GBU Mountain News XLVIII February 27, 2014 (PDF)

GBU Mountain News

GBU Mountain News

February 27 - XLVIII
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independent - unbiased – professional
February 27, 2014 - XLVIII

The President’s Visit to California
Somewhat Bizarre!
By Gunnar J Kuepper

On February 14, US President Barack Obama came to
visit the Central Valley, one of the areas most impacted
by the worst drought in California's recorded history. In

Firebaugh, a small farming community west of Fresno,
the President met with local farmers and agriculture
leaders. He promised a $183 million aid package for

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ranchers, farmers, and communities that have already
been crushed by the lack of water. Starting in April,
Central Valley ranchers will be able to apply for $100
million in livestock disaster assistance funding. The
money can be used to replace livestock or purchase feed.
California ranchers and farmers will both have access to

Cachuma Lake near Santa Barbara on Feb 22, 2014:
within three years the water level has dropped by ~55 feet,
and the reservoir is currently at less than 40% capacity

$5 million in U.S. Agriculture Department funds to
implement water conservation programs, reduce wind
erosion on drought-impacted fields and improve the
access of livestock to water. Projects to stabilize dry
stream banks will get $5 million in federal funds, and
small community water districts set to run out of water in
the next 60 to 120 days will be able to apply for $3
million in grants. Another $60 million in Agriculture
Department funds will be made available to food banks
in California's driest towns. President Obama also called
on federal facilities in California to limit water
consumption immediately.
So far – so good.
Afterwards the President flew with Air Force One to
Palm Springs located in the Coachella Valley and things
became somewhat bizarre.
Remember, California is experiencing the worst drought
in recorded history. The Coachella Valley is the
extension of the Sonoran Desert to the southeast, and as
such extremely arid. The average precipitation is about 4
inches per year. For comparison, the average annual
precipitation throughout California is 22.2 inches and
Illinois sees on average 39.2 inches every year.
Over the next days the President, who only hours before
saw the devastating effects of drought, played golf at two
very exclusive private courses in the middle of the hot

and bone-dry desert. The Coachella Valley has 120+ golf
courses in mostly very exclusive country club settings.
The average golf course uses about 850 acre-feet of per
year, or nearly one million gallons a day to maintain its
greens and adjacent landscaping. One acre foot equals
about 326,000 gallons. Subsequently the 120 golf courses
in the greater Palm Springs area consume annually a total
of at least 10,200 acre foot or 3.32 billion gallons of
water. That equals about 17% of the water for the entire
Coachella Valley, and one-quarter of that is pumped out
of the groundwater aquifer.

Drought brings dust storms to the Central Valley –
on Jan 23, 2014

The President stayed for three nights at the Sunnylands
estate in Rancho Mirage. He was seen playing golf on
Saturday at Sunnylands, in mid-80s desert temperatures.
On Sunday the President played golf at Porcupine Creek,
the estate of Oracle co-founder owner Larry Ellison.
At the same time that President Obama is playing at the
most luxurious golf courses in the desert, Governor Jerry
Brown is urging the 39 million people in California,
including those living in Coachella Valley, to cut their
water use by 20%.

California’s Central Valley produces nearly one-third of the
nation's fruits and vegetables. However, farmers recently
learned they will not receive irrigation water from the State
Water Project, and they anticipate a similar announcement
later this month from federal authorities who operate a
similar system called the Central Valley Project.

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The President’s Visit to California – Somewhat
Bizarre by Gunnar J Kuepper
News from the El Tejon Unified School District
Frazier Mountain High School
o Sports
o Spring 2014 Sport Schedules for Junior Varsity
Softball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Baseball
El Tejon School
Frazier Park School
o Frazier Park’s Finest for Feb 13 & 20, 2014 by
Michelle Penner
o Animal Tracking & Identification Class
o Photographer’s Fan Club at Frazier Park School
Gorman School
All Things Local
o A small dream becomes huge by Kristina
Graves, Frazier Mountain Boys & Girls Club
o Los Padres Seeks Public Comment On OHV
Grant Application by Andrew Madsen
o Next AARP Meeting on Thursday, March 6
People
Law Enforcement Corner
o Kern County Sheriff’s Office – Frazier Park
o Incidents Feb 11 - 24
o Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
o California Highway Patrol

o Two CHP Officers killed on Highway 99
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o Class: Age Well – Drive Smart
Animals Matter
Our Library
o Calendar
Incidents & Accidents in our Region
o Homicides, Fires, Arrests, Traffic Accidents
throughout Kern County
Arts – Music – Theatre
Business Affairs
Teens
o 2014 FBI Teen Academy
o PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship Program 2014
o Green Dragon Farms Community Scholarship
Nature, Science & Technology
Weather
o Frazier Park Weather Forecast
o Los Padres Issues Safety Reminders As Winter
Storm Approaches
o 2013: the fourth warmest year on record since
1880
Kern County

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Board of Supervisors Meetings
Support for HR 3964 (Sacramento-San Joaquin
Emergency Water Delivery Act) requested from
the Board of Supervisors
Upcoming Events
Safety & Disaster Preparedness
o Monthly Tips for making your house defendable
from Wildfires by Kern County Fire Department
o Six P’s for immediate evacuation
Legislative Affairs
o Salas Fights to Fund Ag Education
o Assemblymember Salas Hosts Senior Scam
Stopper Seminar
Where to Go – What to Do
Op-Ed
o State’s Problems Caused By Disconnect
Between Voters And Elected Officials by
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove
Business Directory
Job Offers

‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

GBU Mountain News is now on
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/GB
U-Mountain-News/1400308640212535
and see what’s happening in the
Frazier Mountain Communities

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News from the
El
Tejon
Unified
School District
Frazier
Mountain
School (FMHS)

High

Sports
Spring Sports Schedules
Provided by Jerry Quick
Junior Varsity Softball 2014
o Thursday, March 6th @ Arvin at 3:15pm-All four
teams.
o Thursday, March 13th vs Kern Valley at 3:15pm
o Friday, March 21st @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, March 25th vs. Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 1st @ KV at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 4th vs. KV at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 8th -BYE
o Friday, April 11th -vs. Desert at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 22nd vs Bishop at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 25th @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 29th @ Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Friday, May 2nd vs Rosamond at 3:15pm
Varsity Softball 2014
o Tuesday, March 4th @ Albert Einstien Academy4:15pm(No JV)
o Thursday, March 6th @ Arvin at 3:15pm-All four
teams.
o Tuesday, March 11th @ Trinity Academy at 3:30pm
(No JV)
o Thursday, March 13th vs Kern Valley at 3:15pm
o Monday, March 10th vs Paramount Bard Academy
at 3:15pm-No JV
o Friday, March 21st @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, March 25th vs. Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Friday, March 28th @ Cal City at 3:15pm-no jv
baseball or softball
o Tuesday, April 1st @ KV at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 4th vs. KV at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 8th -Alpaugh at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 11th -vs. Desert at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 22nd vs Bishop at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 25th @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 29th @ Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Friday, May 2nd vs Rosamond at 3:15pm

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Tuesday, May 6th vs Cal City at 3:15pm-no jv
baseball or softball
Friday, May 8th @ Cal City at 3:15pm

Varsity Baseball Schedule 2014
o Tuesday, March 4th @ Albert Einstein Academy at
4:15PM
o Wednesday, March 5th at Taft varsity only at 3:30
o Thursday, March, 6th @ Arvin-All four teams @
3:15pm
o Monday, March 10th vs Paramount Bard Academy at
3:15pm-No JV
o Thursday, March 13th vs Kern Valley at 3:15pm
o Friday, March 21st @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, March 25th vs. Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Friday, March 28th @ Cal City at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 1st @ KV at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 4th vs. KV at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 8th -BYE
o Friday, April 11th vs. Desert at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 22nd vs Bishop at 3:15pm
o Friday, April 25th @ Bishop at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, April 29th @ Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Friday, May 2nd vs Rosamond at 3:15pm
o Tuesday, May 6th vs Cal City at 3:15pm
o Friday, May 8th @ Cal City at 3:15pm

El Tejon Middle School

Frazier Park Elementary School
Frazier Park’s Finest for Feb 13, 2014
Info & photo provided by Michelle Penner

Back Row, L to R: Karina Tmamian, Ryli Walters,
Hayden Santoro, Luke Martinez
Front Row, L to R: Isaac Sotelo, Jordan O'Connell,
Yahir Alvarez

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Frazier Park’s Finest for Feb 20, 2014
Info & photo provided by Michelle Penner

Photographer’s Fan Club at the Frazier
Park School

Vidal Jardines, Ryder Phearson, Jaiden Huntelman,
Richard Lopez

Animal Tracking & Identification Class

The Girls from the Photographer’s Fan Club came by after
the tracking class and had their picture taken as well.

Peak to Peak Mountain Charter Board
Meeting on Thursday, Feb 27

On Friday, February 21, former Frazier Mountain High
School Science Teacher Jaszu Borencki provided an
excellent animal behavior and tracking class for 1st and
3rd graders at the elementary school. About 80 students
learned about the different species of animals such as
mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Most of all, in an animated presentation with a variety of
“aww” photos of local wildlife the kids learned to
understand and read animal tracks. Teacher and wildlife
expert Borencki showed tracks from bears, badgers,
rabbits, felines and canines such as fox, coyote, and wolf.
Subsequently, students at Frazier Park learned to
recognize the tracks these animals make in their natural
habitats. It is worth noting that retired teacher Jaszu
Borencki volunteers his time and talent to better the
knowledge of the children in our local school.

The next meeting of the Peak to Peak Mountain Charter
("School') Board of Directors will take place on
Thursday, February 27, at 5:00 p.m. at the school site.
The school is located about 3 miles west of Pine
Mountain Club at 19009 Cerro Noroeste Road.
Members of the audience will have an opportunity to
address the board for up to three minutes. For the entire
agenda and the -unapproved- minutes of the Wednesday,
January 22, 2014 meeting take a look at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/GBU-MountainNews/1400308640212535 or send a message to
GBUmountainNews@gmail.com

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All Things Local
A small dream becomes huge
By Kristina Graves, Frazier Mountain Boys & Girls Club

El Tejon School free of charge. Their day includes a
nutritious snack, enrichment programs (i.e. health/
fitness, art, music, science,) homework assistance,
strengthening math fact activities, and group games.

What started as a small vision of the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County and
local community members has now
become one of the largest youth
organizations in the community. The
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County’s
Frazier Mountain Club site first opened
its doors in June of 2006 serving members out of the
Assembly of God Church across from the local park.
From the beginning the club’s mission has been
supported by the community, as well as its vision to
serve all youth living in our community.
Kayla Dever, Madi Richardson, Olivia Carlson, Hailey
Caldwell, and Celeste Hightower having a good time.

Teen Program- the Boys & Girls Club recently opened a
separate teen program at the school site. This program is
a functioning teen center hosted in a classroom equipped
with computers, ping pong, foosball, Xbox Kinect, and
wireless connection. They have the opportunity to
socialize with other teens in a safe and nurturing
environment.
Teen activities include homework
assistance, college and career exploration, alcohol/drug
prevention, character/leadership development; youth
generated community service, fundraising and field trips.
Kristina Graves and Alanna Witham with a group of 1st
graders working on a craft that taught about Black History.

In June of 2010 the Frazier Mountain Club established a
partnership with El Tejon Unified School District and
through a grant from the California Department of
Education, an after-school program opened on the Frazier
Park School Campus using shared space. This
collaboration would allow the Boys & Girls Club to work
directly with school administrators, teachers and staff to
provide enrichment and educational activities for 100
students every day after school free of charge. In its first
year on campus, the Club was able to establish a summer
day camp using school facilities and funds raised at the
“Heart of the Mountain Fundraiser” hosted by Tejon
Mountain Village and Tejon Ranch.
After School- Every day after school the club serves
100 students from Frazier Park Elementary and 20 from

1st graders Marli & Sierra enjoy the Boys & Girls Club
After School Program

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Summer Day Camp- The Boys & Girls Club also
supports an all day camp for anyone in the community
ages 5-17. The fun-filled high energy camp hosts a
variety of creative activities that foster new skills, build
friendships and focuses on the prevention of summer
learning loss. Participants spend the summer months
attending field trips; planting their own garden; exploring
the sciences; keeping cool with water themed activities;
creating arts/crafts; and participating in self-esteem
building activities.
The Boys & Girls Club continues to grow and through
the talents of the staff that reside in Frazier Mountain,
there is a never ending excitement around the activities
they develop. The success of the program and of the
children in our care is shared by the many stakeholders
that have invested in this tremendous effort and the
overwhelming amount of community support the Club
has received. The Boys & Girls Club is honored to be
involved in the lives of so many youth in our community
and plans to continue to develop programs to meet the
challenges our children face. To get more involved in
the Frazier Mountain Boys & Girls Club, please call
Kristina Graves, Site Coordinator, at (661)245-3139.
####

Los
Padres
Seeks
Comment On OHV
Application

Public
Grant

the Chuchupate Ranger Station located at 34580
Lockwood Valley Road in Frazier Park, CA 93225.
After May 4, a preliminary application will be available
for public review and comment online by visiting the
California State OHV Grants and Cooperative
Agreements program at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. Hard
copies may be requested by contacting Assistant
Recreation Officer Jeff Bensen at (805) 961-5744.
The State of California Department of Parks and
Recreation and the Los Padres National Forest have
maintained a successful partnership for more than 26
years, with funding assistance for well-managed OHV
recreation on National Forest lands.
####

Next AARP Meeting on Thursday, Mar 6
Info provided by Jessie Jewell, AARP Frazier Park
The next AARP meeting will take place on Thursday,
March 6, at 11:30 a.m. It's a home made Chili and Hot
Dog Luncheon for $ 5.00 per person. Our Guest Speaker
is Jean from 'Crazy bout Craftin' located in Frazier Park.
Our meetings are held at the Community Center in
Frazier Park. AARP Meetings are held the 1st Thursday
of the Month except for July and August we are on
vacation for those two months.

People

by Andrew Madsen, Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest officials announced on
Tuesday, February 25, that recreation managers are
seeking public comments on proposals for the State of
California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program.
The Los Padres National Forest is proposing to submit
four grant applications. The grant proposals include
projects for ground operations, law enforcement, Ortega
Trailhead relocation planning, and Pozo-LaPanza OHV
trail re-route planning.
The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant
Application” process as the means to apply for grant
funding. Preliminary applications are due March 3,
2014. This will open a month long public review and
comment period which runs from March to April 7. The
final grant applications are due May 5, 2014.
Forest officials are providing two opportunities for
interested parties to discuss and provide input into the
development of the grant applications and provide
comments. An OHV public open house will be held
Saturday, March 1, 2014, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at

What is an Electronic Newspaper?
An electronic Newspaper is a self-contained, reusable,
and refreshable version of a traditional newspaper that
acquires and holds information electronically. (The
electronic newspaper should not be confused with
newspapers that offer an online version at a Web site.)

What is the difference between a Newsletter
and a Newspaper?
A newspaper publishes stories and information for and
about a city/region/state/country and covers a variety of
topics, events, and developments.
A Newsletter is published by a specific organization
(school, club, business) and informs mainly about the
organization's activities.

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Law Enforcement Corner
Kern County Sheriff’s
Office (KCSO) – Frazier
Park Substation
Frazier Park - Standoff
On Tuesday (Feb 25) around 4:30 p.m. Kern County
Sheriff's Deputies and CHP Officers responded to
domestic dispute situation in the 4200 block of Mt. Pinos
Way near Walnut in the north-western section of Frazier
Park.
According to unconfirmed reports a family dispute
involving a young man on probation escalated into a
stand-off with guns drawn by law enforcement.
According to -unconfirmed- reports the situation was
resolved within less than two hours and no arrests were
made.
Sergeant Mark Brown from the Kern County Sheriff’s
Substation in Frazier Park released the following
information about law enforcement related incidents and
activities between Feb 11 and 24: *
1) On February 11, 2014, at about 10:00 am, a deputy
was dispatched to a business on the 3500 block of
Mt. Pinos Way in Frazier Park to investigate
vandalism.
Unknown person(s) destroyed an
unlocked water heater closet door.
2) On February 12, 2014, at about 1:35 AM, a deputy
contacted AO, who was on foot at the intersection of
Lebec Road and Circle Drive, and arrested her for
suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled
substance.
3) On February 13, 2014, at about 5:30 PM, a deputy
was dispatched to a home on the 15800 block of
Zurich Way in PMC to investigate a burglary.
Unknown person(s) entered the home, stole a garage
door opener and about $800.00 worth of propane,
and damaged water pipes.
4) On February 14, 2014, at about 4:55 PM, deputies
were dispatched to a home on the 4500 block of High
Trail in Frazier Park to investigate domestic
violence. A criminal complaint requesting a spousal
battery charge against a 17 year old boy was filed
with the District Attorney’s Office.
5) On February 16, 2014, at about 6:00 PM, a deputy
contacted James Brock Jr. on the 2500 block of
Gibson Drive in Lebec, and arrested him on two
misdemeanor warrants, one issued for vehicle theft

and the other for driving under the influence of
alcohol.
6) On February 17, 2014, at about 9:35 AM, deputies
and CHP officers were dispatched to Tejon Ranch,
near I-5 and Lebec Road, to investigate a suspicious
vehicle trespassing in the area of fairly recent thefts.
The driver of the vehicle, Corona, CA resident MC,
was contacted and arrested for driving under the
influence of a controlled substance.
Castillo
attempted to flee during the arrest and was also
arrested for obstructing a peace officer.
7) On February 18, 2014, at about 6:40 AM, a deputy
was dispatched to a home on the 700 block of
Alhambra Trail in Frazier Park to investigate a theft.
Unknown person(s) stole a bicycle from a person’s
driveway.
8) On February 18, 2014, at about 8:15 AM, a deputy
was dispatched to a home on the 3800 block of Park
Drive in Frazier Park to investigate vandalism. An
unidentified white male with gray facial hair,
wearing no shirt and carrying a backpack, sprayed
black paint on a person’s car, writing something to
the effect of “S+A”, and then fled on a blue
motorcycle.
9) On February 18, 2014, at about 6:55 PM, a deputy
was dispatched to a home on the 4200 block of
Decator Trail in Frazier Park to investigate a theft.
Unknown person(s) took a student’s 4S I-phone from
the Frazier Park High School gymnasium earlier that
day. The phone was located the next day.
10) On February 19, 2014, at about 10:35 AM, a Pinon
Pines resident came to the Frazier Park Substation
and reported an identity theft. Unknown person(s) in
Georgia used his personal identifying information to
open at least six credit card accounts and
fraudulently purchased over $4,800.00 of property.
11) On February 19, 2014, at about 5:10 PM, deputies
were dispatched to the area of East End Drive and
Illinois Trail in Frazier Park to investigate a
suspicious circumstance. A man was speaking to his
wife via telephone when she suddenly told him call
911, and they were disconnected. When deputies
arrived, they located a minor single vehicle accident
on East End Drive. Medical aid arrived and
examined a pregnant passenger in the vehicle who
complained of pain to her abdomen. She was not
transported to a hospital. Three other people in the
vehicle were not injured.
12) On February 20, 2014, at about 12:40 PM, a deputy
contacted SA at a home on the 6100 block of Frazier

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