“It is better to look ahead and

prepare than to look back and regret.”

MARCH 2018

Hilltop Horsemen Learn About Emergency Preparedness Part One: Fire Submitted by Kerry Manos With Thanks to Jim Merson It was a dark and stormy night…

Despite the rain and cold of early January, a group of hardy Hilltoppers met for a ham dinner and a chance to listen to Jim Merson, chairman of the Garner Valley Emergency Preparedness Committee, talk about the challenges our community might face in an emergency, and how we horse/homeowners can be ready to deal with them.

This topic is, of course, relevant to all in our community. For we horse owners, learning about general preparedness helped us form a context for the additional specific plans we need to have in place to care for our horses or other large animals in a disaster.

In his discussion, Jim began by painting a rather sobering picture of the possible predicaments in which we could find ourselves. He pointed out that the two most likely emergencies we could face in our area are fire and earthquake. Each of these situations will require specific kinds of planning and preparation.

In the case of fire, we should have some warning. Official weather reports, such as red flag warnings, will alert us to the possibility of fire. If a fire does break out, we will have some amount of time, although perhaps not much, to implement our escape plans. In the fire scenario, we should be prepared to first evacuate ourselves, then our animals, and if possible, our most valuable possessions. We will need to shelter elsewhere until it is safe to return home.

An earthquake, however, will take us totally by surprise. We will have no time to gather what we need at the last minute. In more serious conditions, we may not be able to leave our homes or neighborhoods if roads have been rendered impassible. In such case, we must be prepared to shelter in place. When we do, we may find ourselves sheltering in homes without power or water.

Both scenarios require planning and preparation to ensure that we and our neighbors achieve the best possible outcome in extremely challenging circumstances.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Microchip Clinic for Horses 2

Valentine Italian Night 3

Garner Valley Adopt-A-Highway Day 3

Our New Community Manager 4

Equestrian Alliance Group Lessons 4

Spring Starts Snake Season 5

GVEA Emergency Planning Meeting 6

Hilltop Horsemen Meeting 6

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Microchip Clinic for Horses

Jo O’Brien is organizing a microchip clinic at the Garner Valley Arena with a local vet. The cost is $55 per horse, with an extra cost if sedation is needed. There is an 8 horse minimum in order for the vet to do this clinic. Please call or text Jo at 951-303-4867 ASAP with questions or to reserve a spot! Date and time will be determined once she has enough horses.

Fire, Continued … Hilltoppers received a wealth of information on that rainy night, far more than could be covered in a whole issue of the Valley Voice. In this article, we’ll look at a few highlights, and provide references to sources of detailed information. In this issue we’ll start with fire.

Protecting ourselves, our animals and our property in the face of a fire depends on two simple things: what we do before a fire threatens (preparation and planning), and how we respond when fire

occurs (action). These main points are summarized below. For detailed information and specific tips, lists, etc. go to www.fire.ca.gov or www.rvcfire.org.

Preparation includes maintaining our properties to minimize flammable materials such as dry or dead branches, trees, shrubs, leaves or needles, or other debris. Poorly maintained vegetation helps spread a fire through our yards, propagates it on our roofs or provides fuel to help ignite the walls of our homes. We also need to use common sense when locating stacks of firewood, outdoor cooking areas, fire pits and other features on our property that involve fire or the storage of flammable materials, and we must be diligent in maintaining our chimneys or flues for wood stoves. You can refer to the many published materials available from the sources cited above for specific suggestions and check lists. You can also have a personalized assessment of your property’s fire risk courtesy of our local fire station. You may request a “non-compliance” inspection and a local firefighter will visit your property and give you tips and ideas as to how to make your property better “hardened” against fire.

Preparation also means having a family evacuation plan worked out and in place before a fire ever threatens. This plan should include such considerations as how you will communicate with family members before and during evacuation, how you will round up, contain and transport your pets and large animals, if you have them, and where you will take them (Red Cross shelters will not accept animals). Also, you should decide in advance what important documents, heirlooms, photos, etc., you would wish to take if you have time. Have copies of important papers, including insurance papers, available to grab and go. Have a “bug out bag” with clothing, medicines, snacks, water, reading material or games for entertainment, etc.

When the time comes to act, listen to the advice of authorities. Evacuate early. Don’t wait until evacuation routes become dangerous or impassable. Follow tips from the cited resources on how to leave your home in a way that will help the firefighters do their work: gates open, driveways unobstructed, ladders and garden hoses available, if possible. Close doors and windows, leave your lights on, take down light drapes or close heavy ones.

Most relative newcomers to our community probably can remember the fire on the Santa Rosa Reservation a couple of years ago. A lot more of us remember the Mountain Fire of 2013. The threat is real, and it’s only a matter of time before the next fire strikes. Let’s all take a relatively small amount of time now to be prepared when it does. Next Issue: Earthquake

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Spring Quotes

"A smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose."

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."

Proverb

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party."

Robin Williams

" Spring is a time to find out where you are, who you are, and move toward where you are going."

Penelope Trunk

"The colors of spring emerge with sweet sounds of song birds to fill our winter weary souls: bringing hope, new beginnings and inspiration."

" Let your joy burst forth...like flowers in the spring."

Valentine Italian Night: A Big Success! The Valentine Italian Night sponsored by the Garner Valley Women's Group was a wonderful success! From the themed appetizers to the delectable desserts, the food was well received! The main course was salad, garlic bread, and an amazing buffet of spaghetti with an array of sauces, along with tasty sausage, donated by Art and Caryn Levitt.

During the evening, guests browsed the many enticing, themed baskets, beautifully decorated, as well as the individual items up for the silent auction. Bidding took place throughout the evening, and prizes were later awarded to the high bidders.

Timmie Martens and Skip Petersen gave an interesting history of the bison, which led to the one item up for live auction, a beautiful painting

of a bison and its baby donated by our own resident wildlife artist, Millie Shaw. Skip did a great job of getting the bidding up. It was very exciting! The winning bidder was Teresa Beith, the new owner of the beautiful bison painting!

In addition to the auction, donated door prizes were given out, and each table had a centerpiece that was given

to the person sitting in the winning chair.

All in all, this was a fun evening -- win or lose!

Garner Valley Adopt-A-Highway Day Submitted by Jim Merson The community turnout for this February's Adopt-A-Highway day was gratifying as usual. Well over a dozen volunteers got up early and helped walk the two mile stretch of Highway 74 running through our properties. We picked up more than two dozen big bags of trash, had fun getting to know our neighbors, got a little exercise and fresh air and even accepted a compliment or two from passing motorists. I would like to especially thank Susan Gonzalez for volunteering to go to the Cal Trans department and take a class to be a certified leader for our community.

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Our New Community Manager: Evelyn Cabrera We have a new Community Manager at FirstService Residential. Evelyn Cabrera has worked at FirstService for five years. She is originally from San Diego. In her free time, she enjoys restoring furniture and doing crafts. Here is Evelyn’s contact information.

Direct 951.973.7504 | Toll Free 800.428.5588 | Fax 951.296.2099 Email evelyn.cabrera@fsresidential.com

Deanna Casillas will continue to assist GVPOA as needed in the upcoming months. We wish to thank Deanna for all of her hard work on our behalf during the last two years as our Community Manager!

GV Equestrian Alliance Group Lessons Resume! Have you ever thought about being part of a drill team? Would you like to train your horse to carry a flag and be part of a color guard? Well, here’s your chance to find out if you and your horse like it! No prior drill team experience is required!

Please join us on Sunday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. for a group lesson at the GV arena. We’ll work on some basic group riding exercises and a few easy formations. Our plan is to practice and get ready to perform a drill and color guard at the Anza Lions Gymkhanas this summer.

The cost of each lesson is split between the participants. Come on out and give it a try! It’s great fun and a great learning experience for you and your horse.

Please be in the saddle and ready to ride at 11:00 a.m.

RSVP by Friday, March 23 to Melanie Bellamore, 714-349-9800 or email mbellamore3@gmail.com .

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Spring Starts Snake Season!

As people and pets begin to enjoy the outdoors more in springtime, so do snakes. Our area, and California in general, has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The big exception is the rattlesnake. There are many varieties of rattlesnakes in Southern California, some of which include the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake, and the Mojave rattlesnake.

Generally, not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snake bites occur on the hands, feet, and ankles.

Do’s and Don'ts in Snake Country:

First, know that rattlesnakes are not confined to rural areas. They have been found near urban areas, in river or lakeside parks, and at golf courses. Be aware that startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively. There are several safety measures that can be taken to reduce the chance of startling a rattlesnake.

* Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots.

* When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.

* Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.

*Never grab "sticks" or "branches" while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim.

*Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.

*Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.

*Do not handle a freshly killed snake. It can still inject venom.

* Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes.

* Carry a cell phone and let family and friends know where you are going and when you are checking in.

Ways to determine if the snake is a rattlesnake:

A rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied, blunt-tailed snake, with a triangular-shaped head, much broader at the back than front, and has a distinct "neck" region. The rattlesnake has a series of dark and light bands near the tail, just before the rattles, which are different from the markings on the rest of the body. Also, rattles may not always be present due to breakage or are not developed when young.

What to do in the event of a snake bite, per the California Poison Control Center:

*Stay calm.

*Wash the bite area gently with soap and water.

*Remove watches, rings, etc., which may constrict swelling.

*Immobilize the affected area.

*Transport safely to the nearest medical facility.

Enjoy the outdoors, but be aware!

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YOUR EDITORS

Lynnette Holdridge (626) 233-1224 Leslie Ingham

(909) 631-3685 Email:

GVEditors@gmail.com

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Submissions and photos are always welcome!

Submission deadline: 25th of the month.

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Please feel free to contact the

Editors with any other questions. If we do not have the answers, we will

get them!

GV Equestrian Alliance Emergency Planning Meeting

After a delicious lunch including 4 different types of chili, posole, cornbread, salads, and delicious desserts, we were treated to a very informative presentation by our guest speaker, Megan Silveira. Megan brought lots of great handouts and shared her personal experiences during emergency evacuations. Megan was a veterinary surgical technician and has been a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Animal Control Emergency Rescue Team for several years. She stressed the importance of evacuating early, training our horses to load into different trailers with different people, and to practice, plan, and prepare! Megan offered to come back for a future planning meeting, date and subject to be announced. Don’t miss it!

Our local Fire Captain David Ortega and two firefighters then spoke about how quickly fires can change direction and intensity due to the winds and answered our questions about evacuations and road closures, as well as what to do while evacuating or when sheltering in place.

A big thanks to Megan for sharing her knowledge and to everyone who participated, brought food and drinks to share, and volunteered their time and efforts to bring these important emergency evacuation planning meetings to Garner Valley!

Hilltop Horsemen to Learn About War Horse Creek Submitted by Kerry Manos At the upcoming March 6 meeting, Hilltop Horsemen will have a chance to learn about an exciting new program at Living Free Animal Sanctuary, in which rescued wild mustangs will be used in an innovative treatment of military veterans suffering PTSD. The program, called War Horse Creek, will expand the mission of Living Free from its current scope of rescue and adoption out of dogs and cats, to include the rescue of wild mustangs from the BLM. However, unlike the dogs and cats, the resident mustangs will have a job to do. Once they are settled at their new home at Living Free and sufficiently gentled, they will participate in a therapy program in which troubled veterans work with them on the ground. Results from similar programs have shown that the sensitive nature of the horses provides the veterans an unerring feedback mechanism on their mental and emotional state. The horses help the veterans to recognize personal behaviors that, while perhaps appropriate on the battlefield, no longer serve them well in civilian life. The horses will benefit also. It is expected that some horses will eventually become gentled and socialized enough through their work with the veterans, that they can be made available for outside adoption, thus making room for new rescued mustangs. As this program unfolds, there may be opportunities for Hilltoppers to support this worthy venture, through volunteerism, tack donations, etc. Speakers will include Randall Harris, President of Living Free, Dr. Nancy O’Brien, program psychologist, and Ray Barmore, head horse trainer/wrangler. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 6, from 6-8 PM at Kerry Manos’ home, 35652 Penrod Canyon Road, Garner Valley. In celebration of upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, a cowboy corned beef entree (smoked on the pellet grill) will be served. Please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to go with it, and wear something green if you’re a good sport!