The Community Hiking Club will be traversing the Walker Ranch and Bear Divide Trails on Saturday, July 31, 2010. Hikers interested should plan on meeting at the Walker Ranch Trail head on Placerita Canyon Road at 7:00 AM for a 7:15 departure to the trail head, leaving some of the vehicles at Walker Ranch. The other cars will drive to the base of Bear Divide trail. You’ll hike 2 miles up the Bear Divide Trail, cross through the wild land fire fighter’s camp, go down 3N17 to Wilson Saddle, then back up the road to Los Pinetos which we will take down to Walker Ranch. Total mileage will be close to 10 with 800 ft gain. Bring water, lunch or snacks and your camera…there are spectacular views! For more information contact Dianne at Zuliebear@aol.com. Hike subject to cancelation depending on local fires!

The Community Hiking Club will be traversing a moderate 10 miles of the Santa Paula Creek which runs year-round and is best known for its intrinsic beauty, and natural deep  pools, waterfalls, and steep cliffs. The trail takes you through picturesque St. Thomas Aquinas College, then along the wooded banks of Santa Paula creek with plentiful swimming holes, capped by a spectacular 25 foot waterfall. There are a few short sections where climbing over big rocks or scrambling up loose dirt is required. (more…)

Ride the Beach Bus to Santa Monica Beach every Saturday and Sunday through September 5, 2010. The bus will pick up passengers from several SCV locations around SCV; Via Princessa Metrolink station; Oak Creek Park n’ Ride; Newhall Metrolink; and the McBean Regional Transfer Station. The cost of tickets is as follows: all children and adults $3.00; Sr. Citizens (60+)* $1.50; Persons with Disabilities* $1.50. Persons boarding the bus under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors must bring valid school ID to verify age. For large group accommodations, please call, 661-294-1BUS (1287), at least five (5) business days in advance, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM. For more information click here: Beach Bus

The Community Hiking Club will be traversing Elsmere Canyon on Saturday, July 3, 201. This is a short and easy 5 Mile loop with about a 500 ft gain. You will still have plenty of energy for your evening parties after this one! Those interested should plan on meeting at the MRCA green gate at the end of the Park and Ride located at Newhall Avenue and Hwy 14 at 7:00 AM for a 7:15 departure. Bring lots of water and a snack. The hike is planned to be done before lunch. If you want to increase your mileage, you can opt to do the Whitney Canyon Trail that is close by. For more information contact Dianne at Zuliebear@aol.com

(From the AP) Federal wildlife officials are warning swimmers to enter the water at their own risk after great white sharks were spotted feasting on sea lions around the Channel Islands. The National Park Service says there have been three attacks on California sea lions in the past few months near Santa Barbara Island. There have been no attacks on humans but because of the potential risk a warning was instituted Wednesday and will remain in effect until further notice. Officials say great white sightings in Southern California are rare. Migrating sharks usually pass through without stopping for meals.

I’m soooo ready! Every year for the better part of a decade and half I have taken a 7-10 day “sabbatical from life” in the great state of Maine. During the summer time every year I head up to the same sparsely populated area in the northern part of mid-coast Maine, by myself, for a little R&R; a life force reset if you will. (more…)

The Community Hiking Club will be hiking in the Cold Creek Preserve this Saturday, June 26, 2010. The Cold Creek Preserve protects the headwaters of Cold Creek, one of the few year-round streams in the Santa Monica Mountains. In 1984 The Nature Conservancy transfered 540 acres to Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) to establish the Cold Creek Canyon Preserve and the MRT continues to expand this pristine open space. (more…)

The City of Santa Clarita will host Storytime Adventures, a no-cost interactive event where local youth are read stories aloud at the Sports Complex Activities Center. Storytime Adventures will be held on Wednesdays from    11:00 a.m. – 12 noon beginning Wednesday, June 23 through Wednesday, July 21. (more…)

Here we go again folks; The Signal has tapped into another story that has received a lot of discussion right here at The Beacon. A guest commentary posted here on June 7, 2010, by local resident Bill Reynolds set off a fire storm of comments and debate. That prompted Signal reporter Jonathan Randles, who had been keeping up with the discussion here at The Beacon and other blogs, to write a follow on story. Once again, The Signal is deathly afraid of giving any acknowledgement for its story ideas!  (From the Signal) Hoots of laughter and splashing erupt from the jewel-like pool as another Summit Seals swim team practice gets under way Friday. But beneath the tranquil suburban setting lurks threats of restraining orders and lawsuits, videotaping by private investigators, menacing parents and an ugly allegation of child molestation. (more…)

The Community Hiking Club will be doing a Father’s Day hike to the “Bridge to Nowhere” on Sunday, June 20, 2010. Bring dad and the whole family. This hike is 10 miles roundtrip with numerous deep river crossings, and boulder scrambling. It is moderate to difficult depending on the number of crossings and the depth and swiftness of the water. Bring water shoes. Meet at Towsley outside of the gate at 7:00 or meet at the trailhead sometime around 8:00. HOW TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD: Take the 210 to Azusa. Exit San Gabriel Canyon Road. Drive up the canyon (north) for 10 miles, then turn east on the East Fork Road, and continue 8 more miles to the East Fork Ranger Station; park just below the station. Walk north along the river of 0.5 miles before dropping to the canyon floor. Keep your eyes open for patches of road (trail) on the cliff on the right side. Using these patches will speed up your travel. Staying in the river bed will make the hike more challenging, and you will be hiking longer. Use this trail from November-June. Avoid it in high water times, such as after a rain, as you will be doing many river crossings. Remember to display your adventure pass. For more information contact Dianne at Zuliebear@aol.com

Ride the Beach Bus to Santa Monica Beach every Saturday and Sunday beginning June 19^th through September 5^th 2010. The bus will pick up passengers from several SCV locations; Via Princessa Metrolink station; Oak Creek Park n’ Ride; Newhall Metrolink; and the McBean Regional Transfer Station. The cost of tickets is as follows: all children and adults $3.00; Sr. Citizens (60+)* $1.50; Persons with Disabilities* $1.50. Persons boarding the bus under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors must bring valid school ID to verify age. For large group accommodations, please call, 661-294-1BUS (1287), at least five (5) business days in advance, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM. For more information click here: Beach Bus

The City of Santa Clarita will host Storytime Adventures, a no-cost interactive event where local youth are read stories aloud at the Sports Complex Activities Center. Storytime Adventures will be held on Wednesdays from    11:00 a.m. – 12 noon beginning Wednesday, June 23 through Wednesday, July 21. (more…)

The Community Hiking Club will be traversing Chantry Flats this Saturday, June, 12, 2010. You’ll hike to the 50’ Sturtevant Falls near Sierra Madre. It is a 9 ½ mile hike with a 2100’ elevation gain. Despite the distance it is a fairly easy trail. Bring lunch, snacks, and lots of water and wear sturdy boots. Poles help if you have them. Meet at the outer Gate of Towsley Canyon before 7:00 AM to carpool to the trail head at 7. Sorry for the early meet time, but it is essential to get there early for parking. For more information contact Dianne at Zuliebear@aol.com

Hikers who enjoy a strenuous climb to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park will soon be able to once again scale the granite monolith. Park officials say cables allowing access to the summit will be in place June 16. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is offering introduction to shore fishing classes from Dockweiler State Beach at the new Dockweiler Youth Center, located at 12505 Vista del Mar, Los Angeles. Fishing poles and bait will be provided at no cost.  Anglers typically catch surfperch, croaker, corbina, halibut and leopard shark.  All ages are welcome; however, youth under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. (more…)

The Community Hiking Club will be traversing East Canyon on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Nick Staves will lead hikers on this great hike from O’Melveny Park to East Canyon and back! Those interested should meet Nick at East Canyon at 8:00 AM to carpool to O’Melveny Park. Bring water, lunch. If you can do the hike there will also be a Condor Presentation by Dianne for PNCA beginning at 10:00 AM at Eaton Canyon. For more information on the hike and the presentation contact Dianne at Zuliebear@aol.com

Ride the Beach Bus to Santa Monica Beach every Saturday and Sunday beginning June 19^th through September 5^th 2010. The bus will pick up passengers from several SCV locations; Via Princessa Metrolink station; Oak Creek Park n’ Ride; Newhall Metrolink; and the McBean Regional Transfer Station. The cost of tickets is as follows: all children and adults $3.00; Sr. Citizens (60+)* $1.50; Persons with Disabilities* $1.50. Persons boarding the bus under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors must bring valid school ID to verify age. For large group accommodations, please call, 661-294-1BUS (1287), at least five (5) business days in advance, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM. For more information click here: Beach Bus

As the Memorial Day holiday approaches, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health would like to highlight the importance of safe swimming practices. The week before Memorial Day (May 24-30, 2010) has been designated as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. This year’s theme is the prevention of injuries associated with pool and spa chemicals. (more…)