Foothills Sentry Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2025 SCE: AI or MIA? You haven’t lived and died till you’ve met Edison’s telephone assistant “Emily,” who does her absolute friendly best introducing you to other AI robots working for the utility, a word meaning, ironically, “the quality or condition of being useful.” Answer too generally or accidentally press the wrong button and Em will break your heart, forcing you to hang up and dial all over again, just to choose (again) from precategorized “options,” perhaps but not always including opportunities to engage with other machine siblings or, wait long enough, perhaps a real person. Helpful, if subversive hint: Leave a message at the SCE claims number, which sly Emily doesn’t offer, (800) 251-3311. Or search online if you enjoy this message: “Page Not Found.” Traffi c survey The Aug. 5 Inter-Canyon League (ICL) meeting included a presentation by Public Works consulting firm MBI Media soliciting input on road safety for unincorporated OC. Ten attended inperson, 20 on Zoom, with a third canyon on-site meeting TBA. The project concludes spring 2026. Comment online: OCLRSP.com. Little beyond signs, lower speed limit, or rumble strips on Silverado Canyon has been offered. Only ghostly signs remain of doomed rumble stripping on Modjeska Grade. Missing is Linda May’s visionary proposal for a Greenspace Corridor, a throughway for both drivers and mountain lions as in national parks or other wildlands. Saddleback Meadows only frustrates any plan. Connecting the dots What’s up with our legislative representatives? Glad you asked! Assemblymember Sanchez’s latest newsletter addresses “Back to School Safety,” absent safety concerns for children and families kidnapped by DHS. Her attack on a respected rights group — the Committee for Humane Immigration Rights (CHIRLA) — went nowhere. “I’m formally requesting the Legislature audit the extent by which LA’s riots are being bankrolled by a taxpayer subsidized nonprofit,” she wrote. “There is zero excuse for our tax dollars to go towards these riots.” Senator Choi, a so-called fiscal conservative, opposes Assembly Bill 84, aiming to increase accountability and financial oversight for — wait for it! — charter schools. And, despite the unparalleled quality, integrity and transparency of Registrar of Voters (OC VOTE), the Senator, echoing GOP boilerplate, supports SB 408: “…a direct response to growing public concern about sloppy and inaccurate voter rolls [to] restore public confidence in our elections.” Concern? Read: Trump’s mid-term gerrymandering, targeting of California and other red states, claiming (falsely) duplicate, outdated registration and noncitizens or undocumented voters. Choi cuts and pastes the Election Integrity Project California which sued against (!) vote-bymail courtesy lawyers at the Christian conservative Advocates for Faith and Freedom. Representative Kim? Still no mention of her Zoom un-meeting with canyonites. And no position on the specious House Judiciary Committee CHIRLA “investigation,” inspiration for Sanchez. Kim likely feels more secure with Newsom’s proposed redrawing of CD 40. Perhaps that’s why her latest newsletter email was blank? “Hypocrisy, is the key” wrote poet Allen Ginsberg, “to self-fulfilling prophecy.” “Reach for the book … it is a weapon.” Branch Manager Laura Blasingham’s report on this summer’s Library of the Canyon Reading Program: 122 kids and teens completed 20 days of reading. 1,016 people attended 41 programs. And 53 adults read a total of 98 books! Funded by Friends of the Library, prizes were awarded to stand-out readers and participants, many visiting from the flatlands. Friend of civic literacy and enemy of invasive species, canyon oaks protector Mike Boeck distributed anti-GSOB T-shirts. Rumors of a recently formed Enemies of the Library group are unconfirmed. Feel free to spread them toward joyfully reminding others of the assault on public libraries and provocatively promoting September activities including a beginner’s cross-stitch class, a how-to on building a seed tray, and the Mocktail Hour Cookbook Group. September book club: Susan Meissner’s novel "A Fall of Marigolds," stories of two women experiencing loss in different eras—Clara during the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire; Taryn during 9/11 attacks. “Our Canyon, Their Home: A Wildlife Awareness Evening” Hosted by the Canyon Wildlife Initiative (CWI), this special September 18, 6-7:30 p.m. program title says it all. CWI, in partnership with Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center and ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, promotes “learning how we can better coexist with the wildlife that call the canyon home.” The group promises to “explore how poisons impact the entire food chain, how our daily choices affect local predators like coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions, and how community-reported wildlife activity near roads can help build the case for protective solutions — including wildlife crossings and safe-passage infrastructure.” See road safety and Saddleback Meadows, above. $5 via Eventbrite. Final concert The final Silverado Summer Concert Series at the Community Center ends Sept. 20 with a reliably eclectic double bill, the hilariously named Jewish Priest (playing “rock hitz”) and Atomic Jones, a Tom Jones tribute show. Jonathan St. Clair, Jasper’s father, left, receives the donation from Elks Exalter Ruler Kelley Martinez. Orange Elks support the Jasper Ray Foundation Refurbished Killefer School opens for quantum research Jasper did not reach his second birthday because of a 100 percent preventable tragedy. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children 1-4 years old. More children in this age group die by drowning than by traffic accidents. The Orange Elks Lodge made a $1,500 donation to the Jasper Ray Foundation, which will be utilized for swim lessons at the summer swim camp at Youth Center of Orange. To read Jasper’s story and learn more about the Foundation, see jasperray.org. Back to school crafts at VP Library The Villa Park Library presents three programs in September for students as they return to school. All programs will feature a craft and, afterwards, an opportunity to learn about resources the library offers to support students and families. On Wed., Sept. 10 at 3 p.m., children ages 5 and up are invited to a Back to School photo frame craft. On Sat., Sept. 20 at 2 p.m., students of all ages are invited to make backpack charms. On Thurs., Sept. 25 at 3 p.m., teens are invited to design their own pencil pouch. Materials will be provided by the library. The schoolhouse exterior before and after. Armen Gulian, senior research scientist and director of the Advanced Physics Lab, explains how the equipment will aid in the search for semiconductor material that can function at room temperature. "Its the holy grail," he says. From left, Bibek Bhandari, post doctoral researcher; John Howell, professor of physics; President Elect Matt Parlow; and President Daniele Struppa celebrate the dedication of the new research institute. Killefer’s original chalkboards were reinstated in the new research facility. Celebrating 1 Year of Impact The mission of Daily Network Insights is to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs one tip at a time. (714) 576-6128 | dailynetworkinsights@gmail.com www.dailynetworkinsights.com As we mark our first anniversary, we reflect on an incredible journey of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Over the past year, we’ve seen lives transformed, ideas brought to life, and communities strengthened through meaningful discussions and collaboration. This milestone isn’t just about looking back, it’s about looking forward. Together, we will continue to inspire, educate, and create opportunities that shape a brighter future for entrepreneurs everywhere. Photos by Tony Richards
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy