The City of Yorba Linda has received increased reports of coyote sightings and pet attacks through out the City in the past six weeks. Reports come from interested and concerned people who encounter coyotes everywhere from backyards to city streets and trails.

When the City of Yorba Linda dealt with the devastating effects of the Freeway Complex Fire the coyotes were literally burned out of Chino Hills State Park and down into the City to look for food, water, and shelter.

To sustain themselves in this environment or any other difficult situation where food is scarce, coyotes will often turn to artificial means of food. This is usually where coyotes unintentionally turn to food sources provided by people, which are readily available in urban and suburban areas. Coyotes most frequently seek garbage as an easy meal and will not hesitate to enter a neighborhood when trash is exposed in a trash can or spills from a dumpster.

The next most attractive food is seed, suet, bread and other food left out for birds. Not only is the bird food eaten by coyotes, but the birds, squirrels, rats, mice and other animals attracted to the seed are also on the coyote’s menu. Other food sources that are used by opportunistic coyotes include road killed animals, pet
food, compost, rotting dropped fruit from trees, drippings from outdoor grills, domestic cats, and small breeds of dogs. Coyotes may also behave territorially if they feel one of these food sources are being threatened, this may involve attacking another dog that is equivalent or bigger in size or in rare cases may growl at humans.

Typically coyotes do not pose a threat to people, but rather instinctively fear us. The handful of instances where coyotes have bitten people have been the result of a sick coyote (rabid), an animal that has lost all fear of people, likely from being previously in captivity, or is very desperate for food.

Common sense steps can virtually eliminate conflicts with coyotes. Be aware that coyotes can be found in all 49 states except for Hawaii, from the most urban street to the largest forest. Know that they are more active in the winter and spring months as they breed and seek limited foods, when weather is continuously mild as it is in California, this activity can be seen for periods extending into the summer months. Eliminate any possible food source around your home and in your neighborhood. Take down bird feeders if coyotes are seen consistently in the area. Feed all pets (water included) in doors and keep cats indoors at all times. Maintain direct control over small dogs, particularly at night and around the greenbelts and trail systems of Yorba Linda. Block off crawl spaces under decks and outbuildings and get rid of debris and brush piles (large bushes included) as these are places where coyotes and their prey find shelter. And finally, assert yourself if a coyote is in “your territory,” namely your yard. Make the coyote feel like you are its worst enemy by using loud noises, bright lights, and thrown objects to drive it off. Coyotes understand that humans are a threat, and that natural fear needs to be reinforced in urban areas.

If a coyote is behaving abnormally, such as circling, acting disoriented, salivating or shaking, residents are encouraged to call Orange County Animal Care Services at (714) 935-6848. An empowered official may destroy a coyote or other wild animal in the interest of public safety.

Precautionary Information About Coyotes:

Don’t feed or try to pet coyotes
Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause coyotes to act tame and may lead to bold behavior. Coyotes that rely on natural foods remain wild and wary of humans.

Keep your pets safe
Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed by automobiles than by wild animals, coyotes do view cats and small dogs as potential food, and larger dogs as competition. For the safety of your pets, keep them restrained and accompanied at all times while outdoors, including your own yard. Provide secure shelters for pet rabbits and other vulnerable animals. Six foot walls are no barrier, coyotes will travel using the City’s trail system, and drainage systems.

Keep Bird Feeder Areas Clean
Use feeders designed to keep food off the ground, as the seed attracts many small mammals coyotes prey upon. Remove Feeders if coyotes are regularly seen around your yard.

Feed Pets Indoors
Outdoor feeding attracts many wild animals to your door.

Remove Sources of Water
In these dry times coyotes will drink water wherever they can; this includes your pet’s water dish or an overwatered area of your yard.

Close off crawl spaces under Porches and Sheds
Coyotes use such areas such areas for resting and raising young.

Don’t Let Coyotes Intimidate You
Don’t hesitate to scare of threaten coyotes with loud noises, bright lights, or water sprayed from a hose.

Cut Back Brushy Areas of Your Yard
These areas provide cover for coyotes and their prey.

Protect Livestock and Produce
Coyotes will prey on livestock. Various techniques, such as fencing, will protect livestock from predation. Clear fallen fruit from around fruit trees.

Educate Your Neighbors
Pass this information along. Your efforts will be futile if your neighbors are providing food and shelter for coyotes.

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

I called seven animal hospitals in Yorba Linda. All promised to call back with the information, but only two followed through. Yorba Regional Animal Hospital reported 10 attacks where the dogs were brought in, the largest number in one day was 3. The manager reminded me that the number of dogs brought in does not reflect the number of attacks. They have had several owners call to retire their dogs file due to finding their dog dead in the yard.

PatSmart Animal Hospital reported two deaths by coyote attack, but several of their clients called to report returning home from shopping or work to find their dogs lying dead in their back yard, savagely mauled. These are larger dogs. Small dogs simply disappear leaving splatters of blood.

We are so relieved that at least two of you on the council are taking the problem seriously. personally, I think the cougar hiss is a far better solution than than spending 3,500 a month to trap and kill.
Trapping is not a humane solution with a high potential for trapping other animals and the suffering that must be endured before the trapped animal is found and killed. Please do look into the cougar hiss solution. The sound is high pitched and heard only by coyotes and bobcats. The sound does not annoy people, dogs or cats. People only hear a soft hiss, but the hiss carries for acres and deters coyotes and bobcats from entering the area. The system only comes on at night when coyotes and bobcats are staking out their territory for daytime attacks, and this is the most effective time. They remember during the day that a cougar is in their territory.

The Phantom Deterrent sound system has been in use for 9 years, so you can easily research the effectiveness of the cougar hiss so highly regarded by ranchers. It would certainly be far more cost effective than trapping at 3,500 a month. Each unit costs under 150.00, easily affordable by most homeowners. It is certainly much less expensive than a vet bill. Yorba Reginal charged us close to 3,000.00 to treat Hannah. She was worth every penny of it and more, but I would much rather have bought a Phantom Deterrent.

I may have already given you the above information. I have contacted so many people I have lost track of to whom I have reported what. I know I did tell the city manager about it. Her response was that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to deal with the problem . Well, it is. But as my husband said, the citizens of Yorba Linda need to be contacted by mail or email and educated as to the various defenses available. And perhaps it would be a good thing for the city to place cougar hiss systems in high attack areas at the city’s expense.

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

Coyote attacks have reached an alarming rate this year. In one Yorba Linda neighborhood alone, 9 pets were attacked within a two month period. In one incident a dog went out the dog door at 7 AM and returned three minutes later with fatal lacerations. I saw a coyote crossing Lakeview south of Buena Vista last night at 11:30pm.

Be vigilant. Here are some recommendations:

1. Don’t leave pets or small children alone in your yard.

2. Close dog doors and bring pets inside at night.

3. Leave no food or water outside at any time.

4. Trim back large bushes or low hanging trees where coyotes can hide.

5. Keep a whistle handy when handling pets to use as a distraction should an attack occur.

6. Install automatic yard movement sensor lights.

7. Consider “fence rollers” or various “coyote deterrents” available through google.com.

Be mindful that the critical hours are between 7 PM and 8 AM. And, be careful when walking your dog with a long or flexi leash on the trails and throughout your neighborhood. Many of the attacks have been occurring around 9 PM. But, be on the lookout during the day as well, because many of the coyotes have pups and have been seen during daytime hours.

For more information or for concerns, contact the City at (714)991-7110 or e-mail the city at DWilkins@yorba-linda.org

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

Yorba Linda library is located at 18181 Imperial Hwy. Visit their website for more information http://www.ylpl.lib.ca.us

Residents  have been asked why the City is holding this celebration in the face of the significant economic downturn our City, State and Country are facing. The contracts for this celebration were signed a year ago and we are committed to pay the entire cost of this event. For that reason, the firework show will proceed but will most likely be cancelled next year. For that fact alone you better come this year because it might be a while before you see it again.

photo credit: Murky1

The Yorba Linda 4th of July Spectacular is the place to be. The Fourth of July entertainment begins at 4:00pm each year with food, music, games, and a fantastic fireworks show. Fireworks begin at 9:00pm and last about 20 minutes. For more information you can call -> (714) 961-7181

If you are attending the show please do not bring dogs or alcohol. You may want to bring a blanket or fold up chairs so you don’t have to sit on the grass, unless you want to. Bring money with you so you can eat some food and play games.

Directions / Map

View Larger Map

We hope to see you there.

Life in Yorba Linda - The Land of Gracious Living

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

Regional Water Use Reductions Required – City of Yorba Linda Will Conserve Water By Reducing Landscape Maintenance Area

California is in its third consecutive year of drought. Water allocations to the Southern California region have been reduced. On May 14, 2009, the Yorba Linda Water District adopted their Water Conservation Ordinance and announced a Stage 2 Water Supply

Shortage effective July 1, 2009.

Based on this ordinance, water reduction thresholds must be met to avoid significant penalties. To meet the water reduction mandates, the City must reduce the amount of landscape area it maintains. A reduction in landscape area will preserve the health of the remaining landscape material while meeting the water reduction requirements. Area reductions also provide for potential monetary savings to be used towards the renovation of irrigation systems and replacement of existing plants with drought tolerant varieties in the remaining areas.

On June 16, 2009, the Yorba Linda City Council will consider the disposition of numerous public landscape areas throughout the City. Some areas will be allowed to return to natural conditions while others could have maintenance responsibilities turned over to underlying property owners or available homeowners associations.

Regional Water Use Reductions Required – City of Yorba Linda Will Conserve Water By Reducing Landscape Maintenance Area 2

This item will be heard at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on June 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers, located at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue. You may contact the City of Yorba Linda Public Works Department at (714) 961-7170 or visit the City’s website at www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us for more information.

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

The biggest American flag ever made out of LEGO “bricks” will be displayed in the lobby of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum to celebrate Flag Day on Saturday, June 13. It’s made of 127,000 LEGO “bricks” and portrays the stars and stripes waving. It will be on display for one month, June 12 to July 12, including the 4th of July weekend.

The dramatic showing of America’s colors is 8 x 12 feet and weighs 300 pounds. It conforms to the U.S. Flag Code and is reinforced with one inch diameter steel pipe.

The flag will arrive at the Library on Friday, June 12 and be set up from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The LEGO flag was created by Orange County resident Ted Michon of Irvine. He’s an electrical engineer and President of the Southern California LEGO Train Club.

The Library and Museum will be open Flag Day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. For information call 714/993-5075.

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

In case you have not heard, California is in a major budget crisis (and so is everybody’s pocketbook). Many school districts and now our own district will be eliminating almost/all summer school programs. I have posted the information below on the program changes/eliminations found here.

PYLUSD finds it necessary to modify this year’s planned summer program to serve:

* High school students in need credit recovery;
* Middle school eighth-grade students recommended for retention; and
* Special education students with disabilities—preschool through adult

Unfortunately, PYLUSDwill not be able to offer our planned program for kindergarten through eighth-grade general education students this summer.

From what I understand from the notice is that ALL summer school programs will be cancelled except for these three scenarios:

High school students in need credit recovery
Middle school eighth-grade students recommended for retention
Special education students with disabilities—preschool through adult

If anyone has any more clarification please feel free to comment.

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

This summer Jan Horton of the Yorba Linda City Council will be hosting a monthly neighborhood meeting in the park to hear your concerns and discuss Council actions to gain your input.

Join Jan for the first meeting June 18 at 6 pm at Box Canyon Park located off La Palma Ave. Turn up Via Lomas De Yorba West to the top of the hill to access this park. Bring a chair as the park is in the process of being rebuilt since the fires.

Bring your dinner and Jan will bring the dessert!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us

This annual event, which is sponsored by the City of Yorba Linda, the Yorba Linda Arts Alliance, and Thomas Lasorda, Jr. Memorial Foundation, is designed to promote arts in the Yorba Linda community while creating a day for families to enjoy together.

Talented individuals, choirs, musicians, artists, dancers and entertainers from throughout the community will be featured throughout the day on stages, exhibit areas, and display booths. Many of the artists will have their art for sale. Food will also be available for purchase.

Among the activities scheduled to take place include fine arts exhibits and demonstrations, dance performances, face painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, clay making, puppet shows, and performances by choirs, bands, and vocalists.

The Location:
Yorba Linda Community Center, 4501 Casa Loma Ave.

View Larger Map

I love Living in Yorba Linda

Music Lessons - Savannah Music
Deli - Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams and Deli
Coffee - Java Joe’s Yorba Linda Premier Coffee Shop

Find more local Yorba Linda Businesses
in the Yorba Linda Business Directory

Get Your Business Listed Today Contact Us