Foothills Sentry - February 2024

Foothills Sentry Page 6 February 2024 Family. Friends. Community. We’re all in this together. State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1801073 Ron Esparza, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0C79663 827 S. Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92866 Bus: 714-505-3400 ron@ronesparza.com February: Lunisolar and Gregorian! The January Inter-Canyon League (ICL) meeting focused largely on GSOB prevention strategies, but also reviewed re- cent years’ activities. Chair Geoff Sarkissian identified 2022 as the year of flood disaster and recov- ery, and 2023 as the first devoted to fighting GSOB. Perhaps, he suggested, we’ve entered the De- cade of GSOB. The Children’s Center is doing well, History Committee working hard, and Friends of the Library received a generous end-of-year donation supporting children’s program- ming and story hour. Silverado-Modjeska Recre- ation and Parks District Presi- dent Ted Wright reported that, “SMRPD has completed replac- ing the playgrounds in both dis- trict parks. This effort to modern- ize and improve their safety was begun by the previous board, which obtained a state grant to pay for about half of the cost. The plans for both playgrounds benefitted greatly from input and support of many Canyon resi- dents.” Ted singled out Melissa Milpass (Silverado) and Suzy van der Velden (Modjeska), who stepped up to organize families in each canyon. Nearly 75 turned out in January for a celebration of the Mo Canyon playground, includ- ing local dog walkers, tai chi in- structor John Salat who leads Sat- urday morning classes in the park, fire Captain Bruce Newell, book club members, and precinct walk- ers distributing voter information. Wright also reported that Sil- verado Wi-Fi was upgraded and expanded, thanks to ICL fund- ing. Finally, he announced that, “SMRPD has hired Alexa Dix- son-Griggs, a Silverado resident, as General Manager. Working part-time for the district, Alexa will play a central role as the board works to obtain additional grants and expand district offer- ings to the community.” Right to vote Canyon communities might play a big role in the Tuesday, March 5 election. Despite our small numbers --- about 1,300 voters in the most recent turn-out --- every ballot cast matters in tight contests like the grassroots Orange Unified recall effort tar- geting Rick Ledesma and Madi- son Miner. Local activist Linda May unshyly reminds Canyonites that, "these are mostly the same people who misdirected poten- tial students away from Silvera- do Elementary, then closed the school for low enrollment." This, even after parents assembled a viable plan, including funding pledges, to relaunch the historic school as a nature and science magnet campus. May supports Dr. Nancy Watkins, a teacher, in the equally important and con- tentious Area 3 Orange County Board of Ed race, introducing her and Board of Supervisors candidate Farrah Khan --- chal- lenging Don Wagner --- at recent community gatherings. Right to fight Besides being a neighbor- hood polling site, Library of the Canyons is where readers meet up to talk books, celebrate cul- ture, and learn about nature. The Wednesday, Feb. 7 Book Club pick is “Joan,” a historical novel about Joan of Arc. One review offers: “It may not be the most nuanced portrayal, but if every generation gets the Joan it de- serves, ours could do worse than an ass-kicking, avenging angel fighting simply for the right to fight.” The March 6 meeting, in- person and on Zoom, is “Braid- ing Sweetgrass,” a nonfiction exploration of both indigenous and scientific traditions which became a word-of-mouth best- seller for its message of envi- ronmental stewardship. Author Robin Wall Kimmerer: “What will endure through almost any kind of change? The regenerative capacity of the earth. We can help create conditions for renewal.” Join the library’s Lunar New Year Celebration (Year of the Dragon) with a Lion Dance on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11:30. And speaking of lions, Irvine Ranch Conservancy presents another in its library series on local fauna: “The Bob- cat,” Thursday, Feb. 22. Scat-illogical Locals getting their septic tanks pumped might need a re- minder, and a refresher in basic logic. Stricter enforcement of existing law makes your septic service contractor subject to fines for your toxic poop. Don’t flush chemicals, medications, paint, grease, cigarettes, cat litter, plas- tics or dental floss. Protect your system and, ipso facto, the busi- ness you rely on to dispose of it. No questions asked Discovered something unex- pected after a relative's or neigh- bor’s passing? Didn’t know Grandma kept a weapon under her bed? OC Sheriff's Depart- ment PIO Sergeant Mike Wood- roof says turning in a firearm is simple and safe. Call the non-emergency dis- patch phone number (714) 647-7000, and say you’d like to relinquish a firearm to the Sheriffs’ care. (I love how they talk.) A deputy will visit, con- firm that the firearm is safe, col- lect it, and review your decision toward writing a report. They’ll run a background check on the firearm’s serial number, fill out a property receipt, assign a daily report number, and document the case number on the property receipt form. You’ll get a copy of the property receipt. The fire- arm will be booked in a property locker under safekeeping, the report written and filed, with the gun held for 180 days and then --- best of all --- scheduled for destruction. Roger that. Fairhaven to present first annual Women’s Expo A Women’s Expo, featuring resources, speakers, an author’s corner and local food trucks, will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park, Thursday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Expo highlights women- focused resources and services and is headlined, at 1 p.m., by key- note speaker Valerie Amezcua, the first female mayor of Santa Ana. Talks will also be given by Commander Ponce de Leon, “Women in Law Enforcement,” 10 a.m.; Ciaran Blumenfeld, “In- stagram Content that Converts!,” 11 a.m.; and Rosemary De Cuir, “Coping as a Caregiver,” 12 p.m. An author’s corner will offer readings, question-answer ses- sions and book signings by Ciara Blume (10:30 a.m.) and Mirelle Ortega (11:30 a.m.). Visitors may also vie for prizes via opportuni- ty drawings and take a Fairhaven Women in History tour. The event is sponsored by the Orange Chamber of Commerce, Dignity Memorial and Living Mi Vida Loca. The Memorial Park is located at 702 Fairhaven Av- enue. For more information, call (714) 633-1442. SMRPD completed safety upgrades to the Modjeska park playground. Photo by Ted Wright