Foothills Sentry - November 2024

Foothills Sentry Page 6 NOVEMBER 2024 DINNER | LUNCH | BRUNCH | HAPPY HOUR | SPECIAL EVENTS 6410 EAST CHAPMAN AVE. | 714.997.2910 | THEORANGEHILLRESTAURANT.COM ORANGEHILLRESTAURANT ORANGEHILLEATS BEST STEAKHOUSE, MOST ROMANTIC, SCENIC VIEW, MOST BOOKED Fire vaccination Like getting a flu shot or visit- ing the dentist, it’s a good idea to periodically check your wildfire readiness. As incentive, local canyon or- ganizations and the OC Fire Au- thority presented “Fire and Ice (Cream)” at the Library of the Canyons meeting room Thursday evening, Oct. 17. The fire will come; we just don’t know when. Even “Fire and Ice” was rescheduled because ev- eryone was busy battling the un- scheduled Airport Fire earlier. The main point of the meeting was to remind everyone to clear dry vegetation from roofs, gutters, and five feet around their houses. And in case of evacuation, have a “go bag” of essentials ready, plus an agreed-upon household meet- ing place afterward. Bruce Newell’s Rules: (1.) Don’t start the fire. (2.) Don’t block the road. (3., added this year) Don’t be dying to stay. Fair-y tale Once upon a time, about 50 years ago, a big flood in Orange County washed away canyon cabins, cars, and bridges, crushed a fire station where several peo- ple died, and left Silverado Can- yon Road impassable. Since Judy Myers was about to have a baby, she was airlifted out by Marine Corps helicopter. A year or two later, Judy was talking to her friend Kathy Mor- ris about how the newly formed Inter-Canyon League (ICL) need- ed money to help the community after the flood. Kathy suggested that they put on a fair to raise funds. So, the next month, they did. The First Annual Silverado Country Fair took place on Sun- day, Nov. 28, 1971. Flyers an- nounced that hot dogs, leather, plants, afghans, bottles, paint- ings, macrame, pottery, knitting, sculpture, antiques, candles, de- coupage, bazaar items, and baked goods would be for sale, along with “the best in folk music.” Many years later, Judy re- called that “so many things went wrong” that she never found time to set up her own artwork booth due to other problems, like clean- ing up after something involving a dog and cheesecake. Yet the fair raised about $300 for the ICL. (This was back when gasoline cost 36 cents a gallon.) Several subsequent fairs were held at the Silverado Elementary School, where the Library of the Canyons is now. Sixth-graders earned money for Outdoor Ed. camp. In 1981, some students had this to say about the fair: Karl - “I like the games. The first thing I do is shoot the guns.” Eron - “I like the cowboy things and when you paint things.” David - “I'll be walking around for 2 1/2 hours with sandwich signs telling about the Cub Scouts’ cake walk.” Gina - “I like when you throw the ball and the principal goes in the water.” Jennifer - “I like the horse rides.” Korelan - “I like everything!” Tracy - “I want to have wet sponges thrown at my face!” Becky - “I like buying Christ- mas presents.” Rachel - “I found a dollar last year on the asphalt!” This year’s 54th Annual (more or less) Silverado Country Fair took place Oct. 12 and 13. Jane Bove, who ran many of the prior fairs, was an Unparade Grand Marshal this time. In addition to arts and crafts, the event featured magician Abbot the Average, the band The Broth- er Jonathan performing their Sil- verado song “Past the Gate,” and a drum circle where kids learned to play overturned orange buckets donated by Home Depot (which would not have been possible at the first Fair since Home Depot did not exist in 1971.) Meanwhile, Fair-y Godmother Judy was helping bargain-hunters at the Christmas boutique, which raised money for the ICL to use for sandbags, radios, etc., in case of another flood. The fair closed Sunday night with a concert by Grateful Dead cover band Cubensis, and every- one lived happily ever after. The end. Short stories Modjeska’s Andrew Tonkov- ich co-curated and delivered the opening lecture for “Peter Carr: Artist for Survival” at the Cer- ritos College Art Gallery, Octo- ber 28. Tonkovich described his former comparative literature professor as a “poet, activist, and fascinating outsider artist.” The exhibit runs through Dec. 13, and admission is free. Coming to the Library of the Canyons: “Trash Truck Visit” on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and “Ring- tails” on Thursday, Nov. 21. Flash bloom A huge white flower was spot- ted recently in Silverado on a tall cactus, probably a San Pedro. In- side was a honeybee busily grab- bing as much pollen or nectar as it could. These blossoms open at night and only last a day or two. San Pedro cacti come from the Andes Mountains of South America. So although the one in Silverado was not a California native, it was in a cultivated spot and not invasive. As a matter of fact, the bee was not native to California, either. And too many honeybees in one area can actually threaten the sur- vival of hardworking American bees by taking away their native- plant-pollinating jobs. Elizabeth Holloman, long- time Executive Director for the Orange Chamber of Commerce has announced her retirement, as of Nov. 1. Under Holloman’s resourceful and congenial guid- ance, the Chamber has grown and expanded. Pattie Cordova, a board mem- ber and Chamber ambassador for three years, will step in as her replacement. North Tustin’s Alan Zall was ap- pointed to the Assessment Ap- peals Board by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Zall is li- censed both as an attorney and real estate broker, and handles real estate, business and probate law matters. He was also named Ambassador of the Year by the Tu- stin Chamber of Commerce. San Pedro cactus