NEWS INSIDE A Monthly Community Newspaper APRIL 2025 Canyon Beat Page 6 Obituaries Page 11 Service Directory Pages 11-12 Professional DirectoryPage 13 Community Sports Page 14-16 The Best News In Town Since 1969 FOLLOW US at Foothills Sentry FROM TENNIS COURT TO COUNTY COURT Local land-use lawsuits draw statewide attention; neighbors simply seek to preserve property rights. See Guest Commentary, page 4 HISTORICAL “FOOTNOTE” IS NOT FORGOTTEN Lorenzo Ramirez joined a lawsuit that changed California; Orange residents want his name remembered. See Local School, page 7 IT AIN’T BROKE As many school districts face budget woes, OUSD reports that, contrary to the rumor mill, its financial position is sound. See OUSD, page 2 NO ZIP IN SLOWED CODE County Island’s hopes for a dedicated ZIP code dashed as House bill relegated to back burner. See North Tustin, page 3 99 YEARS ON THE BALL Community leader celebrated for a long life well lived. See North Tustin’s, page 5 Potential outcomes for OUSD’s surplus Peralta property under discussion -- again By Tina Richards The Orange Unified School District Board is, once again, considering options for its Peralta site, and agreed to ask for a waiver from the state Board of Education allowing it to bypass codified instructions for selling or leasing surplus property. The Peralta site was deemed surplus in 1985 when Peralta Elementary School was closed. The grounds have been leased to a golf and recreation enterprise since the 1990s. The buildings were leased to a private school until 2023, and are now occupied by charter school Explore Academy. Over the years, the board has considered more permanent uses for the site, but none have come to fruition. Surplus property owned by a public entity, including school districts, must first be offered to other public entities. Notice must be given via direct mail or published in a newspaper. Agencies have 40 to 60 days to respond. If there is no interest from a public entity, the property may be offered for bid to interested parties. The district must then accept the highest bid that meets the terms and conditions laid out in the bidding process, or it may reject all of fers. Less red tape The district may, however, put the property directly up for sale or lease by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) if it gets a waiver to do so from the state. To date, OUSD has applied for a waiver on the Peralta property twice. Both waivers were granted, but have since expired. Waivers are generally approved when the district can demonstrate that the RFP process better “serves the community good.” The first step in the waiver process is to hold a public hearing. OUSD held that hearing March 12. While just about everyone agrees that “something” must be done with the site, there is no consensus on what that would be. The property is currently zoned public institution and may not be used for housing. Orange Lutheran High School has expressed interest in using it for athletic facilities. Santiago Canyon College, too, is eyeing the property. Suggested uses include an aquatic center, community theSee "Peralta" continued on page 2 See "FCA" continued on page 3 FCA annual meeting offers updates and information for North Tustin residents Veterans attending the FCA meeting were given commemorative stars, hand cut from retired American Flags by members of American Legion Post 227. The stars are a reminder that they will always be remembered. Orange May Parade cancelled The Orange Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau announced the cancellation of this year’s May Parade due, primarily, to the increased costs associated with organizing the event. Since the parade was reinstated in 2019 after a 28-year hiatus, the Orange Chamber has relied on sponsorships from local businesses to help finance it. It has always been presented by the Chamber and Visitors Bureau, not the City of Orange. The city does not contribute financially to the event and charges the organizers for services. Those fees continue to increase. Moving forward, the boards of the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce Foundation will continue to explore alternatives, and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations and potential sponsors to ensure the success of future community events. By Tina Richards North Tustin residents heard updates on pending land-use lawsuits, neighborhood demographics and public safety, and celebrated community veterans at the 62nd Foothill Communities Association (FCA) annual meeting, March 3. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with public agencies and community partners who serve North Tustin. Among them, representatives from the offices of Supervisor Don Wagner, Representative Young Kim and Assemblyman Philip Chen, FCA, OC Public Works, Orange County Fire Authority, Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and the East Orange County Water District. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Commander Sy Ellis of Tustin American Legion Post 227 presented each veteran in attendance with a commemorative star cut from a retired American flag. The stars, Ellis said, are reminders that veterans are not forgotten. Post 227 has, so far, distributed 3,000 stars to the Veterans Hospital and deployed troops, and intends to make sure all local vets get one. Local case has wider impacts David Holt, a member of the group battling a housing development on the site of the Tustin Hills Racquet Club, reported the status of two lawsuits and the Racquet Club itself. Yes, he said, the Racquet Club is open for tennis, pickleball and swimming -- and is busier than ever. The club was purchased six years ago by a developer who wants to build 37 condo units there. Residents have been fighting it ever since. Their appeals to the county planning commission and Board of Supervisors (save for Don Wagner who supported residents) went unheeded, leaving them to challenge the project in court. The first lawsuit challenges the validity of state legislation SB330 in regards to this property and the Board of Supervisor’s reliance on it to approve the project. That suit is slated to be heard in April. The second lawsuit asks the court to uphold a 50-year-old covenant between the Racquet Club and its neighbors, holding that the site will always be used for recreation, but if ever developed for housing, the new units would mirror the surrounding neighborhood. That is, single family homes on 20,000-sq.-ft. lots. No court date has been set for that action yet, but Holt reports that the suit has been joined by two affordable housing organizations. This lawsuit has statewide implications, Holt said, and people will be watching it. FCA President Rick Nelson advised the audience that it will take another $200,000 to see the litigation through, but, he said, “FCA has done it before.” Notable in NT A relatively new resident of North Tustin, Larry Duong, presented demographic information about the area, explaining that he moved here in 2019 “with a wife and Jack Russell terrier,” and was immediately welcomed by neighbors and wanted to share data e Foothill High girl's soccer team captured the Division 3 CIF-SS Girls Soccer championship. e team celebrated its hard-fought win with Foothill head coach Steve Patterson. Photo by Tony Richards Photo by Cliff Robbins
Foothills Sentry Page 2 APRIL 2025 714 282 0828 | jadtec.com aco 4202 Protecting your home and business from burglary, fire and medical emergencies. ater, or facility for indoor recreation. Any of those amenities could be built and operated by OUSD, a private party or be subject to a joint use agreement. Whether the Board decides to sell the property outright or lease it for up to 99 years, it will be able to determine, in advance, the end result. Under the RFP process, the board can specify terms and conditions, end uses and time frames. It can also include community input, defining what is considered to be “for the public good.” Proceed with caution Peralta neighbors who offered public comments at the hearing supported the waiver and were happy that the district was moving forward. “It could be a win for the district, the neighborhood and the city,” one resident said. Former trustee Kathy Moffat reminded the board that buildable property in OUSD is valuable because “there isn’t much of it.” Because it is centrally located, it has immense potential for OUSD students. “The board,” she said, “has responsibility for safekeeping the property now and for the infinite possibilities of the future. This asset must be preserved to meet the needs of students. Don’t foreclose on students by disposing of this property.” Student board member Alex Tran, speaking as an individual, stressed that he didn’t want private interests taking anything away from OUSD. Referring specifically to Orange Lutheran, he noted that it is “competition” for OUSD, as it takes students away from the district. By rewarding our competition, he said, OUSD students will be left behind. It’s a start Trustee Andrea Yamasaki stressed that Peralta is a valuable piece of property and her preference is to explore what OUSD could do with it rather than leave its future up to a third party. She said she did not want to sell it, and feared that the resolution seeking a waiver from the state would just bring the board one step closer to making that decision. For that reason, she said, she could not support the resolution. Board President Kris Erickson advised that the waiver did nothing more than give the board “options to benefit the district.” “This property is not benefitting the district now,” she said. “The waiver opens up the possibilities of what we can do with the property. I’m in favor of getting the process started.” The vote to request the waiver was 6-1, with Yamasaki voting no. Regardless of the immediate or long-term outcome for the property, OUSD constituents welcome the board’s transparency on the issue. Peralta neighbors remember the handling of a lease agreement with a developer in 2012. At that time, several board members made a deal with a builder who planned to build three-story residential units on the property under a 99-year lease. Neighbors and other district stakeholders knew nothing about the proposal until it was announced as a nearly done deal at a board meeting. The wrong way Word got out. The community was furious and began a several month blitz to fill the board room with angry neighbors challenging the development. Approval of the lease agreement required a super majority, or five votes. The final vote, was 4-3. The development was quashed. Ten years later, the board majority negotiated a deal to lease the property to a charter school, largely behind closed doors. The transaction was presented to the public as a done deal, despite the objections of three minority trustees. This time it was a done deal. Two of the charter school partisans had been on the board when the 2012 lease agreement failed. They learned from that experience. To avoid the five-vote threshold required to approve the "Peralta" continued from page 1 sale or lease of district property, they called this deal a “license agreement.” A license agreement required a simple majority, or four votes. The vote was 4-3 in favor. In the rush to acquire the property, however, the charter apparently failed to discuss its plans with the City of Orange before signing the agreement. Orange planners identified a large number of flaws that needed to be corrected to get city approval. Revising the plans to meet city standards would have been costly. The charter school withdrew is application from the city and terminated its lease/license agreement with OUSD. OUSD in a strong financial position to navigate uncertain times The Second Interim Financial Report, a mid-fiscal year update for the Orange Unified School District, was presented to the board on March 12. The report compares the district's actual income and expenditures with the adopted budget, as well as projections for the remainder of the year and the following two years. The board unanimously adopted the recommendation to issue a Positive Certification, the highest approval possible for a school district. Several board members alluded to frustration over what they described as false claims by private individuals that the financial health of the district was in question. The report and certification highlighted a strong financial position with a balanced budget projected for the 25-26 and 26-27 school years, with projected surpluses of $1.6 million and $2 million respectively. OUSD is currently projected to enjoy an ending fund balance of $200.9 million of money held in reserves, roughly 35% of the annual budget, exceeding the state-required minimum of 3%. Reserves are held to insulate districts from unexpected or rapid changes in funding or expenditures. As the federal Department of Education, and its funding, approximately 6-9% for OUSD, faces an uncertain future Orange Unified students will not face sudden losses of programs if funding is rescinded. Additionally, with market uncertainty and worries of excessive inflation Orange Unified could use reserve funds to offset higher costs in expenditures such as gasoline, electricity or food. While this would lead to interim deficit spending, OUSD’s ample reserves would allow for shortterm spending to mitigate such changes. Many local districts do not carry the ample reserves of OUSD and may find themselves laying off staff or cancelling programs in order to meet budgetary constraints The OUSD Board of Trustees will explore options enabling the district's surplus Peralta property to be used for public benefit.
Page 3 Foothills Sentry APRIL 2025 Learn more at eocwd.com At East Orange County Water District, we are here to serve you. Visit www.eocwd.com to read more about our services and ways to conserve water. n RLY! ERS Information & Entry Forms Available at: e Woman’s Club of Orange 121 S. Center St. More Info: www.womanscluboforange.org or call 714-836-5919 Orange Non-Pro t of the Year 2024 Non Pro t License #95-1385689 All net proceeds benefit WCO Charities Free Admission! Woman’s Club of Orange Presents 86th Annual Spring Flower Show Music in the Garden Saturday, April 26, 2025 12 Noon to 4 PM OPPORTUNITY PRIZE DRAWINGS HOURLY! Enter your prized plants, flowers, or flower arrangements in our professionallyjudged show. Shop vendors’ booths, including our Sweet Shoppe and Plant Booth. Pause and refresh at our Garden Cafe. Pick up a light luncheon or a beverage & dessert. Enjoy the plants and floral arrangements on display from local gardens. OPEN TO ALL AMATEUR GARDENERS NOENTRY FEE TOEXHIBIT Free Admission! "FCA" continued from page 1 “highlighting what’s great about our community.” Duong’s findings, based on a review of census data, revealed that North Tustin’s median income is $186,000, ranking sixth in the county; the median age is 45-64, but younger families are moving in. Sixty percent of the population has a B.A. or higher, and employment is primarily professional, scientific, or management; education ranks second; and finance third. He reported that North Tustin is among the top 30 fastest growing suburbs in America; that the average lot size is 20,000 sq. ft. or more; and that the average home sales price is $1.86 million, above the Orange County average of $1.73 million. All politics is local Supervisor Don Wagner began his remarks by noting he is a proud resident of North Tustin. Calling public safety “a legitimate function of government,” he talked about the benefits of flock cameras installed at major county intersections. The surveillance cameras recognize license plates; make, model and color of vehicles; and help county sheriffs deter and solve crimes. They are not, Wagner stressed, “red light cameras” that identify driver infractions. They are used only to recognize vehicles reported to be involved in a crime. Wagner also explained a new, voluntary, camera registry program wherein homeowners with Ring cameras or other private surveillance systems may upload their camera data into the sheriff’s system. The program is expected to roll out shortly. “It will provide a virtual canvas of the county,” he said. That, coupled with successful neighborhood watch programs, lets “the bad guys know we are watching.” A summary of other county projects included Crawford Canyon Park, due to be completed this summer; the veterans cemetery, working its way through Sacramento and “on the list” for federal funding; and the county housing element, finally approved after three iterations. Now compliant with the state mandated requirements for new housing, Orange County will have greater flexibility to protect its communities. Jurisdictions that do not yet have a state-approved housing element are targets for developers who may use that deficiency to override local building codes. North Tustin ZIP code is a moving target Residents of North Tustin were disappointed to learn that a bill giving them their own unique ZIP code died in the California Senate at the end of last year. Representative Young Kim had signed on to a House bill authorizing separate ZIP codes for a number of communities nationwide. She had North Tustin added to that list, and the bill passed the House in December. Because it was not passed by the Senate before the 118th Congress adjourned, it died. With the new 119th Congress convened, bills left on the table must be drafted anew, passed by House committees, passed by the House and then sent on to the Senate again. In a videotaped message delivered to the Foothill Communities Association at its annual meeting, Representative Kim assured constituents that she was going to pursue the dedicated ZIP code issue once again. Linette Choi, district director for Representative Kim, reports that the Congresswoman is planning to reintroduce a ZIP code bill for North Tustin, but has learned that a similar bill may be introduced in the Senate. Kim, according to Choi, is waiting for that Senate bill to materialize and will sign on to a House bill then. Ultimately, the House and Senate bills must have the same language to be approved by both bodies. Meanwhile, 10 Congressional representatives have cosponsored HR672, which requires the post office to designate unique ZIP codes for 14 communities. That bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Jan. 23. Kim has not signed on, and North Tustin is not on the list. The annual FCA meeting drew a near full house to the Hewes Middle School gym, March 3. Commander Sy Ellis of Tustin American Legion Post 227 displays a star cut from a retired American Flag. The stars were given to veterans. Al Tello, right, field representative for Supervisor Don Wagner takes feedback from a constituent. Photos by Tony Richards
Foothills Sentry Page 4 APRIL 2025 Circulation … 40,000 Published on the last Tuesday of each month and distributed to residences, businesses, libraries and civic centers. Printing by Advantage, Inc. 714-532-4406 Fax: 714-532-6755 foothillssentry.com 1107 E. Chapman Ave., #207 Orange, CA 92866 ©Foothills Sentry 2025 Publisher/Editor Anita Bennyhoff 1969-2013 Editor Tina Richards editor@foothillssentry.com Sports Editor Cliff Robbins sportseditor@att.net Graphic Designer Jef Maddock graphics@foothillssentry.com Advertising Sales Andie Mills advertising@foothillssentry.com 714-926-9299 Office Manager officemanager@foothillssentry.com Villa Park High School Saturday May 10 8 am - 1 pm Rain or Shine - Spectators FREE - 501(c)(3) - All proceeds benefit music education at Villa Park High School. TAX ID: 95-3537732 Email to register: Jamie Sokoll jamiecsokoll@gmail.com Check-In 6 am Gates Open 8 am Judging 11 am Awards 12 pm Live Music! Register Today! 21st Annual Car & Bike Show Scan to register a vehicle Scan to register vendor booth Guest Commentary Urgent Support Needed: Protect Our Property and Zoning Rights By David Holt What began as a local zoning squabble in North Tustin six years ago, has now critically escalated to a major legal battle with statewide consequences— that could have lasting implications for local control and private property rights. The Tustin Hills Racquet Club, North Tustin’s only open space recreational facility, is at the center of this fight. This popular hub for tennis, pickleball, swimming, Pilates and community gatherings has benefitted Orange County residents for over 50 years. Ranch Hills Partners purchased the Club with the intent to demolish it and replace it with a 37- condominium unit project. North Tustin residents and the Foothill Communities Association (FCA) strongly oppose the project, due to serious concerns relating to fire safety, community impact and its inconsistency with local zoning laws. Club history and battle for its future use The club, established in 1958, sits on about six acres in the hills, and has long shared the same zoning as the surrounding Tract 3883—118 single-family homes. The zoning required half-acre lots for residential homes, and for decades, the club and the tract coexisted under this shared regulation. In the early 1970s, when the club sought to expand, it applied to rezone its property to A-1 Agriculture, which would not only allow the expansion, but would provide the club with tax benefits. The county refused to rezone without community approval. Area residents agreed to the rezoning in exchange for a binding land agreement, a covenant. This recorded 1974 covenant restricts future development on the property, ensuring that if the club ever ceased operation, it could not be redeveloped in ways inconsistent with the original zoning. SB330 and the pressure on local government Recently passed California SB330 seeks to address, among other things, California's affordable housing shortage by increasing residential unit development. SB330 also strengthens the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) by restricting use of local rules to limit housing production. Under the pressure of SB330, the county approved the condo project without addressing the enforceability of the covenant. Snowball decision Just two months after project approval, the California Court of Appeal (Second District) rendered its first decision interpreting SB330/HAA in Snowball West Investments L.P. v. City of Los Angeles. Snowball involved a 215-unit development in Verdugo Hills, with the developer relying on HAA to force the city to approve the project. Sound familiar? Unlike Ranch Hills, the Snowball developer’s application was denied at the local level. Developer appealed. The critical issue on appeal (nearly the identical issue decided by the county on the Ranch Hills’ application) was the interpretation of the term “inconsistent” under HAA. In upholding the denial of the Snowball developer’s application, the Appellate Court held that HAA does not abrogate local control. Rather, HAA only applies when a proposed housing development project complies with local zoning and development policies. Statewide legal implications Two lawsuits are currently in progress: 1. FCA is challenging the county’s approval of the project, arguing that HAA should not override local zoning, as decided in Snowball; and 2. Area residents are suing Ranch Hills for breaching the 1974 Recorded Covenant. The FCA lawsuit has been extensively briefed by both parties; it was initially set for hearing on April 2, but, has now been continued by the court until April 30. Until recently, the covenant lawsuit was treading water, mired in procedural issues. However, this lawsuit is no longer just a tract matter; last month, the court permitted two developer-friendly intervenors into the case: Californians for Homeownership, Inc., and California Housing Defense Fund. The matter now has exponentially expanded. At issue is whether the covenant (and like agreements and state HOA regulations) are against the public policy declared under SB330. The determination of this issue will have a rippling effect across California. Why we must act now While California faces a housing shortage, it’s essential to understand that not all housing projects should automatically be approved. We cannot let the approval of this project undermine local zoning laws or invalidate private agreements that protect the interests of our community. The outcome of these cases could set a precedent that impacts private property rights throughout California. If we lose, it could pave the way for the erosion of longstanding community agreements and zoning laws everywhere. How you can help We urgently need your support to continue this fight. Financial contributions are crucial to ensuring that we have the resources to take this battle to its rightful conclusion. Please donate today to help protect our community and safeguard local control. To Donate: 1. Gofundme.com. Search for save-the-racquet-club-supportca-residential-communities, or scan the QR code. GOCAT announces Annual Gala: “From Blueprint to Spotlight” The Greater Orange Community Arts Theater (GOCAT) will hold its Annual Gala, “From Blueprint to Spotlight,” beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Hotel Fera Anaheim, a Doubletree by Hilton in Orange. All proceeds will directly support Greater Orange Community Arts Theater’s mission to enhance the community through arts education, cultural enrichment, and performance opportunities. With a vision of fostering a diverse and vibrant creative space, GOCAT is dedicated to empowering artists and audiences alike. “This year’s theme, "From Blueprint to Spotlight," celebrates the next step in creating a sustainable and thriving arts community,” said GOCAT President Michael Short. “We are excited to showcase the incredible impact of the arts education while engaging supporters who believe in the importance of community arts.” Tickets, $200 per seat, are available now at gocat4all.org. Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $895 to $25,000, are also available for businesses and individuals looking to make a lasting impact on the future of Orange art and culture. The gala will feature live performances by local artists and future GOCAT performers and a silent auction. The hotel is located at 100 The City Drive S. For more information on the event, sponsorships, or how to support GOCAT, please visit gocat4all.org, or contact Mark Wimberley mark.wimberley@ gocat4all.org. Orange Elks support Ember The Orange Elks donated $2,000 to the Orange City Fire Peer Support Dog Program. Chairmen Clarke Balvanz and Kati Bye presented the check to help with training expenses for Ember, the new Fire Support Dog, Ember will be a therapy dog to help the men and women who go out on traumatic calls deal with the stress of the job, and may also be used on calls where residents could use a little puppy love. Lodge #1475 hosts blood drive The Orange Elks recently conducted a blood drive to support its community partner, the American Red Cross. Orange Elks Jason and Diane Wilkerson coordinated the drive, one of two that Lodge #1475 holds every year. The next Orange Elks Blood Drive is scheduled for September 2025. Diane and Jason Wilkerson Ember Orange names new police chief Captain Adam Jevec, who began his career with the City of Orange Police Department 19 years ago, has been appointed as the City’s new Chief of Police, effective March 28. Jevec was born and raised in Orange and is a graduate of Orange High School. He ventured away from Orange to Sonoma State for his bachelor’s degree, then to George Mason University in Virginia for a graduate degree in history. Jevec began his law enforcement career with the Arlington County Virginia Police Department in 2004. He returned to Orange and joined the Police Department in 2006. Jevec worked a variety of assignments, including patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member and gang unit detective. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015, lieutenant in 2019 and Captain in 2021. Most recently, he commanded Field Services, where he was responsible for over 130 employees and managed patrol services, the traffic bureau, neighborhood enhancement, homeless engagement, communications and SWAT. Chief Adam Jevec 2. Send check made out to FCA, PO Box 261, Tustin CA 92781 (note “Racquet Club Litigation” on memo line) David Holt is an attorney practicing in Tustin and a neighbor of the Racquet Club.
Page 5 Foothills Sentry APRIL 2025 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ramblingroseoc North Tustin’s Hal Marshall feted on 99th birthday By Scott Logue Longtime North Tustin resident and community volunteer Harold “Hal” Marshall was celebrated by his friends, neighbors and family members at a private party, sponsored by the Foothills Community Association, in honor of his 99th birthday. Hal Marshall was born on Nov. 19, 1925 in Economy, Indiana, exactly a century after his greatgreat-great-grandfather Charles Osborne purchased, platted and founded the town in 1825. Its location was considered more “economical” than where they were before. Hal was raised among the farmlands of Economy, a town not far from Dayton, Ohio, where the Wright Brothers had studied flight. As a child, Hal had only watched planes fly high overhead from the airbase at Dayton until he went to investigate a P-38 fighter that crashed in a farm nearby. It was the first plane he would see up close in a long life of aviation and engineering. During Hal’s senior year of high school, he met Faye, who had just moved to town. One of Hal’s best friends had access to a 1932 Ford Phaeton four-seater, perfect for a first double date, wherein Hal and Faye shared their first kiss, ultimately leading to a lifetime of happiness together. Hal enlisted in April 1943, and at the age of 17, began his naval pilot training, leaving for active duty in August of that same year. Hal trained across several airbases in Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida and trained on many aircraft, including the Taylorcraft monoplanes, Stearman Biplanes, the SNJ Texan, a multiengine Beechcraft Model 18 and a PB4Y-2. In August of 1945, the Japanese surrendered, and one month later Hal graduated with his wings and as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. Hal returned to Economy to marry Faye, his high school sweetheart, on Oct. 11, 1945. As a married couple, Faye and Hal moved together for Hal’s various operational training assignments until Hal was assigned to Sangley Point in the Philippines for anti-submarine training maneuvers, at which time Faye returned to her parents’ house. Humble beginnings With the GI Bill, Hal enrolled in Purdue University in 1947, buying a house trailer nearby for $1,500, with electricity and plumbing. Hal studied aeronautical engineering while working Friday nights for 50 cents an hour in a bakery and installing floors and roofs in the summer for a builder. After four and a half years, Hal graduated from Purdue with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. In 1952, Hal and his family moved to Garden Grove, and he began his career with Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. In 1959, he accepted a job with Ford Aerospace in Newport Beach for a further 30 years, eventually retiring in 1991. It was in 1961 that Hal and his family moved to North Tustin, and it was during Hal’s time at Ford Aerospace that he met Bruce Junor and Rick Nelson, all three now serving together on the Board of Directors for the Foothill Communities Association (FCA) for North Tustin. Across a loving marriage spanning 74 years, Hal and Faye were blessed with three children: Douglas, Vicki and Philip, seven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Faye and Hal had a very happy and fun-filled life with their children and friends, all the while supporting their children’s schools and extracurricular activities. In the 1970s, Faye and Hal became international travelers and visited roughly 50 countries, making many friends along the way. In the early 1990s, they purchased an RV and traveled throughout the U.S. by themselves and with travel clubs. Though Faye passed away on Nov. 16, 2019 at the age of 93, Hal continues to be involved in the North Tustin community, still actively serving on the FCA board, and pursuing his many other interests. Orange Key Clubs receive recognition By Randy Garell With financial support and encouragement from the Orange Kiwanis Club, the El Modena and Orange High Key Clubs were honored in four categories at the The Elks donate to Santiago Charter Middle School Orange Elks #1475 visited Santiago Charter Middle School to personally deliver a $500 donation to be used for a graduation trip for eighth grade students who will be promoted. Left to right, Elk JC Cortez, Santiago Principal Lisa Adray and staff Cynthia Robles and Elk Kevin Wagner. Old Towne celebrates National Historic Preservation Month By Valerie Smith The Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA) is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month by providing a variety of workshops, free of charge to residents interested in learning more about preservation and, possibly, becoming a preservation enthusiast. Look over the workshop summaries and see if something interests you. Contact OTPA at info@otpa.org for additional information. Preservation 101 – Sunday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pitcher Park, 204 S. Cambridge Curious about historic preservation? Join us as we kick off National Historic Preservation Month exploring strategies and challenges maintaining and advocating for historic homes and landmarks in Old Towne. Tour the Pitcher Park Museum following the presentation. History in your Hands – Wednesday, May 14, 10 a.m. – noon Hart Park Bandshell, 701 S. Glassell Come to this hands-on workshop to learn the proper techniques for cleaning and maintaining historic markers, while exploring their significance in shaping our community. Visit with our mayor and other historians of Old Towne. Lost & Found – Discovering the Hidden History of your Home – Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 22 11 a.m. – noon. Orange Public Library and History Center, 407 E. Chapman Discover secrets of your home, learn how to trace past owners, uncover architectural changes, and find historical records that reveal the stories behind your home’s walls. A tour of the History Center and presentation by an archivist is included. Foundations, Frames and Foliage – Saturday, May 31 10 a.m. – noon. Play Coffee Orange (Wells Fargo bldg.) 101 E. Chapman Whether you’re preserving original features or making era appropriate updates, this workshop will cover the essentials of foundation care, period appropriate landscaping, and restoration techniques. The workshop will be held in the upstairs area of the historic building. The Foothill Communities Association hosted a party to celebrate the North Tustin icon's 99th birthday. Hal Marshall at his birthday celebration. Hal Marshall and future wife Faye shared their first kiss in a 1932 Ford Phaeton. Division 4 Awards Ceremony, representing about 40 Key Clubs in Orange County. Liliana Estrada from the El Modena Key Club was named Key Club Member of the Year. Kiki Hamilton from the Orange High Key Club was named President of the Year. The Key Club of the Year was Orange High School Key Club. Greg Lewin, from Orange Kiwanis Club, was named Kiwanis Advisor of the Year.
Foothills Sentry Page 6 APRIL 2025 Erica Mae and her new book, part of a trilogy, The Stars of Scotland. Local Author! Book available now at Barnes and Noble or a cute shop in Anaheim - Heart Bound. (Country) Fair Warning Run it up the flagpole … and see who salutes, or for two recently departed canyonites, see who remembers, mourns and celebrates. Eleanor Reynolds and Fran Williams left friends and neighbors with memories of long lives. Silverado resident Zach Dupre cracked wise and affectionately at Williams’ service, attended by 75 at a “Lunch Bunch” memorial gathering, pledging to fly the iconic hat she’d worn from his bespoke memento mori flagpole. Some attendees left with clay sculptures crafted by Fran, longtime chairperson of the Friends of the Library. Save the date for the Friends’ second annual dinner fundraiser, Sunday, June 1, at the home of Sarah and Geoff Sarkissian. Out, on a limb Madame Modjeska’s neighbors heard the mighty crack of a hundred-year-old oak at 3 a.m. one recent night, discovering at daybreak damage to the property’s 75-year-old Opid Cottage, once slated for restoration with the recently renovated and celebrated adjacent Pleasants Stone House. Unsafe for occupancy, the country club-era building with a charming front porch was used for storage. Perhaps a historic limb falling on a historic structure will result in further historic renovation. Inter-Canyon League March’s ICL meeting included presentation of a draft sample letter to 40th CD Rep. Young Kim, responding to Forest Service cutbacks. After reviewing official assurances that Trump budget cuts wouldn’t hit firefighting and law enforcement, one Zoom attendee noted his unanswered application for seasonal fire crew work. Francesca Duff and ICL President Geoff Sarkissian noted possible threats to long-term administrative and on-site functions, including compliance and road maintenance, expressing concern about U.S. Weather Service funding. Congressmember Kim’s field rep, John Ding, promised a meeting with Mary Schreiber of Fire Safe Council. (G)SOB story March and April are prime months to diagnose and treat Gold-Spotted Oak Borer infestation of your property’s oak trees and organize your neighborhood for treatment. Recent ICL guest, licensed arborist Chris Burke of RPW Services, works with neighbors to schedule visits efficiently and economically. He is a statelicensed and county-registered pesticide applicator using the chemical bifenthrin, which does its preventive barrier work in a 300-foot radius. It’s safe, and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and industry standard. Schedule a visit at (657) 2432942. Urgent! The annual Silverado Country Fair still needs a volunteer coordinator ASAP and PDQ. Jane Bove, retiring after decades of organizing the annual community shindig, is a terrific mentor and will teach the new director(s) how to coordinate booths, food vendors, and entertainment. Julie Williams reported sightings of young cougars, uncollared, in our canyons. Good news! She recommends the noon, March 19 Mountain Lion Foundation, “Living with Lions.” Register now to attend at https:// mountainlion.networkforgood. com/. Scott Breedon’s ICL History Committee report included the saga of a proposed, and unanimously approved, 1978 sand and gravel mining operation for Williams Canyon. Vigorous community opposition failed, supervisors insisting that South County home construction needs trumped ecological, noise and natural resources concerns. Breedon shared archival documents from the era, mostly depressing, but with terrific views from the hills. Happily, a court ruling overturned the bogus rezoning effort in 1981, before resource extraction. Fans of Breedon’s multimedia reports encouraged him to assemble them, along with news clippings, archival photos, and occasional song lyrics, into a book. Finally, Sarkissian and other meeting participants suggested future ICL meeting guest speakers, including representatives from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Irvine Ranch Water District and Library of the Canyons. Attend the next regular meeting, April 1, to see who accepted an invitation. Grade: A Joanne Hubble’s communication with the Modjeska Grade Improvement project manager produced this “Project Tentative Schedule,” bullet-point poetry: 95% Design Completion: By the end of March 2025. 100% Design Completion: By August 31, 2025. Construction Start: Scheduled for the end of February 2025. Right-of-way offer letters will be sent to affected residents shortly thereafter. Additionally, OCPW will conduct community outreach before the start of construction to communicate potential traffic impacts and address any concerns. Grade resident Jim Carter offers a more prosaic report: “We are not getting everything we wanted, but the good news is the county is beginning to see us as a rural community with different attitudes and perspectives than their other constituents. Standing fast and united on the Sil-Mod plan is our best way to keep the rural feel in our canyons. The project entails a large inconvenience for about a year, but we’ll get much better drainage and a little safer road that still gives the feel of what the county was like 40 or 50 years ago.” “The Namesake” The monthly (Wednesday, April 2, 5 p.m.) Library of the Canyons Book Group discusses Jhumpa Lahiri’s debut novel, the story of two generations of Indian immigrants, adapted into a film. The book and movie are available at the library. Tell ‘em Fran sent you. Young Women of the Month celebrated The Tustin Area Woman’s Club announced the Young Women of the Month honorees for March. They are Alexis Chew from Foothill High School and Harshini Mahesh from Tustin High. Alexis Chew is a dedicated student and athlete, committed to both academics and competitive fencing. As the president of Foothill’s Red Cross Club, she has organized multiple blood drives to support her community. She is an International Baccalaureate candidate with a strong interest in the medical field, planning to major in human biology. Beyond academics, she is passionate about engineering projects and mentoring young fencers. Harshini Mahesh has participated in the Model United Nations program at Tustin High School for four years, and has served as the Director General of Advanced Communities for the last two years. She played on the varsity tennis team for four years, enjoyed being on four consecutive league champion teams. She is serving as captain this year. Mahesh has earned the State Seal of Civic Engagement and has completed the biomedical pathways course. She interned at Tustin Holistic Health last summer. Also recognized were Elizabeth Hsu of Beckman High and Nimrat Kaur of Legacy High School. Alexis Chew Harshini Mahesh in the Canyons He is Risen! Sunday, April 20 6 and 10 am Pancake Breakfast immediately following the Sonrise Service inside our warm and friendly Fireside Room. (In case of rain, we will meet inside the Chapel) �e Prepared L.I.F.E. Church Message by Pastor Larry DeSimone Join us to celebrate our Easter Sonrise Service in our beautiful outdoor amphitheater. ““e Light Shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1: 5 8002 Silverado Canyon Road CanyonCalvary.org Celebrating the Victory of Jesus Christ Over Death! Because He is Alive We Have a Living Hope!
Page 7 Foothills Sentry APRIL 2025 Your legacy begins here From Blueprint to Spotlight May 8, 2025 6pm-10pm Hotel Fera 100 The City Dr S, Orange, CA 92868 Annual Gala All proceeds will go toward GOCAT’s mission to engage and enhance our community through the arts by creating a vibrant, transformative, and diverse culture of teaching, learning, and performing opportunities. Local school desegregation hero is closer to getting his due By Tina Richards El Modena community leader Sammy Rodriquez is infuriated that the historical record of the landmark Mendez, et al vs. Westminster court case that desegregated schools in California in 1947, is all about Gonzolo Mendez and the “et als” are barely a footnote. He is particularly aggrieved because one of the et als, Lorenzo Ramirez, was living in El Modena at the time, and his participation in the lawsuit was focused on segregated schools in Orange. Lorenzo Ramirez is a local hero, Rodriquez says, and should be recognized and remembered for his courage, not forgotten. He, along with William Guzman and Thomas Estrada from Santa Ana and Frank Palomino of Garden Grove, are the et als that history is ignoring. Libraries a start Working with members of the Ramirez family and several other supporters from El Modena, Rodriquez encouraged Santiago Community College (SCC) to name its library after Lorenzo Ramirez and place a bust of him in front of it. The group also asked the Orange Unified School District to name a school after Ramirez, but settled for the El Modena High School library as a namesake. His mission to immortalize Ramirez is, he says, far from over. That’s why he was delighted when Dr. Stephen Glass, a trustee on the OUSD school board and a Distinguished Faculty in Residence in the educational leadership department at Cal State Long Beach, asked him to give a talk on Ramirez to his doctoral students. Rodriquez, himself a former professor of ethnic studies, said yes, but only if the class would meet at the Lorenzo Ramirez Library at El Modena High. Which they did on Saturday, March 15. Reaching the next generation The group of 12 doctoral candidates were joined by 13 ElMo students, Principal Bob King and City Councilwoman Ana Gutierrez, whose District 5 includes the El Modena barrio. Glass’ educational leadership students, each pursuing areas of study designed to enhance the depth, scope and relevance of public education, were a receptive audience. Rodriquez made his point about the community’s ignorance of the role Lorenzo Ramirez played in school desegregation in California, years before Brown vs. Board of Education ended school segregation nationwide, by asking the ElMo students if they knew who the library was named after. Only one did. He asked them if they had been taught about Ramirez in elementary or middle school. OUSD says it covers Ramirez and the court case in fifth and eighth grades, but none of the students remembered it. Ana Gutierrez, who grew up in El Modena, told the group that as a child, she played with the nieces and nephews of Ramirez, but she had no idea who he was. More than Mendez "It’s always been about Mendez and the Mendez family,” Rodriquez said. “When the court case is discussed, its Mendez vs. Westminster. Even Santa Ana named a school after Mendez, ignoring its own Guzman Family.” It’s up to us, he told the soonto-be Ph.Ds, to make sure that history is accurately portrayed, that all the players are recognized. On the local level, learning about Ramirez’s specific role in the court case opens a window into Orange’s history. He recalled the days when Mexican kids went to Lincoln School and white Doctoral candidates, ElMo students, squeezed together with Sammy Rodriguez, Stephen Glass, Ana Gutierrez and community members for a group shot following the March 15 presentation. Dr. Steven Glass welcomes his students to the presentation. Sammy Rodriguez makes the case for the legacy of Lorenzo Ramirez. kids attended Roosevelt, just 120 yards away. At that time, Mexican kids were not expected to continue school past the eighth grade; they were expected to be farm workers. According to El Modena residents who remember those days, educational opportunities were far from equal. Lorenzo Ramirez wanted more for his children and went to court to get it. Rodriquez reported on the ups and downs of the drive by locals to get recognition for Lorenzo Ramirez. He called out SCC when it hosted a speaker who extolled the Mendez court case without mentioning Ramirez, even though the name on the campus library and the bust of the man were in plain sight. The Ramirez family was hurt by the omission and let the college know. Years later, both the family and Rodriquez received a letter of apology from the SCC chancellor. Gathering momentum He’s also asked OUSD why its 2011 promise to recognize March 2 as a day to celebrate Ramirez has been ignored. The district is looking into it. He has recently enlisted the aid of Councilwoman Gutierrez and Trustee Stephen Glass to name an OUSD school after Ramirez. The library is not enough, he says. Gutierrez is also encouraging the city to erect a commemorative plaque honoring Ramirez at the site where the Lincoln and Roosevelt schoolhouses stood. “Orange should be proud that the roots of school desegregation were planted here,” she says. “Lorenzo Ramirez got together with five others to sue local school districts,” Rodriquez summarizes. “Mendez’s name was used when the case was filed, but that shouldn’t lessen the contributions of the et als, especially, in Orange, Lorenzo Ramirez.” Photos by Tony Richards
Foothills Sentry Page 8 APRIL 2025 Inspect. Inspect your trees, Coast Live Oak, Canyon Live Oak and California Black Oak. Look for D-shaped holes 2-4 mm wide in the bark. Identify. The larvae are in the bark. They are 2 cm long, white and legless. Adults are 1 cm in length, bullet shaped with gold spots. Treat. Spray infected oaks. Protect other oaks with special treatments. Information at ucanr.edu/sites/gsobinfo ACT NOW. The larvae are emerging. You can STOP THE SPREAD OF THE GOLD SPOTTED OAK BORER. Orange Elks donate to the Hub Resource Center The Orange Elks Lodge #1475 donated $6,000 to the Hub Resource Center, which aids the unhoused population. The funds were made available via the Spotlight Grant and a Beacon Grant. The donation will help feed the homeless and provide essential needs kits. A portion of the funds will provide 850 hot meals; the other half will go to purchase food items, hygiene products, cleaning products, sleeping bags, diapers, incontinent products and winter clothing. As part of its outreach, lodge members packed 300 hygiene kits and 200 shower kits. Working with community partner HRC are Elks, from left, Mike Cash, Kelley Martinez, Alex Geringer-Pate, Kevin Wagner, JC Cortez, Terrie Schatz and Linda Greeley. Harley graduated from service dog school and is now certified. He is also Emblem Club 418’s new mascot. Tustin Museum features author of “Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son” By Guy Ball Author and historian Paul Carter shares his research on California-born Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, during a special Night at the Museum meeting on Friday, May 2 at the Tustin Area Museum. Paul Carter is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience in investigation and trial work. He spent over a decade conducting research, which included interviewing many of Nixon’s closest and most guarded associates, as well as searching through the Nixon Library’s vast archival collections. Carter’s newest book, “Richard Nixon: California’s Native Son” is the story of Nixon’s Southern California journey from his birth in Yorba Linda to his final resting place just a few yards from the home in which he was born. In his book, Carter shares his research regarding “Nixon’s rise, fall, and ultimate redemption on the grandest stage of American politics” according to Joseph Dmohowski, a Nixon family author and historian. Carter is also the author of an earlier work on Nixon – a biographical map titled “Native Son: Richard Nixon’s Southern California.” This Night at the Museum meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tustin Area Museum, 345 El Camino Real. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 each for members. Due to the limited seating area, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. For more information and tickets visit TustinHistory.com or call the museum, (714) 731-5701. Pastor Larry Day will host the annual cowboy Easter Sonrise Service, Sunday, April 9 at 7 a.m. Horses and pets are welcome. Coffee and donuts will be provided; bluegrass music played by the Affordable, Personal Service: Weekly • Bi-weekly • Monthly Licensed & Bonded Call for Free Estimate Crown HOUSE CLEANING (714) 381-4220 Happy Spring! dan@DanSlater.com 714-744-2219 1537 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92866 DAN SLATER Pastor Larry Day Paul Carter Wimberleys. Pastor Day will deliver his Easter message accompanied, as always, by his horses. The service will be held at the Mara Brandman Arena, 6422 E. Santiago Blvd. Easter Sonrise coming to OPA
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