commit-

ted to continuing his work with the summer band program, hoping that the district would hire a new band director for the fall. Meanwhile he applied for a longterm substitute teacher permit so he could step in as a temporary director if the need arose. He also enrolled in a master’s degree program at National University with a teaching credential internship. After observing the time and commitment Ruiz had put into the summer program, where the RHS band took second place overall in a field of 41 drum lines at the ADLA’s circuit competition, the school district decided to give the band director position to Ruiz, above three other applicants for the job. Ruiz sees this year as a building year; he hopes to create a better connection with the middle school to feed quality music students to the high school. The lack of stability in the past has made for uneven participation by students, leading him to develop their understanding of how a music classroom works by setting the right culture. He is a drill sergeant who insists on rigor while directing his young musicians, yet his eagerness for beauty and excellence is also

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Ramona High School music director Art Ruiz leads the band in an afterschool PHOTO BY ANN REILLY COLE practice session.

contagious. His philosophy is to work hard and collaborate with other talented people, believing that sooner or later, that work will be recognized. Musically, he is challenging his students to hear when they are in tune.

“People learn from each other,” he says. “The music world is small. When you play better, you attract better collaborators.” With a love for music inspired by his mentors and collaborators, Ruiz is on a mission to inspire a thirst for music in his young students. n

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FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Behind the Wheel By Johnny McDonald

Barona Drag Strip Maintains Traditions

here’s an old saying in drag racing that,“You run what you brung.” You might say this still applies at the busy Barona 1/8 Mile Drag Strip, just off Wildcat Canyon Road. It’s a throwback to the pioneering days of National City’s Paradise Mesa, where they raced on an abandoned World War II airfield in the 1950s. That’s where some of the rules were set. At an eighth of a mile, Barona is half the size of the standard National Hot Rod Association-sanctioned drag strip — but the excitement is still here. Darrel Ruskin and two of his buddies, Rick Reynolds and Duncan Patterson, are partners in this swift venture. Ruskin says it’s a tough road to hoe.

By Dianne Jacob

“It costs a lot of money to do this stuff,” he said. “Have to have a lot of volunteers to run this place.” All three are from Clairemont, and they maintain their day jobs. Ruskin is a landscaper, Reynolds works on boats, and Patterson is in the heating and air business. Competition at the track seems to thrive, with between 100 and 125 competitors at most meets. Along the way, the program might include a jet car run, junior races, Match Race Madness and antique drags. “Those old dragsters are something to see and a big fan favorite,” Ruskin said. “Not many tracks deal with nostalgia. We’ll schedule the antique drags in April and again in September.” Sometimes, there are track

surprises, like last year, when national Funny Car champions Ron Capps and Bill Worsham zoomed down the track. He said that the two men have kids in the junior program. “On a quarter-mile, they go past 330 miles per hour,” Ruskin said. “Here, they got up to 201 in 2.3 seconds.” As for the fastest track speed, it was 213, set by a jet car in an exhibition run. “Our season goes from the middle of January to early December,” Ruskin said, adding that they will switch to night racing on May 29. Ruskin said they’ll alternate weekends with nearby Barona Speedway. “The circle track next door to us has night races from March until October. We swap weekends. Had between 3,500 and 4,000 people here on Memorial Day weekend. “We’re trying to schedule a lot of junior events early because we are pretty well booked up. Our fans love to see them again.” He said that Match Race Madness meets three times a year for those who wish to wager on who’s best. “We’re a friendly track and we enjoy doing it,” Ruskin

Johnny McDonald’s book “San Diego Motorsports 100 Racing Years — A Johnny McDonald Collection” is back in print, published by Williams Savage Books and available on Amazon.com.

San Diego Supervisors Promote Public Safety

improvements in It was my great honor to senior services. recently deliver the 2017 State of the County address. • There’s an app for Our county governthat: Graffiti? Potholes? ment is strong, and we will Gas price gouging? Try continue to make public the county’s new Tell Us safety our top priority. But Now! app. we also have a lot of work • Stay battle ready: ahead of us. Tools and tactics to fight Supervisor Dianne Jacob In my speech, I ancrime, wildfire and sex nounced seven initiatives slavery. that I’d like the county and region to • Building a bond: Work with pursue this year: schools to improve community and • Let’s be street wise: Ramp up cop relations. funding to improve county roads We will continue to do all we can within five years. to keep our communities safe, to • Green light for green projects: remain fiscally sound and to maintain Create a sustainable endowment fund a county government that serves the to support parks. people and does them proud. n • Confronting the pension challenge: Pursue changes in Supervisor Dianne Jacob serves employee benefits to ensure San Diego County’s District 2. Visit fiscal health. www.diannejacob.com, call 619-531-5522 or email dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov. • Prepare for the silver surge: Hire a “senior czar” to steer

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said. “We know what the guys want, and we try to accommodate their wishes.” An awards banquet will be held at the end of the season. Then, it’s time for drivers to challenge others at Bakersfield, Fontana and Las Vegas. Adding and Subtracting NASCAR has tossed out the Chase scoring system for one that appears more complicated. No wonder it’s now called the “Monster” series. Officials maintain that it’s what the fans want. The only people keeping track are the television broadcasters. It’s strange how the change affects Jimmy Johnson. He wins his sixth title in 2013, and the next year they change the points structure. He wins his seventh crown last year, and now they make points adjustments. The new call? “Drivers, start your calculators.” n

TDS Desert Safari Returns to Truckhaven The 55th TDS Desert Safari is coming up March 3 to 5, with a return to the Truckhaven 4×4 Training Center this year. Desert Safari is an exciting weekend of offroad experiences hosted by the Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club. It offers fun and challenging trails and rides, vendors, a popular raffle and fireworks. “TDS holds the largest weekend event, and the proceeds assist us in fighting to keep public lands open,” organizers say. They invite guests to come and experience “the magic and splendor of Southern California’s finest wheeling.” Register at www.tds4x4. com. n

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RamonaJournal.com | JulianJournal.com | RamonaGuide.com | JulianGuide.com © 2017 The Ramona Home Journal & Julian Journal. Ramona Home Journal is published every other week and Julian Journal every 4 weeks, and distributed free of charge. Advance written permission must be obtained from the Publisher for partial or complete reproduction of any part or whole of the Ramona Home Journal or Julian Journal newsmagazine, including advertising material contained in its pages. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily the opinions of this publication. The publisher is not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints or typographical errors in editorial or advertisements printed in the publication. We reserve the right to edit submittals. Editorials and information on calendar events are welcome. Send to the Ramona Home Journal, 621 Main Street, Ramona, CA 92065; or phone (760) 788-8148; email sales@ramonajournal.com or send to Julian Journal, P. O. Box 1318, Julian, CA 92036 or email julian@ramonajournal.com

RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 13

ON MEMORY’S BACK TRAIL

Those Were the Days

By Darrell Beck ~ THE JOURNAL

ld screen door hinges squeaked as my cousin Spike and I entered the back porch of the old ranch house at Mesa Grande. We were bringing two armloads of kindling for Aunt Edna’s wood-burning cooking stove. We had just stacked the wood and were going out to split some more, when old Ernie staggered into the yard looking for Uncle Art. It appeared that Ernie lost his bearings and bogged his truck at the low river crossing in the swale below the house. Considering that Ernie was too drunk to hit the ground with his hat, Art told us kids to get the shovels and then took us down to the creek to help get the truck free. After we dug him out, Ernie was so grateful he handed Spike and me a $10 bill and went on his merry way. Now in 1944, 10 dollars to an 11-year-old kid was a

fortune. But our good luck didn’t last very long before we began learning some important lessons. Art said we must return the cash, because it would be unfair to accept money from a man in Ernie’s diminished condition. However, Art atoned for our unfortunate loss by allowing us to cut weeds by the barn, for which we learned all about hard labor while earning just enough honest money to inspire a journey up to the Mesa Grande store, so we could purchase an ample supply of black jellybeans. After walking to the store just over a mile away and making our purchase from the proprietor, Cleason Ambler, and then returning to the ranch, daylight was fading. Apparently, being under the intoxicating influence of the jellybeans, we had the urge to seek a new adventure. In the yard stood the

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bunkhouse, partially overgrown by a huge, wild rosebush and shaded by a large weeping willow. In the evening, there was just enough twilight filtering through the bunkhouse’s hazy yellow windowpanes, allowing us to roust out the resident bats that we knew were sleeping inside the rain slickers and leather chaps that were hanging from hooks on the walls. It was our devious desire to antagonize the bats in order to check out the efficiency of their radar guidance system with our broom sticks. Of course, this wild adventure ended right after we broke a window, so it came to be that two mischievous boys should be brought under the rein of control. Yes, Grandma would be arriving the following day, as our enthusiasm and energy needed to be redirected into learning how to do something worthwhile for the war effort. Grandma, a Red Cross volunteer, decided that we

should learn how to knit Victory Shawls, and she had brought her knitting bag with plenty of yarn scraps. Soon, Spike and I were sitting at the kitchen table like two old ladies, kitting loop over loop. At first, we were all thumbs. But soon we were kitting about eight square inches of stuff every night by dim lamplight. Within a few days, we had both completed about four rectangular feet of multi-colored fabric that looked like two small Mexican serapes. We believed our punishment was done when we ran out of yarn. As we sat there admiring our work, we

we sewed them together. We decided to leave them on the table, as Aunt Edna would know what to do with them. On the following day, Spike and his sister, Judy, joined me to cool off in our favorite swimming hole, which was just a wide pool of slow-moving water on the nearby creek — hardly big enough in which to swim a single stroke. We hurried to the creek that day, not only because the hot ground burned our bare feet, but because we wanted to get there before we were discovered by one of the roving bulls. Once we settled in the cool water, I recall that we were very concerned about

Young Darrell Beck, standing, and his cousin and boyhood PHOTO COURTESY OF DARRELL BECK companion, Spike.

wondered if our creations would really be appreciated by the Leathernecks, or if they would be too embarrassed to wear them. We were perplexed, because they were too short for a scarf, but were not quite big enough for a saddle blanket, even if

those fierce-looking black water bugs. Somehow, for all of our fears, we managed to avoid being pinched by one. Before long, Spike and I became distracted by the presence of a large and rather ugly black frog that was destined to become a very

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unlucky frog — unknown to Judy, who was about to be surprised when the slimy amphibian was slipped into the confines of her swimming suit. Of course, this heathen act of harassment was highly objectionable to her, and as a result, the frog was fatally injured in the ensuing ruckus. Now Spike and I, who had also learned to waste not, want not, didn’t want to see the poor frog be squandered, so we decided to take its remains back to the house and cook it for lunch because we knew Aunt Edna was gone. Although I had never cooked a frog before, Spike seemed quite impressed at my ability to prepare the creature — I just used the same procedure as when I had skinned a catfish in the past. However, we soon found out that cold-blooded frog legs possess a startling reaction to a hot skillet by jumping out onto the floor. After uttering a verbal blessing in behalf of our predicament, we finally overcame the problem by covering the frog with a lid. We both agreed that the frog was a welcome treat that day when added to our usual fare of mustard-and-sugar sandwiches on white Wonder Bread. It was usually during those blissful moments of minimum

activity that we had time to contemplate our next creative expression of boyhood energy. As we sat behind the old blacksmith shop — puffing on our hand-rolled, crushed-oakleaf cigarettes and watching the humorous commotion between a flight of crows and a hawk — we hatched a brilliant scheme for the morrow. At two o’clock on the next afternoon, Spike and I planned to slip out unnoticed and go to the old abandoned Stone place about a mile up the canyon and wait for Judy, our fellow conspirator, who would leave about an hour later. Judy was instructed to bring Ann, the new girl on the mountain, telling her they were just going for a walk to pick some flowers. However, on the way, Judy was to tell Ann some ghost stories and haunted house tales, but not to say that she knew anything about the old house where Spike and I would be waiting, hiding in the attic. As the girls approached, we could hear their voices getting louder. As they came closer, we were as anxious as a pair of hound dogs straining on a leash, and had great difficulty containing our youthful patience and devious anticipation. Then we heard Judy telling Ann in a loud voice that she

wanted to go into “that old house” to get a drink of water, leading Ann straight into our trap! When we heard Judy say she was worried that the house might be haunted, right on cue, we rattled some chains, made obscene boy noises and began howling like banshees. Then, being overcome with the sheer genius of our scheme, we broke out laughing. But our laughter quickly turned to dismay when we realized that Judy had betrayed our plan. Perhaps it was a fit of revenge, as Judy had not forgiven us for the frog incident. As a result, Spike and I had to make all kinds of promises and concessions before the girls would put the ladder back in place so we could get down out of the attic! As days turned to weeks and weeks turned to years, I recall all of these memories and the silly things we did. During that grand time of unfettered youth, where there was no instant communication with the outside world and no fancy toys or electronic gadgets to distract us from exercising our imagination and free will, we were able to enjoy it all, while somehow surviving the reckless experiences of boyhood. n

RAMONA CLUB NEWS Intermountain Republican Women Federated will meet Monday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. at the San Vicente Resort, 24157 San Vicente Rd. Guest speaker will be Michael Barry, who will talk about homeland security, including homegrown violent extremism and counterterrorism. The group welcomes members, spouses and guests from Ramona, Julian, Santa Ysabel and surrounding areas. RSVP to 760-703-9963 or 760788-5801, or email sandylandrid@hughes.net. Visit www.intermountainrwf. com. San Vicente Valley Club will hold a Meet and Greet party on Feb. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Pam Molthen for location and information at 760-789-6659, or email psmolthen@sbcglobal.net. Visit www.sanvicentevalleyclub.com. Ramona Woman’s Club will meet March 2 at 1 p.m., with a program of Irish dancing and a conversation with Katie Ward. Meetings include the bridge club, March 9 at 11:45; literary group, March 13 at 1 p.m.; and Ladybugs garden section, a March 23 field

trip to Poway Nursery at 10 a.m. Meetings are held at 524 Main St. Call President Betty Shaw at 760-789-4515 or visit www.ramona womansclub.com. www.ramonawomansclub. com. Ramona Garden Club will meet at noon on March 8 at Mountain View Community Church, 1191 Meadowlark Wy. Guest speaker Lexi Petlski will talk about pumice in the garden. Call 760-789-8774 or visit www. ramonagardenclub.com/ general-meetings-and-topics. html. Ramona Art Guild will meet the third Wednesday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Ramona Library, 1275 Main St. Call 760-787-1962 or visit www.zhibit.org/rag. Ramona ACBL Bridge Club offers sanctioned bridge games open to the public. The group meets Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at 1721 Main St., Ste. 101. Lessons are held Tuesdays at 2 p.m., with classes for different levels, from beginning to advanced players. Visit “Ramona ACBL Bridge Club” on Facebook. n

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RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 15

Three RUSD Administrators Recognized by ACSA

amona Unified School District Superintendent Anne L. Staffieri announced Feb. 6 that three district employees have been recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as Administrators of the Year for San Diego and Imperial County. “This is the first time in the history of Ramona Unified School District that we have been awarded three recognitions of this magnitude in the same year!” she said. Ramona Community Campus Principal Kathryn Gunderson was honored as the 2017 ACSA Educational Options Administrator of the Year. Personnel manager Sondra Evans was recognized as the ACSA Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year. And Kati Harbour, director of food and nutrition services, was designated as the ACSA Classified Leader of the Year. “This news was revealed to us late last week, and we are very excited to share in celebration with all district employees,” Staffieri said. The superintendent applauded Gunderson’s recognition, saying, “Her extraordinary leadership at the Ramona Community Campus and commitment to all students has resulted in a tremendous positive culture of student achievement and

Principal Kathryn Gunderson, center, was one of three RUSD employees honored by the Association of California School Administrators. She was named Educational Options Administrator of the Year.

opportunities through our renewed partnership with Palomar College.” Evans was credited for her commitment to accuracy and efficiency within the district’s human resources department while continually recruiting and supporting highly qualified staff members, in an effort to sustain a conducive and consistent learning environment for students. Staffieri commended Harbour’s leadership in food and nutrition services, which has been instrumental in the implementation of a districtwide food recovery program that has gained national recognition. The three will be recognized April 28 at a dinner celebration on Harbor Island, entitled “Honoring Our Own.”

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FEBRUARY 23, 2017

RMWD Board Approves Ordering New Fire Engine for $550,000

By Ruth Lepper ~ THE JOURNAL

he Board of Directors of Ramona Municipal Water District gave the go-ahead at its Feb. 14 meeting to place an order for a new fire engine. It will take between 12 and 14 months before the 2017 Spartan ERV Type 1 Fire Engine will be ready.The cost is $550,000. General Manager David Barnum will now send a letter of intent to purchase one of the engines. That will put RMWD in line to make the purchase when the engines are ready. Barnum said that staff will be looking at ways to meet the purchase price. Battalion Chief Steve Foster said long-term financing would be available and brought back to the board for approval. The new engine will replace one of the three Pearce engines the district owns. The oldest was purchased in 1990, and is currently out of operation. Foster said that engine “has exceeded its life expectancy.” The standard length of time for any front-line fire apparatus is 15 years. At that point, if an engine still meets safety standards, it is moved to reserved status and can remain there for another 10 years, making the total life expectancy 25 years. The Pearce that will be replaced has been in use here for 27 years. “It is in poor shape and is not serviceable for long-term use,” Foster said. “There is currently no backup engine when there are mechanical or other maintenance issues with the front-line engines.” An engine is currently on

temporary loan to Ramona Fire Department from San Diego County while one of the other RFD engines is out of service for transmission repairs. Foster announced to the board that he will be retiring in April. He has worked in fire protection for 35 years, the last three with Ramona Fire Department, serving as battalion chief, fire marshal and district chief. Foster will be replaced by Chief Adam Lambert. Board President Thomas Ace commended Foster on the “depth and wealth of information (Foster) brought to the district.” In other business, the board approved contracts for two projects calling for repairing water tanks. The contract for the Snows Treated Reservoir Rehabilitation Project was awarded to Blastco, Inc., for $300,177. Blastco is based in Texas and operates facilities in Bakersfield. The budgeted amount for this project was $287,500. Director Jim Hickle questioned awarding a contract to a single bidder. District engineer Mike Metts and Ricardo Soto, of the engineering department, assured the board the process was handled appropriately. No other bids were received by the deadline, although other companies had requested applications. The Snows tank is located in the Highland Valley area. The other project, for the Tank 4 Reservoir Rehabilitation Project, is located in San Diego Country Estates. That project will

be awarded to TRB Coating & Construction, Inc., out of Downey. The bid was $375,420.50, the lowest of two bids received for the project. Metts said both projects are expected to be completed prior to the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2017. The board also approved authorizing the general manager to enter into a contract with Todd Groundwater, of Alameda, for preparation of the Santa Maria Basin Salt and Nutrient Management Plan. This will meet the requirements for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for the permit for RMWD to operate the Santa Maria Wastewater Treatment Plant. Other business covered adopting an ordinance amending the district’s legislative code to comply with new state requirements regarding accessory dwelling units that went into effect at the beginning of the year. Ratepayers planning to add to their current dwelling, such as building a “granny flat,” will not be charged for making additions to their equivalent dwelling units. Directors also approved a draft for a Water Infrastructure Facilities Plan. The plan covers 12 projects over the next five to 10 years. The approval was for the draft; each plan will come back to the board for final approval at the appropriate time. The next public board meeting will begin at 2 p.m. on March 14 at Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Ln. n

Sen. Anderson Compiles List of Scholarship Opportunities California State Senator Joel Anderson, his staff and interns have put together a list of grants and scholarship opportunities in an effort to help college students and their families who could use financial assistance. “As you or your children begin to prepare for college or other education, I am aware of the financial barriers that many of us as parents or students face,” said Anderson. “Having three children go through this process, I understand the value behind scholarship opportunities and the importance behind financial assistance. “For this reason, my staff has assembled a list

of financial resources available for you. The list is meant to aid you in the ultimate goal of continuing your educational careers.” Constituents who have information about other resources they would like to include on the list may email michael.botello@ sen.ca.gov. Anderson noted that scholarships and grants have deadlines that must be met. The list is a service provided by his office and is not officially endorsed by the State Senate. The list is available at http://district38.cssrc.us/ content/grant-andscholarship-informationsenator-anderson. n

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Which Sports Might Save Your Life? By Jim Evans ~ THE JOURNAL

mericans love sports, but some sports are not “lifetime” sports in the sense that they will provide lifetime health benefits.

They might be challenging and enjoyable in a certain season of your life, but they are probably not the kind of sports that you would want to — or be able to — continue as you age. While some might offer lifesaving benefits, others might be detrimental to your longterm health. So, what sports might provide long-term benefits? According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an international collaboration of researchers found that swimming, cycling, aerobics and racquet sports such as tennis, squash and badminton offer lifesaving benefits, compared to running and football. The study, headed by the University of Sydney, examined more than 80,000 adults

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above the age of 30, with an average age of 52, over a span of 16 years between 1994 and 2008, to explore the link between these specific sports and death. The study found that death from cardiovascular disease was reduced in people who participated in swimming, racquet sports and aerobics. Moreover, compared with study participants who did not participate in the corresponding sport, the risk of death from any cause was 47 percent lower among those who played racquet sports; 28 percent lower among swimmers; 27 percent lower among those who participated in aerobics; and 15 percent lower among cyclists. The risk of death from cardiovascular disease comparing the same groups was 56 percent lower among those who played racquet sports; 41 percent lower among swimmers; and 36 STATE

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percent lower among those who participated in aerobics. According to senior author Associate Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis from the Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences and School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, “Our findings indicate that it’s not only how much and how often, but also what type of exercise you do that seems to make the difference. Participation in specific sports may have various benefits for health.” So, while almost any form of physical activity will provide benefits that enhance your quality of life and overall health, your choice of exercise might be a factor to consider for actual lifesaving benefits. n Jim Evans is a 49-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and internationally recognized fitness consultant. He may be reached by email at pacsd@aol.com.

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FEBRUARY 23, 2017

embers of the Ramona High School Winter Guard team premiered their competition routine Feb. 11 at a Winter Guard Association of Southern California event, hosted by the school’s Royal Alliance Marching Band and Guard. More than 500 participants from 40 teams from as far away as Palm Springs and El Centro arrived throughout the rainy day to have their performance evaluated for competition classification.

RHS Winter Guard Puts on a Show In addition, the number of spectators exceeded 400. Winter Guard is a routine set to music of dance and tumbling while spinning and tossing flags, sabers and rifles on a large vinyl mat covering the gym floor, and it usually includes fanciful props. While some teams did not showcase their entire routines, the RHS Winter Guard performed their full show, demonstrating their exceptional skills. n

Ramona High School 2017 Winter Guard team members are, from left, Conner Hane, Christie Rienks, Michelle Gardnier, Emily Gardnier, Madison Van Hoose, Megan Griswold, Kendra Pettit, Emma Hopperton, Catherine Falls, Raigan Spivey, Rylie Spivey, Mason Marr and Kaleb Yoder. PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANA GRISWOLD

Students Share Artistic Talents

Mount Woodson Cleanup Day Members of the community are invited to participate in the upcoming Mt. Woodson cleanup day event, scheduled for Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers from Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness Center, Allied Climbers of San Diego and the San Diego Chapter of the American Alpine Club are teaming up for the event, which includes trail cleanup and graffiti removal.

Those interested in participating should meet on the corner of Highway 67 and Mt. Woodson Road. Graffiti cleanup helpers should wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts and closedtoe shoes. Gloves, goggles, wire brushes and other equipment will be provided. Similar clothing should be worn by those interested in trail cleanup, with the addition of a hat to protect from the sun. n

The fourth annual Ramona Community Campus Student Art Walk was held at the school site on Feb. 3. The exhibit featured art created by Mountain Valley Academy and Ramona Community Montessori School students who are in kindergarten through 12th grade. PHOTO BY ANGELA MCLAUGHLIN

App Helps Residents Report Non-emergency Issues

In the event of a lifethreatening emergency, residents should not hesitate to call 911. But when members of the public observe non-emergency problems — such as roadway debris, graffiti, potholes and rockslides, and issues with signals and street signs — the County of San Diego has made it easier to submit notifications by using its new “Tell Us Now!” app, available for iPhones and Android devices. FEBRUARY 23, 2017

The app also allows residents within the unincorporated areas to report problems related to pricing and scales, such as at gas pumps and grocery stores; air quality; and code compliance, such as graffiti and abandoned vehicles — and to track the progress of a complaint. For a list of San Diego County’s mobile apps, visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/ content/sdc/dmpr/gfx/ appcenter/index.html. n

THE JOURNAL IS DIRECT MAILED! LOOK FOR US EVERY OTHER THURSDAY Our March 9 issue deadline is February 27. Reserve your ad space today! Call 760-788-8148 or Email Sales@RamonaJournal.com

RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 19

Pastor’s Corner By Rev. Andy Schreiber

An Introduction to The Ten Commandments

n this column, I recently completed a series of studies of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4).

What was clear in those studies is that the Lord Jesus intended for prayer to serve as a model, or pattern, to teach us how to rightly approach God in prayer. Everything that is essential for one to know about prayer is in some way summarized there by the Lord Jesus. That series got me thinking that a similar series through another key biblical subject might also prove quite helpful. The subject that immediately came to mind was the Ten Commandments. Why the Ten Commandments? Because just as we need instruction about how to pray, we also need instruction as to how God would have us live. God’s standard for holiness is found in his moral law, and the clearest summary of his moral law is found in the Ten Commandments. Everything that is essential for one to know about how our Creator would have us live is in some way summarized there. Like

the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments are also found in two different places in the Bible: Ex. 20:1-17 and Deut. 5:1-21. The very fact that they are repeated in Scripture should grab our attention. Everything that God says in his holy Word is important, but when he repeats something, it must be especially so. The Ten Commandments, as a summary of God’s moral law, are our Godgiven standard for right and wrong. It is imperative for us to learn not to just “do whatever is right in our own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25), for that often ends up leading to “doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord,” a common refrain throughout the book of Judges. Relative morality may be a popular notion, but it often leads to concrete immorality in the eyes of the Lord. The Commandments have always been foundational building blocks in Christian education, both in the church and in the home — and, until recent decades, in many schools, as well! From around the time of

the 16th century Protestant Reformation to today, some of the most widely used confessions and catechisms, which are basically just instructional tools, included extensive treatments of the Ten Commandments, as well as of the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In other words, they have always been an essential part of the ABCs of the Christian faith. The Ten Commandments are important because ignorance and confusion about God’s law abound, even among sincere believers. That simply should not be the case. If believers in Christ are ignorant of God’s commandments, is it any wonder that so many in our culture cannot seem to tell right from wrong, or good from evil? I plan to deal with some preliminary questions and concerns about the Ten Commandments in the coming months, and then go through each of the commandments in order, one by one. I hope you will find these studies helpful, and that together we will learn to “delight in the law of the Lord, and meditate in it day and night” (Ps. 1:2). n Rev. Andy Schreiber is pastor of Ramona Valley Presbyterian Church. He may be reached at 760-787-1570 or andy@ ramona valleypca.com. Visit www.ramona valleypca.com. Opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

Assemblyman Voepel Introduces Veterans’ Jobs Legislation

Assemblymember Randy Voepel announced that he has introduced AB 353 — the Veteran Employment Parity Act (VEPA) — that would establish a voluntary preference for employers to grant to veterans during the hiring process. “Today’s law only allows for employers to give preference to Vietnam-era veterans when it comes to hiring decisions,” said Voepel. “My bill would expand Assemblyman this law to include all Randy Voepel veterans, regardless of when they served. This ensures that, if they desire, employers can give preference to veterans who have served since the end of the Vietnam War, ensuring that veterans of 20 RAMONA HOME JOURNAL

Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts receive preference when it comes to employment. “As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a Vietnam veteran myself, this piece of legislation is close to my heart. The Veteran Employment Parity Act will ensure that veterans across our state, no matter when they served, have equal opportunity to quality employment.” AB 353 is the first bill Assemblyman Voepel has introduced, and it has attracted nine co-authors so far in the Assembly and Senate. n Assemblyman Randy Voepel represents the 71st Assembly District, which includes the communities of Ramona, Julian, Santa Ysabel, Warner Springs and Borrego Springs, among others.

Winter Fun Means Staying Safe As the county continues to receive rain and mountain snow, the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation suggests ways to help residents remain safe.

• Don’t drive or walk across flooded roadways. Only six inches of water can stall a car and strand its occupants. Normally dry gullies and low-lying roads may become rivers, with strong currents that can carry away children, pets and even adults. • In the snow. Carry snow chains, stay on paved roads, dress warmly and, if possible, stay in an area with cell service in case of an emergency. Check road conditions with the California Highway Patrol at cad.chp. ca.gov/traffic.aspx.

• Use a carbon monoxide alarm. If you burn fuels such as gas, wood, propane, oil or kerosene, and if they don’t burn sufficiently, they can create carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. • Power failure. If the power goes out, do not use a barbecue or portable camp stove inside the home for cooking or to provide heat. There is no way for them to vent, and they will create carbon monoxide. Use flashlights and candles to provide light, but be careful where you place candles, and make sure they are extinguished when you leave the house or go to bed. • Check your smoke alarms. Replace smoke alarm batteries regularly and vacuum them to keep them clear of dust and cobwebs. Wintertime is a special time to enjoy outdoor activities or stay home with the family around the fireplace. But whatever you do, remember to stay safe. n

Explaining the Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere Many people are familiar with the term “ozone layer.” But some may not know that the Earth’s atmosphere consists of several layers. The lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the troposphere, which the U.S Environmental Protection Agency notes extends from the Earth’s surface to roughly six miles in altitude. The troposphere is where nearly all human activities occur. Even climbers who make it to the peak of Mt. Everest are still in the troposphere, as Everest is fewer than six miles high. But anyone who has ever boarded a commercial flight has likely left the troposphere and entered the stratosphere, where the majority of commercial airplanes fly. The stratosphere begins at six miles above the Earth’s surface and extends

to about 31 miles above the surface of the planet. The EPA notes that most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere that’s roughly nine to 18 miles above the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere absorbs some of the sun’s radiation, including the UV and UVB radiation that have been linked to cancer. The third layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the mesosphere, which extends from 31 miles to roughly 53 miles above the surface of the planet. The height of the next-highest layer, the thermosphere, varies due to changes in solar activity. The exosphere, which contains many of the satellites that orbit the Earth, is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. n FEBRUARY 23, 2017

By Melinda Myers

Tropical Paradise in a Container or Garden

dd an exciting new look to your garden, poolside, patio or deck with elephant ears.These tropical plants have tall stems and giant leaves that measure up to two feet across. You can use them to create an instant focal point in the garden, screen an unwanted view, or extend a bold welcome at the front door. Elephant ears can be grown in containers as well as in the garden, so if space is an issue, try some of the more compact varieties like Hawaiian Punch. You’ll appreciate the impact this threefoot-tall plant makes with its red stems and bright-green leaves with dark-red veining. Or go big with six-foot-tall Black Stem. Its smooth, blue-

By Greg Dill

One recent Sunday morning, I woke up to a text message from a coworker saying she’d been up all night with her mother in the emergency room. Her mom had fallen, broken her hip and was getting admitted to the hospital for surgery. As you can imagine, my colleague was exhausted, worried and facing some important decisions. Even as her mom was being prepped for surgery, the hospital’s care coordinator was asking which rehabilitation facility she should be sent to afterward. As a fellow official of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), my associate has a better-thanaverage understanding of the healthcare system. But she’d never had to find a rehabilitation facility for a loved one. So she turned to an online tool CMS developed to help people find a suitable nursing home when they need one. The tool is called Nursing Home Compare, and you can find it on the www.medicare. gov website. Click on the button that says “find nursing homes,” enter your ZIP code or city, and you can begin your search. Nursing Home Compare assigns from one to five stars to every nursing facility that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, with five stars being the highest rating. These star ratings give you FEBRUARY 23, 2017

green leaves are displayed atop striking purple-black stems. Variegated varieties are another option. The unusual foliage of Mojito is decorated with blue-black dashes and splashes. No two leaves are alike on this beauty. For even more color and drama, don’t miss Black Magic. Its dark, blue-black leaves measure two feet across and can grow up to five feet tall. These are just a few of the many varieties that are well suited to home gardens. In USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11 — Ramona is designated as zone 9a — elephant ears may be grown outdoors yearround. In cooler areas, the plants are grown as annuals or can be brought indoors for

the winter. Give these bold beauties a space of their own or combine them with other interesting foliage plants, such as caladiums, coleus, larger begonias, trailing sweet potato vines and other annuals. The fine leaves of ornamental grasses, such as shade-tolerant Japanese forest grass and sedges, contrast nicely with the elephant ears’ bold leaves. Elephant ears are tropical plants that need warm soil and plenty of moisture all season long. They are happy to grow in sun or shade, though in hot climates, the leaves need to be protected from midday sun. Fertilizing every two or three weeks will help your plants reach their full potential. Check the longfield-

gardens.com website for information on elephant ear varieties, planting tips and lots of inspiration. Elephant ears are available as spring-planted bulbs or as potted plants. The baseballsized tubers can be planted outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter prior to planting. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the tuber and plant it pointy side up. The top of the tuber should be about an inch below the soil surface. To get an early start on the season, plant the tubers in containers filled with well-drained potting mix and

tions during the most recent 36 months. • Staffing levels: CMS bases staffing ratings on two components: registered nurse hours per resident day, and total staffing hours (registered nurse, plus licensed practical nurse, plus nurse aide hours) per resident day. The staffing measures are adjusted for different levels of resident care needs. • Quality measures: These ratings are based on how a nursing home performs on 16 of the 24 qualityof-care measures currently posted on Nursing Home Compare. The measures reflect if residents got flu shots, are in pain or are losing weight. We also look at how well the facility controls pressure ulcers (bed sores), whether it overuses antipsychotic medications and other indicators of how residents are treated. A facility’s overall star rating is a composite of the ratings on the measures above. The core of the overall rating is the health inspection rating, which is adjusted up if the facility receives high staffing or quality-of-care ratings, or down if those ratings are low. You can compare multiple facilities on Nursing Home Compare, as my colleague did when looking for the best spot for her mother. But keep in mind that star ratings are intended to be

combined with other sources of information — such as a doctor’s recommendation — and shouldn’t substitute for visiting the nursing home in person. Indeed, after my coworker identified two possible facilities, she visited the one that had an available room and was pleased to learn it had high ratings for food service, something very important to her mother. At www.medicare.gov, you’ll also find “compare” websites for hospitals, home health services, dialysis facilities, medical equipment suppliers and Medicareapproved health and prescription drug plans. Choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one is a complex, personal and often emotionally draining

Finding a Good Nursing Home

Greg Dill

and your family an easy-tounderstand summary of three important dimensions of nursing home quality: health inspection results, staffing information and quality of care. The goal of our Five-Star Quality Rating System is to help people distinguish between higher- and lowerperforming nursing homes. CMS also wants to help nursing homes identify problem areas and improve their quality. Nursing facilities receive an overall star rating based on three types of performance indicators, each of which has its own star rating: • Health inspections: Nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid undergo unannounced, comprehensive inspections about once a year. CMS bases health inspection ratings on the number, scope and severity of deficiencies found during the three most recent inspections, as well as on results of complaint investiga-

grow them in a warm, sunny window for four to six weeks. Move the plants outdoors when the soil is warm and the danger of frost has passed. Just choose a few containers or locate some spots in the garden where you can include these bold-leafed beauties. Before you know it, you’ll be sipping your favorite beverage in your very own tropical garden. n Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books, a columnist for Birds & Blooms magazine, and the TV and radio host of “Melinda’s Garden Moment.” Visit www. melindamyers.com.

decision. With that in mind, we developed a detailed brochure, “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care,” which you can find online at www.medicare.gov/Pubs/ pdf/02174.pdf. Among other things, the brochure provides a checklist of questions to ask nursing home managers, alternatives to nursing home care, and the legal rights and protections of nursing home residents. I’m glad to report that my colleague’s mother is on the mend! n Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Territories.

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Specializing in Residential Glasswork LET US TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR GLASS & SCREENING NEEDS

222 9th Street • Ramona

760 789-4320

FINANCING AVAILABLE

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm Sat 10am-2pm Lic# 659595

2405 Main St., #6, Ramona (760) 428-9600 • GoGetFloors.com

Lic. #415453

The Only Full Service Water Treatment Company in Ramona!

Katie has been cleaning my house for a little over 6 months now and I couldn’t be happier! She is thorough, dependable and does a wonderful job. Her prices are reasonable and I trust her completely in my home. I would highly recommend her for any of your cleaning needs. — Julie Gillis

GOT PROBLEM WATER? For over 35 years our dad has been taking care of Ramona’s water problems, big or small. Call our dad today and eliminate the problems!

With Foresight Comes Peace of Mind

Sean Kinney

Residential • Commercial • Drinking Water • Water Softeners WE REPAIR ALL MAKES & MODELS

Certified Home Inspector

Personal, Professional Service Since 1977 Locally Owned and Operated

(808) 852-7769

kinney.inspections@gmail.com

760.789.5010

Se Habla Español

www.haguewatersandiego.com

www.foresightbuildinginspection.com

Regal Floors Carpet, Tile, Wood, Cork & Bamboo vvv

FAMILY OWNED OPERATED

Upholstery

LICENSE #670049 B -1 and C-33

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the blinds spot Your FULL SERVICE Local PAINTING Company Celebrating 25+ Years in the Construction Industry

QUALITY SERVICE • TRAINED PROFESSIONALS

Interior, Exterior, Specialty Coatings, Wood Replacement & More!

760.788.8181 www.Patriotptg.com

Steve Travis 858.414.6955

Shades v Shutters FREE TION Draperies v Sales A T L U CONS Installation v Repairs ON-SITE FABRICATION Cellular, Horizontal & Vertical

theblindsspot.com 707 Main Street, Ramona 760-787-1406

Before vvv

Refinishing vvv

After

Call Michael for Consultation

760 788-3620

www.MichaelClackFurnitureRestorations.com 436 Main Street, Suite B (Old Town Ramona)

• • • • •

Irrigation Tree Removal Retaining Wall Clean-up Demolition

• Concrete Jobs • Artificial Grass • Pavers – Repairs & New Install

Bonded and Insured

760-315-5402 Ca Lic-992366

CONTRACTOR LICENSE — California law requires that contractors taking jobs that total $500 or more (labor and/or materials) be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. Check contractors’ license status at www.cslb.ca.gov. Business and Professions Code section 7030.5 says that licensed contractors are required to include their license numbers in (a) all construction contracts; (b) subcontracts and calls for bid; and (c) all forms of advertising, as prescribed by the registrar of contractors.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Carpet, Tile, Wood, Cork & Bamboo

The Only Service W Treatmen Company Ramona!

Bad Taste, Nitrates, Hard Water, Iron. Iro . . NO PROBLEM! Call Bert Huff

I’ll Clean 4 YOU!

Your House ~ Your Windows ~ Your Carpets 2

HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • TILE • CARPET • VINYL

Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Lic. #415453

RAMONA HOME JOURNAL 23

Residential • C WE R

Perso

Ransom Brothers It’s Weed Season! We Have Everything You Need to Control Your Personal Jungle! Green Thumb 32 oz. Concentrate Weed Killer 171822

Reg. Price TVR Instant Savings

1.1 Gal RTU Roundup 161435

14 -3 00

Reg. Price TVR Instant Savings

1199

SALE PRICE

40 oz. Roundup Concentrate

SALE PRICE

16 99

1 Gallon Tank Sprayer 131384

147895

Reg. Price TVR Instant Savings

2099 -4 00

SALE PRICE

24 99 -4 00

9 99

20 99

Gallon Super Concentrate Roundup 409839

99 99 Green Thumb 24” Poly Lawn Rake 560216

SALE PRICE

6 99

Green Thumb 3x100’ Landscape Fabric Green Thumb 5/8x50 HD Neverkink Garden Hose

184805

SALE PRICE

185914

SALE PRICE

19 99

9 99

FREE Shipping to our store on your TrueValue.com orders

1441 Main Street

532 B Street

760-789-7898

760-789-0240

(In the Albertsons Center)

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 7 pm • Sat & Sun: 8 am - 5 pm 24 RAMONA HOME JOURNAL

(Old Town Ramona)

Mon - Fri: 7 am - 5 pm • Sat & Sun: 7:30 am - 4 pm

www.ransombrothers.com

FEBRUARY 23, 2017