by Diana Pasquini, San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center

North San Juan has been the site of an annual Cherry Festival since 1895. Founded by prospector Christian Kientz in 1853, North San Juan’s population grew quickly as men flocked to the area to work in adjacent hydraulic mining operations. The population swelled to several thousand when a flume from mountain lakes ushered in an era of prosperity by providing water to the townsfolk and surrounding mines. The town soon became headquarters for water companies that supplied the mines and water ran above the town in elevated flumes. The end of hydraulic mining in 1884 marked the beginning of a decline in population for the foothill mining town. Over the years three major fires swept through the town, destroying homes and businesses in its path. Resilient then, as now, the town of North San Juan has survived and through boom or bust, fair weather or foul, the Cherry Festival has endured.

“At one time the Cherry Festival was a week long affair. They had rodeos and bronc busting,” explained parade organizer, Sue Bauer. Times may have changed, but folks still flock to North San Juan to join in the festivities on the 4^th Saturday in June. Sponsored by the North San Juan Fire Department, the parade begins at the North San Juan Post Office at 10am moving up Highway 49 to the North San Juan Community Center where it makes a u-turn, then travels back down 49 to its point of origin. An abundance of festivities continue throughout the day. There will be music, games, food, vendors, a cake walk, raffle, a pie eating contest, dunk tank, and more. Not only is the Cherry Festival a long standing community tradition. It is North San Juan Community Center’s major fundraiser of the year. Last year the North San Juan Senior Center officially transitioned into the North San Juan Community Center. The Activities and Improvement Center, previously housed in the neighboring old North San Juan Schoolhouse, has also merged with and strengthened the Community Center. Today, the revitalized organization strives to “provide services, events and programming to enrich and support a thriving, healthy community,” stated NSJCC board member, Shari Brookler. Ongoing events include a Spring Garden Party, Easter Egg Hunt, autumn Harvest Stew, a weekly Tuesday lunch, movie nights and seasonal potlucks. The Community Center also hosts Nevada County Food Bank’s monthly distributions, weekly traveling veterinary services, and a voting center. In addition to a children’s playground and a beautiful community garden, the facility includes a commercial kitchen and a freshly painted hall that are available to rent. Plans for the future include a farmers’ market and classes based on community interest. Funds raised at this year’s festival will “keep our doors open,” said Brookler, issuing an invitation to one and all. “Come have fun with your neighbors at a community gathering!”

The North San Juan Community Center is located at 29190 State Highway 49, North San Juan. For more info on NSJCC activities or facility rentals call Avani at 480-993-6487.

 

by Diana Pasquini, San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center

Few of the FRC’s children’s activities have been as popular or rewarding as Kuk Sool Won. The second series of Korean martial arts classes at the Family Resource Center literally ended with a “Bang!” as young students broke boards. “Breaking builds courage,” explained teacher Tony Reyna. “Courage means you do what needs to be done in spite of fear.” Each boy and girl was reminded that the successful act of breaking depended 90% upon heart and mind as he or she courageously approached the board held by their teacher. One after another, young minds and hearts focused as boards were snapped in two and young eyes glistened with pride and accomplishment. We are grateful to Tony Rena and his assistant, Ryan Mathias, for introducing Kuk Sool Won to San Juan Ridge youth. It is our hope that the 57 students who were enrolled in turtle tots and children’s classes  will remember the three pillars of Kuk Sool Won: etiquette, patience and practice, and integrate these values into their daily lives.

“I really like walking backwards and punching bears and when you are a snake and go under the stick. Today I was a rattlesnake.”

Artemis Jaco

Turtle Tots- 4 ½ years old

 

“I really like jumping backwards on the mat, blocking the bats, and punching the bear. We like punching the bear because we smell like the bear’s dinner. My favorite part is closing my eyes and being still as a rock. “

                 Drake Puetz

Turtle Tots -4 ½ years old

 

“I like the horse stance and it’s really fun to break boards. Tony is really awesome!”

Rose Gray

1^st grade~ Grizzly Hill School

 

“I liked the horse stance and breaking the boards. There are a lot of things I love about Kuk Sool Won. It makes you get stronger. Tony’s a really good guy.”

Bon Dudley

                                       2nd Grade ~ Grizzly Hill School

 

“I like the hard work. It energizes and unwinds me. Tony is a really good sensei.  Kuk Sool Won is a really good martial art and I really want to continue.”

Zaden Peterson

3^rd Grade ~ Grizzly Hill School

 

“Kuk Sool Won is really fun. I really like breaking boards and sparring. Being able to spend time doing it is special.”

Anela Park

4^th Grade ~

Ananda Living Wisdom School

 

 

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to come out here and work with the kids. I had a difficult childhood and I had a lot of people who helped me. I enjoy helping others and the circle continues to grow.”

Tony Reyna

Owner and Chief Instructor, Gold Country Kuk Sool Won

 

 

For more information on Kuk Sool Won classes contact Gold Country Kuk Sool Woon at 530.478.1412 or www.goldcountrykuksoolwon.com.

 

by Diana Pasquini, San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center

Although we are grateful to our many friends and neighbors for so generously donating clothing and footwear throughout the year, the San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center will not be accepting any wearable donations throughout our summer camp season from July 1 until August 6. The clothes closet will still be open to folks who need to take clothes during that time, but not to those who wish to donate. If you can hang on to your donations until mid-August, we’d appreciate it. If not, there are many worthy non-profits who are supported by thrift stores and would certainly appreciate a donation. Thanks.

 

by Diana Pasquini, San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center

One of the most popular activities offered at the San Juan Ridge Family Resource Center is SPORTS CAMP. This year’s camps, led by Coach Ivy Pera will provide an opportunity for young athletes to hone skills, make friends, and have fun running and playing on the beautiful Oak Tree Campus. As SPORTS CAMP veteran and Junior Camp Counselor Jack Greenway put it, “SPORTS CAMP is great because we don’t have any sports teams on the Ridge. It’s great for some kids because they get to play sports and they don’t usually get to do that at any other time of the year. It’s a week of fun for lots of kids.”

JUNIOR SPORTS CAMP for ages 5, 6 & 7                            

July 9-13     9:30am-12:30pm

INTERMEDIATE SPORTS CAMP for ages 8, 9 & 10            

July 16-20   9:30am-2:30pm

SENIOR SPORTS CAMP for ages 11 & up                            

July 23-27   9:30am- 2:30pm

We will not be able to accommodate drop-ins; so all campers must be pre-registered to attend. To enroll in one of the following sessions, please call 292-3174 or drop by the Family Resource Center at 18847 Oak Tree Road during regular business hours (see page 1).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mary Moore, Librarian

SAN JUAN RIDGE COMMUNITY LIBRARY   TUES & THURS 11-7   SAT 10-4

Pre-School Storytime occasional Mondays, 11:00am-11-30am Call for details Phone: 292-3008

Location: Next to Head Start, Behind the Ball Field on Oak Tree in North San Juan

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary…How does your garden grow?

Actually it doesn’t, as mosquitoes are my nemesis and to be honest I’d rather hold a needle than pull weeds.  BUT, I do enjoy gardening books, of which the library has over 100.  The trick is we hide them in at least four different places:

581.63 Elias, Edible wild plants.  For minimal gardening.

615.85 Montgomery, Plant spirit healing. For healing us or the plants?

635 Dunks, Gardening with children. Salted our garden with store bought stuff as all we got was zucchini blossoms. 

635 Lovejoy, Trowel & error.  Over 700 shortcuts, tips & remedies for the gardener.

635.04 Carr, Color handbook of garden insects.  Yuck!

635.04 Gillman, Truth about organic gardening.  Ah Hah!

635.953 Loewer, Evening garden.  Flowers and fragrance from dusk till dawn.

641.097 Kingsolver, Animal, vegetable, miracle-a year of food life.  This fiction author is the best!

712.01 Mitchell, Wildest place on earth. Italian gardens and the invention of wilderness.

 

So, leave your garden for a few minutes (please wash your hands) and come to the library for inspiration or practical ideas.

 

by Pat Leach, San Juan Ridge ACT Member

Edwards Crossing and Shady Creek at Purdon Bridges

Edwards Crossing will get a new 2-lande bridge and parking, while keeping the current bridge as a pedestrian and bike crossing. The State will fund the project and we’ll know more later this year. Optimistically, it will be completed by 2021. Shady Creek Bridge at Purdon will be replaced with a 2-lane, single-span, cast-in-place concrete bridge. This work has started—end date?

Substance Abuse/Mental Health Issues

Per Chief Alex Gammelgard, GVPD: The NSJ zip code 95960 was identified as a high utilization zip code in the annual health assessment. As such, folks residing in 95960 would be eligible and preferred for this pilot “direct to treatment” grant program. GVPD will work with the Sheriff’s Office to teach them about the opportunity as they would more likely have interactions with someone in NSJ.

This program is operational. The GVPD is happy to take a referral via NC Sheriff’s Office, who will then call Detective Clint Loveday at GVPD who will then check into eligibility, etc. and line up meeting the deputy in town. However, someone coming directly to SNMH, CoRR or Western Sierra Medical Clinic may also become eligible in that fashion.

Firewise Community

You too can start a Firewise Community! The work it takes is more than worth the energy, and you end-up with lots in common with your neighbors. It’s all about access and egress, and defensible space. If you would like to investigate the possibility, may I suggest the national website at: www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Firewise-USA. While you’re at it, check out the NSJFPD Community Fire Plan at nsjfire.org. Then, if needed, please contact Pat Leach (NSJ Fire Board Member) for additional information: Pat.sjact@gmail.com (don’t forget the dot after Pat).

Remember, it’s not IF a forest fire will occur here—it’s WHEN.

After all, we live in a HISTORICALLY HIGH FIRE DANGER area.

BTW, have you signed up for CodeRED? Public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/CA8B57E20D17