Foothills Sentry Page 6 JULY 2025 No news is not (good) news SMRuPDate Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Parks District (SMRPD) seems to have gotten good news. President Ted Wright shared it, quoting a communication from the Auditor-Controller’s office, which confirms the welcome allocation of additional Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) monies to its “Miscellaneous” category. Confused? Wright explains: “The $36,000 brings SMRPD very close to what the office says we will be due next year. The additional funding also certainly means that, with a reduced budget, we can make it until new funds arrive in November. Of course, we still must figure out how to deal with receiving only about two-thirds of what had been coming to us in earlier years. Recall that our current tentative budget still has a $17,000 deficit. Everything is not rosy, but it no longer seems like doom and gloom time.” A nation turns its lonely eyes to you A project of the SMRPD, the Saturday, July 19 Summer Concert Series lineup includes The Brother Jonathan and Simon Sez Revue, performing the music, they say, of Paul Simon. Failing grade Responding to complaints from Modjeska and Harding residents, Code Enforcement identified illegal grading above Markuson Road. Of three sites under investigation, the owners of one property were found in violation, and will work with Public Works engineers to repair and restore (at owners' expense) toward satisfactory resolution. Reported two months ago, the site of this extravagantly unpermitted grading (where owners inexplicably abandoned a van with a flat tire) impacted at least an acre, most of it at a 45-degreeangle hillside absent permits or mediation. Code Enforcement encourages residents to keep an eye on the eyesore and report any further illegal grading. Meanwhile, it could take weeks or months to restore the damage. No comment! Your humble scribe reads newsletters and solicits comment from our four (Republican) elected officials. All routinely release calendar announcements, invitations and commentary. In response to my queries of three about ICE raids, illegal detention and kidnapping (including at OC-area Home Depots), none answered, declining to provide statements or share press releases. If you’d like a condescending remedial civics lesson from an aide, do call the offices of Assemblymember Sanchez (71) or State Senator Choi (37). Both offices reminded me that we all have a right to our opinions because we are Americans, then scolded me for asking a state official to take a stand, notwithstanding Newsom v. Trump. (Perhaps introduction of SB627, banning local, state, and federal law enforcement from wearing masks will elicit responses.) Choi’s staffer explained that, no, a California state legislator could not, would not, ever comment on federal matters, then helpfully volunteered that Choi is “from Korea” and frequently weighs in on, yup, South Korean politics! Try calling Sanchez’s office. I dare you. Answering the Sacramento line is a cheerful recorded voice: “Hi, this is Grace. Please leave a message.” When the Assemblymember’s Chief of Staff herself responded, it was to deliver more patriotism-as-coercion but no statement. At least embattled Congressmember Young Kim (40) is on record, repeating MAGA talking points. Recently interviewed, she appeared not to recognize the Insurrection Act and repeatedly answered, in apparent reference to protests, “These illegal immigrants are taking innocent lives.” Death by chocolate! Thanks to 80 Friends of the Library supporters who dined on chili and cornbread at the Sarkissian’s then cheerfully outbid each other for homemade desserts shared with fellow attendees. In addition to Silverado baker Rusty Morris’s homicidally delicious brownies, purchased and consumed were “Chaotic Canyon Cake Cookies,” pistachio cheesecake with chocolate ganache, classic carrot cake, lemon pudding cake and both coconut and banana cream pies. The second annual Spring Fling raised $3k for programming and materials for the InterCanyon League (ICL) Friends committee to support materials and programming at the Library of the Canyons. Long live Fran! And in a posthumous further gesture of her lifetime of civic generosity, items (including originals by canyon painter Dorothy Rice) sold at the late Friends chair Fran Williams’ estate sale to benefit ICL to the tune of over $7k. Intrepid organizer Alice Phillips thanks fellow volunteers Judy Myers, Melody and Phil McWilliams, Scott Breedon, Mitzi Perry, Francis Garcia and Bic Edwards. Polemology to numeracy July’s first Wednesday Library of the Canyons Book Club pick is "Chenneville" by Paulette Jiles, historical fiction about a Union soldier bent on revenge and postwar discovery. Join this summer’s “Level Up” program, June 16-Aug. 3, and cash in. Branch Manager Laura Blasingham explains: “Kids and Teens read for 20 days and receive their own ‘Reading Buddy’ stuffed animal." They also enter to win prizes donated by the Friends of the Library. Adults receive an entry ticket for every book they read during the summer, each ticket an opportunity to win a gift card for breakfast/lunch donated by Silverado Canyon Market & Kitchen.” Ready, set, read! Recruits honored were, front row, left to right: Montserrat Avelar Reyes, David Meraz, Thomas Sotelo, Paul Fernandez, Henry Garcia, Noelia Garcia-Ramirez; second row, Loraine Martinez Sandoval, Karelle Soriano; third row, left to right, Jack Lohrman, John Sandoval, Jason Mejia, Isaac Young, Daniel Baron, Samuel Cisneros and Matthew MacDonald. Assistance League of Orange hosts Salute to Service Each year, the Assistance League of Orange recognizes high school seniors who, after graduation, have enlisted to serve our country. The recruits and their families are honored at a ceremony and dinner. The Orange High School Color Guard presented the American flag, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and the service branch anthems, sung by Chief Petty Officer Jeff Schilden. Each recruit was honored with a Challenge Coin and Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their commitment to serve. Steven Stenersen, Veterans Resource Center, Santiago Canyon College, provided an explanation of the Challenge Coin tradition. Together with Mariana Flores, from Congressman Lou Correa’s office, they presented each recruit with their coin and certificate, commemorated with photos. In addition, thanks to the Support Our Troops Pen Program of the Orange County Woodworkers Association, each recruit received a handcrafted ballpoint pen— made especially for those entering military service. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a community dinner, where many recruits and their families shared their appreciation for the meaningful event. The evening concluded with a recognition of Assistance League volunteer Patty Waasted, who was presented with a gift in gratitude for her dedication and tireless efforts in helping bring the ceremony to life. For more information about the Assistance League of Orange, visit assistanceleague.org/orange. Supervisor Sarmiento supports bike trail improvements in North Orange Rest areas along the Santa Ana bike trail near Riverdale have been improved through a collaborative effort of Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, OC Parks, OC Public Works, Orange City Councilwoman Kathy Tavoularis and city staff. The trail runs through county land, as well as through sections of the City of Orange and special districts. The various entities work in partnership to maintain and make improvements to the trails. Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who represents portions of Orange and Tustin, worked with those agencies to identify areas for improvement and selected a location for a new rest stop. “I was very proud that we were able to secure funding to support this project,” said Sarmiento. “Our office greatly appreciated working with Councilmember Tavoularis to identify what improvements made the most sense and would best serve residents.” From left, Elk Lynda Einstein introduces scholarship recipients, Bryant Zarnte, Hannah Cho, Ashley Vicerate, Abigail Phan, Emily Elizabeth Pasillas, Henry Lloyd, Aarushi Ghildyal, Doanah Dinh and Tatyanna Reyes; not pictured, Gisselle Muniz. By Bill Neessen The Orange Elks celebrated National Youth Week with its annual Youth Appreciation Night, showcasing the many programs the Lodge has for our young people, and recognizing 48 students. The Orange High School ROTC presented the flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance, while Paloma Cortez sang the national anthem. Orange Mayor Dan Slater’s message to the parents was “thank you for supporting your kids,” and to the kids, “pursue your education and do your best.” Orange Police Chief Adam Jevec echoed the message, urging students to strive to do your best, do the right thing, be resilient and love your family. Miss City of Orange Kylie Seppala helped present the awards: Orange Elks Youth Award; First Responder Awards to Orange Police Explorers, Orange Fire Explorers and Orange County Fire Explorers; Orange High School ROTC awards; Hoop Shoot awards, GRIP Drug Awareness awards; Boy and Girl Scout awards; and Americanism Essay awards. Elks Scholarship Chairman Lynda Einstein introduced 10 high school seniors, each awarded a scholarship: Aarushi Ghildyal, Abigail Phan, Ashley Vicerate, Bryant Zarnte, Doanah Dinh, Emily Elizabeth Pasillas, Gisselle Muniz, Hannah Cho, Henry Lloyd and Tatyanna Reyes. The new rest area on the potion of the Santa Ana bike trail near Riverdale was a collaborative effort. Elks present Youth Appreciation Awards at annual program
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