WILDEST JOBS IN EAST COUNTY: RATTLESNAKE WRANGLER 6.4K
Total Views: 68 By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson August 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) — “Listen for sprinklers, they sound like sprinklers,” says Tom Minga, a rattlesnake specialist. Minga, a Flinn Springs resident, who owns Snake Solutions Removal & Relocation, recommends listening for rattlers when you are out in nature or even in your house. “I saw my first rattler at the age of five. I caught a rattler at the age of eight,” he recalls. That was in Otay Mesa, where he lived as a child. “I was out snake hunting, took a crude snake hook. I taught myself. I was with my friend, Mike Hendrickson.” Though catching poisonous snakes can be a risky business, he adds, “I’ve never been envenomated.” Minga has been in the business of dealing with rattlesnakes for decades A native San Diegan, he’s lived in Otay Mesa, San Carlos and mostly Harbison Canyon, with a brief period in Arizona. “I was a single parent of a daughter, Tamara,” says Minga, who raised his daughter from age one to 10. “I took a rattlesnake to class. It spread from here.” Minga has been active in teaching school children about rattlesnakes. Since then his business has dealt with the removal and relocation of rattlers, rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs and their owners, and he teaches youth and adults about rattlers. “I make a living training dogs to stay away from rattlesnakes, for 25 years now. I do recommend the rattlesnake vaccination for dogs,” he adds. “I won’t take a dog under 6 months. It’s a retention issue.” As for catching rattlesnakes, he explains, “I get calls every night to remove and relocate them. Sometimes there is panic in their voice,” Minga says of the callers. “I take rattlesnakes out of houses a lot. I even have to cut snakes out of chicken wire.” He notes it is illegal to own or possess a rattlesnake. “I keep them a week to ten days and let them go,” he explained. He says he does not name them. Tips for dog owners from Minga: Keep them on a lead if you are walking them. Be aware. People who are aware of their dogs can tell when their dog sees a snake. Right now, it is wise to use a flashlight at night when you are walking. Do not wear earbuds in snake country. You have to be able to hear them. They sound like sprinklers. He cautions that snakes are everywhere: beaches, canyons, and around lakes. “Every single canyon has them,” he notes. If you are calling for a rattlesnake removal in your home, he advises customers to: Keep an eye on it from afar. If you don’t, it might disappear. Do not corner a rattlesnake. Minga said rattlers love swimming pools and woodpiles. “The profile of a [typical] snake bite victim is an 18-35 intoxicated male,” Minga claimed. “Rattlesnake bites are very expensive; often you lose a limb and mobility. Ninety percent of dogs are bitten on their snout.” The four breeds of rattlers in this region, according to Minga, are: 1. Sidewinders, 2. Southern Pacific, 3. Red Diamond, and 4. Speckled. “I’ve been recognized by the State of California for bringing public awareness of snakes,” says Minga. So what comic strip artist does a rattlesnake hunter appreciate? “Larson (Gary Larson of The Far Side) has really good snake stuff for humor,” he says. How do the women in his life react to the snakes? “The ex-wife was ok with them. My girlfriend, Lorri Dailey, helps muzzle them,” explained Minga. I had to focus my thoughts on getting the selfie for this story. Not on the live rattlesnake near me, even if the snake was muzzled. Focus. Focus. Focus. And, focus some more. To contact Tom Minga, call 619-322-4569. Printer-friendly version
6.4K viewsWILDEST JOBS: POWER LINE WORKERS SHOW OFF SKILLS AT SDG&E LINEMAN’S RODEO 6
Total Views: 16 By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson August 9, 2017 (Alpine) — “I hear you singin’ in the wire,” lyrics from “Wichita Lineman” released in 1968 by the late Glen Campbell, are words many linemen might know by heart and perhaps sang under their breath at the 17th annual SDG&E Gas and Electric Lineman’s Rodeo held August 5th in Alpine. This was my first rodeo. Lineman rodeo that is. This rodeo had a forest-like section of 30 power poles, vendor booths, a gas line competition area and more. It was organized by a longtime lineman, Sempra Utilities’ Joe Torres, and others. The event took place at the SDG&E Alpine Yard. Torres’ wife, Rebecca, who was working the sign in table, noted, “We have 24 teams—apprentices and journeymen.” Dozens of teams representing SDG&E, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and many more compete in this qualifying event for the International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo to be held in Kansas in October. Yes, the state where Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” was set. The song recounted the loneliness of those working on power lines. Rebecca Torres recalled ‘When we first got married I was scared to death. I used to go on calls. I wanted to be there in case something happened.” Something horrific did happen when a local man, Thomas “Tommy” Hopewell, a lineman, died on the job in 2015. Per Joe Torres. they dedicated one competition to his memory. But events like this rodeo help hone and develop skills for on the job expertise. The actual competitions were broken down into rodeo events with names like egg climb, hurtman rescue, obstacle course, rope slice, cross arm change out of an energized 4 KV, and more. A chili cook off, bucket truck rides, rock climbing wall, pony rides all helped to make it a family event. Nate Fairman and Adrian Moore, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 465, were headed over to do the egg climb where the linemen scale a power pole with an egg in their mouths. The rules require it remain unbroken going up or down. Moore, when asked tricks of the trade, said, “We choose our own egg.” Personally, I would not recommend using ostrich eggs, dinosaur eggs, or extra-large eggs to do it. Amy Humbert, from Bakersfield, there to support her husband Tony, said, “He competed as a contractor apprentice in the 2002 International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas. He took first place in the contractor’s division over-all.” “Teams from Jamaica, Canada, the USA plus competed in Kansas. Jamaica won an award,” Humbert elaborated. Besides the rodeos her husband helped in the recent Maricopa, Arizona fires and was also down in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit. “They actually had the National Guard on their truck’s running boards. People were shooting at them. They wanted their electricity turned on,” she recalled. Such is life as a lineman. These linemen came from far and wide. Joe Torres noted that when these linemen, their family, and friends visit some stay in Alpine, at the Viejas Casino and Resort, while others just show up in the morning. Vendors included companies like Milwaukee Tool, Young & Company, Kaddas, Pro Traffic Services, Autostem and also service vendors such as the National Sisterhood United for Journeymen or www.nsujl.org. Vendor William Wister Haines Jr. manned a booth that showcased one of his father’s books, Slim by William Wister Haines, published in 1934, about a lineman. Slim was turned into a movie starring Henry Fonda. So, lassos, little doggies, bucking broncos, and rodeo clowns seen at traditional rodeos were all traded in and “rebranded” into power pole climbing, saving 250 lb. dummies, and gas line exercises at the lineman’s rodeo in Alpine, though like any rodeo, this one included bragging rights and trophies handed out in the end. Printer-friendly version
6 viewsWILDEST JOBS: SKY FALCONRY 4K
Total Views: 51 By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson July 26, 2017 (Alpine) — Falconry – the sport of kings, can now be the sport of East County residents and others. Kirk Sellinger and Denise Disharoon operate an Alpine-based company called Sky Falconry that offers a basic falconry class plus a Hawk Walk. They offer a chance to get up close to their birds of prey at two sites: in Alpine from October to May and at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla from June to September. The basic falconry lesson they offer provides the history of falconry, a chance to ask all the questions you want about Harris’ Hawks or Lanner Falcons, and a chance to put on the leather glove and have one of their collection of seven birds land on your hand, among other activities. One of the surprises is the weight of the birds. In a recent falconry class, the guesses from the class were much higher than the 1-1/2, 2, or 2-1/2 lbs. that Sellinger said they weigh. What is their life expectancy? Sellinger said, “There is no straightforward answer.” Many factors come into play for raptors in the wild, including bobcats, coyotes, even other birds of prey. In addition, Disharoon noted, “They do get hit by cars, and insecticides have a profound effect on raptors.” Falcons are not picky eaters. Per Disharoon, “They do not care if their prey is dead or alive when they eat it.” Small wonder those mice and rabbits run as fast as they can to get away if they sense that a falcon is nearby. Watching the raptor eat a mouse is a dietary aid for some. Me included. No need to eat for a few hours. These birds primarily rely on their keen eyesight, says Disharoon, adding, “They could read a book two miles away.” The bird of prey got close enough to my hair to have them quip, “You just got a new hairstylist.” Sellinger says, “They are exceptional at reading body language.” Charles Winter of San Diego, brought his young son, Woody, to the class. “This is his fourth time. He asked to do it,” he said. “He must have seen it on a nature show.” In addition to the falconry classes, Sky Falconry offers a Hawk Walk in Alpine, where according to their website, you can “put a glove on & free fly a bird of prey. Take an exciting interactive walk with a hawk. Observe the raptor in its natural habitat” including “amazing long flights & more.” Sellinger and Disharoon are active in educating all about birds of prey. They have been TV, including Animal Planet and the BBC, among others. “I did abatement at the Hotel del Coronado protecting hamburgers,” quipped Sellinger. More and more resorts use companies like theirs to protect their customers when they are dining on patios or outside the resort, since raptors help keep away the seagulls. So how did the couple get into their unusual occupation? Selllinger traveled internationally from the Galapagos to Antarctica and filmed nesting areas, developing a fascination with birds, according to the Sky Falconry website. In 2010 he realized his dream of becoming a falconer. He also began flying with his bird in a paraglider, an activity known as parahawking. Disharoon’s love of birds goes back to her childhood. Travels to Latin America provided opportunities to see predatory birds in their own environment. Her love of working with raptors and teaching brought her to Sky Falconry with her partner, Sellinger. “We are one of a handful that offers what we do,” said Sellinger of this unique occupation. They strongly recommend booking online. Classes fill up. Visit www.skyfalconry.com to book a class. Printer-friendly version
4K viewsWILDEST JOBS: MAX 105.7’S CHACHA IN THE SNAKE PIT 3.7K
Total Views: 18 Hunting down the wildest jobs in San Diego’s East County By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) — “I saw Jurassic Park, I know how this ends!” said MAX 105.7 FM DJ Rob Zilla of his fellow DJ, Karen “ChaCha” Harlow. ChaCha was sitting in a self-styled snake pit with a red-tailed boa, among other reptiles, at La Mesa’s Grossmont Center’s courtyard on Saturday, June 24th. It was all part of the job—for a good cause of bringing in food donations for The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Thankfully, Jurassic Park’s grisly endings went unrealized. “I hope they fed these,” quipped ChaCha about the boa. At times, she used the boa as an accessory scarf around her neck. The boa had no problems with this Brittney Spears inspired type move. ChaCha was not going to exit the snake pit until more and more food donations were delivered. The snake pit, San Diego, and being on radio are all part of a home-coming of sorts for ChaCha. She was an on-air personality in Los Angeles for 10 years. In 2016 MAX 105.7 offered her a job after she did a dramatic “public plea” for a job atop a 30-foot lift. “I started in radio in the 80’s with Z90 back when we crossed the border to Tijuana,” ChaCha recalled. She attended local schools and graduated from San Diego State University Additionally, besides XHTZ-FM/Z90, she was afternoon drive host on KHTS-93.3 FM. In Los Angeles, she was an on-air reporter/host, and anchor on CBS Radio for news radio KNX 1070 AM. MAX 105.7 also invited the San Diego Reptile Association to participate in this snake pit event. Association vice-president Janell McMorgan said, “We bought 16-17 different animals.” An iguana named Fluffy, a trans Peco Rat snake, California king snake, a San Diego gopher snake, and a western banded gecko were just part of the snake pit event, although not all of them made it into ChaCha’s enclosure. People who bought food donations for ChaCha’s cause and shoppers like Bennett Smith, 8, got to enjoy seeing and touching the reptiles. Smith admitted, “I have had a snake around my neck at school,” as for his past exposure to reptiles. Raising food donations for The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank was the primary goal. Their president and CEO, James A. Floros, was on hand to do an interview on MAX 105.7 and to comment about food drives. “We feed more than 370,000 people in a month,” said Floros. They also teach healthy eating and cooking to those in need. Contact www.sandiegofoodbank.org to contribute. In the end, ChaCha, had 2,187 canned goods delivered. This fun time and act of charity all came about because ChaCha created the idea, acted on it, and implemented it. Expect more fun, facts, and creativity from ChaCha in the future. Printer-friendly version
3.7K views