Foothills Sentry July 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 8 July 2020 From left, the 2020 graduates are Jakob Tedford, Louis Tonkovich, Kaelin Tester, Christian Veerkemp, Daniel Ater, Cole Scarry, Sydnee Ragland, Grant Mainville, Grant Wilson, Treet Wright, Ian Stellhorn and Cole Thompson. The word went out on social media (a handmade flyer at the post office, and another taped to the door of the Silverado Café): “Come Out and Cheer for Canyon Grads 2020! GRADUATION PA- RADE … Friday … 3:30 … from Station 14 to S. Com. Center.” In response to virus-related clampdowns on large-scale gradu- ation ceremonies, Michelle Main- ville and other parents of canyon high school seniors organized their own mini-alternative on June 12. After a procession down Sil- verado Canyon Road, friends and relatives gathered at the commu- nity center to honor this year’s dozen, or so, local graduates. “Cold beverages, bunting, deco- rations,” reported intrepid Canyon Beat reporter Andrew Tonkovich, who was also the commencement speaker. “We wore borrowed black robes and sashes. SMRPD [Silverado Modjeska Recreation and Park District] was generous in giving permission and use of the blacktop, stage and microphone.” In welcoming remarks, Lisa Graduating from the canyons Alvarez (mother of a Modjeska grad) noted that although these seniors represented at least six different high schools plus home- schoolers, it seemed “only fitting” to gather once more where they grew up – in the canyons. “A few of these graduates first met each other at the Silverado Children’s Center, careening around on tri- cycles and building epic cities in the dirt. Some started out at our beloved Silverado Elementary School.” But “when our children come home, they come home to the canyons, where the reliable teachers are the hillsides, which change color with the seasons, the rising and falling creeks, the hawks, the snakes, tarantulas, the occasional mountain lion and fox. Our children learned, too, from their neighbors, from seeing how we came together during times of fire and flood, loss and danger.” After Sydnee Ragland sang “Forever Young,” Tonkovich promised a brief speech (park restrooms are still closed), and hoped the honorees would “take some ironic delight and well- deserved pride in being publicly embarrassed for a few moments by the people who love you most.” He thanked the teachers at “the legendary and singular Silverado Elementary School,” the library, Children’s Center, Silverado mar- ket, post office, and the “generous volunteers” supporting trails and parks, adding: “You are invited to become one of them ... in your own way.” Register to vote and “become a member of our very own autonomous democratic hill- billy grassroots community outfit, the Inter-Canyon League.” Tonkavich concluded: “We will present to each graduating canyon student assembled here a diploma and an olive branch culled, gently, from one of the totemic and historic olive trees planted a hundred years ago in Modjeska Canyon. Congratula- tions from your biggest fans.” Not out of the woods yet SMRPD is still trying to fol- low government guidelines for parks during a COVID-19 pan- demic. This includes closing playgrounds, as well as restrooms that aren’t cleaned and disinfect- ed at least daily. Since that extra cleaning apparently costs more than what the park district can af- ford, those facilities will remain unavailable for now. Another factor is insurance: If the district’s carrier will not cover concerts and other gatherings that violate current health recommen- dations, SMRPD does not want to risk lawsuits from anyone claim- ing COVID-19 infection from such an event. So, reluctantly, the SMRPD board of directors canceled July’s planned Silverado Park concert. Partly for the same reason, they turned down a request for assis- tance with children’s activities from some canyon parents scram- bling for a replacement for closed summer camps. While generally supportive of the group’s propos- al, the board felt that there was in- sufficient time to get an approved program up and running this year. On the bright side, a June 13 rattlesnake avoidance training clinic for dogs netted $900, half of which SMRPD donated to the Children’s Center, which has re- opened with additional anti-CO- VID-19 procedures in place. Speaking of avoidance, per- haps that dog training company could also train people how to avoid COVID-19. The next time you are in a crowded café, ask yourself how you’d feel if every- one within six feet of you were a rattlesnake. Newsettes The Friends of the Library swap meet had to be canceled, and fall’s Silverado Fair is up in the air. Inter-Canyon League President Geoffrey Sarkissian held high- level talks with canyon emergen- cy radio volunteers. It was high- level because Geoffrey was on his roof, for better radio reception. Wife Sarah reportedly wished he were more down-to-earth. Phased re-openings One native plant now appear- ing as three-foot-tall stalks topped with a turban of white flowers is California everlasting. Blooming is winding down, but the papery part around the flowers is “ever- lasting,” making the plant good for dried flower arrangements. The fierce-looking scientific name, Pseudognaphalium califor- nicum, is mostly bluff: it’s just “soo-doe-na-FAY-le-um cal-i- FOR-ni-cum.” Some people think the leaves smell like maple syrup. You are a true botanist if you pour syrup on pancakes and think, “Hmm, this smells just like Pseu- dognaphalium californicum.” Victoria Batta of Villa Park High School was selected for the 2020 Semper Fidelis All-Ameri- can Program Battles Won Acad- emy. The academy, which was scheduled for July 9 through 13 in the District of Columbia, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command con- tinues to recognize the achieve- ments of exemplary students like Batta. She was selected not only for her athletic performance but for outstanding character, aca- demic excellence, and community leadership that reflects the Ma- rine Corps’ values of honor, cour- age and commitment. Da Bianca now offers both indoor and outdoor dining options as well as take-out service. We are serving fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine with our full menu and daily specials. All health guidelines are enforced for your safety and the safety of our employees. Grazie to all our wonderful customers who have supported us during these challenging times. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon! Ciao! - Marjan and the Da Bianca Staff T R A T T O R I A We are Open! Reservations Recommended 714-289-1508 www.dabianca.com NEW HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 4:30-9:00 pm 7448 E. Chapman Ave. Orange (on the corner of Chapman and Newport) Photo by Michelle Mainville California everlasting