Foothills Sentry - July 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 9 July 2021 Pirates take over “Broadway in the Park” By Estelle Nicol When the Tustin Area Coun- cil for Fine Arts (TACFA) began planning this year’s “Broadway in the Park” in October 2020, the plan was clear. The pandemic would cause the show to be can- celled, again. The future of TACFA’s 20th show continued to look bleak into the new year. However, by Febru- ary, a plan began to be formulat- ed. Everyone at TACFA held their collective breath as each COVID- related report came in, hoping for good news. Then, in early spring -- it happened! They got the news they could put on a show - and it was going to be “The Pirates of Penzance.” Shortly after the cheering and celebrating stopped, panic set in. They had to deal with a multitude of changes to comply with the rap- idly-evolving COVID mandates. These restrictions meant they had to take a new approach to every single element of “Broadway in the Park,” and do it quickly. Ev- ery day the government restric- tions and guidelines changed. By May, they were confident that all the changes they made would meet the latest guidelines and their 20th show could take place. The first thing everyone will notice is the new location and shape of the stage. This year, for the first time, the show will be performed “in the round.” The audience will surround the stage on all four sides. This new format doubles the amount of the stage front, meaning everyone will have a closer view of all the an- tics, singing and dancing that will be taking place. Although "The Pirates of Penzance" was written over 170 years ago, this version takes place in the year 2021. It is funny, with updated music, danc- ing and costumes. Gone are the days of getting to the park two hours before the gates open, standing in line and running to get a place to sit. Now, all seating will be reserved in ad- vance. So, no matter when the au- dience arrives at the park -- their seats will be waiting for them. Another great change, is that the audience will no longer need to bring their own chair, as a chair will be provided. By far, the most difficult obstacle TACFA had to overcome was determining how to seat everyone with their friends and family while adhering to so- cial distancing rules. They still have tables for eight, but instead of selling individual tickets they will be selling “seat- ing areas.” Each will seat four or six. This change allows everyone to sit with a group they choose, but still be socially distanced from others. The final challenge was the mandated restriction limiting the number of audience members at each show to 50% of capacity. With seating this limited, TACFA knew many of those who make “Broadway in the Park” an an- nual event would not be able to get a ticket, so they added a sixth performance. This year, performances be- gin on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and run through Sunday, Aug. 8. A few more changes may be required, as things get back to normal and restrictions change, but TACFA was determined to bring back this great event. Kimberlee Martin, left, and Betsy Little, right, were awarded the Vil- la Park Women’s League highest honors by out-going President An- die Mills, center. Martin was the recipient of the Community Service Award for her outstanding work conceptualizing and coordinating the first annual Community Holiday Forest in the Town Center during the winter holidays and the annual home beautification awards. The Circle of Friendship Award was presented to Little, in recognition of her continued efforts to advance the league, as well as her numerous contributions to assist and coordinate events. For more information, see vpwl.org. Community is so important. Without a community, we would all be loners, hermits, secluded from one another. We are social creatures; we need friends, fam- ily, and a community to have a physically and mentally healthy life. One common concern of my clients is that trees are too close to one another, or too close to other plants. Now, while this can have negative consequences for some, it’s not that way for all species. Some trees are more “commu- nity trees” than others. They share nutrients, graft together, and give up what one of their neighbor trees may be lacking. Notice, you hardly ever see a lone tree by it- self in the wild; they usually grow in “stands.” This is for their own protection when they are sap- lings, power in numbers, and for security when they get older. Other concerns are that trees that are leaning, or seemingly growing towards the house. Trees can develop a lean for multiple reasons, and only some are bad. Trees usually develop a lean be- cause they are reaching for sun- light. A healthy tree will also pro- duce “reaction wood” when lean- ing. This is a denser wood grown to support the weight of the lean- ing tree. Reaction wood allows the tree to correct itself once it gets the angle it’s looking for. But don’t underestimate the trees. While they can be commu- nity-minded, they instinctively protect what is theirs and their offspring. Most plants actually secrete chemicals from their roots and leaves that discourage other plants from venturing into “their space.” The toxins released will not kill other plant life, but will deter other plants from encroach- ing into their soil space or sun- light and air space. Now that life has begun to go back to normal, and the roads are no longer empty, throngs of peo- ple walk around downtown again and music festivals have kicked back into gear, let's be mind- ful and thoughtful of our com- munity. Take a page out of your tree’s book and help someone in need, take a moment to protect and defend those who can’t. Who knows, maybe they’ll be there for you when you need help. Sharing is part of nature Jeremiah Gilbert, company commanding officer for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) program at Or- ange High School and a graduate of Newport Christian School in Newport Beach, was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2025 on June 29. He will begin six weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer. Gilbert was class valedictorian and played var- sity football and basketball at NCS. He concurrently attended Orange High School during zero period for the MJROTC program. Gilbert was nominated and selected for both the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point. He recently obtained his private pilot’s license, with many flights in and out of John Wayne Airport. Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy’s “plebe” or freshman class; last year the Naval Academy received over 16,000 applications.