THE GREEN TALL GRASSES have turned brown and are now a fire risk. Help clear and cut this fire fuel around Baba’s Tree wood storage area, around the water treatment system and at the well head during the Summer Solstice Volunteer Weekend. Here Bing Heckman is cutting the grass near the Workshop and Topa Topa Patio. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, May 18, 2019)
BLAME IT ON THE RAIN
Blame it on the rain. Or blame it on greater fire-prevention due diligence based on real fire experience. Either way, Meher Mount needs your continued help.
Meher Mount is ready for the June 1st Ventura County Fire Department inspection. However, since it has continued to rain inducing more than normal growth, the fire hazards are bouncing back over the next few weeks. Because the danger of fire continues, Meher Mount needs to continue weeding past the first inspection date.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE THOMAS FIRE
Based on lessons learned in the 2017 Thomas Fire, Meher Mount still needs to do more to be fire-ready. That fire damaged Baba’s Tree and hit Meher Mount’s water and electrical infrastructure. As a result, Meher Mount is taking extra measures to protect the tree and infrastructure in addition to the buildings.
RAY JOHNSTON & BUZZ GLASKY MOWED this side of the A-frame which houses the harvested and milled wood from Baba’s Tree. Meher Mount needs expand this clearance on the three other sides. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, May 21, 2019)
BONUS: HELLO, GOODBYE
A FAREWELL opportunity to say goodbye to former Manager/Caretakers Buzz and Ginger Glasky. They will be leaving Meher Mount in July after spending more than five years taking care of Meher Mount. (Photo: Sam Ervin , 2013)
This volunteer weekend is an opportunity to meet and welcome the incoming Manager/Caretakers Ellen Kwiatkowski and Eric Carlson.
Eric has 30 years of experience owning and operating Blue Vista Farm — a pick-your-own organic farm located in Bayfield, WI, which grows blueberries, apples and raspberries.
Ellen has more than 20 years’ experience working on biodiversity conversation, including working at The Nature Conservancy in Delaware and at the Bayfield Regional Conservancy in Wisconsin.
And take advantage of the opportunity to say a fond farewell to Buzz and Ginger Glasky, Meher Mount’s stalwart Manager/Caretakers since November 15, 2013. They’ll be on hand assisting with the transition and interacting with their friends.
HOW YOUR HELP MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The list of tasks seems daunting — that’s why your help makes a difference. Twenty-one people came together in the last round of fire prevention (some coming from across the country), and so much was accomplished. If we join together again, we can tackle these tasks.
Protect Baba’s Tree Wood – additional weed whacking and dead limb removal around the A-frame storage shed to reach 100 feet.
Protect Meher Mount’s water system – weed inside the pool fence; clear dead wood and weeds around the water treatment system; clear weeds around the well head.
Provide better emergency access – clear fallen tree and other natural debris from Access Road in preparation for grading it for vehicle passage.
Be good neighbors – prune trees and dead branches near the Narcanon property to meet county requirements.
Be good naturalists – remove noxious, invasive plants and grasses.
Open up the Prasad Orchard Trail – clear weeds and branches in preparation for grading the trail that was severely eroded in the winter rains, and then became overgrown.
Support your fellow volunteers – set up and take down for lunch.
SUMMER SOLSTICE VOLUNTEER WEEKEND
Fit your volunteer time to your schedule. Meher Mount will be open for two days of volunteer work. Pick a time that works for you and join the group for another fun and productive volunteer event.
DATE: Saturday, June 22, 2019
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Meher Mount, 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai
6:00 p.m. — No-host dinner at Boccali’s restaurant in Ojai
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 2019
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Meher Mount, 9902 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai
WHAT TO BRING
Bring layers, including a windbreaker, as the temperature changes throughout the day
Wear work clothes and sturdy, close-toed shoes that can get dirty and muddy
Bring a hat, work gloves if you have them, and sunglasses
If you have pruning shears or gardening tools, mark your name on them and please bring them
Please bring your own lunch and water
TRAVEL GUIDELINES
If you are coming from out-of-the area, staying at Meher Mount is not possible, even camping. There are nearby camp grounds and motels in Santa Paula and Ojai. See Area Information.
NO-HOST DINNER - SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2018
For those who are interested, there is a no-host dinner at Boccali's restaurant in Ojai on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. Please bring cash. The bill is totaled with tax and tips added, and then divided evenly between the members of the group.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY
As a valued volunteer, you are helping to maintain this semi-wilderness area in honor of Meher Baba, been a good Ojai neighbor, and helped preserve the habitat of the wildlife - not to mention help prevent the spread of wildfire.