Foothills Sentry February 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 10 February 2021 Orange Blossoms host Storywalk around Plaza A “Storywalk” in honor of Dr. Suess’s birthday will be hosted by the Orange Blossoms, an Aux- iliary of Assistance League of Orange, on Saturday, Feb. 27 be- tween 1 and 4 p.m. The Orange Blossoms have adapted their popular traditional indoor storytelling event to be- come an outdoor walking experi- ence around the Orange Plaza to allow for ample social distancing. The Orange Blossoms have hosted the storytelling event at the Orange Public Library for the past nine years. That event would typically include crafts, snacks, story readings, and appearances by Cat in the Hat. Each child would also receive a new book of their choosing. This year, guests will still be welcomed at the Orange Public Library where they will receive a brochure with maps detailing the story routes and stops for the pages of each book. There will be two routes offered, both starting and ending at the library. Along the Storywalk, guests will pause outside businesses and restaurants to read pages from ei- ther “The Cat in the Hat” or “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” Volun- teers from the Orange Blossoms will be stationed along the route to stamp guests’ maps. When completed, guests will return to the library where children 12 and under will each receive a free book when they show their stamped maps. Orange Blossoms Auxiliary is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing humanitarian services to the community of Orange. An Auxiliary of Assistance League of Orange, Orange Blossoms ¿OOV D JDS ZLWKLQ WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQ between the Assisteens® Auxiliary and chapter members. Orange Blossoms are primarily in their 20s and 30s, all women passionate about making a difference in the community. For information, see assistan- cleague.org. Nexx Burger will replace Johnny Reb’s Plans for the enterprise that will replace the burned-down Johnny Reb’s restaurant on Chap- man Avenue were unveiled to the public at the Orange Design Re- view Committee (DRC) meeting, Jan. 6. The 2,460-sq.-ft. Nexx Burger will be a drive-thru restaurant with supplementary indoor and outdoor seating. DRC members were impressed with the detailed plans, but found the site’s grading plans and landscaping to be at odds with each other. A bioswale intended to collect runoff was located among drought tolerant plants that would not survive overwatering. A 24-gallon boxed tree was slated to be planted where a pipe ran through the property. No one could say how deep the pipe was or whether a hole large enough to accommodate the tree could be dug without disturbing it. Member Carol Fox pointed out the architectural drawings showed a red light bar at the eave RI WKH XSSHU URRÀLQH WKDW FRXOG EH problematic for neighbors. “It’s red and it’s 18 feet in the air,” she cautioned. The architect agreed to remove it. In addition, a dumpster was slated to be located beneath the second story window of a resi- dence behind the property. None of those issues were showstop- pers, but the committee suggested that a few changes would make the project better. ³,W¶V GLI¿FXOW WR JLYH WKH SURM ect full approval with one-third of the landscaping not being achiev- able,” member Robert Imboden said. “And the bioswale/trash dumpster are issues for me.” The applicant agreed with the “better project” concept DQG LQGLFDWHG WKDW FRQÀLFWV could be dealt with and revised plans brought back to the DRC. The committee is expected to recommend project approval when those issues are resolved. Nexx Burger already has locations in Downey and Newport Beach. It plans to open later this year. Extra effort required to help KidsPlay in pandemic The lives of over 500 local kids from socio-economically challenged families were positively impacted during 2020, despite the pandemic. Since its inception in 2007, KidsPlay, a program of the Community Foundation of Orange, has provided scholarships for youth to participate in sports, music, theater and arts, helping them to stay physically and mentally healthy. As the pandemic delayed youth sports, KidsPlay chair Ron Esparza recognized that to remain a vital community presence, KidsPlay had to create new ways to reach young people. With the generous support of community families and MemorialCare, KidsPlay committee members delivered gifts of footballs, water bottles, gift cards with a personal note of encouragement to each of the players who had received scholarships. In an effort to reach as many families as possible, KidsPlay partnered with El Modena Family Resource Center, the Friendly Center, and Youth Centers of 2UDQJH WR LGHQWLI\ VSHFL¿F QHHGV during this turbulent time. Thus, KidsPlay provided activity packages to dozens of kids, giving them supplies and materials to stay active and entertained from the safety of their homes. Painting classes were also provided free of charge to over 30 kids whose interest was in art. Amom voiced her appreciation, “My son has always been quiet and withdrawn. He came alive when he played soccer with a scholarship from KidsPlay. Since we have had to stay home, he has become depressed and gone back into his shell. This activity package brought back his smile. I can’t thank KidsPlay enough." KidsPlay also partnered with OUSD Title 1 schools to identify those most in need, and provided gift cards to over 120 families during the holiday season. Gift cards were also given out to GHVHUYLQJ IDPLOLHV LGHQWL¿HG via community outreach by the Community Foundation and KidsPlay. Representatives from KidsPlay teamed up with El Modena Family Resource Center to run the center’s yearly toy drive and food distribution, aiding 260 families in the community. In the words of Esparza, “KidsPlay is strengthening our community, bringing positive change and opportunity, one child at a time.” For more information, to get in- volved or to make a donation, vis- it communityfoundationoforange. RUJ RU FDOO WKH .LGV3OD\ RI¿FH DW (714) 288-9909. Jacob Silva with his KidsPlay gift.