SAGE & SONGBIRDS GARDEN TOUR: RAPTOR REHAB FACILITY INCLUDED ON THIS YEAR’S TOUR MAY 1-3
April 20, 2009( Alpine)–Are you looking for ideas to “spruce up” your garden or yard? The Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour has a wealth of ideas for creating beautiful gardens that also provide wildlife-friendly habitat. The 12th annual event, set for May 1-3, spotlights five unique gardens, chock-full of plants, waterscapes, pathways, structures and other very interesting features. Lisa Lomax, garden tour chairperson, said she always gets new and valuable inspiration for her own garden from those on the tour. “I don’t believe anyone can go on the garden tour without gleaning several new ideas to take home with them,” she said. This year’s tour features four never-before-seen gardens and a fifth, very popular garden that was last on the tour in 2004. Admission to a bonus site–a raptor rehabilitation facility–is also included with ticket, for a total of 6 locations. A garden tour ticket is valid from 10 am to 4 pm, May 1-3, and includes a map with directions to each home. The tour is self-guided, and visitors may stay as long as they would like at each site. Ticket-holders may visit each garden only once. Cost is $15. The garden tour is presented by CHIRP for Garden Wildlife, Inc., and is sponsored by Viejas Outlet Center and San Diego Home/Garden Magazine. In addition to the garden tour, CHIRP is also sponsoring the Sage & Songbirds Festival at the Viejas Outlet Center May 2-3. For additional information, visit www.chirp.org or phone 619-445-8352.
BIRD SINGERS AND BASKET WEAVERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF NATIVE AMERICAN MUSEUM IN WARNER SPRINGS
By Miriam Raftery Bird dancers demonstrate hand-made gourds at Warner Springs Native American museum. –A broken song beneath the snow, the echo of a soaring joy, a shape in the mist, a touch, in the rain in wilderness you come again. You tell us what we used to know. You speak for all the free wild things whose ways were ours when the world had wings.—Bev Doolittle April 20, 2009 (Warner Springs)- Inscribed on a wall in the new Outdoor Academic Experience (O.A.E.) Native American Museum in Warner Springs, the quote above reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditions of local Cahuilla, Luiseño, Cupeño and Kumeyaay tribes preserved and displayed here. To commemorate the museum’s grand opening on April 13, a trio of Native American bird singers performed traditional songs for visiting Girl Scouts from Troop 3125 and demonstrated gourd rattles which they crafted by hand. “Our bird songs tell the migration of the Cahuilla people,” said Brent Robbin, who performed with his brother, Brian Robbin and his cousin, Vincent Nelson. “The people migrated like birds. This tells of their search for the promised land.” The brothers are members of the Southern California Intertribal Bird Singers, an organization dedicated to preserving the ancient songs. “What’s cool about it is that we’re from different reservations, but we come together under one name,” said Nelson, noting that some meanings have been lost over time as bird-singing faded from popularity. “Now the youth are into it again. Before, songs were almost lost.” Lyrics of one song in the desert Cahuilla language include this refrain: It was raining. It was muddy and cold. Blackbird and bluebird were crying. People were cold. Sandra Stoneburner and her daughter, Theresa, demonstrate basket weaving skills It takes a full week to sing all of the Southern California group’s 325 bird songs, which also describe tribal members’ journey through life from cradle to grave. Songs may also have helped to guide tribal members on seasonal migrations from mountains to desert. Brent and Brian are Cahuilla tribal members who live on the Los Coyotes reservation. Their cousin, Vince, is a Luiseño tribal member on the La Jolla Indian reservation. In May, they will join with other bird singers to commemorate Kupa Days at the Pala Reservatiion, where Native Americans from Warner Springs were forced to relocate back in 1903. The three learned the songs from Wayne Nelson at the La Jolla Reservation, who in turn was taught by Robert Levi from the Torres Martinez reservation on Coachella Valley. “When I first came here, I didn’t know a lot about the culture here,” said Sherri Freemans, an agriculture teacher at Warner Springs School who established an Outdoor Academic Experience Program with grant funding, including establishment of the new museum. “We have a rich Native American culture here. I’ve grown to have great respect for it.” Sherri Freemans, organizer of the Warner Springs Outdoor Academic Experience program The bird singers described how they make rattles from gourds of various shapes and sizes, scraping away pulp, filling with palm tree seeds and adding handles made from cottonwood or willow sticks shaved with sandpaper for a perfect fit. Some gourds are decorated with basket designs, others are lacquered or adorned with wood burning. Still others have holes drilled to vary the sound. Their handiwork is on display in the museum. Sandra Stoneburner and her daughter, Theresa, demonstrated the art of weaving baskets from juncus dyed with elderberry, black walnut shells, black mud and rusty metal. The weavers also use deer grass bunches. “You run your fingers down to the first knuckle of the stem,” Stoneburner said, describing how she picks the grasses to leave enough for future growth, assuring a continuous supply of materials. “The older ones are better.” The center of her baskets are made from knotted and dried yucca fibers, followed by juncus and deer grass, said Stoneburner, acting environmental director at Los Coyotes reservation and a member of the Cahuilla tribe. Birdsingers Brent Robbin, Brian Robbin and Vincent Nelson demonstrate gourd rattles that they crafted. Following a demonstration of basket weaving and refreshments, the bird singers performed several traditional songs and dances. Bird singers by tradition are all men, who also engage in the most exuberant dances. Women participate with dances consisting of soft swaying and rhythmic steps. Visiting Girl Scouts from San Diego and Warner Springs were invited to participate. “I don’t know how to do Indian singing and dancing,” Melissa Sanchez, 6, protested at first. But her friend, Nitasha Drake, 7, assured her with a broad smile, “It’s not hard. You just move your feet back and forth!” Afterwards the youngsters trooped into the museum’s showroom for a close-up look at exhibits including gourd rattles, acorns, arrowheads, baskets, a grinding stone, animal pelts and an assortment of other treasures. Freemans elicited more smiles when she informed young guests, “In this museum, you can touch everything—just put it back where you found it when you’re done.” The museum is located across the street from Warner Springs High School (30951 Highway 79).
RSVP NOW! ON THE ROAD WITH THE EAST COUNTY EATER APRIL 20
What could be better than an evening of wine-tasting, fabulous food and the marvelous music of Paul Nichols–all to benefit East County Magazine? The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine is the coziest retreat we’ve found yet, and they’re opening up just for us on Monday, April 20 from 6 to 8 pm. Reserve now – space is limited! Early bird registration rate is $25 before Friday. Then the rate goes up to $30 – if seats are still available. Help toast our success–and help our nonprofit community publication grow! We’ve also got great prizes—and some surprises as we unmask our thus-far anonymous “East County Eater.” RSVP to leon@eastcountymagazine.org, or call (619)698-7617. For details, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/845 .
EDITORIAL: PERSPECTIVES ON THE SDG&E POWER SHUT-OFF PLAN–RECIPE FOR A PERFECT FIRESTORM
by Laura Cyphert East County Community Action Coalition April 21, 2009 (Lakeside)–The SDG&E power shut off plan is currently under review by the California Public Utilities Commission. On the surface, it may at first sound like a logical idea. After all, SDG&E admits to starting over 167 fires just since 2003. However, careful examination reveals numerous compelling arguments as to why this shut off plan will put San Diego at even greater risk for firestorms; including the loss of water and communication systems during a time when there is an increased likelihood that we will need water and communication systems due to fires. To make matters worse, SDG&E is advocating that backcountry residents purchase generators to use during power outages. Imagine the fire danger if thousands of backcountry residents are firing up their gas powered generators during the most extreme weather conditions; at times when they are not even supposed to be using lawn mowers. A careful look at SDG&Es application reveals, what I believe, is the real motivation behind this plan. The SDG&E plan, if approved, would also amend Tariff Rule 14, which will reduce SDG&E’s liability. This means that SDG&E would have even less financial incentive to properly maintain its lines. Recent testimony by an investigator “whistle-blower” states that it was improper maintenance of SDG&E’s powerlines that caused several of our recent firestorms. Instead of reducing liability, I believe we should be holding SDG&E more responsible for properly maintaining their lines. If one takes a step back and looks at the even bigger picture, one can see how our current system gives power companies an incentive to build new transmission lines (like Sunrise) while reducing the incentive to maintain lines, thereby causing fires. The Sunrise Powerlink is a 1.9 Billion dollar cost-plus contract; which means that SDG&E will be reimbursed for all of its costs, plus a guaranteed profit, just for building the line (even if never used or needed). These costs are passed on to ratepayers as rate increases. Maintenance costs, however, are not revenue generating. These are expenses which hurt the bottom line. Therefore, SDG&E naturally wants to build more powerlines, and do less maintenance. If legal liability is reduced, they will have even less incentive to maintain existing lines. Talk about a perfect Firestorm. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, e-mail editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
ST CLAIR GALLERY SHOW DRAWS CROWD
Photographer Dan McGeorge poses with images of Arizona canyons April 15, 2009 (El Cajon) – A March 27 art show at the St. Clair gallery in El Cajon proved a success, drawing hundreds of visitors and resulting in sales for artists displaying their works. “I’ve always loved horses,” said San Diego artist Melva Riley, who adeptly captures the spirit and beauty of her subjects in a series of bold equestrian paintings. Riley studied at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art and later became an interior designer. Her artwork, featuring impressionistic scenes of nature as well as animals, has been displayed in numerous galleries locally. Photographic artist Dan McGeorge began his career while serving with the 101st airborne division in Vietnam, later working for Stars and Stripes Magazine and the Naval Reserve Pacific Fleet’s audiovisual command and combat camera group at North Island. Initially, he worked with 35 mm film, but has since switched to digital—and never looked back. His dramatic canyon scenes possess an ethereal , almost magical lighting quality. Horsing Around: San Diego artist Melva Riley with her equestrian artwork Nearly two dozen artists were featured at the show – as well as dazzling Incendia Diamonds jewelry modeled by Miss El Cajon and Miss El Cajon Teen. Other artists on display included Howard Bagley, Jim Bates, Betty Blount, Jeffrey Brosbe, Phebe Burnham, Tomas Campbell, Patrick Carney, Gloria Chadwick, Jan Clifto, Renee Corwin, Anthony Cuban, Joe Darin, Jane Darin, Shandel Gamer, Cindy Hedgcock, Jack Jordan, Micahel Kemp, Marlene Korey, Wilma Lopez, Ron Lucero, Chuck McPherson, Brandie Moon, Ed Moores, Mike Morse, Robert Pacheco, Charles Pinkney, Linda Renner, Julianne Ricksecker, Joann Sandlin, Richard Schiele, Judi Sim, Tom Spring, Lisa Thorik, Angelika Villagrana, and Lynn Zimet. El Cajon beauty queens model jewelry by Incendiary Diamonds St. Clair Gallery is located in the East County Business Center and is the brain child of Lee Mench, building owner, and Carolyn St. Clair, an art and framing consultant. Gallery director Howard Bagley arranges and manages art exhibits for the innovative business model, which brings art aficionados into the business center, benefitted both artists and local businesses. The St. Clair Gallery is located at 270 East Douglas Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020.