Non-emergency Sheriff numbers: 760-940-4300 or 858-565-5200
Open Office
Hours
Monday and Tuesday 2-7 PM
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 7-12 AM
Cascadians, Inc. 2026 Board of Directors
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Directors:
2025 Committee Chairs
Architectural Landscape
Emergency Medical Prayer
Long Range Planning Breakfast
Finance CRV Pickup
Legislation Social Newsletter BINGO
Surveillance Welcoming
Library Potlucks
TV Equipment Clubhouse Decorating
Give Away Table Sunshine
Infrastructure Advisory
Cascadian Newsletter
2026 board members and officers are not available by the printed newsletter due date of 1/15; the 2026 board will be included in the February newsletter posted to the portal. Truly the end of an era, for the first time in twenty years, Wayne McMullen will not be a board member. Wayne has served on the board of directors for 20 years including 14 years as president. His experience, knowledge and leadership have been a blessing to this community Wayne will continue to serve as a volunteer through his participation on committees including a new Infrastructure Advisory Committee to facilitate large reserve projects and ongoing infrastructure maintenance. Wayne and all our community volunteers were honored at our annual meeting with cake and ice cream
What committee/s will you join? Committee work serves our community and is a great way to build community relationships. See page 1 of the newsletter for a list of committees. All committees serve a vital role in our community. The new Infrastructure Advisory committee did not make it onto the committee forms that went out early January; write it in or contact the office if you are interested in serving on that committee. Committees should meet to choose their committee chair prior to our February Open Board Meeting; report committee chairs to the office ASAP Board liaisons will be announced at our February Open Board Meeting. Together, we make Vista Cascade a great place to live.
"Community is a place where connections are made, relationships are built, and support is given."
Sandra Day O'Connor
February 2026 2
Grace Ernst 2/1
M Elaine Bruhn 2/1
Pamela Sorge 2/2
Don Dotson 2/3
Susan Head 2/7
Josefina Duran 2/8
Dee Dee Koerber 2/9
Sandi Miller 2/11
Juliene Stone 2/12
Stephanie Dotson 2/15
Maureen Dobbins 2/15
Deborah McCormick 2/15
Steven Sailors 2/19
Victor Galiany 2/19
Douglas Sailors 2/23
Judith Levy 2/19
Lorraine Anderson 2/20
Kathy Ferrin 2/24
Anne Ross 2/24
Anniversaries
Don & Stephanie Dotson 2/1
James & Sandra Russell 2/6
Wayne & Lorraine McMullen 2/16
Mark your calendars for our Cascadians, Inc.
Open Board Meeting
Thursday, February 19th @ 7 PM
The meeting will be held in the clubhouse with a Zoom option You will receive an email with the Zoom link and meeting information.
Our pool and hot tub will be resurfaced soon. Blue Moon Pools will be doing the work beginning with draining the pool March 2nd Notices will be posted around the pool regarding project dates
Monday & Tuesday 2:00-7:00 PM
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7:00-12:00 AM
"Each of us must rededicate ourselves to serving the common good. We are a community. Our individual fates are linked; our futures intertwined; and if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit together, as the Bible says: 'We can move mountains.'" Jimmy Carter
In the Know
I mentioned previously that as a Senior Community, we are constructed, developed and managed for the purpose of providing a convenient, secure and enjoyable place for all residents
There are specific requirements or limitations on the purposes of Cascadians, Inc. so we can qualify for the exemption of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. See our Bylaws 2.03. You know from last month that:
● 2.03.6 The Park must have significant facilities and services specifically designed to meet the physical or social needs of older persons.
● 2.03.7 At least 80% of the units in the Park are occupied by at least one equity member 55 years of age or older, and the minimum age for residency in the Park is 45 years of age.
● 2.03.10 Every 2 years as required by law all occupants must provide proof of age verification at the time or times directed by the Board of Directors.
Our office staff sends out a questionnaire every other year. It’s important that you respond to help keep us qualified as a Senior community
As a Senior Community we accommodate the physical needs of older persons while providing social opportunities and activities. Our community is quieter and less congested than a family park resulting in a less stressful and more comfortable environment for members
Atleastweshouldbe,right? To help us understand our responsibility to help preserve uniformity and quality standards, convenience and enjoyment of the community for all of us, we additionally have Rules and Regulations.
See Rules andRegulations, 3. Guests. The rule begins with protection for the Equity Member so that even in our Senior Community, we can reasonable enjoy sharing our home with friends and family. Yes, we can have overnight guests. Here’s the rule: A residentshallnotbe chargeda fee for aguestwho stays with him/her for less than 20consecutive days or a totalof30daysper calendaryear. Suchaguestwillbe requiredto register withthe Managementafter 30days to February 2026
assistManagementin the eventofan emergency. Guests willbe requiredto vacate upon moving or deathofEquity Member. Boardmay approve an extendedtime forguests to remain atthepremises.
An important statement in this section is: Theguest(s)shallcomply with provisions ofthe Rules andRegulations ofthe Parkincluding regulations for parking vehicles andRVs.
You probably remember reading the Rules and Regulations when you became an Equity Member. In conjunction with reading the Rules and Regulations we all acknowledge in writing that we agree to be bound by the terms therein. Without this agreement, an applicant is not approved to move in and share ownership of the community
In Rules andRegulations, 7. Annoying Conduct. No residentofguestthereof may engage in any conductwithin the mobile home, or attheir space, or anywhere in the Park, whichmay be reasonably determinedby Managementto constitute a substantialannoyance to other residents…
26.a. Recreational Rules. The swimmingpool, clubhouse andfacilities located within the Parkare for the use ofresidents, their families andescortedguests. A residentmustescortguests whenguests are using these recreationalfacilities...
Guests include your visiting family. Believe it or not, neighbors might find your guests annoying. Consider that when you let the grandkids race around on their bikes, unattended or otherwise; when you let your guests walk yours or their dog, using neighbors’ yards for exercise or “bathroom” needs; when you let guests park overnight without getting a parking permit, YOU are ignoring our rules.
Do the right thing. Respect our community, give consideration and respect to your neighbors. Contribute to the well-being of Vista Cascade.
Submitted by Marie Scott
Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, 2026
The History of Flower Meanings
The language of flowers has been recognized for centuries in many countries throughout Europe and Asia. They even play a large role in William Shakespeare’s works. Mythologies, folklore, sonnets, and plays of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese are peppered with flower and plant symbolism and for good reason
The ‘language of flowers’, or floriography, came to Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the early 1700s. The red rose is well known as the symbol of romantic love, but almost all flowers have their own meaning; for a list, go to Almanac.com/flower-meaning. There is an entire history of the evolution of floriography and their symbolic meanings Find yours! And better yet, find out the meanings of your favorite people’s favorite flower and surprise them on:
As a reminder: the Vista Cascade Newsletter is now on the MGR Portal and if you open it on their site, the internet links are all active to read more about these articles.
February 2026 Calendar of Fun and Facts!
February 2 is Groundhog Day—the day we find out whether winter will last 6 more weeks or call it quits early. How did this quirky tradition get started? Find out the meaning of Groundhog Day.
February 8 is the Super Bowl in 2026. See some tasty Super Bowl recipes!
February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday The 16th president of the United States was born in a one-room, 16x18-foot log cabin with a dirt floor.
February 15 is Susan B Anthony’s Birthday
February 15 is also National Flag of Canada Day!
February 16 brings Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday also known as Washington’s
February 2026 6
Birthday is celebrated on the third Monday in February. (George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22!)
February 17 is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Celebrated widely throughout East Asia, this holiday begins with the first new Moon after the Winter Solstice and is associated with the Chinese Zodiac.
February 18 is Ash Wednesday.
��������February Astronomy��������
The Full Snow Moon
February’s Full Moon reaches peak illumination on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Look skyward on that night to catch the best view of this full Moon! It’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. Other traditional Native American names for this Moon include the Eagle Moon (Cree), Raccoon Moon (Dakota), and Hungry Moon (Cherokee). Read more about the February Snow Moon here! (active link)
The Garden Gate
Well, it’s that time of year, rain, heat, rain heat and what do we get?
WEEDSSSSSSS! And the job of eliminating them!
I am using 30% vinegar (kitchen vinegar is only 5% acid) available from Home Depot and a few drops per gallon of Dawn Dish Soap (salt is not required). Spray in the middle of the day for best results. I also discovered that this vinegar comes scented in Lavender and Orange. I used the Lavender and while I can still smell the vinegar, it is not as strong as the unscented, but the odor evaporates in a few days anyways.
February traditionally was San Diego’s rainiest month in the decades that I grew up living in Southern California. Things have changed.��
Another year of record rainfall and our rainy season (which runs 10/1 through 9/30 of each year) is not over. The GREAT news is the state announced that all of California has been taken off drought status! Of course, that doesn’t mean we become haphazard in our use of water, nozzles on the end of hoses, water should not be running down the gutters, and turn off that water while brushing your teeth, etc.
Fun Memory: When I was a teacher, my second grade class entered a science fair and we selected: how much water can a family of four save per month, by just changing one water wasting habit? The students chose to turn off the water while brushing our teeth. Three students brought their toothbrush from home and demonstrated at our classroom sink, how long they take brushing their teeth We timed it and determined the average time among the three. Then using a bucket of known ounces, we turned the water on and filled the buckets for the established period of time, of course taking each bucket outside to water plants with. Then we did the math, made our chart of our findings, and met with the custodian who arranged with the bottled water company to skip a pickup of bottles the week of the fair Then we stacked the bottles into a pyramid, made a poster using our photos of each step of our experiment -the number was quite surprising to the kids and even more so for the parents! I’ll bet some habits changed in their homes after that night!
WE STACKED 22 FIVE GALLON WATER BOTTLES! EVERY DROP COUNTS It only requires us to change one daily habit. Not only helping our state, but also cutting our Operating Costs of Vista Cascade.
The Almanac’s February 2026 Weather Forecast
I discovered they are posting it online once again! Yay!
Dates
Weather Conditions
Feb 1-7 Rainy periods, turning warm
Feb 8-15 Sunny, warm
Feb 16-26 Rainy periods, some heavy south; cool
Feb 27-28 Sunny, cool
February temperature 58° (2° above avg.) precipitation 3.5" (1" below avg. north, 2" above south)
Average temperature of 53°, (2 degrees below average).
Precipitation 2.5” (2” above average in So. California/below in North).
1st-12th Rainy periods, then cool.
13th-21st Sunny and cool.
22nd-25th Rain, sometimes heavy, cold.
26th-28th Sunny and cool.
TWO inches above normal predicted? Cold weather? WOW!
WILDLIFE
GRAY WHALES
We don’t get these whales in our park, obviously, but they do visit the San Diego coast each year at this time. They complete the more than 10,000 mile migration from Alaska to the lagoons in Baja to mate and have their young in warmer waters They are going by now and will begin the return journey in the Spring.
These magnificent creatures were hunted almost to extinction until the international community called a halt to killing these mammals in 1982. Now it is legal for indigenous tribes to hunt whales but commercial whaling of most species is banned. There are still three countries that kill whales—Iceland, Norway and Japan Hopefully that, too, will cease soon.
Gray whales, as adults, reach 50 feet in length and weigh about 45 tons They are extremely intelligent mammals. They live 50-75 years if they are not killed before that time. The females become pregnant in the Mexican lagoons and their gestation period is 13 months
I had the great pleasure of spending a week in the lagoons with them and I went out in rowboats daily to pet the moms and babies As most of you probably know, you can take local whale sight seeing boats out of Oceanside, etc., to see them as they travel by.
Karen Phillips
YANA–You Are Not Alone
Do You Live Alone? The San Diego Sheriff’s Department Senior Volunteer program offers a YOU ARE NOT ALONE, commonly called YANA, program for senior citizens living alone in Vista Call 1-760-940-4434 to find out more about this FREE program
Newsletter Submissions
Pictures, jokes, and articles are all welcome. Submissions are needed by the 10th of the month at vcnewsletter1600@gmail com
Beauties From Around The Park
Submitted by Elaine Bruhn
"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." -Hans Christian Andersen
h
e who love them
Our mission is to save the lives of treatable, homeless senior dogs and cats through innovative programs Central to our work is that “Frosted Faces” can take advantage of free veterinary services at our on-site clinic, which helps boost both senior pet adoptions and long-term owner retention.
https://frostedfacesfoundation.org/
Drop-In Adoption Hours Monday-Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm Open House & Tours Saturday & Sunday 10:00am-1:00pm
Frosted Faces Foundation 1448 Pine Street Ramona, CA 92065 (858) 304-0204 info@frostedfacesfoundation org
https://www.vista.gov/residents/volunteering
City of Vista Volunteer Opportunities:
● City Commission, Board & Committee openings (when vacancies exist)
● Volunteer San Diego (matches volunteers with projects)
February 2026
"February is the border between winter and spring." - Terri Guillemets
Health Words
AFFORDABLE
CHILDREN
CHIP
COBRA
DOCTORS
DRUGS
GAP
IMMIGRANTS
INSURANCE
KENNEDY
MALPRACTICE
MEDICAID MEDICARE
OBAMA PARTISAN PREVENTION PRIMARY CARE PRIVATE PUBLIC RATIONING REFORM SENIORS SMALL BUSINESS TAXES TORT
Across 1.Biblical beast
4.Inflexible
9.Babysitter’s handful
10.“Home ___”
11.Rightful
12.Artery problems
13.Expresses
15.Sooner St.
16.Get fit after injury
18.“Stubborn ___ a mule”
20.Corolla and Prius maker
23.Bake, as eggs
25.Dine
26.They’re nuts
27.Colorado Indian
28.Some porcelain
29.Fraternity letters
Down
1.Boosts
2.Censor’s target
3.Asparagus unit
4.Thoroughbred
5.“You got that right!”
6.Moo ___ gai pan
Gemstones in February
8.Escritoire
14.Foursome
17.Petty-Officer on merchant ship
18.Questions
19.Boutique
21.1984 Nobelist
22.“Planet of the ___”
7.“What’s gotten ___ you?”
24.1969 Peace Prize grp. February Sudoku
How to solve sudoku puzzles
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience. Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number
can only appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.
The title is a clue to the word in the shaded diagonal.
TRIVIA TEASER
The Golden Age
1. Which actor played the title character in the James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun? a-Frank Sinatra, b-Raymond Burr, c-Randy Quaid, d-Christopher Lee.
2.Formerly known as the Warriors, what is the "golden" sports team nickname now used at Marquette University in Milwaukee?a-Golden Bears, b-Golden Lights, c-Golden Eagles, d-Golden Panthers.
3. While Moses was away collecting the Ten Commandments, who fashioned a golden calf worshipped by the Hebrews? a-Lazarus, b-Aaron, c-Noah, d-Joshua.
4.In which movie did James Stewart rescue a suicidal Kim Novak from beneath the Golden Gate Bridge? a-The Big Clock, b-Bend of the River, c-Vertigo, d-Bell, Book and Candle.
5.Which pop song was the theme song for the sitcom The Golden Girls? a-"Lonely Boy," b-"Say You, Say Me," c"Thank You For Being a Friend," d-"My Generation."
6.Which PGA star is nicknamed "The Golden Bear?" a-Jack Nicklaus, b-Lee Trevino, c-Curtis Strange, d-Tiger Woods.
7.Which city is separated by an inlet called the Golden Horn? a-Budapest, b-Istanbul, c-Buenos Aires, d-Copenhagen.
8.What was the name of the ship on which Sir Francis Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe? a-Golden Plover, b-Golden Bowl, c-Golden Hind, d-Golden Fleece.
9.The flag of which country pictures a golden eagle with a snake in its mouth? a-Mexico, b-Philippines, c-Lithuania, dItaly.
10. In the game of Quidditch, played by Harry Potter, how many points is capturing the Golden Snitch worth? a-50, b-100, c-150, d-250.
QUOTES
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."
Dr. Seuss
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."
Audrey Hepburn
"I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more."
Angelita Lim
"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."
David Viscott
"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
Robert A. Heinlein
"True love is selfless. It is worthy of the person it loves."
BetterHelp
The big rewards come to those who travel the second, undemanded mile.
Bruce Barton
Ask yourself: "How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I'm committed to?"
Tony Robbins
Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.
Sally Koch
The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.
Zig Ziglar
We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon.
Konrad Adenauer
One of the great lessons in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.
Winston Churchill
The Lighter Side Plan ahead
A groundhog named Phil woke up on February 2nd, peeked out of his burrow, saw his shadow, and sighed dramatically.
He turned to his wife and said, "Six more weeks of winter... but at least we'll have Valentine's Day to look forward to!"
She rolled her eyes and replied, "Honey, you say that every year. And every year you still forget to get me flowers."
Phil thought for a second, then grinned.
"True... but this time I'm prepared! I already ordered them."
"Really?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah," he said proudly, "I got you a dozen roses... they're just six weeks late because of the shadow thing."
The Lion Tamer
A man tells the circus master that he wants to join the circus as a lion tamer. The circus master asked if he has any experience and the man says, "Why, yes. My father was one of the most famous lion tamers in the world, and he taught me everything he knew."
"Really?" said the circus master. "Did he teach you how to make a lion jump through a flaming hoop?"
"Yes he did," the man replies.
"And did he teach you how to have six lions form a pyramid?"
"Yes he did," the man replies.
"And have you ever stuck your head in a lion's mouth?"
"Just once," the man replies.
The circus master asks, "Why only once?"
The man says, "I was looking for my father."
Answers to The Golden Age
1-d, Christopher Lee
2-c, Golden Eagles
3-b, Aaron
4-c, "Vertigo"
5-c, "Thank You For Being a Friend"
6-a, Jack Nicklaus
7-b, Istanbul
8-c, Golden Hind
9-a, Mexico
10-c, 150
February 2026 Calendar
Special Months
AMERICAN HEART MONTH, heart.org
NATIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH, asalh. org.
NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH, usacherries. com.
NATIONAL PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH, avma.org/events/national-pet-dentalhealth-month.
13, WORLD RADIO DAY, Observed since 2012, diamundialradio.org
14, GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHDAY PARADE, Alexandria, VA., washingtonbirthday. net.
14, NATIONAL DONOR DAY, organdonor. gov.
14, ST. VALENTINE'S DAY
15, CANADA: MAPLE LEAF FLAG ADOPTED: ANNIVERSARY, Feb 15, 1965.
13–21, BRAZIL: CARNIVAL, Also in French West Indies.
13-16, GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT, 29th annual, audubon.org.
21, WORLD PANGOLIN DAY, 15th annual, pangolins.org/world-pangolin-day.
15, DAYTONA 500, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL., daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
15, NBA ALL-STAR GAME 2026,Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA. 75th annual, nba.com.
16, PRESIDENTS DAY, Federal holiday.
17, MARDI GRAS.
18, ASH WEDNESDAY.
18, LENT begins. Feb. 18 -April 2.
19, GEORGIA NATIONAL RODEO, Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry, GA.
22-28, NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK.
25, WORLD SPAY DAY, 30th annual, worldspayday.org .
26, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK ESTABLISHED: ANNIVERSARY, Feb 26, 1919.
26, NATIONAL CHILI DAY.
27, INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY, polarbearinternational.org.
28, WORLD SWORD SWALLOWERS DAY.
28, SEATTLE EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY, Seattle (Nisqually) earthquake, magnitude 6.8, injures hundreds and causes $2 billion in damage (25th anniversary)
Black History Month marks 100 years
This year, Black History Month will mark 100 years of educating Americans about the history of the AfricanAmerican community. During the past century, Black History Month has evolved from an observance into an American institution -- and it all started with Carter G. Woodson, a determined historian with an idea.
Born in 1877 to formerly enslaved parents in Virginia, Woodson’s early schooling was sporadic at best, and had to delay his high school education until age 20 to work in a coal mine. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in literature in 1903, and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago in 1908. And in 1912, he became the second African-American student (after W.E.B. DuBois) to earn a doctorate from Harvard University.
Disappointed with the limited career opportunities for African-American history scholars and the absence of any structured Black history research program in higher education, Goodson decided to create his own. He founded the ASLNH, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. And in 1926, Goodson promoted a new big idea -- Negro History Week, which grew into today’s Black History Month.
The celebration has evolved and expanded over the years, but the central idea remains unchanged: that AfricanAmerican history is inseparable from the American story, and a scholarly pursuit worth fighting for.
National Pet Theft Awareness Day, Feb. 14
Dog theft on the rise worldwide
Dog theft is a growing concern worldwide, especially with high value breeds like French Bulldogs or Labradors most at risk.
In the U.S., thefts up 40 percent from 2022, according to the American Kennel Club. French Bulldog thefts rose nearly five times from 2019–2022. About 12 percent of lost pets reported to AKC are confirmed stolen.
Dog theft is usually profit motivated for resale on the black market, breeding, or ransom demands. While it's not as ubiquitous as other property crimes like car theft, it affects millions of pet owners emotionally and financially— searching for a stolen dog can cost up to $1,000 per incident.
Dogs are most at risk when tethered in the front yard. But about 15 percent are stolen while being walked. Another
15 percent are stolen after being left in a car.
To protect your dog: -Microchip and ID: 35 percent of chipped pets have outdated info—update annually.
- Secure Setup: Never leave unattended in yards/cars; use tamper-proof collars, high fences, and cameras.
-Vigilance: Avoid posting walks online; report immediately to police/shelters.
If your dog does go missing, remember about 80 percent of missing dogs are strays, not thefts. Act quickly if your dog is missing: Immediately go on social media, especially to animal groups located in your county. Facebook groups have a high recovery rate and motivated users who compare lost and found posts. You may be able to email pictures city and county animal control groups. Post flyers in the neighborhood.
Groundhog Day: Check Phil's weather prediction!
On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania's groundhog extraordinaire, will again stick his head out of his den. The nation awaits his verdict.
Groundhog Day is said to have its origins in ancient weather lore where the prognosticator was often a badger or a sacred bear. In the United States, its origin is said to come from a Pennsylvania German custom.
*He gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life" of which he takes one sip every summer during the Groundhog Picnic. This gives him seven more years of life.
*It is said he is named after King Philip, a famous Native American leader. In his more plebeian days, he was called Br'er Groundhog.
If Phil, peeking from his burrow, fails to see his shadow, winter will soon be over. If the sun happens to be shining and Phil sees his shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks.
The first trek to meet with Phil began in 1887. He has been emerging from his burrow in Pennsylvania ever since, always eager to greet his public.
Phil is private in many ways, but a few rumors have circulated about him.
*He speaks only in Groundhogese, which luckily is a language understood by the President of the Inner Circle. The Inner Circle provides for Phil during the year, rather like a court provides for its king.
The city of Punxsutawney offers several days of celebration for those who gather from around the world to hear Phil's proclamation. The city offers food, music, carriage rides, magicians, crafts and games.
