- Duct Cleaning / Refreshing
- Leveling & Foundation Repair
- Permanent Foundation (433a)
- Plumbing Repairs & Re-Pipes
- Flooring, Paneling & Trim
- Doors & Windows
- Painting
- Roofs & Skylights
- Heating, A/C & Swamp Coolers
- Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels
- Decks & Steps
- Awnings & Patio Enclosures
- Siding, Skirting & Subfloor Repairs 855.906.6077
John & Lori Wysocki Editors (Space 173)
Rancho del Rey Mobile Home Estates
Huntington Beach CA
Email: ranchoramblings@yahoo.com
Even threat of rain does not stop Rancho Del Rey folks from getting together and having a good time. The weather was a bit gloomy on Saturday, May 3, but the guests strolled in for Taco Brunch. Tables inside and out were filled with congenial neighbors savoring the Cinco de Mayo taco bar feast, with the tacos expertly prepared by our very own Gus and Gus Jr.
The menu included chicken, carne asada, and pork tacos, taco fixings, homemade salsa and guacamole, beans, chips, fruit salad and of course, churros
Festive music played in the background as the party-goers enjoyed a lovely day gathered with great friends. Thanks to all who came out!
Special appreciation goes out to the team who planned, organized, shopped, prepared, decorated, served, greeted the guests, and cleaned up - Renee Berger, Linda Wallace, Mary Yates, Donna Krizo, Judy Olson and Sue Solum. And a shout-out and kudos to Gus and Gus Jr. for the scrumptious tacos. Cheers!
Fact: It is estimated that more than 80 million pounds of avocados are consumed annually during Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Gordon and Diane Briggs (Space 350) have been collecting aluminum can pop tabs for over ten years on behalf of the Rancho Del Rey community, for donation to the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.
One of their biggest hauls ever was delivered on Wed., April 16, and was graciously accepted by Yolanda Perez-Spiegel, Lead Guest Service Associate. Yolanda acknowledged the many drop-offs she has received from Gordon and Diane over the years. What an honor it was to join the Briggs on their mission this day.
This specific, sizable donation was possible mainly due to contributions from Gary and Karla Hann and family (Space 143), Geri Lank (Space 243) delivered by Linda Wallace (Space 239), Norman Winkel (Space 341) and Ben Faiella (Space 90), as well as other generous RDR neighbors
The Long Beach Ronald McDonald House is a “home away from home” for families with critically-ill children They provide a place to stay, a source of comfort and care, and a chance to focus all of their energies on the one thing that matters most of all: their child Fulfilling this mission is possible because of the generosity and commitment of the community Through gifts of time, talent and financial support, the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for the families of children facing critical, often lifethreatening, illnesses
Pop tab recycling is one of Ronald McDonald House’s ongoing fundraising programs and it helps support the mission of providing a comforting “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in Long Beach area hospitals
A pop tab is the piece of metal that opens aluminum cans Like the can, the pop tab is recyclable and helps the environment while helping Ronald McDonald House families
This program appeals to all ages. This is an easy fundraising project where you are still able to recycle the can for its CRV value. Doesn’t take up room and is clean.
Pop tabs can be collected in any type of container, or in RMH pop tab collection houses. Collection houses are available to individuals and organizations in limited quantities. We encourage you though to create your own collection container(s) using non-glass items such as ice cream buckets, milk containers, coffee cans, or any other sturdy container
Pop tabs can be dropped off at Long Beach Ronald McDonald House, 500 E 27th St , Long Beach, CA 90806, or, drop them off to Gordon and Diane at Space 350, for a future donation run Your donations are greatly appreciated
And, a big thank you Gordon and Diane for their ongoing kindness, generosity, and service to our RDR community.
wwwrmhcseorg/longbeach
2025 Celebration for the 4th of July
Habit Burger & Grill will be this year’s Food Truck Vendor
AFTERNOON LUNCH 12:00PM-2:00PM
SERVING: Hamburgers, Cheese Burgers and FRENCH FRIES THIS YEAR, Fountain Drinks, Water and Fruit. Tickets will be available Starting Tuesday June 3rd in the Managers Office. Tickets will be $12/person
Tickets must be purchased by Monday June 30.
CELEBRATIONS BEGIN: at 11:00 o’clock with Flag Raising Ceremony performed by the American Legion Honor Guard of Newport Beach. Don’t miss this Observance & Fun 4th of July Commencement Celebrations.
PARADE REGISTRATION & VOTING: From 11:30-12:30 Golf Carts, Bicycles, Floats, Cars, Motorcycles and HAT Decorating Contest
VOTING IS BY PEOPLES CHOICE
LUNCH BEGINS: 12:00-2:00 served by Habit Burger & Grill
AWARDS & PARADE BEGINS: After Lunch, Awards will be given out Then Parade will be riding through the Park. So be sure to be out front of your residence to cheer them on as they go by.
Q: What's the difference between a "dad joke" and a "bad joke?"
A: The direction of the first letter.
Q: Did you hear about the square that got into a car accident?
A: Yeah, now he's a rect-angle!
Q:Howdoyoutellthedifference betweenabullandacow? A:Itiseitheroneortheutter.
Q: Where do bad rainbows go?
A: To prism. It’s a light sentence, but it gives them time to reflect.
Q:Whendoesaregularjokebecomea
"dadjoke?" A:Whenitbecomesapparent!
Q: What's the difference between a hippo and a Zippo?
A: One is very heavy, the other is a little lighter
Q: Why did the football coach go to the bank?
A: He wanted to get his quarter back.
Q:Whatdoyoucallan illegallyparkedfrog? A:Toad!
Q:Didyouhearabouttheking whowasexactly12inchestall? A:Hewasagreatruler!
Social Hour
Second
Wednesdays, Wed, June 11 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Stroll on over to the main clubhouse on the 2nd Wednesday of the month to mingle with your neighbors, make new friends, and have great conversations. Feel free to bring your own beverage, and optionally, a light snack for yourself or to share. Good times! Great company!
June 7, 6:00
This is a free, walk-in event. You can choose from a variety of karaoke songs, however feel free to bring your own favorites as well.
No food will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own picnic, snacks, drinks, sharable items, etc.
No frills, just fun.
You may have recently received a flyer in the mail regarding FireMed, an official program of the Huntington Beach Fire Department. We urge you to take a look. Paramedic services can be costly and may not be fully covered by your medical insurance. FireMed is a voluntary membership program that improves the quality of emergency medical responses and treatment right here in our own community. FireMed protects you from out-of-pocket cost - it is not a ambulance service. As a FireMed member you receive:
No out-of-pocket cost for paramedic and emergency ambulance transportation provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department if covered by medical insurance at the time of the emergency. Your insurance payment will be accepted as payment in full, and you will not be billed for co-pays, deductibles and denials.
Those FireMed members without insurance at the time of the emergency incident will be responsible for the Medicare or Medi-Cal allowed rate (whichever is greater).
Coverage for your entire household, anywhere in the City of Huntington Beach (the incident must be in Huntington Beach, but we do transport to hospitals outside of the City).
Umbrella coverage for visitors who suffer an emergency medical incident at a FireMed household. The Medical Information Program - a vital information resource used by paramedics in an emergency. Free CPR Classes.
Since it began in 1990, the FireMed Program has provided funding for additional paramedics, advanced training, and emergency medical equipment. Funding from this program has placed paramedics in all eight Huntington Beach fire stations, and enhanced emergency transportation with the Ambulance Operator Program. Your membership helps firefighters and paramedics respond as quickly as possible to save lives.
All residents of Huntington Beach are eligible to join. Your $60 annual membership fee covers you and all the people who live at your residence. By joining FireMed, you and your entire household can save money while helping to improve the quality of our emergency medical system right here in Huntington Beach. Support a program that is saving the life of your neighbor, your loved one, or even your own! (Low income rate options are available to those who qualify.)
For more information or to sign up: pick up a flyer in the RDR office, or see huntingtonbeachca.gov/firemed, or call 714-374-1598.
Aheartfelttribute submittedbyhis lovingwife, Gloria
Thisisaportraitof Jeff celebratingan Argentinasoccer goalinBostonin 1994,andwas paintedbyGloria.
Jeff was born September 7, 1944, in Buenos Aires, Argentina His given name was Ignacio Isaac Stolar He was a surprise baby with sister Paulina being 12 years older and brother, Jacobo, being 16 years older. His brother, sister and their friends never minded him tagging along as they found him entertaining.
My sister-in-law, Paulina, recently told me that she and Jacobo weren't aware Mom was pregnant. Their dad one day said, “Get ready, we ' re going to the hospital to meet your new little brother.” I don't know if Jeff was aware of this surprise information.
Jeff's first language was Yiddish as his parents were Ashkenazi Jews. Elementary school at the time was Jewish school in the morning and public school in the afternoon where he learned Spanish. In Argentina it's called Castellano, why I do not know! Hence, English was his third language accent and all. He did pick up a lot of Italian as there was a huge Italian population in Buenos Aires. He also understood Portuguese and French. While in elementary school he was a bit of a troublemaker. Yes, he mellowed with time.
Any Argentine boy played soccer from day one and became a devoted fan of a soccer team. In Jeff's case, it was Boca Jrs. This devotion lasted his lifetime.
When he became of age after high school and some college, it was time to choose the military or go into the police force. He chose the police force.
ng on the ng to get aying the ntina, but grated to aveled by I assume well ina was a enjoyed al time Louis to migration snow and oined the ople from n learning med with s ne invited a soccer ed dating Our two and while California he climate is winters
Plan A, go home to Buenos Aires and I was game Our daughters were four and one He'd get a job, etc But if it didn't work out, Plan B was to go to California Buenos Aires didn't work out, maybe to his dismay, but by then we were pretty much packed up and had gotten rid of our apartment and furniture. We attached a trailer to the car and started driving west.
One interesting stop was on a Friday night in Gallup, New Mexico. Our room was near the lobby. We couldn’t sleep due to Friday night commotion. We got up at 4 a.m. to leave. but first had to step over someone sleeping in front of our room door and others sleeping in the hallway!
Several days later we arrived in Arcadia, CA. My sister had a small place for us. Jeff looked for work for about a month, but the money was running low and we decided to go back to St. Louis. My parents helped us with a downpayment on a 2 bedroom house with a completed basement and a big yard. It was perfect and within walking distance to the school.
After 5 or 6 winters Jeff wanted to try another move to California. This time a better plan was made and a job had to be acquired before the move. Jeff landed a job long-distance and the logistics began. Jeff drove out alone, not sleeping much, because he arrived in LA in about 2 days. So since school was out I left for a cross country drive with our daughters (now 8 & 5), and a niece and nephew along for the ride.
One mandatory stop was the Grand Canyon, but not including Gallup, NM this time. I did leave the keys in the car in Albuquerque though and it was AAA to the rescue. We arrived in Arcadia in rush hour traffic to our new, bigger home.
Jeff was so happy with his sales job and being in daily sunny weather. This brought out Jeff's silly, goofy, and playful side.
He invented imaginary playmates that he happily shared with our daughters and their friends. His favorite was Fito, who may have looked like Grover from Sesame Street. He was great at making up stories involving Fito, and a couple of our daughters friends would egg him on to add more to the story. He also loved to sing childhood songs to our daughters and their friends. Yes, a good storyteller with embellished details and all. Once our daughters got older, they did warn him not to mention these “friends” to his doctor, in order to avoid a 72 hour hold.
In 1981 we moved to Costa Mesa, CA to be closer to my sister in Newport Beach. My mom moved out to live with us and to help with her granddaughters after my dad passed away.
Jeff was always so loving to her and I'm forever grateful. He always had a positive outlook and was decisive. That was a plus in my book.
He was busting with pride when our oldest daughter became a Registered Nurse and the youngest, a clinical social worker, and now Doctor of Psychology in Human and Organizational Psychology.
We moved here to Rancho Del Rey in November of 2000 and didn’t look back. His idea was that all we needed was a 7/11 within our park and all would be set.
His three passions - soccer, family and food. He enjoyed barbecuing on our patio with friends and family. He recently had mastered cooking the meat without burning it, which to him was well done. Jeff often boasted about and would make his famous wine infused cake layered with Dulce de Leche that he enjoyed, and would accompany it with his homemade sangria.
Because of his devotion to soccer, a few of our trips were to soccer championships. To name a couple, Boston and Japan - all for a soccer game, and why not!!! NO soccer was involved however when we traveled to Spain, Italy, Paris and Israel though - just enjoyment.
In 1986, leaving retail sales he ventured into real estate. This was his dream job which lasted until last year. He enjoyed the challenge of dealing with buyers and doing all the massive paperwork involved.
Our granddaughters are now 17 and 14, and our grandson is soon to be 11. the youngest granddaughter started playing soccer again and Jase is on a team as well. Why, even our son-in-law got the soccer bug too.
Jeff would have turned 81 this coming September and our 55th wedding anniversary will be celebrated in a totally different way and location, yet still with a heart full of love.
Exciting Entertainment Announced for the 2025 RDR Lūʻau
Getreadyforthisyear’sRDRLūʻau,comingtothemainclubhouseonSaturday,August23
Weareexcitedtoannouncethatthisyear’sentertainmentwillbecuratedbyHōkū Bray,Songwriter/ Storyteller/Teacher The pre-dinner show will be performed by Hōkū and the Guava Groove Ukulele Players,whilethedinnerprogramwillbepresentedbytherenownAuntieGeri
HōkūisanurbanPolynesianwithastrongbackgroundinHawaiianculturalarts Herloveformusicwas influencedbythesoulfulgroovessheheardinherhousegrowingup Hōkūlanibeganplayingʻukuleleat age nine, and later studied classical musical compositions with guitar She is deeply passionate about thethreeukulelegroupsshecurrentlydirects:Theawardwinningʻukuleleensemble,KulaaʻoʻUkulelea Hōkūlani, The Guava Groove ʻUkulele Players, and Hui ʻUkulele a Hōkū A couple of her original compositions will be presented at the 3rd Annual Rancho Del Rey Lūʻau on August 23rd For more informationabouttheHōkūʻsʻukuleleclassesandperformancespleasevisitwwwguavagroovecom
The Guava Groove ʻUkulele Players group is comprised of ʻukulele and vocal artists from within the Huntington Beach area Their vibe is positive and their happiness is infectious! You will find them practicing at the Senior Center in Central Park, and performing in local restaurants, pubs, and pizza parlors ThisyeartheywillpresentmusicwithinthegenresoftraditionalandcontemporaryHawaiian, Celtic,andJazz,andwillfeatureRanchoDelReyʻsveryown:Lauren Carmadella,andthesmoothvocals ofJulyne Mahea Hererra
WorldrenownAuntie Gerijoinsusthisyearalongwithhertalentedband Sheisatreasureandaliving legend in Hawaiian culture and music Auntie Geri was born and raised in La'ie, O'ahu and is 100% Hawaiian She has an amazing voice, so well suited to the traditional Hawaiian music she loves to sing, whichiswhysheisknownas"Songbird"everywheresheperforms.Herfamilywasverymusicalsoshe grewupsurroundedbytraditionalHawaiiansingers,musiciansandhuladancers.Shehadperformedfor manyyearswithherfamily,theKuhiaOhana,featuringhermom,AuntieLizKuhia,andherdad,Uncle MikiKuhia.ShelivedinTexasfor12yearsandlearnedtoloveandsingCountryWesternsongsaswell.
She has had the opportunity to sing with top name recording artists such as Auntie Genoa Keawe, Al Harrington, Poncie Ponce, Uncle Joe Keawe, and even once with Elvis Presley. She toured Japan with DannyKaleikini,AaronSala,andahostofotherentertainers.
Both performances will showcase traditional Hawaiian dancers. We eagerlyanticipatebeingentertainedbythesetalentedindividualswhile savoringsomedelightfulcuisine.
ThedinnerbuffetwillonceagainbeprovidedbytheexceptionalGaby Browning’s Surf City Catering, featuring a mouthwatering selection of Hawaiian-styleculinary
Ticketswillgoon saleonJuly30. Staytunedfor moreinformation asthedate approaches
Michael Schlegel
Every Tuesday afternoon around 4-8 P.M, Main Street in Downtown Huntington Beach is closed to vehicular traffic to provide our community with an opportunity to experience local farm produce, food venders, local craft and artisans including music makers.
Parking is close by at the city public garage located between Walnut and Olive on 3rd street. The first 90 minutes are free, with additional time being reasonable.
As a reminder, Main Street is closed at PCH, so you will have to navigate the side streets. If you are not familiar with the area, make use of digital maps on your electronic device, or, turn to page 857, Thomas Brothers Guide 54th edition, Orange county – OLD SCHOOL!!!!
See you on Main Street, Michael
Note: The Street Fair may be cancell in case of bad weather (rain or wind
Following a recent accident on Monterey Lane, we remind everyone to please drive safely, watch your speed -- slow down, and be aware of your surroundings
Be especially cautious when rounding corners in the units; watch for pedestrians, and pooches on leashes out in front of their dog walkers
Thanks for your consideration
June 1 marks National Say Something Nice Day, an ideal chance to promote kindness and positivity! Use this occasion to compliment a friend, express gratitude to a family member, or recognize a colleague's efforts. Whether you decide to pen a heartfelt note, offer a warm smile, or perform a generous act, let your words and actions elevate those around you. Embrace the essence of goodwill and brighten someone's day with your considerate expressions.
If we meet and I say, ‘Hi,’ That’s a salutation.
If you ask me how I feel, That’s a consideration.
If we stop and talk a while, That’s a conversation.
If we understand each other, That’s a communication.
If we argue, scream and fight, That’s an altercation.
If later we apoligize, That’s reconciliation
If we help each other home, That’s a cooperation. And all these actions added up Make Civilization.
(And if I say this is a wonderful poem, Is that exaggeration?)
Shel Silverstein
Leslie McCormick
Hi, I’m Petunia.
I was born in Tijuana 15 years ago and I live with my humans Leticia and Larry I think this little poem by an unknown author describes me to a T
A cocky canine with a heart of gold I may be petite but I’m feisty and bold Appearances can often be deceptive, As I’m devotedly loyal and fiercely protective. Dainty and swift with big ears and round eyes, When you get to know me, it’s really no surprise, You’ll find the best things in life are pocket-sized.
Answers: Say hello to your friendly neighbors:
Leslie and Richard McCormick live in space 245 and are nearing 60 years of marriage! When not out strolling with Richard, you might find Leslie in art class, Tai Chi, interviewing the neighborhood pups for the Rover Report, or playing ping pong in the small clubhouse.
Tom and Talene Manahan have been married for 38 years have two older daughters and two grand children. They live in space 260 and are loving retirement.
Did you know that WIFI access is available in the Main Clubhouse? Network ID: RDR Clubhouse 5G
Password: 2024RanchoGuest
by Leslie McCormick
When John Wysocki retired in 2018, he wasn’t sure he would have enough to do so he decided to teach a free watercolor class here at RDR The benefit would be two-fold - (1) an opportunity to engage with the local artist community and (2) to enhance his own skills with research into various techniques and lesson plans, as well as being able to perform the techniques himself Now, almost seven years later, the class is still going strong with a number of the original group still attending
Class meets Fridays from 1-3pm in the small clubhouse. It is a casual gathering and participants have the option of free painting or following the week’s lesson plan/demo, Many of the group have advanced to a level where they work comfortably on their own. Sometimes it’s just about communing with fellow artists. The group has been known to throw some great ‘nosh’ events as well to keep themselves sustained while working hard on their masterpieces.
ass show and tell... n demonstrates this week’s technique, in front of a display of artwork completed by class members.
Recently, the class opened up to add a few more beginners, but those spots filled quickly and the class is full once again. And by the way, John is never lacking enough to do in retirement!
Attendees include the following RDR residents and RDR friends: Anita Hrishikesan, Cathy Russell, Cora Serviss, Gloria Stolar, Greta Campbell, Jeanette Moran, Lauren Carmadella, Leslie McCormick, Lois Thompson, Sharon Rice, Stephanie Callei, Sue Hicklin, Susan McCormick, Toni Carroll, Wendy Gingerich.
Do you ever have the urge to go out to a nice dinner but just don’t want a long drive and dread a parking hassle?
Check out Caffe Gazelle right around the corner on Bolsa Chica and Edinger in Seagate Plaza. Cafe Gazelle is a quaint, casual Italian restaurant owned by two brothers and offering Northern Italian food, trattoria style.
Our group was greeted and seated quickly, our drink orders taken, and bread with olive oil and balsamic appeared at our table.
Our food arrived promptly and was portioned appropriately - not too much, not too little Some favorites at our table were:
Pescatore with shrimp, scallops, chopped clams in a spicy fra diavolo sauce with angel hair pasta
Lasagna Bolognese
Salsicce with Italian sausage and bell peppers over linguine arrabbiata
Although we skipped appetizers on this visit, be sure to check out the Rosemary chicken meat balls with sun-dried tomato cream sauce when you go, it’s a speciality!
From the dessert tray, our table of six opted to share the lemon cake and creme brulee for a sweet end to a nice dinner out with neighbors.
The food was flavorful and filling, the prices reasonable - around the $20-30 range, and service was excellent. Plus, a short drive home!
On the other hand, what if you don’t feel like cooking and are craving hearty comfort food at home? Check out Pasty Kitchen, a fairly new arrival on the corner of Heil and Bolsa Chica, and a perfect place for a quick, inexpensive, and satisfying take-out option. One small Pasty costs around $5.00.
The Pasty originated in Cornwall, England from the mining towns in the area with the earliest version of the pasty dating back to the late 13th century. It was a hand-held, no dish, meat pie, designed as a portable meal for miners who had no time to come above ground for lunch This concept eventually spread across the British Isles from Northern England to areas such as Ireland and Scotland
Traditionally, Cornish housewives filled the pasties with a variety of meat and vegetables in one end and jam or fruit pie filling in the other end allowing the hard-working miners to eat two courses
Since its opening in 1963, in Los Alamitos California, the Pasty Kitchen bakes each pasty to perfection using a secret spice recipe combined with the premier chicken and beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and freshly baked dough. There are now 3 close-by locations - HB, Los Al, and Cypress.
Pasty Kitchen has additionally broadened its menu to include a variety of fillings, with some being regular offerings and others seasonal. In addition to the classic beef and chicken options, you can currently find alternatives including vegetarian, Italian sausage and peppers, and chorizo.
Perfect for a quick, hot take-out meal, or try the frozen multipacks to reheat at home later, or serve at family gatherings (cooking instructions included) The prices are quite reasonable, allowing you to feed a crowd without breaking the bank Various salads, fruit pies, and cookies are also available for take-away And don’t forget to order gravy to drench your pasty in! It’s a filling and comforting meal! Pasty Kitchen is a must-try
The history of Rancho del Rey is not limited to its current location Bill Hardcastle’s booklet* would be remiss if he did not include the history of Prosperity, Confusion, California and Land Grants before Rancho del Rey as we know it today
Many Californians were concerned that their land grants might not be recognized by the new American Government, but an official spokesman for the U S repeatedly assured them the government would safeguard existing titles and respect all other rights of private property
Congress, however, soon passed a law that challenged the validity of every title and established a commission located in San Francisco wherein they had to produce satisfactory evidence of ownership, or produce witnesses to prove their claims.
Phineas Banning estimated that the cost of slaughtering and skinning a steer and drying but the tallow came to $4 00, leaving a net profit of $7 00 or so to the ranch
But the Gold Rush yielded a far richer bonanza to the ranchos than the gold fields did to a vast majority of the Argonauts. Beef cattle were quoted as high as $75. In San Francisco and small calves brought $20. to $25. each.
In the end however these inflated prices and treacherous prosperity proved to a curse for the native landowner The Yankee demands for beef made the cattle owners suddenly rich and they made hast to spend what they so easily received
Mexican grants were granted upon receipt of rude maps, or title description of landmarks that no longer existed. Also, Mexican records were carelessly kept, many of the papers were lost – and under Mexican rule disputes over grants and good boundaries were unimportant Land was plentiful and cheap So, no worry
Many legitimate landowners were reduced to bankruptcy; they had no money with which to hire lawyers and pursue their cause 500 miles distant, Also, lack of trans-continental telegraph or railroad prevented rapid communication with Washington There was also the bedlam resulting from the Gold Rush and the creation of a situation in California too complex and bewildering for the remote Washington government to understand.
Those with proven titles soon found a great demand for their product In the past many cattle were slaughtered for their hides, tallow and dried beef In addition to the hide, worth about $3 00 or $4 00 each, each full-grown steer yielded about 200 pounds of tallow and nearly 50 pounds of dried beef, or carne seca
A steer marketed in this way yielded a gross return of from $12.00 to $13.00. With wood at $5.00 a cord and wages of $5.00 a day for a chief butcher, 70 cents a day for each Indian laborer and $2.00 for the chief who supplied their Indians and supervised their work.
Senora Vallejo, speaking of her personal staff, said,” Each of her sixteen children has personal attendant, while I have two for my own needs; four or five are occupied in grinding corn for tortillas six or seven serve in the kitchen and five or six are always washing clothes for children and other savants and nearly a dozen is employed at sewing and spinning ” These ranchos provided a home for the host of poor relatives and entertained strangers, as well as friends, with unwearying hospitality.
They lived in old adobe houses, with earthen floors covered with costly rugs; four-poster beds with the costliest lace curtains; and the senors and senoritas dragging trains of massive silk and satin over the earthen floor. Saddles trimmed with solid silver, spurs of gold, bridles with silver chains were among the fancies of men
“If the wives go out of their houses They go out great majesty, and with as many men and maids as rough she was the wife of some great nobleman”
One of Ballesteros Lugo’s horses cost over $2000 In a few short years Lugo, through borrowing from Abel Stearns s usurious rates of interest lost their 11,000acre Rancho Laguna to Abel Sterns for $13 25, or less than 30 cents
In 1854 Jose Ramon Yorba mortgaged 17,000 acres in Ranchos Las Bolsa’s, together with his home and vineyard, for $5,000 at 5% a month. In the same year,
Joaquin Ruiz borrowed $400, from Sterns, giving in return a mortgage, payable a year from date, with interest at 5% a month, on the 6000-acre Rancho Las Bolsa Chica (our Home). Ruiz later borrowed $2000 at the same rate and lost the Rancho to Sterns.
In 1861 Julio Verdugo mortgaged his share of the Rancho San Rafael for $30,445 at interest of 3% a month. In eight the original debt increased to $58,759 and Don Julio found himself a penniless man.
It was far different for a foreigner coming to California, He could become a citizen by obtaining two signatures to his petition {California didn’t enter the union until September 1850} He then possessed the right to take up vacant land - as much as eleven square leaguesupon payment of $25 Many grants held by such owners are 33 miles long and 3 miles wide; many of the lands lost by natives who were unable to meet the cost of defending their titles. Or had resorted to the more hazardous expedient of mortgaging their properties, at least 40% of the land legitimately owned under Mexican grants was alienated to meet the costs of complying with the land act.
It is not known for certain how the name of California came to be applied to our golden state, but 16th century work of fiction mentioned Christians in Constantinople during the crusades being opposed by Amazons led by a Queen named Calafia, who came from the island of California
California was described as lying close to a terrestrial paradise and abounding in gold and pearls, dominated by black women of strong heart and virtue
In 1542 Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo explored the upper coast of Baja California and sailed up the coast of the California we know- using the name of California in his logs as it were general knowledge.
The growth of our state with the Spanish occupation, the establishment the Mission System and the Spanish land grants that began “rancho” era. While Spain made only grants, and mostly in southern California, they were very generous in size.
Gov Fages, in 1785, began making grants to members of his old command and political supporters, To Juan Dominquez, a Spaniard, he granted a huge tract extending from the pueblo of Los Angeles clear
to the coast, much of it still remains on the west side of Long Beach in the possession of descendants.
To Jose Maria Verguda was given the great Rancho San Rafael, which now lies within the boundaries of Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank, the greatest benefactor, however was Manual Nieto, who was the original owner of the land upon Ranch del Rey occupies
The western end of his grant was the San Gabriel River, which then emptied in the ocean near the present Long Beach-Wilmington boundary 25 miles down the coast to the Santa Ana River marked its limits to the east. And from the shore of the Pacific, it extended to the north to meet the main road leaking from San Diego along the hills to San Gabriel.
After protest from the San Gabriel Mission, the grant was reduced to about 150,000 acres, and upon Nieto’s death in 1804 when was judged the wealthiest man in California, he left each of his four children an undivided interest in the enormous estate
This land was kept intact until about 1830, when the heirs petitioned Gov Figueroa for a distribution of the property, it was then divided into six ranchos: Los Alamitos (Little Poplars) Los Cerritos (Little Hills) Los Coyotes, Los Bolsas (the purse, or pocket) Palo Alto (High tree or fence) and Santa Gertrudes
Bill Hardcastle’s booklet includes a map (not shown here) depicting the Nieto Grant. It lists the following: Garden Grove, Westminster, Norwalk, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Part of Santa Ana, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Stanton, Part of Long Beach, Artesia, La Palma, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, and part of Anaheim.
Next up we talk about the Secularization Act bring the missions to a close and Gov. Pio Pico and a “Do Gooder” Don Abel Sterns
*Note: Several Years ago, 1993 to be exact, a Mr Bill Hardcastle (now deceased) was a former resident of Rancho del Rey “The King’s Ranch” and authored a booklet titled “The History of Rancho del Rey, Its Early Days, Its Present, Its Historic Past” The booklet includes illustration’s, pictures, symbols, maps, and sketches, unfortunately they are not included. Time has taken it toll for clarity making them impractical for reprinting I would like to add, Bill Hardcastle’s writing prose is of his own hand and has not been edited for biased correctness
June
July
June 7
June 19
7/4
Thursday July 17
August Thursday 8/21
Saturday 8/23
September Sunday 9/7
Thursday 9/8
10/16
10/18
November
11/2
Boutique Saturday 11/15 (date added!)
11/20
December
Sunday 12/7
Thursday 12/18
Saturday 12/20
Wednesday 12/31
Parade New Year’s Eve Party
Keep those contributions to the Rancho Ramblings publication coming!
Do you have an intriguing story, a unique hobby, a funny anecdote, a great recipe, or a recommendation for a business or service you ’ ve tried; been on an interesting trip? We’d love to hear about it! Summer is almost here, how about some cool places to take the grandkids?
Send in your ‘Now and Then’ pictures to participate in our ‘How well do you know your neighbors’ game. Individual or couples shots are both fine. Let’s keep it going!
If you have a special occasion like a milestone birthday or anniversary, or other special event that you’d like to share, please let us know. If you’d like us to publish a memorial, let us know. If you ’ ve recently moved to the neighborhood, we encourage you to introduce yourself! Our community is wonderful, welcoming, and eager to get to know you.
Please continue to reach out -- submit your ideas, articles, information, or questions to: Email ranchoramblings@yahoo.com, or drop off at space 173. Please note that the Ramblings is submitted for printing around the 10th of each month for the following month’s edition (for example, by June 10 for July publication).
M a r y Y a t e s , P a r k M a n a g e r
I s a b e l H u r s t , O f f i c e A s s i s t a n t
F e d u s k a , M a i n t e n a n c e S u p e r v i s o r
M i k e
Guard Gate phone: 714-840-6242
Guard Gate hours: 6am-10pm everyday
Office hours: 8am-12pm &1pm-4pm, M-F (Closed holidays)
. 7 1 48 4 61 4 2 9
9 1 1
O f f i c e . .
E m e r g e n c y
P o l i c e ( N o n e m e r g e n c y ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1 49 6 08 8 1 1
7 1 45 3 65 4 1 1
F i r e ( N o n e m e r g e n c y )
U t i l i t y e m e r g e n c y a f t e r h o u r s . . . . . . . * 7 1 48 4 61 4 2 9 E x t 5 5 5
* P a r k r e l a t e d e m e r g e n c y r e q u i r i n
R e v i s e d 5 / 2 5
Puzzles and Word Games you can
ADDERALL AMLODIPINE ATIVAN
BENZONATATE BIKTARVY CYMBALTA DUPIXENT
EMTESA FARXIGA GABAPENTIN
HUMIRA
KEYTRUDA
LEXPRO
LYRICA MELATONIN METFORMIN NALTREXONE NAPROXEN NARCAN OPDIVO
OZEMPIC PREDNISONE TRAMADOL
VIAGRA XANAX
Across 1.Carbonium, e.g.
4.Charm
9.“Gimme ___!” (start of an Iowa State cheer)
10.Trowel wielder
11.Flexible mineral
13.Believed
14.African conflict of 1899-1902
16.Not out
17.Big Apple attraction, with “the”
18.In attendance
20.Shiver from fear
22.Chill
24.Big time?
25.Wuss
27.Chemical ending
28.“The Republic” writer
29.Darling Down
1.Poets’ feet
2.Part of “the works”
3.“Good one!”
4.Morning, for short
5.Gandhi’s title
6.Conniver
7.Fa follower
8.Terminate
12.Chair part 15.___ bit 18.Companionless 19.C.I.A. director under Clinton and Bush 20.Charlie, for one 21.Page 22.Software program, briefly 23.“For Me and My ___”
26.Rocky’s greeting
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
You only need logic and patience to solve a wordoku.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one letter from the word HELIPORT. Similarly, each letter can only appear once in a column or row
in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is medium.
1.What weekly radio program has been hosted by Ira Glass since 1995? a"Car Talk," b-"This American Life," c-"All Things Considered," d-"A Prairie Home Companion."
2. What broken crystal animal is offered to Jim by Laura at the end of the Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie"? a-Unicorn, b-Swan, c-Deer, d-Alligator.
3.What architect designed the glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris? a-William Burgess, b-I.M. Pei, c- Eliel Saarinen, d- Benjamin Latrobe.
4.What New Wave band had a #1 hit with the song "Heart of Glass" in 1979? a-The Happenings, b-The Dolls, c-Blondie, d-Wang Chung.
5.Father Time carries an hourglass in one hand, and what object in the other hand? a-Football, b-Flute, c-Beaker, dScythe.
6.What actress is accused of being a Soviet spy in the comedy film "The GlassBottom Boat"? a-Doris Day, b-Eleanor Powell, c-Judy Garland, d-Brigitte Bardot.
7.Which of the dwarves in Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" wore glasses? a-Happy, b-Bashful, c-Doc, d-Grumpy.
8. What was the last name of the police detective played by Ron Glass on "Barney Miller"? a-Meyers, b-OíHara, c-Harris, dRiley.
9. Who recorded the 1974 top 10 song "Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)"? a-John Denver, b-Engelbert Humperdinck, c-Carl Douglas, d-Leo Sayer.
10.Selenium is used in glassmaking to create glass of what color? a-Red, b-Yellow, c-Violet, d-Green.
Less ego, more wealth. Saving money is the gap between your ego and your income, and wealth is what you don't see. So wealth is created by suppressing what you could buy today in order to have more stuff or more options in the future.
Morgan Housel
More people can be greater leaders than they think they can, but they need a purpose greater than themselves.
William J. Clinton, 42nd president of the United States.
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.
Frequently attributed to Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United State
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, "Press on," has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States, from a sign on his desk.
Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.
Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United States
Live without pretending, Love without depending, Listen without defending, Speak without offending.
Aubrey Drake Graham (Drake), Recording artist, songwriter
If Trivial Pursuit had been designed by economists, it would have had 100 questions and 3,000 answers.
Ronald Reagan
The young woman really thought she'd been very patient through a protracted period of dating with no talk of marriage.
One night her steady boyfriend took her to a Chinese restaurant. As he perused the menu, he casually asked her, "So . . . how do you like your rice? Boiled? Steamed? Or fried?"
Without missing a beat, she looked over her menu at him and replied clearly, "Thrown."
While proudly showing off his new apartment to friends late one night, one wag led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong.
"What's that big brass gong for?" one of the guests asked.
"Why, that's the talking clock," the man replied. "Watch", the man said, giving the gong an ear-shattering pound with a hammer.
Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed, "F'gosh sakes, you idiot, it's 2 a.m. in the morning!"
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
Answers to Looking Glass
1-b, "This American Life" 2-a, Unicorn 3-b, I.M. Pei 4-c, Blondie 5-d, Scythe 6-a, Doris Day 7-c, Doc 8-c, Harris 9-d, Leo ayer 10-a, Red
