Foothills Sentry September 2021

Foothills Sentry Page 9 September 2021 Contact us today for more information: We are a full-service management company We maximize property financial performance We provide exceptional customer service We offer Professional Management Services for single and multiple family properties Orange business owner brings ethical chocolate to OC By Elena Levin In an industry riddled with exploitation, Made In Africa (MIA) is reclaiming ownership over chocolate manufacturing in Madagascar, with every step of the process completed in Africa. Tradeworks, a food importation company located in Orange, has partnered with MIA to make these chocolate products avail- able in the United States – includ- ing right here in Orange County. The chocolate industry in Afri- ca is largely controlled by Ameri- can and European manufacturers that buy the cocoa beans, and ship them overseas for process- ing. Africans produce 70% of the world’s cocoa, but less than 1% of the finished chocolate products consumers enjoy worldwide. Torben Aaskov, a Chapman University graduate and the head of Tradeworks, is a strong oppo- nent of this disparity, which led to his desire to partner with MIA. “I think what’s changed over the years is the focus on how un- fair this industry is, and how it’s dominated by very large players who are suppressing wages and are really just focused on prices,” Aaskov says. “I’m very passion- ate about trying to find projects where I know that the farmers are getting what they deserve.” MIA products are made entire- ly, from bean-to-bar, in Africa. The impact is immense. Africa is a poor continent. It makes up about 12% of the world population, but its international trade accounts for about 2%. “We hope to help this increase by tak- ing small steps and sending these premium chocolates to American consumers and beyond,” Aaskov explains. “Lifting Africans out of poverty, one step at a time, is not just good for them, but a higher standard of living in Africa is helpful for the entire world.” While this partnership just be- gan in 2020, MIAand Tradeworks have already made strides toward their main goals: the creation of jobs; allocating a part of profits to forest preservation; offsetting carbon emissions; and providing humanitarian aid. During 2020, Tradeworks’ sales of MIA choco- late bars in the U.S. created 10 full-time jobs at MIA, plus other jobs along the supply chain, pre- served 2.5 acres of forest, helped plant 20 trees, provided famine relief and helped combat CO- VID-19 with sanitation stations and masks. Two students in Madagascar, Vivian and Nadine, received scholarships that covered the cost of their education, meals and healthcare, allowing them to continue in to their senior year of high school. “We sell delicious chocolate that customers around the country love,” Aaskov smiles, “and we improve lives in the pro- cess; how nice is that?” Encouraged by its initial suc- cess, Tradeworks more than doubled its results within the first half of 2021. This means sales will generate 22 or more full-time jobs at MIA this year, as well as additional jobs in the supply chain. "The chocolates are available in local markets, and customers will be able to indulge, know- ing the world of good they have brought to Madagascar," Aas- kov says, “There’s a good feel- ing about eating a product when you know that people all the way along the supply chain have been taken care of.” MIA donated facemasks to local residents. The Tustin Democratic Club hosted an outdoor “get out the vote” event on Aug. 14. Members, from left, Ge- niece Higgins, Ronna Sarvas Welt- man, Leslie Cox, Jenny Golden and Yvonne Su, filled out postcards reminding Tustin citizens to vote. If you would like to connect with fellow Democrats in the area, see Tustin- DemocraticClub.org. Meetings are held via Zoom; the Tuesday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. meeting will focus on clarify - ing Critical Race Theory and a dis- cussion about Ethnic Studies courses in Tustin schools. New members and guests are always welcome. NTAC OKs lot size variance for synagogue The North Tustin Advisory Committee (NTAC) recommend- ed approval of a variance for the Chabad of Tustin, despite con- cerns that it is “too much building for the neighborhood.” Chabad of Tustin is seeking Orange County approvals to build a sanctuary, social hall, library and other rooms totaling 9,850 sq. ft. on a 31,680-sq.-ft. lot at 18802 East 17th Street. The synagogue is expected to seat 50 people. Described as a one-story struc- ture, it will stand 34.5 feet tall and will back up to homes on the northeast side. The North Tustin Specific Plan calls for minimum 40,000-sq.-ft.-lots for houses of worship. Hence, the need for a variance. NTAC reviews development slated for the area and checks their compatibility with the North Tustin Specific Plan when appli - cable. It passes its recommenda- tions on to the county planning commission, which ultimately approves or denies projects. During the public hearing, neighbors noted their discomfort with the building’s “overwhelm- ing presence,” allowance for on- street parking on 17th, setbacks and landscaping. Several Chabad members spoke in favor of the project, emphasizing its benefits to the community and noting that many congregants could walk there, thus alleviating the need for parking. Committee member Dessa Schroeder pointed out that the project did not meet North Tustin Specific Plan guidelines, didn’t have a residential look and is too large for the space. Mike Fioravanti agreed that the proposed building did not fit into the community due to its height (equal to 3.5 stories) and proxim- ity to homes. There was an initial motion to deny the variance, a subsequent motion asking that the size be re- duced by 20% and brought back to the committee, and then a final motion approving the variance, but asking the planning commis- sion to address the height, setback and other neighborhood concerns when it considered the project. The vote was 4-3, with Peter Schneider, Kirk Watilo, David Feldberg and Kendra Carney in favor and Mike Fioravanti, Pat Welch and Dessa Schroeder op- posed. Torben Aaskov The Orange Union High School classmates of 1951 are still getting together after 70 years. All that were able to meet had a great time at Polly’s Pies in Orange on July 15. Pictured left to right: Jerry Holden, Thelma Rushing Beltz, Glen Lukenbill, Kay Pettygrove Sickler, Elaine Davis Humphrey, Dan Martinez, Bruce Johnson, Darlene Stolhand Glenn, Kay Goodwin Munshower and Keith Radford. In 1951, when this senior class of 136 students graduated from what are now the beautiful older buildings of Chapman University, the population of Orange was just a little over 10,000 people. City holds navigation day at Mary’s Kitchen The City of Orange, along with county agencies and local non- profits, held a “Navigation Day” at Mary’s Kitchen to offer in-need individuals referrals to services. The Aug. 25 event, part of the county’s continuum of care pro- gram, connected with 140 people. Forty-five individuals accepted services and six were placed in shelters. Service providers that set up temporary locations in the cul de sac around Mary’s Kitchen in- cluded the City of Orange Police Department and its homeless out- reach team, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Social Services Agen- cy, CalOptima, Orange County North Service Planning Area (North SPA) Navigation Centers, and HomeAid. These providers provide shel- ter, health resources, domestic abuse and drug abuse resources, mental health services, food inse- curity relief, and job resources. Individuals apply for services at Mary's Kitchen. Dinner for the Dogs One of the favorite projects of the Orange Elks is the Orange Po - lice Department's Police Dog pro - gram. Begun in 2006, the project has raised over $56,000 to help the Orange Police Department purchase police dogs (seven, so far) and pay veterinary bills when the dog retires. Police Dog Chairmen were Amy Carr and Mike Duff. Carr and her volunteers served over 160 Mexican dinners and raised $3,000 for the canines. The three active dogs, all Ger- man shepherds, were present. K-9 Officer Shryock and Nash dem - onstrated how dogs can protect their handlers and apprehend the bad guys.