On July 6, 2008 I hiked in to Black Star Canyon. I started at Skyline Drive in Corona. It is probably 6 miles one way. The road switches back quite a bit. I started about 8:30 am and it took me about 6 hours. I went slow and it was hot. By the time I got back to the car it was over 100 degrees.

I know that there are mountain lions, bears, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, etc but I sure didn't a living thing up there except for a couple of guys on dirt bikes and an occasional lizard. And birds too. It is remote and secluded even though you can see into Orange County on one side and Riverside County on the other. It is very peaceful. No ghosts of the past crazy inhabitants bothered me. It was really very beautiful.

This is Beek's Place at the top of the mountain. The stone structures are largely intact.

That's Corona way down there.

Zoomed in.

And zoomed out. Amazing for a cheap camera.

This is about half way to the top. You can see I-71 and Prado damn on the left.

This is the doppler radar tower at the top. It is visible from Norco. I always wondered what it looked like up close.

Skyline Drive, June gloom in July.

Corona

I was on foot. The guy in the truck offered me water. What a nice guy. It is a mean hike on a hot day but I enjoyed it. I enjoy reflecting back on it on a cold winter day. There is snow at the top now.

Norconian photos of before and now showing the glory of the world class Lake Norconian Club Resort and now photos of the building behind barbed wire.

Video courtesy of Kevin Bash.

In the mid 1920's, Rex B. Clark, an unmatched visionary of his time, accomplished the near impossible by constructing the world-class Norconian Resort in a remote area of Southern California.

The Norconian was an immediate success and frequented by the rich elite and Hollywood's finest. Unfortunately, the Club never made a nickel as the Stock Market crash and subsequent economic depression forced Clark to give up his dream after a ten year fight.

The story didn't end there. The fabulous resort was converted into one of the pre-eminent Naval Hospitals in the United States; a facility that treated survivors of Pearl Harbor and pioneered the use of Penicillin, the polio vaccine and state of the art rehabilitation techniques.

Subsequently, one of the finest Naval Weapons Testing sites in the Nation and the California Rehabilitation Center, the first state funded addict treatment center in the country, called the old resort home; adding to the Norconian's rich and fabulous history.

Our newly formed foundation is dedicated to preserving the rich architecture and the almost 80 years of history represented by some of the finest buildings ever constructed on the West Coast.

For more information on preserving this historic place, please stop by http://lakenorconianclub.org

 

This is a very special home in Norco. It was custom built into the contour of land. The second story is at ground level on the back side of the house. It is rare for a home to be built in Norco on this size lot and in fact it is two lots. The current owner started a lot split for the 2.25 acre parcel. An additional 3 homes may be built or the buyer could just have one large horse ranch. The house sits far back from the street. There is a real feel of privacy and open space. Like most of Norco his is zoned A-1-20 which means Agricultural-1 home per 20,000 square feet. A-1-20 is rated 10 horses per acre. Most parcels in Norco are 1/2 acre and legal for 5 horses. The property will be available to show 11/1/08 and I will have photos.

This is how it appears on the MLS:

Spectacular 3.5 acre estate with 4,000 square foot custom built home. New everything! Includes Parcel number 133-130-017. Tentative lot split in progress. All usable. Room for 35 horses or finish lot split and build 3 homes. New concrete tile roof, new dual pane windows, new granite kitchen counters, new sinks, new fixtures, new cabinets, new bath tubs, new tile floor. Two massive fireplaces. Theater room. Panoramic view. New color coat stucco. Individual thermostats for air conditioning and heat in each room. 3 car garage plus workshop is in progress. Covered entry also in progress. Owner may carry note.

This home is in Old Town Norco. It was built in 1960. I think it originally hads a one car garage and that was converted into a fourth bedroom long before Norco was a city. The property is .56 acres and it is legal for 5-1/2 horses. Actually it is set up for 8 with 4 in the barn and 4 covered stalls. It also has a lighted arena, a tack room, covered hay storage and a wash rack. It is also cross-fenced and has two patios.

www.RobertTessler.com

The State of California Office of Emergency Services has posted an Interactive fire map. This may become very useful at some time, particularly if you have friends or family in effected areas. You might want to bookmark this:

http://www.oes.ca.gov/WebPage/oeswebsite.nsf/IncidentsXML?readForm

I am counting 19 active fires as I am posting. The interactive map also lists Red Cross shelters and animal shelters.

Here are a few fire safety tips from the City of Norco:

Before

 

• Maintain a Firewise landscape around your home, with nonflammable landscaping materials within 5 feet of the house, and healthy, well-irrigated, well-spaced plants and trees in the area extending 100-200 feet from your home.

• Make sure your roof is made of fire-resistant material. Choose fire-resistant materials for your siding, deck, and porch.

• Sweep gutters, roofs, and eaves regularly. Remove dead branches around chimneys. If fire is approaching, remove combustible materials, including wood piles, lawn furniture, doormats, barbecue grills, and tarps, from around your home.

• Evacuate before the fire approaches your home. Back your car into the driveway and roll up the windows to allow for a quicker getaway. Plan to bring your valuables and your pets.

• Close and protect your home's openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, doors, and pet doors. Remove flammable drapes and curtains and close all shutters, blinds, or heavy non-combustible drapes. Do not lock the doors and windows in case firefighters have to make a quick entry to fight the flames.

• Close all the interior doors in your home and the fireplace screen. Open the fireplace damper.

• Shut off any natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies at the source.

• Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.

• Place a ladder against the house in clear view.

• Disconnect garage door openers so the doors will open if there is no power.

• Turn on the outside lights and at least one light in each room to make your house more visible in heavy smoke.

During

 

• If you are in your car as the fire approaches, roll up the windows and close the air vents. Drive slowly with your headlights on. Watch for other vehicles and pedestrians. Do not drive through heavy smoke

If you have to stop, park away from the heaviest trees and brush. Turn on the headlights and turn off the ignition. Keep the windows up and the vents closed. Get on the floor and cover up with a blanket or a coat.

• If you are in a building as the fire front approaches, stay inside. The fire will pass before the home burns down.

• If you are outside as the fire approaches, look for an area where vegetation or other fuel for the fire is sparse. On a steep mountainside, the back side is safer. Avoid canyons, natural chimneys, and saddles. If a road is nearby, lie face down along the road cut or in a ditch on the uphill side. Cover yourself with anything that will shield you from the fire's intense heat. If you are in a wooded area, seek a depression with sparse fuel. Clear fuel away from the area while the fire is approaching and then lie face down in the depression and cover yourself. Stay down until the fire passes.

After

 

• Do not return to your home until authorities say it is safe. If you are at home or able to return to your home, check the roof immediately and put out any roof fires, sparks, or embers. Check the attic for hidden burning sparks.

• Use the water in your pool or tubs. If your power is out, try connecting hoses to the outlet on your water heater.

• Maintain a fire watch for several hours after the fire. Re-check for smoke and sparks throughout the home.

 

 

Business Opportunity

Mexican snack route with 15 convienience stores in North San Diego and 12 convenience stores in South Riverside County. Established in 1988 and highly successful even in bad economy. High profit margin. Cash business catering large chain stores with stability. This is a home based business. Operate out of your garage. Service accounts at night since most are open 24 hours. Drive at low traffic hours. At one time this route was over 100 stores but the owner had health issues and let it dwindle. She wants to retire out of state but she will stay on to train.

Real Estate Owned property is a hot topic right now. There is so much bank owned property and banks have become anxious tyo sell. Prices have dropped dramatically and this is the best time in years to be a buyer. Unlike a short sale that can drag on for months, banks usually have an answer right away. Don't let the list price deter you. Everything is negotiable. Here is a link to REOs in Norco, Corona and Riverside:

 

 

Neighborhood Pet Store

Retail Sales and Pet Grooming

Established pet store in shopping center anchored by Stater Bros. market for sale. This location generates lots of foot traffic and it is isolated from big box chains. This is the ONLY pet store on the west side of town. Price includes inventory worth 80% of the sale price. Owner may carry. Job transfer forces sale.

This is a successful store with a proven record. Call for details.

Pearl Harbor survivors were honored Friday morning at the historic Norconian Lodge. At 9:55 am silence fell over the room in remembrance of that infamous moment. Todd Spitzer, Frank Hall, Jeff Miller, Kathy Acevedo, Kevin Bash and many more spoke. The Fontana Marine ROTC and Norco High Junior ROTC performed as did the Norco High band.

Twenty or more Pearl Harbor survivors and WWII veterans and others connected to the Norconian facility when it was the Naval Hospital were in attendance. It was very heart warming to see them honored for their sacrifice so long ago.

Below is a photo from this morning.

The Lake Norconian Club Foundation will host a Ceremony to commemorate and honor the sadly forgotten contributions and history of the Corona/Norco United States Naval Hospital (1941-1957). (The first patients to arrive at this majestic and still standing facility were survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack.) The entire community is invited and in particular anyone who in any way was associated with this once pre-eminent facility (doctors, corpsmen,nurses, associated family members, etc). The event will be held from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Admission is free.

The second event will be a ladies HIgh Tea to be held in the fabulous Lake Norconian Club lakeside pavilion.  Ladies may either reserve a table of eight and serve tea and cakes to their guests from personal tea sets and all the accouterments or chose to simply join a group. The motif and dress is 1940's and a live band will set the mood with music from the era. Tea, cakes and hot water will be provided. The event will be held from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Admission will be $40.00

For further information or go to 
http://www.lakenorconianclub.org/.

RSVP online - lakenorconianclub.org
RSVP or information by phone: 951-737-8025
Directions

Seating is limited, proper photo ID is required. Please RSVP

LAKE NORCONIAN CLUB FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 7672
Norco, CA 92860