Foothills Sentry May 2023

Page 9 Foothills Sentry May 2023 Photo by Turville Photography The Orange/Villa Park Chapter of the National Charity League celebrated its senior class of 2023 at a recognition event at the Rich- ard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. The annual Senior Recognition is a traditional event commemorating the successful completion of the Ticktockers' six-year plan that emphasizes social and cultural training, lead- ership training and the donation of many philanthropic hours to the community. The graduating seniors are, top row, from left: Carly Anderson, Alina Davis, Carissa Drum, Ellie Friedrich, Reagan Jenkins, Isabella Kell- man, Marin Huff, Tabitha Fina- more, Molly Domer, Elle Buss; bottom row, from left: Madeline Martin, Chloe McNamara, McK- enzie Reynolds, Alexandra Stew- art, Alexis Whitcocomb, Meredith Shortall, Delanie Munger, Estelle McLeary. Jordyn Kuo is not pic- tured. Nowruz or Noruz, translated as “new day,” is the Iranian or Persian New Year, celebrated by various ethnicities on the day of the vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21. It signals the beginning of spring, and includes a week-long festival with food, games, face-painting, dancing, singing and poetry. The colorful, traditional event, Nowruz was organized by Villa Park residents, from left, Marjan Roshangar, Mina Asad and Nazanin Ahmadinia. Nowruz celebrated in Villa Park Trails in the Saddleback Wilderness were opened to the public April 1. OC Parks opens new trail system in Saddleback Wilderness 1150 ft T r a i l 2 241 S18 Park Entrance Miles 0 0.05 0.1 Legend: Gate Restroom Paved Road Hiking/Biking Trail Easy Trail Moderate Trail Difficult Trail Parking Picnic Area Scenic Overlook Access by scheduled programs only. Trails are provisional, will be evaluated over time and may be modified in the future Trail Guide: Hilltop Road: EASY 1.0 Mile multi-use Trail 1: MODERATE 0.53 Miles multi-use Upland Road: EASY 0.68 Miles multi-use Trail 3: MODERATE 0.62 Miles hiking and biking only Trail 2: MODERATE 0.47 Miles multi-use Scan code below or visit ocparks.com for more information Multi-use Trail MILES OF TRAIL • ENJOY PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS OBSERVE A COVEY OF QUAIL • GAZE TO THE PACIFIC DAY USE: SCHEDULED ACCESS ONLY PLEASE CHECK OCPARKS.COM/IRVINE-RANCH-OPEN-SPACE FOR A CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saddleback Wilderness 3.3 NATURE PRESERVE Vicinity Map 261 91 91 22 55 Portola Parkway Newport Avenue C h a p m a n A v e n u e K a t e l l a A v e n u e S a n t i a g o C y n . R d . 241 241 133 J a m b o r e e R o a d J e r e y R o a d S a n t i a g o C a n y o n R o a d Hick’s Haul Rd. S A D D L E B A C K W I L D E R N E S S Saddleback Wilderness Up l a n d Ro a d H i l l t o p R o a d Hilltop Road H i l l t o p R o a d Trai l 1 Trai l 3 T r a i l 1 T r a i l 2 T r a i l 3 U p l a n d R o a d Gate No Access Gate Scheduled Access Gate Scheduled Access SANTIAGO LANDFILL (CLOSED) Gate No Access Gate No Access Gate Scheduled Access 360° Viewpoint S a n t i a g o C a n y o n R o a d Rev. 3/23 E a s t e r n T r a n s p o r t a t i o n C o r r i d o r 1040 1020 1000 980 960 980 1000 1020 1040 1060 1080 1120 1140 1160 1180 1200 1220 1240 960 1140 1120 1080 1100 1060 1100 A series of new trails, part of OC Park’s Irvine Ranch Open Space, has been opened for hikers, bikers and equestrians through scheduled self-guided and docent-led public programs. The 3.3 miles of trails lie with- in a protected habitat that is home to many native plants and animal species, including the California gnatcatcher. That’s why access is by reservation only. The hikes range from easy to moderate, and include a 360-degree view of Or- ange County, the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The area once included an off- road motorsports park known as Saddleback Park. It operated from 1967 to 1984, and has since returned to nature and its native habitat restored. Picnic tables, The Central Orange County Democratic Club will hold an information and action meet- ing addressing gun violence on Wednesday, May 24. Members and guests will learn about efforts to pass legislation to keep our communities safe from gun vio- lence. The meeting will also in- clude a postcard write-in. Snacks and mixer at 6:30 p.m., meeting Gun violence is topic at OC Dems meeting The new trails are just off San- tiago Canyon Road. portable toilets and parking for horse trailers are available for public use. OC Parks is offering hikes, biking, and night sky programs. Information and reservations are available at OCParks.com/Irvine- ranch-open-space. Saddleback Wilderness is located at 13333 Black Star Canyon, off of San- tiago Canyon Road near the 241. at 7 p. m. Central OC Dems includes the communities of Tustin, Tus- tin Hills, Orange and Villa Park. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 1221 Wass St. Central OC Dems is not affiliated with St. Paul’s. Inquiries can be sent to Cen- tralOCDems@gmail.com. Retired TV reporter Dave Lo- pez will discuss his new book, “It’s a Great Life If You Don’t Weaken: Faith, Family and 48 Years on Television,” as part of the Villa Park Library Author Se- ries. Lopez will speak on Saturday, May 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 19242 Mesa Drive. Tickets are $35 per person and include appetizers Dave Lopez TV Reporter Dave Lopez to speak at VP event and beverages. Tickets are avail- able from Friends of the Library Board Member Monica Helzer at (714) 279-9868. Lopez was a reporter for KCBS, covering everything from earthquakes and fires to freeway killers, then the O.J. Simpson trial, the Loa Angeles Olympics, the World Series, human interest stories and political corruption. He was a masterful story teller, charmingly tough and fearless. He has been honored with several Emmy and Golden Mike Awards. A classic story about the news- man is what happened when his then-kindergartener daughter took him to class on Bring Your Dad to School Day. She intro- duced him, saying, “Hi, this is my dad. His name is Dave. He doesn’t work. He just goes on TV and talks.” Dave Lopez will be available to sign books following his pre- sentation. was organized by residents Mar- jan Roshangar, Mina Asad and Nazanin Ahmadinia, and spon- sored by the Villa Park Commu- nity Services Foundation. It was shared with the Villa Park community as well as Coun- cilmembers Jordan Wu, Nicol Jones and Mayor Pro Tem Vince Rossini outside the City Hall on March 25. Food pantry receives $1.5 million gift Chapman University was given a $1.5 million endowment for Panther Pantry to help ensure that no student suffers from food in- security. The $1.5 million gift is from Irv and Nancy Chase, along with Nancy’s parents Sandy and the late Allan Fainbarg, Approximately 400 students access Chapman's food pantries. Photo by Mike Boeck Photo by Turville Photography