Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) Announces It's Arrival to Help Our Neighborhood!

You're Invited!
Our FIRST MAC Meeting
July 9, 2009
VFW Hall
6:00 P.M.

We are excited to say the least. Riverside County's Brenda Salas, Project Manager, Economic Development Agency for Riverside County is heading up a Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) for our area! This is the best news we've had in a long time to create a forum and get assistance for the things we need, want or don't want for our neighborhood!

There's been a long list of things accumulated over the past few years, and now we'll have the forum to get things accomplished through the proper channels. The MAC includes the CSA 115 tax funds for roads and lighting -- CSA as we knew it is now a part of MAC -- with MAC taking the lead to help us get things accomplished. At our last Neighborhood Meeting we learned there's money in the CSA 115 fund appropriated for roads and lighting. Now, we'll have a forum to discuss our needs for the appropriated funds.

Here's a partial list of some of the items many of our neighbors request:

• B-BAR-H Arch "Park Area"
• Road Signs
• Stop Signs
• Speed Limit Signs
• No Dumping Signs
• Speed Bumps
• Center Divider Lines
• Barricades Where Needed
• Street Lights
• Improved Road Maintenance
• Barking Dog Help
• VFW Needs Our Help (Commander George to explain at the meeting)

A voice in how our tax dollars are spent is top priority for many of us. Do we want to spend our tax dollars on building another road into our neighbohood? Or should we use the funds to maintain the roads we currently use? These questions and other topics should be brought to the MAC for discussion on July 9th.

Here's the invitation from Brenda Salas:
You are invited to attend the first Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) meeting on July 9, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall. See details below. Please attend. This is an important kick-off meeting.

Purpose of the MAC
5th District Municipal Advisory Councils (MAC) were formed by the direction of Supervisor Marion Ashley in order to bring government to the people. These meetings allow for community input and updates on projects happening in surrounding unincorporated areas of Riverside County. They serve as a forum to provide updates from various Riverside County departments and a venue to take back topics of importance. The purpose of the MAC is to advise, recommend proposed action, and receive reports regarding matters including, but not limited to; public safety, planning, health, transportation, parks and community development within the unincorporated territory. The MAC will also have regular updates regarding CSA 115 as this is a venue for a broader range of topics.

Please attend our first meeting. We’ll set a schedule for upcoming meetings on July 9th. We look forward to getting the entire area involved in the MAC process to create strong Community Involvement for the continued success of your neighborhood in Riverside County.

Thank you,
Brenda Salas
Project Manager
Economic Development Agency
County of Riverside

(Your comments are always welcomed, and your presence at this first meeting is very important. Please attend! Thank you!)

B-BAR-H Ranch Arch Repair - March 22, 2009

Frank Torres, Cochran Communications Construction
Sunday, March 22, 2009

Pat Carney, North B-BAR-H Ranch Resident, coaching Frank Torres of Cochran Communications Construction.

Jim Fosbinder, North B-BAR-H Ranch Resident

Walter Santos (left) and Bill Bentinck, North B-BAR-H Ranch Residents

On March 22, 2009, Cochran Communications Construction came to the resue and repaired the B-BAR-H Ranch Arch. The Arch was built around 1929, so at 80 years old, the Arch deserved some TLC. In 2007, the Arch was struck by a DUI from Bubbling Wells Road. The neighbors on the North side of the B-BAR-H Ranch gathered early on a Saturday morning to rebuild the broken down structure, and the last remaining item to repair, was the logs shown in the photos. The logs were jolted during the DUI accident and they remained hanging until March 22, 2009. Special thanks to Pat Carney, El Serape resident. Pat called Cochran Communications Construction and arranged to have Frank Torres come to our rescue. We thank Jason Cochran for helping us solve this long-overdue problem.

Neighbors gathered on this very windy day to watch the historical event! Jim Fosbinder, Bill Bentinck, Walter Santos and Pat Carney held their breath watching the skilled Frank Torres maneuver the repair. We all thought the wind would prevent the repair, but Frank handled it skillfully.

Special thanks to the North Side B-BAR-H Residents who donated time and money for this repair. Our neighbors deserve recognition for stepping forward to help preserve this special piece of the B-BAR-H Ranch history: Bill Bentinck, Walter Santos, John Annala, Mark & Sharon Boden, Fred Philippi, Bob & Rose Alsup, Steve Grasha, Jim Fosbinder & Anna Miller, Pat & Sue Carney, Larry Hoffing and Betty Woods.

Cochran Communications Construction
36630 Cathedral Canyon Dr

Cathedral City, CA 92234
Phone: 760-328-6778

Jason Cochran & Frank Torres

Do you want to say, "Thank You?" Click here and write a note of appreciation for Cochran Communication Construction.

Terra Gallery to Sponsor American Cancer Society Fund Raiser

Please join Team B-BAR-H Ranch - We BAR Cancer at the Terra Gallery on April 18, 2009, for an Artists' Reception. Laura Schway, Gallery Assistant Manager, is coordinating the event held from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A proceed of the evening's sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Terra Gallery

Artists' Reception

April 18, 2009

6-10 p.m.

193 S. Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

(Parking in Rear)

Artists will be available to sign artwork. The Artists have donated work to be raffeled that evening. Winners must be present to win. For more information or to participate in the evening's event, please call Laura Schway at Terra Gallery 760.322.8047.

To join Team B-BAR-H Ranch - We BAR Cancer Relay for Life Cancer Walk, please click here or on the logo at the top of the page.

West Valley and High Desert Disaster Preparation and Recovery Business Mixer

17111 West Drive
Desert Hot Springs, Ca 92240
760-329-6403

Thursday March 26th

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Desert Dunes Golf Club

19300 Palm Drive

Desert Hot Springs, Ca

(between Highway 10 and Dillon)

Hosted by Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce

No Admission Fee

Open to Chamber Businesses, Residents and Guests.

A special welcome to the members of 29 Palms, Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Cathedral City and Palm Springs Chambers

Join us for a networking event:
Networking with other chamber members
Information Tables
Checklists
Helpful Hints
What to Do's
How to's
Disaster Kits

Lots of ideas for preparing and recovering from flood, fire, storm or earthquake.

Raffle Items
Hotel Stays
Restaurants
Disaster Kits
Spa Packages
Basket
Many other items

Live Auction
Catering Package ($700.00 value)

DHS Community Improvement Fair - March 28, 2009

Click Here to Read the Online Brochure for this Event

from Chaka Ferrel, Community Improvement Specialist

Volunteers are needed for the DHS Community Improvement Fair - March 28, 2009 at Bubbling Wells Elementary School. We need adult and kid volunteers to assist. All vendors are welcome to attend also.

If you are interested in participating in this event, please see the details by clicking here. Everyone is welcome to attend!

FOOD - FUN - ACTIVITIES...... SPONSORED BY RIVERSIDE COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT!

An Economic Resource Open House

from Chaka Ferrel, Riverside County Code Enforcement

Networking Opportunities, Honoring Women, and Providing Resources and Support for Tough Economic Times

The Commission for Women, a group of experienced leaders who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, will be hosting our annual Women of the Year Award presentation, as well as an Economic Resources Open House.

This event is offered for County employees and the Community who are experiencing hardships due to the economic crisis. Some of the resources available will be: Springboard Financial Counseling, Riverside County’s Homeownership Education Learning Program (RC’s HELP), EDA/ Housing Authority, Workforce Development, and Much More!

Event Details:
Economic Resource Open House
April 14th, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
County Administrative Center Annex
4080 Lemon Street, Riverside

Women of the Year Award Presentation
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
County Administrative Center Board of Supervisors Chambers
4080 Lemon Street, Riverside

To R.S.V.P. to be a Vendor at this event, in order to provide resources for Women, click on the following link or copy and paste the address onto your browser:
http://thecenter.rc-hr.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2053

To R.S.V.P. as a Participant at this event, click on the following link or copy and paste the address onto your browser:
http://thecenter.rc-hr.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2056

For more information, please view the flyer by clicking on the link
http://www.rc-hr.com/Portals/0/Flyers/Woman_of_the_Year_Flyer.pdf

or copy and paste the address into your browser.
For more information regarding the Commission for Women go to:
http://www.rc-hr.com/cfw

Should you have questions about this event, you may contact Diane Harris, Liaison for the Commission for Women at DIHarris(at)rc-hr.com

B-BAR-H Ranch Neighborhood Pride . . . . . . . . . . . . Our Heroes!

Click Here to See the Complete Slide Show

B-BAR-H Ranch Neighborhood Pride!

About Clean Up Day
The B-BAR-H Neighborhood Clean Up Day held from 8-Noon on March 14, 2009, was a HUGE success thanks to B-BAR-H Residents and partners from Riverside County Code Enforcement -- Chaka Ferrel, Community Improvement Specialist, Officer Rich Arriola, Riverside County Code Enforcement, Grace Escobar, Media Relations and Barry Busch, Board Assistant to Supervisor Marion Ashley.

Riverside County Code Enforcement said this was the first event they've ever seen with such a large participative turn out by a small community. There were over a dozen volunteers wearing orange Riverside County T-shirts scouring the neighborhood and working at the dumpster site on March 14th. Please look at the Slide Show to see all our friends and neighbors!

We take pride in sharing this blog and thanking EVERYONE who participated in the March 14, 2009 community clean up event sponsored by Riverside County Code Enforcement. There are about 90-100 occupied homes in this area. According to the day's event, every home in the subdivision participated with the exception of about 5-6 homes. That's a record turn out for Clean Up Day!

The Volunteers
Special thanks are extended to the men and women who used their private vehicles, trucks and wagons to scour the neighborhood and carry trash to the dumpster. Without people like Dorlane Stanley, Curtis Schway, Bill Bentinck and Bob Alsup the day's event would've been less impressive. Curtis, Bill and Bob spent four hours driving through the subdivision loading their trucks to capacity with garbage and trash. Dorlane (DL) Stanley walked through fields and empty lots the entire morning hauling rubbish to the dumpster. Our hats go off to these residents.

Others who helped all morning include: Rose Alsup, Pat Carney, Larry Hoffing, Chayo Duarte, Jose German, Juan Villalobos, Joy Brown, Randy Blom, Gabriel Duran, D. Bonilla, Fred Phillipi, Jim Fosbinder, Anna Miller, Chris Georgesco, Walter Santos, John Annala, and others whose names we don't have at the time of this writing.

Children volunteered to go on foot throughout the neighborhood with bags and pickers. We are sorry we don't have their names to post here today, but they have become our blog's poster kids! See their pictures above and in the slide show. The children came back to the dumpster with full garbage bags continuously throughout the morning. Their photo is our website's icon! Thank you for showing pride in your neighborhood. You are wonderful children with a very good Mom. Thanks for encouraging your children to take pride in their neighborhood!

Take a few minutes and drive through the neighborhood. Just about every home and yard is clean with the exception of a few places. Actually, we ran out of time and dumpster room. We filled two full dumpsters. The dumpsters were full by 11:45 a.m., and we actually had to turn away a few last truck loads. We encourage people to arrive earlier next time to make sure we get everything dumped.

About the Arch
The day's event covered a dual purpose. During the clean up, we discussed and planned a "Save the Arch" event. All sorts of suggestions were discussed: make the Arch area into a park, repair the broken logs, paint it, fill the area with rocks, fundraising event, purchase the land, etc. The B-Bar-H Ranch Arch was built in 1929, and the residents want to keep it intact. They are willing to donate time and money to preserve the Arch. Help preserve the Arch by joining the effort. Contact Webmaster(at)Paintbrushtrail.com.

Early Saturday morning, March 21, 2009, everyone is going to meet at the Arch once again to clean up the Arch area, repair the broken log and discuss future plans. Pat Carney, El Serape Road, arranged to have professional assistance to help with the log repair. Chayo Duarte, El Serape Road, is arranging to bring a dump truck of large boulders and rocks to the Arch to create a barricade and protect the Arch from possible vehicle accidents. We almost lost the Arch a few years ago due to a DWI accident.

We're asking neighbors to make a donation to help preserve the Arch. The log repair is going to cost $200. We will all donate what we can to cover this cost. Please arrange your schedule to stop by the Arch on Saturday morning, March 21, 2009 to share ideas and make a donation. The B-BAR-H Ranch Arch is the entrance to our neighborhood and it's something we have all grown to love. Contact Webmaster(at)Paintbrushtrail.com.

View the Slide Show to see the B-BAR-H Neighborhood Clean Up Day
March 14, 2009

This Saturday: March 14th Neighborhood Clean Up Day

Get ready..... we're going to do it again.....

It's just about time to meet at the B-BAR-H Ranch Arch located on the North end of the B-BAR-H Ranch to get our neighborhood cleaned up and lookin' good! The photos are from last year's event, and we'll take more photos this year!

Everyone is planning to meet at the Arch at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Riverside County's Chaka Ferrel is the Community Improvement Specialist assigned to our area. Officer Regina Keyes from Code Enforcement will be with us throughout the morning.

The neighborhood met, we discusssed a simple plan and now we'll make it all a reality this Saturday morning. Join us at the Arch at 8 a.m. this Saturday.

We're going to clean up and fix the Arch, too. Bring a ladder, bring your creative ideas and some muscle. This is a neighborhood team effort brought to you by the B-BAR-H Neighborhood Association.

CLICK HERE - Cast a Vote on Start Up Nation

A warm vote for IGMproducts.com on Start Up Nation is appreciated. Please click the link below and cast your vote.

Please click the above picture and vote for our start up company on Start Up Nation. Voting deadline is March 31, 2009. Thank you!

http://www.igmproducts.com/

We specialize in Ergonomic Heated Computer Aids.

Clean Up Day Planning Meeting a Success!

Meeting:
B-BAR-H Neighborhood Association, VFW, 6:00 p.m.

Meeting Minutes:
March 4, 2009

Many new people came to the meeting on March 4th. It was good to see and meet new neighbors. The purpose of the meeting was to plan the March 4th Clean Up Day sponsored by Riverside County Code Enforcement.

Discussion Topics:

1. March 14th Clean Up Day. Everyone will meet at the B-BAR-H Ranch Arch on Bubbling Wells and El Serape Roads at 8 a.m. We will discuss and assign specific duties at that time.
   
2. Repairing the Arch. It was suggested we finish fixing the Arch and adding some solar lights to preserve the hisorical landmark built in 1929. We will discuss this more on the 14th and make plans to complete this project to the best of our ability. We already looked into preserving the Arch as a historical landmark. We spoke to the Historical Society, City Planners, and the State of California. The piece of land is privately owned.
   
3. Neighborhood problems. Many people are upset about some of the homes not being kept up properly or being overrun by vehicles. Code Enforcement visits our neighborhood frequently and will address these items.
   
4. Vandalism. Some people are seeing strangers in the area. We discussed a recent break in. If anyone sees suspicious things, they need to call the Sheriff's Dept. We are not to take anything into our own hands. Be safe. Call the Sheriff.

The meeting discussion was on task and was over by 7:00 p.m. We'll see everyone at the Arch on March 14th at 8:00 a.m. Special thanks to everyone who wants to preserve the integrity of our neighborhood!

More Neighborhood Pride: Chris & Maria Georgeso on El Serape

Chris Georgesco was featured in Palm Springs Life Magazine. Click the Photo to read the story. Click on each photo to read the complete story.

Chris and Maria Georgesco were featured in Desert Magazine. Click the Photo to read the story.

We see Chris' artwork everyday when we drive down El Serape. His work definitely adds glamour to the neighborhood. His art is modern metal sculpture. It can be displayed inside or outside a home or business. Chris Georgesco Art is available for sale by contacting Chris through his website at http://www.georgescoart.com/

The B-BAR-H Ranch near Desert Hot Springs, California 92241

Photos Courtesy of the Desert Hot Springs Historical Society.
To see more photos, Click Here.

On April 7, 1927, Lucienne Hubbard, a mogul in the film business, and Charles Bender, Hubbard’s son-in-law, purchased land from the Southern Pacific Land Company which was the beginning of the B-bar-H Guest Ranch. The size of this soon-to-be popular playground for the celebrities was 240 acres. Charlotte Stocks, Lee Anderson’s daughter, remembers bringing date shoots to the B-bar-H from her family’s date farm. Citrus and other products were marketed under the B-bar-H brand. Cattle and poultry were also raised at the Ranch.

Lucienne Hubbard was a professional writer, war correspondent and contributor to The Reader’s Digest. He spread the knowledge of Desert Hot Springs with its marvelous hot medicinal water far and wide. It was very exclusive, and was only by invitation that one could visit the B-bar-H Ranch. Eventually the temporary structures were replaced with permanent and more modern and deluxe accommodations. The present-day location would be from 18th to 20th Streets and from Bubbling Wells Road to Mountain View in Desert Hot Springs.

In l937 the B-bar-H Guest Ranch was opened to the public. In the April, 1939, issue of “Desert Magazine,” an ad for the ranch carries a Garnet, California address with a notation that it is in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs. Joe Gottchalk was the desk clerk, bellhop, did the marketing with their station wagon, took money to the bank and ran errands as a teenager in l939-l940. He picked up guests at the train station in Garnet, rode a horse to deliver a telegram to Janet Gaynor at the Singing Trees Ranch near the B-bar-H on 20th street, and took guests gambling at the private membership Dunes Club in Cathedral City (today we would know that location as Date Palm Drive near Highway 111). There were also card games and slot machines at the Ranch.

Over the years, authors such as Les Starks, Cabot Yerxa and John Hunt have written about the B-bar-H and listed the many celebrities who frequented it and Cabot Yerxa’s Trading Post. Cabot tells of their interest in his pet rattlesnakes, lizards, and the items he sold at the Trading Post. Many visitors rode horses to h is place to just sit and visit. Jack Krindler, who originated the Twenty-One Club in New York City, was one of his visitors as well as Sol Lessor, producer of the Tarzan pictures.

Because Lucienne Hubbard was an outdoorsman, an expert rider and horseman, the atmosphere of the ranch was entirely Western in character. The ladies had many attractive Western outfits. In the dining room some folks were dressed like real cowhands; at the next table might be people just in from the city all decked out in swank evening clothes; however, if they stayed at the ranch for any length of time, they changed to Western-style clothes. Cabot writes that no matter how many millions they had or how much space in the newspapers was devoted to their names, they all had fun. Louis Sobol wrote of being initiated into the Order of Pamperers. The code of the Pamperer is never to do today what can be done tomorrow. There was laziness in the air. Charlie Bender was the host and manager of the B-bar-H Ranch, his wife helped organize picnics, campfires and riding parties nearly every day. They visited Seven Palms, Willow Hole, various mountain canyons along with trips to Two Bunch Palms, a beautiful oasis close at hand. Two Bunch Palms was once owned by the B-bar-H Ranch in the late l940’s. They traveled to Cabot’s place on Miracle Hill. Many of the guests at B-bar-H were from the nearby Circle B Ranch owned by Warner Baxter.

As time went on, a swimming pool, tennis court and rodeo arena were added to the property with stretches of grass and gorgeous beds of flowers which delighted the guests. Rodeo competitions were held in the arena, and on Saturday nights there was Western dancing at the recreation hall with live bands from Palm Springs. The accommodations and comforts of this guest ranch became famous and guests came from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Hollywood. Often large groups from all walks of life came to stay a weekend, a month, or the season. Bankers, financiers, men prominent in political life and big businessmen rubbed elbows with movie stars, those from the legitimate stage, famous writers and well-known musicians.

In l940, Jay Kasler (grandfather of Richard N. Roger MD of Rancho Mirage) paid $42,000 for the 240-acre B-bar-H Ranch. Mr. Kasler owned the Free Sewing Machine Company (second only to the Singer Company) which was sold to a Japanese company in l960. Mr. Kasler also founded City National Bank. Dr. Roger’s family spent almost every weekend and holidays at the ranch. They came from Los Angeles via old Highway 99, now Varner Road. The cash register from the B-bar-H bar is now located at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum. Dr Roger related that in l949 he took some 78 RPM records from Cabot’s Eagle’s Nest and returned them to Cole Eyraud (past resident/protector of Cabot’s Museum) in l974.

The present-day Covington Park in Morongo Valley was once a part of the B-bar-H holdings. The horses were moved up there for the summer. The 640 acres were purchased in l946 for $10 an acre. In l950 Mr. Kasler closed the Ranch to the public and maintained it for family use. In l959 he donated Covington Park to The Nature Conservancy.

In l978, Leonore “Lee” High purchased the B-bar-H property. It has been divided into ¼-acre individual lots, many of which have sold for more than $90,000. Lee remembers being invited to the B-bar-H Ranch by Ginny Sims and Mary Pickford. Lee was in real estate in Beverly Hills at that time. She also has memories and mementos from the party held there for employees of Lockheed. Many private parties were held at the ranch after it was opened to the public. Lee had purchased it for her daughter who planned to open a school, but this never materialized.

The beautiful old lodge on the Ranch boasts an impressive fireplace and great room for public, office or family use. There are several bedroom units accessible from the patio area, as well as a professional kitchen, dining room with beamed ceiling, bar room, and wine cellar. A VFW Club has used the former recreation hall for meetings; the swimming pool has been filled in.

In 2006, a new private owner acquired the lodge, and various homes have been built on the land, thus creating a new usage and future for those passing under the historic B-bar-H Ranch arch.

###

SOURCE: Unknown. Edited by Richard N. Roger, M.D., April, 2007, Word processed by Alta Hester, Secretary, Desert Hot Springs Historical Society.

Riverside County Graffiti Busters are REMARKABLE!

We reported graffiti yesterday, and it's removed today! Sincere thanks to Riverside County Graffiti Busters for a job well done! How do they do it? Commitment, dedication, team work and all with a sense of urgency. Thanks to Riverside County Graffiti Busters from the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association.

When YOU see graffiti, don't wait for someone else to contact Riverside County Graffiti Busters.

Visit their website at http://www.rcgraffitibusters.com/ and complete the online form. It takes about a minute to complete the online form and Graffiti Busters respond within a matter of a few hours.

DHS Relay for Life Cancer Survivors & Caregivers Luncheon

This is a special event for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers.

Please RSVP to Rossie or Dot.

Hope to see you there!

Clean Up Day Saturday March 14, 2009

B-BAR-H Community Association News
Please RSVP -- Thank You!
----------------------------------------------------------

Last year our small area participated in the Riverside County Code Enforcement's Clean Up Day at Bubbling Wells Elementary School, and it was a huge success for us all. Our neighbors pitched in and helped to remove trash along roadsides and houses. The team effort really made a difference in our neighborhood.

For this year, we have Very Good News! We get our own dumpster!

We met with Code Enforcement, and here's the details for Saturday, March 14, 2009:

1. We will have one large dumpster located under the Arch on Bubbling Wells from 8 - Noon
2. We also get 6 people to walk the area and pick trash and litter
   We get trash bags, trash pickers, gloves, T-shirts, a table, tools, etc. on loan from Code Enforcement
3. The B-BAR-H Community Association has $20 in the Treasury, so we are getting Orange Juice and DoNuts for the event. Plus, if anyone wants to donate food, please bring it to the Arch that morning.

WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION to ensure this event is meaningful and worthy.

Here's what you can do:

1. RSVP to confirm you have trash items to bring to the dumpster.
2. If you have a truck and can help bring items to the dumpster from the roadsides within our neighborhood, please confirm.
3. Volunteer to help supervise at the event.
4. Confirm if you want to bring food or donuts.
5. Talk with your neighbors about the event, and with those who don't use email.
6. Invite neighbors to the March 14th event - 8 a.m. til Noon.
7. Volunteer to help distribute paper invitations to our neighbors, please reply.

Last year Doug, Ford, Andy, Curtis, Jim, Kathy, George and many others created a successful team.

Let's do it again on March 14th! Any questions? Please write to Webmaster(at)PaintbrushTrail.com.

Please "Think Twice" before saying, "No." The coordination of a clean up event takes time, money and effort. If we do not receive neighborhood participation for the March 14th event, it will be the last clean up event the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association sponsors.

Jury Duty Scam - Read this warning!

This has been verified by the FBI (their link is also included below). Please pass this on to everyone in your e-mail address book. It is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of fraud has surfaced.

The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security Number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo---your identity was just stolen.

The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado . This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

Check it out here:

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm

http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

March 14th Neighborhood Clean Up Day

Volunteers at the Octbr 11, 2008 Riverside County Code Enforcement Clean Up Day held at Bubbling Wells Elementary School

* * *

Mark your calendar for March 14, 2009. We're having a clean up day in our area coordinated in partnership with Riverside County Code Enforcement Community Improvement Specialist, Chaka Ferrel.

Plans are for us to have one dumpster located near our area, probably under the B-BAR-H Ranch Arch shown above on the corner of Bubbling Wells and El Serape Roads. Specific details will be posted here after a meeting with Code Enforcement next Friday. The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. until Noon on Saturday, March 14, 2009.

Our neighborhood actively participated in last year's event and brought truck loads of trash to the dumpsters. It truly made a difference in the neighborhood to see garbage and trash removed from yards and from alongside houses. This year's event will give everyone an opportunity to do the same by cleaning out old items too bulky for pick up by our weekly trash removal service.

This year, our neighborhood will get one dumpster placed nearby so we can dispose of unwanted items without driving to the school. However, the March 14th main event will be held at Bubbling Wells Elementary School just like last year's event.

If you have items not accepted in a dumpster, like tires, chemicals, paints, etc. contact County Waste Management for a list of their clean up events. They are held almost every weekend. The website is www.rivcowm.org and the schdedule can be found there for the disposal of tires, paints, and chemicals, etc.

Chaka Ferrel, Riverside County Community Improvement Specialist is sponsoring this event and will be available at Bubbling Wells Elementary School to answer your questions.

We anticipate this year's event to be as successful as last year's, and we'll keep you updated with news about the event. If you have a question, want to volunteer at the event, or suggestions for Code Enforcement, please send an email to Webmaster(at)IGMproducts.com.

Desert Hot Springs Code Enforcement Cases & Foreclosure Stats

Mountain views surround Desert Hot Springs, California

by Anna Miller, Secretary
B-BAR-H Ranch Neighborhood Association

Desert Hot Springs, California is probably one of the best kept secrets in the State. It's a quiet city nestled between Palm Springs and Yucca Valley. It has a beautiful landscape with many new homes for sale. The cost of living in Desert Hot Springs isn't quite as high as its neighboring Desert Cities, and it has all the conveniences with short travel times to many other areas.

B-BAR-H Ranch Arch constructed in the 1920's is in need of repair

Our Community, the B-BAR-H Ranch neighborhood, is located in Riverside County between Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs. We're about a 10 minute drive to either city. Palm Springs is well-known and developed. Desert Hot Springs is smaller, mostly residential with a few shopping centers and many, small, well-known spa resorts. It's the perfect, quiet area to live and raise a family. Dining out is less expensive than other Desert Cities, and there are restaurants to please all sorts of traditional Thai, Italian, Mexican and American diners. The service is great and the people are friendly.

The B-BAR-H Ranch organized a neighborhood community watch program in 2008. Under the direction of a group of neighbors, the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association holds meetings and helps organize neighborhood functions to maintain the property value of the new homes located in the B-BAR-H Ranch neighborhood.

View from Pierson Blvd in Desert Hot Springs, California

An important function held throughout the year is a neighborhood clean up day sponsored by Chaka Ferrel, Community Improvement Specialist, Riverside County Code Enforcement Department. The B-BAR-H Ranch works in partnership with Code Enforcement to obtain annual clean up goals. Chaka, and fellow associate, Regina Keyes, Code Enforcement Officer, attended and presented at the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association meeting held on January 17, 2009.

Courtesy of City-Data.com

As follow up to our in depth discussion with Code Enforcement on January 17th, Chaka responded to our request with details about our area. According to Chaka Ferrel, as of November 2008 statistics, the Desert Hot Springs area has about 253 properties in foreclosure, and 39% of the 253 foreclosed homes have open, active Code Enforcement cases. There are about 98 Code Enforcement cases as summarized below:

• 20 – Accumulated Rubbish (20.4 %)
• 7 – Construction without Permit (7 %)
• 60 – Substandard Structures / Dwellings (61.2 %)
• 2 – Vehicle Abatement (2.4 %)
• 9 – Zone Violations (9 %)

Our goal is to continue to work in partnership with Riverside County Code Enforcement to keep the B-BAR-H Neighborhood clear of violations. Our next neighborhood clean up day is being planned for Spring 2009. The date, location and activities will be defined and posted here. We'll also send out an email and notify the neighborhood by printed newsletter. The tasks and activities sponsored by the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association are accomplished by a team of concerned neighbors. We work together to uphold the quality of our neighborhood.

For more information, to Subscribe to our emails, to submit an article for this blog, or to become a part of the B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association, please send your email address to Webmaster(at)PaintbrushTrail.com.

January 17, 2009 Meeting Minutes

DHS Relay for Life Cancer Walk
Click to enter Team B-BAR-H Ranch: We BAR Cancer Website.
Join our team today!

B-BAR-H Ranch Community Association
January 17, 2009 Neighborhood Meeting Minutes Summary
By Anna Miller, Secretary

• New Year Welcome by President Curtis Schway
o Welcomed everyone & new attendees
o Summarized 2008 accomplishments
o We miss Guy Hildebrand and hope he is doing well.
o 2009 ongoing effort to keep our neighborhood clean and safe

• Guest Speaker Introductions by Secretary Anna Miller
o Neighborhood improvement is ongoing. Code Enforcement has already helped us by contacting the owners of many of the vacant lots to have the lots cleaned of garbage and construction remnants. Chaka and Regina from Code Enforcement helped us identify CE violations and what we can do to get situations addressed.
o Chaka Osborne, Code Enforcement Improvement Specialist. The next neighborhood clean up is schedules for March 21st. We'll be in touch with Chaka to get trash bins set at the B-BAR-H Ranch Arch.
o Regina Keyes, Code Enforcement Officer establishd one point of contact for our neighborhood. We requested "illegal dumping" signs be posted along 20th Avenue and Bubbling Wells Road.
o There have been complaints about a trailer parked on the street in front of a house on Paintbrush Trail. Regina said she notified the owner to have the trailer moved to his driveway.

• DHS Cancer Walk by TreasurerJim Fosbinder and Pat Carney
o Team B-BAR-H Ranch - We BAR Cancer! has been established to walk in the DHS Relay for Life Cancer Walk 2009
o January 28th party at Senior Center - Kick Off Party, food, silent auction, fun!
o Contact Jim to register as a participant to walk on our team.
o Click Here to Register Online or make a donation to our team. All donations are tax deductible.

• Shake Rattle & Roll - Earthquake Simulation was announced by Pat Carney. It's scheduled on February 21, 2009 at the DHS High School Vendors will be there with products and services available to prepare for earthquakes. This is to be a very informative and simulated real-life event.

• Neighborhood Party by Toni M. Ringlein
o Toni Ringlein volunteered to head the coordination of our neighborhood party. It was suggested we have the party on the same day as the next clean up day, March 21st.
o Party Planning Committee was formed.
o First planning meeting is set for January 27th.

• Meeting Closure by President Curtis Schway
o Attendees want to meet every other month in 2009. Some people can't attend on the weekend. We decided to have our next meeting during the week. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the VFW. Pat Carney will confirm date and time.
o Invitations will be sent via door-to-door, email and posted on the blog at PaintbrushTrail.com. People volunteered to help distribute paper invitations.

Relay for Life Meeting - DHS Cancer Walk - Community Event

Relay for Life Meeting

Desert Hot Springs Senior Center‎

11777 West Drive

Desert Hot Springs, CA‎

Thursday, January 8, 2009

6:00 p.m.

(760) 329-0222‎

Join us at the Desert Hot Springs Senior Center on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 6 p.m. for a meeting about an upcoming DHS Cancer Walk called the Relay for Life.

The Senior Center is located right behind the Carl May Center on West Drive. Mapquest the directions if needed. Above is a map. If more details are needed please contact Pat Carney.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting to coordinate a DHS cancer walk.<