Foothills Sentry December 2020

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(714) 334-1800 www.lacolinaliving.com INSURANCE INSURANCE LOCKSMITH ocksmith MOBILE RE-KEYS • LOCK-OUTS • DOORS Cell: (714) 394-2022 Office: (714) 544-3267 willis6@aol.com LCO 227 MOVERS HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVER LOCAL MOVING IS OUR SPECIALTY SAME DAY SERVICE • FREE ESTIMATES (800) 490-1150 www.anthonysmovingandstorage.com RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL CalStateLicPuc#189065 NoHiddenCharges • 7 DAYS AWEEK • FREEWARDROBE BOX USE • FURNITURE BLANKETWRAPPED • PACKING / BOXES AVAILABLE • STORAGE AVAILABLE • PIANO SPECIALISTS • LOCAL & NEIGHBORING STATES •TIME STARTS ATYOUR DOOR • FULLY LICENSED & INSURED HOUR MINIMUM ASKFORDETAILS PLUMBING 60daydrainguarantee • Clean,NeatandProfessional • LeakDetectionWater&Gas • DrainCamera Inspection&Location • PipeReLining/TrenchlessSewerRepair • HydroJetting • CopperandPexRepiping TanklessWaterHeaterSpecialist • WaterHeaters • SlabLeaks • Bonded • Insured • References Family owned and operated •18 years plumbing in OC Lifetime northTustin resident FREE ESTIMATES LicenseCa938498 714-541-4400 24 HOUR SERVICE • 2 YEAR GUARANTEE ONWORK It’s what we do REAL ESTATE The other day I was at a client’s house, and much like any other day, we stopped to take a look at her two backyard trees. The one tree was standing in the middle of the yard, looking scraggly, past its prime and somewhat weathered. Its crown was half-filled with tat- tered leaves, and its trunk looked like it had taken a beating with a bat, sparing not an inch. Squir- rels and other critters had found shelter in the tree, and the whole scene reminded me of the back- woods town of Dothan, Alabama. Old, well lived-in and simple. Even the ground, although bouncy and barren, looked like the back parking lot of Dothan’s Cookie’s Café, which, might I add, has the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. The second tree was back in the corner of the property. Its large canopy loomed over the fence, branches heavy from the weight of its bright green leaves. The trunk was scrubbed clean with LED lights wrapped around it. It was surrounded by a squishy, lush green lawn and a clean, concrete pathway wound itself around the tree to a hidden hot tub shaded by the large canopy. I was reminded of the cutting-edge, architect-rich city of Aarhus in Denmark where a series of complex structures are situated throughout the efficient, well-groomed city. I explained to my client, as I have hundreds of times before, how the sickly looking tree was actually the healthy tree, and the big beautiful tree was actually very sick. Bewildered, my client followed me closer to “Aarhus” as I point- ed out the decaying heartwood, the necrotic roots sitting in mois- ture, and the severed roots from the newly installed hot tub. Al- though the cambial layer was still active (hence the green leaves and full canopy), the center of the tree had already begun to rot due to the high moisture. Dothan, on the other hand, was actually the stronger of the two. The layered, scraggly trunk was just how the tree was weathered. The layers of bark provided pro- tection against the relentless sun- light in the middle of the yard, and due to the high winds whipping through the open yard, the base was girthy, sound and strong. I pointed out that the crown was not tattered at all. Rather, this tree had been preserving re- sources due to the inconsistencies in the weather. Keeping up with the times, technology and our modern world can be scary, and fear can be para- lyzing. As a human, I am flawed in that way. However, as I look at these trees and translate for them, teaching you and helping you un- derstand, I understand. Trees have a way of taking the complications out of life and keeping it simple. And some- times, that might be just what the doctor ordered. This drawing by Leyna Hoang will continue to competition at the district level. Leyna Hoang with her gold medal award and prizes. Portola Middle School artists showcase works The pandemic has required teachers to think creatively to teach and augment learning with out-of-the-box solutions. Rick Blake, Portola Middle School art teacher, created a virtual art show to showcase the works from 40 student artists participating in the annual Reflections National PTA Arts Program. Awards went to Paola Beru- men, Cloe Jaimes Chavez, Mo- nique Gutierrez, Leyna Hoang and Ashley Sanchez. Their art- works will go on to be judged in competition at the district level. Each year, school PTA’s en- courage student participation in the arts by holding contests for visual arts, music, film, photog- raphy, literature and dance. This year’s theme is “I Matter Be- cause…” Monique Gutierrez's artwork will also advance to district competition.