Friends of Fire Mountain

Protect, Preserve, and Improve Fire Mountain

Monthly Archives: October 2010


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Pumpkin Carving Tips and Tricks

Over the next few nights they’ll start to appear. Pumpkins transformed into funny, spooky, or creative caricatures and shapes. It’s amazing what some people can do with the simple round shape of a pumpkin.

Historically, pumpkin carving was derived from a Celtic tradition. According to the web site Pumpkin Carving 101 “…glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits … When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns.”

Carving jack-o-lanters was a Halloween tradition in our house, and something I’m happy to continue to share with friends and family to this day. In an effort to help spur some creativity, I drummed up a few tips and tricks to make your slashing experience more fun this year!

Pumpkin Masters is a thorough site dedicated to the jack-o-lantern legacy. It offers tips for every detail, from pumpkin selection to preserving your creation. A good suggestion, use petroleum jelly on the carved out artwork and spray it with water to keep it from drying out.

Mentioned earlier, Pumpkin Carving 101 is another all encompassing resource for the art of carving your perfect pumpkin. It even includes suggestions for proper pumpkin burial.

If you’re looking searching for something a little more unique this season, Better Homes and Gardens has an extensive list of free stencils you can download and print.

And if you’re interested in a visual, Howdini has a step by step YouTube guide to gouging your gourd. Hot tip: try using a fork to poke your design outline into your pumpkin before carving away. I can’t wait to try this one.

Hope these tips come in handy. Happy carving!

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End of October Events

A quick list of some of the fun events happening around our neighborhood this weekend.

Trek’ n Treat Walk-a-Thon

We will be holding our first ever walkathon to raise funds for our annual holiday party for people with developmental disabilities, their families and support staff. So put on your Halloween costume and come down and join us! All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Choose between a one mile or a three mile walk.

Saturday, 30 October, 2010

08:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Cost:

$25 adults – $5 kids under 12

Location:

Oceanside Harbor Beach

1200 North Pacific St.

Oceanside, CA USA 92054

Event Contact Info:

Chris Lubinski

Email: clubinski@communityinterfaceservices.org

Phone: (760) 729-3866

Website: http://www.communityinterfaceservices.org/

Fall Carnival

South Oceanside Elementary School will hold a fall carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at 1806 Horne St. The theme is ‘Insectival’ and the event will feature live music by Fundamental Vibes, a creepy ‘bug show’ that ends with a tantalizing ‘bug eating’ contest and a huge obstacle course. Enjoy food, crafts and games for the family. Wear costumes for the costume contest as you enjoy the tarantula terrarium and butterfly pavilion. Visit southo.oside.us or e-mail southofallcarnival@gmail.com.

Saturday, 30 October, 2010

11:00 AM – 04:00 PM

Location:

South Oceanside Elementary School

1806 South Horne St.

Oceanside, CA 92056

Phone: 760.439.8122

Website: southo.oside.us

Event Contact Info:

Email: southofallcarnival@gmail.com

Friends of Fire Mountain Art Show & Sale

The FOFM Art Show and Sale featuring works by local artists will be held at 2305 Fire Mountain Road, Oceanside on Oct. 30th from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Art includes acrylic and water color paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry, wood carvings, and one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Proceeds in aid of The CHILDREN’S TUMOR FOUNDATION.

Saturday, 30 October, 2010

10:00 PM – 04:00 PM

Location:

Barry Robson

2305 Fire Mountain Road

Oceanside, CA

Event Contact Info:

Barry Robson

Email: robsons2@cox.net

Phone: 760-231-5305

2010 Dia de los Muertos, Mission San Luis Rey

Each year, November 2nd marks Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a holiday to celebrate and honor our passed loved ones. In Mexico the tradition includes private ofrendas (altars) covered in sugar skulls, favorite foods/drinks and pictures of the memorialized. Dia de los Muertos is generally a time for celebration and enjoyment, not of mourning. This year, Dia de los Muertos 2010 will once again be held at Mission San Luis Rey on Sunday, October 31st , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-friendly, FREE event has kept the attention of attendees. Mellano & Company, Oceanside’s local family-owned farms, has been involved in the festival for years by providing the thousands of marigolds necessary to create the amazing altars and decorations for Dia de los Muertos. Their commitment to the Oceanside community and the festival is no exception this year. The festival will be filled with booths of retailers, artists of all mediums, artisan crafters, food vendors including the traditional Pan de Muerto, and so much more. The ofrendas will again line the historic arches of the Mission, which creates a beautiful back drop for the colorful displays of love and memories for all to view. The chalk cemetery will allow attendees to reflect on their own loved ones and create mini-memorials for them. Por Siempre Car Club will be attending the festival but will include a special treat. Each participating classic car will create an ofrenda within the trunk of the vehicle. This unique display is not to be missed. Special treats and activities for children in costume will be provided by participating vendors. The Mission will again host a contest to encourage the community to learn about the tradition by creating mini ofrendas with their families and bringing them to the festival to be judged. Prizes will be announced on stage at the festival. For more details, please visit the website, http://mslrdiadelosmuertos.com/ or contact Marie Tahan Daniels, mdaniels@caelummarketing.com Booth space and sponsorships are still available. PARKING $5 | Admission is FREE Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, California. http://www.sanluisrey.org

Sunday, 31 October, 2010

10:00 AM – 04:00 PM

Cost:

FREE Admission | Parking $5

Location:

Mission San Luis Rey

4050 Mission Ave.

Oceanside, CA 92091

Event Contact Info:

Marie Tahan Daniels

Email: mdaniels@caelummakreting.com

Phone: 858-736-9140

Website: http://mslrdiadelosmuertos.com/

10th annual All Hallow’s Eve Celebration

The First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside will hold its 10th annual All Hallow Eve Celebration on Oct. 31, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA. “Over 500 people are expected to attend the event which will be held all over the campus,” says Gretchen Richardson, Director of Congregational Life for the church. Event is open to members and non-members of the church. Food, games, live music and lots of fun will be waiting for adults and children of all ages. Info: http://www.fpcoceanside.org. Phone: (760) 757-3560.

Sunday, 31 October, 2010

02:00 PM – 04:00 PM

Cost:

FREE

Location:

First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside

2001 S. El Camino Real

Oceanside, CA USA 92054

Event Contact Info

TFPC

Email: fpc@fpcoceanside.org

Phone: 760-757-3560

Website: http://fpcoceanside.org/

New Venture Christian Fellowship’s 22nd Annual AutumnFest Celebration

October 31st New Venture Christian Fellowship’s 22nd Annual AutumnFest Celebration is set to be the best yet! FREE and open to the entire community, AutumnFest is a family-friendly alternative to Halloween. AutumnFest is a dynamic evening filled with music on three outdoor stages, offering an eclectic mix of food vendors such as Hunter Steakhouse, Ohana Hawaiian BBQ, local favorite Roberto’s Mexican Food and others. The night also includes plenty of thrills and outrageous rides, like the Zipper, a petting zoo for the kids, pony rides and more! Motocross Stunt riders will be performing their death-defying tricks – plus a special musical performance by chart-topping artists, The Katinas! There is sure to be something for everyone!

Sunday, 31 October, 2010

04:00 PM – 09:00 PM

Cost:

FREE

Location:

New Venture Christian Fellowship

4000 Mystra Drive

Oceanside, CA 92056

Event Contact Info

Amy V.

Email: amyv@newventure.org

Phone: 760-477-8305

Website: http://www.newventure.org/dev/index.html


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SPOT Rummage, Plant and Bake Sale – October 24, 2010

SPOT Rummage, Plant, and Bake Sale Sunday, October 24th •  8am-3pm

Held at the Discount Tire Parking Lot – 2281 El Camino Real—it’s on the corner of Vista Way , just up north from the 78.

Park just above us in the big Target mall parking lot.

Join us for a fabulous sale of treasures and tasty food, plus succulents and cacti—all

benefiting the dogs and cats of Oceanside!

SPOT (Saving Pets One at a Time) is an Oceanside rescue group dedicated to helping find homes for stray and abandoned pets—and we have collected a TON of great stuff to sell.

You’ll find tables filled with home décor items, fine china, crystal, baby clothes, kids clothes and toys, water-wise plants, vintage and new designer clothes and accessories, electronics, crafting stuff, jewelry, cameras, antique and vintage items, dog supplies, hanging banners and kites, linens, kitchen supplies—why, we even have a kitchen sink faucet—BRAND NEW!

So come and spend some time with the Spotties, spend some cash at our outstanding bake sale and buy yourself a little something—prices are good and the money all goes to animals!

Contact us at  info@spotsavespets.org

Download the flyer here: FINAL RUM SALE FLYER


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October Events In Oceanside

There are plenty of fun things to do around town this month. Below are a few focusing on the holidays this month. For additional events in town and around north county check out the calendar links.

TREK‘N TREAT

Date: October 30, 2010

Time: 8:00 AM-10:30 AM

Location: Oceanside Harbor

Details: Walk fundraiser. Halloween costumes encourage. Event sponsored by Community Interface Services. More information can be found at http://www.communityinterfaceservices.org. Public Information Number: (760) 729-3866.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Date: October 31, 2010

Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Location: San Luis Rey Mission

Details: Cultural festival, children’s activity area, altars, music, retail and food vendors, chalk cemetery, and gallery. Event sponsored by the Old Mission San Luis Rey. Public Information Number: (760) 757-9651.

AUTUMN FEST

Date: October 31, 2010

Time: 12:00 PM-10:00 PM

Location: 4000 Mystra Way

Details: Annual autumn festival sponsored by New Venture Christian Fellowship. Public Information Number: (760) 721-7777.

Teen Halloween Movie

Date: Oct 25, and Oct 27, 2010

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Location: Mission Branch Library
3861 Mission Ave # B1
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 435-5630

Details: It’s that time of the year to be scared!  Come watch a creepy movie to fit the season. Ages 13-18


Family Pumpkin Painting

Date: Oct 25, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Mission Branch Library
3861 Mission Ave # B1
Oceanside, CA 92058
(760) 435-5630

Details: Paint your own Halloween pumpkin and listen to spine tingling tales. Free while supplies last.

More Events:

http://www.hotinnorthcounty.com/calendar.html#halloween

http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/datarelation.aspx?content=108http://www.americantowns.com/ca/oceanside/events


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Strengthening Community Through Yoga

Welcome to Yoga Oceanside

As Fire Mountain residents we have a great opportunity to enjoy yoga in a fun and inviting local studio. You can’t get any closer to home than Yoga Oceanside, located at 1830 Oceanside Boulevard in the Boney’s shopping center. Opened earlier this year, this earth-friendly space is 100% dedicated to the practice of Yoga.

With a variety of classes offered seven days a week, there’s something for all levels. I personally have tried many of the classes with nearly all the instructors and while each has their own unique style, I’ve never been disappointed by a class. The best part about this studio is their welcoming attitude and the sense of community that is encouraged.

If you’ve always wanted to give Yoga a try, October’s a great time. In addition to their Yoga Delight and Yin Yoga classes that are great for all levels, this month Yoga Oceanside has two $5 community classes offered Tuesdays at 5:30-6:45 p.m. and Fridays 10:30-11:45 a.m. These community classes feature a different emphasis but all levels are encouraged to attend. And since the single class drop in price is $14, for just five bucks this is a great chance to get on a mat and give it a shot.

Other new student offers include a two-week unlimited yoga special for just $25. This is a great option if you have some free time on your hands and really want to try out the class varieties. Click here for a list of current classes and an online schedule.

Still not convinced? Want to start with the basics? How about a free Introduction to Hatha Yoga class? On October 17 from noon to 1:15 p.m. instructor Marjorie Old will walk newbies through some of the fundamentals of yoga. This special class will include what to bring, what you can expect, and some basic poses.

Yoga Oceanside is always offering unique workshops and events. In fact, this month they’re hosting two live music events. For more fun in October click here.

Yoga might not be for everyone, but it has become a wonderful asset to my life and I have Yoga Oceanside to thank. There’s nothing pretentious or snobby about this studio, just a down to earth group of instructors who love what they do and genuinely want to share its benefits with their students. Hopefully these new student opportunities will encourage some of our friends and neighbors on Fire Mountain to try it out and join the growing community at Yoga Oceanside.