The Odyssey of the Mind team left today at 1 p.m.I should have been with them. I was invited.
But I couldn't leave the newspaper, they need me here. I had no choice but to decline. Sigh. East Coast - 10 days. If only.
Monday, May 26, 2008
and they're off........without me
The Odyssey of the Mind team left today at 1 p.m.I should have been with them. I was invited.
But I couldn't leave the newspaper, they need me here. I had no choice but to decline. Sigh. East Coast - 10 days. If only.
Stardust - Frank SinatraAnd now the purple dusk of twilight time
Steals across the meadows of my heart
High up in the sky the little stars climb
Always reminding me that we're apart
You wander down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust
Of yesterday
The music
Of the years gone by
Sometimes I wonder why I spend
The lonely nights
Dreaming of a song.
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you.
When our love was new, and each kiss an inspiration.
But that was long ago, and now my consolation
Is in the stardust of a song.
Beside the garden wall, when stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale tells his fairy tale
Of paradise where roses grew.
Though I dream in vain, in my heart you will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of loves refrain.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Frank S - you gotta love him
Fly Me to the Moon
Fly me to the moonAnd let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words hold my hand
In other words darling kiss me
Fill my life with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I hope for
All I worship and adore
In other words please be true
In other words I love you
Some of my favorite music to play in the car has always been my Frank Sinatra CDs - and lately I've been playing them a lot every day to and from work. Sometimes I tell myself to stop, but I can't.
Stardust - Fly me to the Moon
I've got you under my Skin
The way you look Tonight
Moonlight Serenade
Young at Heart
Such beautiful music and lyrics. Sigh. I was born in the wrong decade.
Fairytales can come true, it can happen to you
if you're young at heart...."
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart."
if you're young at heart...."
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart."
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
keeping busy
I'm taking a leave from blogging for a little while.... I'm working full time now (lots and lots of hours) for my hometown paper. I went in to talk to them on April 1 and they hired me on the spot - they asked if I could start that same day. I started April 2.
Here is just a sample of what I have been writing the past two weeks. I have written many more stories - two to three a day, and up to four on Saturdays.
[photo by John Tipton - The Porterville Recorder]
One story of particular interest is one I wrote (see red link at bottom of page) about six middle school students who made a prosthetic hand for a little boy who was born without hands. The story has gained international attention. Television news picked it up and now the students have been offered a trip to Washington D.C. -- see second story below. It's all very exciting.
Future engineers head East
Porterville Recorder, CA - 22 hours ago
BY ESTHER AVILA Six students from the Odyssey of the Mind team from Burton Middle School received what they called “the news of a lifetime” at Monday ..
[click on link to read full story]
“We will fly them to Washington DC where they will stay in the dorms at the University of Maryland. We have arranged for them to visit the Bethesda Naval Prosthetic Research Center, the National Cancer Center for Amputee research, and three days just to see Washington DC.”
'Celebrating our History'Porterville Recorder, CA - May 5, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo parade had everything a Mexican celebration ought to have — piñatas, red, white and green decorations, ...
Civil War era returnsPorterville Recorder, CA - May 3, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA An era in history long gone returned Friday afternoon when more than 100 students and staff, dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers, ...
Panther band serves up traditional eveningPorterville Recorder, CA - May 2, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA Once again the Porterville High School Panther Band, under the direction of Jim Kusserow, brought the house down during the 18th annual ...
Man continues battle with cancerPorterville Recorder, CA - May 1, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA With National [Cancer] Survivor’s Day only a few days away, Porterville’s resident David Gong, 38, said he can say that he has survived ...
Old tires see new life in LindsayPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 30, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Thanks to the City of Lindsay, and a new $100,000 grant, an additional 10000 California tires have been diverted out of landfills ...
Police not ready to release name of homicide victimPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 30, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Authorities have not released the name of an unidentified 24-year-old white male adult whose body was found early Tuesday morning ...
Campus sees musical summer eveningPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
photo caption: "This was great planning and a perfect way to end the day.” --Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.
Carnegie Hall to Lindsay stagePorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Richard Glazier, a world renowned musician who has performed at Carnegie Hall, will make a one-night-only appearance Saturday at ...
Making life easier for othersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Monday through Friday, rain or shine, Nellie England wakes up, dresses and heads to the Porterville Developmental Center to see her ...
Literacy fair ‘really cool’Porterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA There was more to the day than simple reading for the hundreds of children Saturday morning attending the 9th annual Margaret J. Slattery ...
Families, friends attend festival in drovesPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Plenty of sunshine and blue skies welcomed the approximate 25000 Porterville residents and visitors attending the 10th annual Porterville ...
Boy Scout to earn his wingsPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA A war memorial honoring local residents who died for their country is getting a much-needed facelift, thanks to an Eagle Scout candidate who ...
Bright futures ahead for Gates Millennium ScholarsPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Two Granite Hills High School seniors have been awarded one of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships — the Gates Millennium Scholarship ...
Taking time to smell the flowersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Walking through some of Porterville’s most beautiful gardens will be possible from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 3, during Porterville Garden ...
Banquet honors Longtime educators and volunteersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008By ESTHER AVILA “Every day thousands of people go to work, leaving their most precious possessions — their children — to the city’s educators,” said ...
Students give a helping handPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 23, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA
When it comes to having fun, 9-year-old Matthew Lane is just like any other third-grader at Burton Elementary School. He loves to ride his bicycle, hang out with friends and play video games.
But there are some obvious differences.
Matthew was born with only one leg and no hands. But thanks to six students from Burton Middle School, that has changed. The “Odyssey of the Mind” problem-solving team put their minds to work, came up with a plan for some engineering robotics and built Matthew prosthetic hands.
“I’m like a pirate,” said Matthew. “I only have one [foot] and no hands. I’ve seen a lot of doctors and they said ‘Maybe some people can make you hands.’ And these amazing kids found out a way to do it.”
Matthew said he used to write by holding a pencil, or eat by holding a utensil, between his wrist stumps.
“Now I’m practicing my writing. My hands get sweaty with the leather, but I don’t care. I hope to learn to write in cursive some day,” Matthew said. “I wondered if they could really make it and I was excited.”
The six students that made it possible were seventh-graders Nicolas Garcia, Coral Gardner, Darion Zamora, Matthew Jones and Zeng Cha, and eighth-grader, Satwant Malhi.
“Give them a problem and they will solve it. Our motto is, ‘Take any challenge and we can find a solution,’” said Hoss McNutt, the team’s advisor. “And that is what they did. We talked to him and interviewed him and we talked to his parents. They were excited to see Matt so happy.”
Matthew moved to Porterville from Pismo Beach shortly before Christmas. Teacher, Jeff Bochat, noticed the way Matthew continually held his hands together for various purposes.
“Very efficiently, I might add,” said Bochat. “I asked him if he ever got tired and he said sometimes the middle of his chest [muscles] hurt.”
That is when Bochat wondered if he might be able to help find a solution.
“The first person I thought of was Hoss McNutt. His wife works here as a teacher and I talked to her and she said I should call him.” said McNutt. “Matt’s such a wonderful kid, pretty intelligent and witty, and very outgoing. He never let the lack of hands and feet keep him down.”
Hoss presented the challenge to his “Odyssey of the Mind” team and they were anxious to start,
“We felt bad making him wait. We had hoped to give it to him earlier,” said Coral Gardner, the only girl on the team. “But we had just won [south/central valley national tournament] championships and we were getting ready for State.”
The team received help from a couple of men who were familiar with working with molds — Edwin Batch, an artist who deals with plaster casts, and Randy Krohmer, a Porterville resident who works for special effects for movies and the television industry.
After observing Matthew, a rubber urethane hand was formed for the students to work off of, said Krohmer.
“I gave the students suggestions on what they could do, basically leaving it up to the kids to use their imagination,” said Krohmer.
And that is exactly what the six students did. Molds were started in mid February. Then they used the mold to make and attach a leather sleeve to it.
“The kids learned a lot about engineering along the way,” said McNutt.
The students said they wondered if the device would work.
“I kept thinking, how will he feel when we finish,” said Zamora. “When we started the mold, he was really excited and started jumping up and down.”
The students made two attachments for Matthew’s hand — a pencil holding device and a hook.
All of the students participated in the project. Some mixed glue, others poured plaster, some cut the leather and Garcia hand sewed a herringbone stitch on the leather.
“It’s a special stitch and it had to be done right. The leather is a few centimeters thick. The hardest part was doing the side seams because it was hard to get to the right angle,” said Garcia. “I spent quite a few hours sewing. It was hard work.”
But all of their hard work paid off.
The first time Matthew strapped on the gloved device, the students surprised him with a special water-squirting device.
“He kept saying, ‘All I want to do is shoot a water gun.’ I thought, oh my gosh, we take that for granted,” said Jane Dignam, school secretary.
“He got the water gun and he was laughing and running and shooting us. We stood in a circle around him and he was so happy. He never had a trigger finger before. It is a miracle.”
The students said they are now working on a better model for Matthew. They have also been requested to make an attachment that opens and closes. The class will research and look for ideas on how to make the new contraption, while improving the original devices.
“We’re so happy with the result,” said Gardner. “But that was just the prototype. Now the real work begins.”
Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com
Here is just a sample of what I have been writing the past two weeks. I have written many more stories - two to three a day, and up to four on Saturdays.
[photo by John Tipton - The Porterville Recorder]One story of particular interest is one I wrote (see red link at bottom of page) about six middle school students who made a prosthetic hand for a little boy who was born without hands. The story has gained international attention. Television news picked it up and now the students have been offered a trip to Washington D.C. -- see second story below. It's all very exciting.
Future engineers head East
Odyssey: A paid trip to Maryland.
May 7, 2008 - 12:20AM
Future engineers head EastPorterville Recorder, CA - 22 hours ago
BY ESTHER AVILA Six students from the Odyssey of the Mind team from Burton Middle School received what they called “the news of a lifetime” at Monday ..
[click on link to read full story]
“We will fly them to Washington DC where they will stay in the dorms at the University of Maryland. We have arranged for them to visit the Bethesda Naval Prosthetic Research Center, the National Cancer Center for Amputee research, and three days just to see Washington DC.”
'Celebrating our History'Porterville Recorder, CA - May 5, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo parade had everything a Mexican celebration ought to have — piñatas, red, white and green decorations, ...
Civil War era returnsPorterville Recorder, CA - May 3, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA An era in history long gone returned Friday afternoon when more than 100 students and staff, dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers, ...
Panther band serves up traditional eveningPorterville Recorder, CA - May 2, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA Once again the Porterville High School Panther Band, under the direction of Jim Kusserow, brought the house down during the 18th annual ...
Man continues battle with cancerPorterville Recorder, CA - May 1, 2008
BY ESTHER AVILA With National [Cancer] Survivor’s Day only a few days away, Porterville’s resident David Gong, 38, said he can say that he has survived ...
Old tires see new life in LindsayPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 30, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Thanks to the City of Lindsay, and a new $100,000 grant, an additional 10000 California tires have been diverted out of landfills ...
Police not ready to release name of homicide victimPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 30, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Authorities have not released the name of an unidentified 24-year-old white male adult whose body was found early Tuesday morning ...
Campus sees musical summer eveningPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
photo caption: "This was great planning and a perfect way to end the day.” --Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.
Carnegie Hall to Lindsay stagePorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA LINDSAY — Richard Glazier, a world renowned musician who has performed at Carnegie Hall, will make a one-night-only appearance Saturday at ...
Making life easier for othersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 29, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Monday through Friday, rain or shine, Nellie England wakes up, dresses and heads to the Porterville Developmental Center to see her ...
Literacy fair ‘really cool’Porterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA There was more to the day than simple reading for the hundreds of children Saturday morning attending the 9th annual Margaret J. Slattery ...
Families, friends attend festival in drovesPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Plenty of sunshine and blue skies welcomed the approximate 25000 Porterville residents and visitors attending the 10th annual Porterville ...
Boy Scout to earn his wingsPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 28, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA A war memorial honoring local residents who died for their country is getting a much-needed facelift, thanks to an Eagle Scout candidate who ...
Bright futures ahead for Gates Millennium ScholarsPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Two Granite Hills High School seniors have been awarded one of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships — the Gates Millennium Scholarship ...
Taking time to smell the flowersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA Walking through some of Porterville’s most beautiful gardens will be possible from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 3, during Porterville Garden ...
Banquet honors Longtime educators and volunteersPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 24, 2008By ESTHER AVILA “Every day thousands of people go to work, leaving their most precious possessions — their children — to the city’s educators,” said ...
Students give a helping handPorterville Recorder, CA - Apr 23, 2008
By ESTHER AVILA
When it comes to having fun, 9-year-old Matthew Lane is just like any other third-grader at Burton Elementary School. He loves to ride his bicycle, hang out with friends and play video games.
But there are some obvious differences.
Matthew was born with only one leg and no hands. But thanks to six students from Burton Middle School, that has changed. The “Odyssey of the Mind” problem-solving team put their minds to work, came up with a plan for some engineering robotics and built Matthew prosthetic hands.
“I’m like a pirate,” said Matthew. “I only have one [foot] and no hands. I’ve seen a lot of doctors and they said ‘Maybe some people can make you hands.’ And these amazing kids found out a way to do it.”
Matthew said he used to write by holding a pencil, or eat by holding a utensil, between his wrist stumps.
“Now I’m practicing my writing. My hands get sweaty with the leather, but I don’t care. I hope to learn to write in cursive some day,” Matthew said. “I wondered if they could really make it and I was excited.”
The six students that made it possible were seventh-graders Nicolas Garcia, Coral Gardner, Darion Zamora, Matthew Jones and Zeng Cha, and eighth-grader, Satwant Malhi.
“Give them a problem and they will solve it. Our motto is, ‘Take any challenge and we can find a solution,’” said Hoss McNutt, the team’s advisor. “And that is what they did. We talked to him and interviewed him and we talked to his parents. They were excited to see Matt so happy.”
Matthew moved to Porterville from Pismo Beach shortly before Christmas. Teacher, Jeff Bochat, noticed the way Matthew continually held his hands together for various purposes.
“Very efficiently, I might add,” said Bochat. “I asked him if he ever got tired and he said sometimes the middle of his chest [muscles] hurt.”
That is when Bochat wondered if he might be able to help find a solution.
“The first person I thought of was Hoss McNutt. His wife works here as a teacher and I talked to her and she said I should call him.” said McNutt. “Matt’s such a wonderful kid, pretty intelligent and witty, and very outgoing. He never let the lack of hands and feet keep him down.”
Hoss presented the challenge to his “Odyssey of the Mind” team and they were anxious to start,
“We felt bad making him wait. We had hoped to give it to him earlier,” said Coral Gardner, the only girl on the team. “But we had just won [south/central valley national tournament] championships and we were getting ready for State.”
The team received help from a couple of men who were familiar with working with molds — Edwin Batch, an artist who deals with plaster casts, and Randy Krohmer, a Porterville resident who works for special effects for movies and the television industry.
After observing Matthew, a rubber urethane hand was formed for the students to work off of, said Krohmer.
“I gave the students suggestions on what they could do, basically leaving it up to the kids to use their imagination,” said Krohmer.
And that is exactly what the six students did. Molds were started in mid February. Then they used the mold to make and attach a leather sleeve to it.
“The kids learned a lot about engineering along the way,” said McNutt.
The students said they wondered if the device would work.
“I kept thinking, how will he feel when we finish,” said Zamora. “When we started the mold, he was really excited and started jumping up and down.”
The students made two attachments for Matthew’s hand — a pencil holding device and a hook.
All of the students participated in the project. Some mixed glue, others poured plaster, some cut the leather and Garcia hand sewed a herringbone stitch on the leather.
“It’s a special stitch and it had to be done right. The leather is a few centimeters thick. The hardest part was doing the side seams because it was hard to get to the right angle,” said Garcia. “I spent quite a few hours sewing. It was hard work.”
But all of their hard work paid off.
The first time Matthew strapped on the gloved device, the students surprised him with a special water-squirting device.
“He kept saying, ‘All I want to do is shoot a water gun.’ I thought, oh my gosh, we take that for granted,” said Jane Dignam, school secretary.
“He got the water gun and he was laughing and running and shooting us. We stood in a circle around him and he was so happy. He never had a trigger finger before. It is a miracle.”
The students said they are now working on a better model for Matthew. They have also been requested to make an attachment that opens and closes. The class will research and look for ideas on how to make the new contraption, while improving the original devices.
“We’re so happy with the result,” said Gardner. “But that was just the prototype. Now the real work begins.”
Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com
Friday, February 29, 2008
"Just do it Missy"
"Just do it, Missy!"
I've been trying to get back into my short story and novel writing lately but there is always something to keep me from really getting into it. I do write a little here and there, but not like before....not like the midnight writing nights when I couldn't wait till 11 p.m. so that I could tap away at my computer till 2 or 3 a.m.
I was telling my best friend about it recently and he said, "Just do it, Missy" and to inspire me -- and because I love writing the old-fashion way -- he gifted me with my second beautiful Mont Blanc writing instrument. I love it! So I'm back to writing! Yes! And I feel so excited. I really get into my characters and into my story line - to the point where I think I am really there - in that scene, in that town, in that era.
I will be covering California Music Educators Association -CMEA - music festival all next week. And - after filing my daily story, I will be working on my novel. Once next week is over, I will be writing even more.
"Just do it, Missy!" - Yes, I'm just going to do it.
I've been trying to get back into my short story and novel writing lately but there is always something to keep me from really getting into it. I do write a little here and there, but not like before....not like the midnight writing nights when I couldn't wait till 11 p.m. so that I could tap away at my computer till 2 or 3 a.m.I was telling my best friend about it recently and he said, "Just do it, Missy" and to inspire me -- and because I love writing the old-fashion way -- he gifted me with my second beautiful Mont Blanc writing instrument. I love it! So I'm back to writing! Yes! And I feel so excited. I really get into my characters and into my story line - to the point where I think I am really there - in that scene, in that town, in that era.
I will be covering California Music Educators Association -CMEA - music festival all next week. And - after filing my daily story, I will be working on my novel. Once next week is over, I will be writing even more.
"Just do it, Missy!" - Yes, I'm just going to do it.
Monday, February 11, 2008
World Ag Expo and a Russian journalist
Rudy Giuliani at World Ag Expo 2007Click here: For World Ag Expo Live Cam
I always enjoy covering the World Ag Expo. The event attracts thousands of people from all over the world and it is always a very exciting event to cover. Last year I got to meet and write about Rudy Giuliani, the year before it was Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The three-day event starts tomorrow but today was Media Day - a day set aside for the media (we join the World Ag Expo volunteers and exhibitors the day prior to the official opening) - for breakfast. We enjoyed a private, leisure, chauffeured tour of the show grounds.
Media Day is also the perfect opportunity to view the 2008 World Ag Expo before the crowds arrive on Tuesday.Highlighting the morning was the unveiling of the New Product Center and the Top Ten New Products, the opening of the new Dairy Technology Center and the recognition of the Top Five New Dairy Products. Following a breakfast, the media had an opportunity to talk to exhibitors.
But something else happened. Beside interviewing and story writing, I had the opportunity to meet a journalist from Russia who was looking for a freelance writer to write some ag stories for their magazine. How exciting!
Living in the Central San Joaquin Valley - I have covered the World Ag Expo for several years. And I have been writing about Tulare County's top 10 commodities for several years. I feel confident that I can write the stories we talked about.
It has been a very exciting day and I look forward to covering the World Ag Expo this week - I am writing two stories daily on it.
And, I especially look forward to hearing from the Russian journalist.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Academic Decathlon
I am always amazed at how much I enjoy this particular event. Teams compete in 10 subjects, present impromptu speeches and are interviewed by a panel of judges. What is a lot of fun to watch is what they call the "Super Quiz" - the students have seven seconds to answer a series of questions - this year on the topic of The Civil War.
The Awards Ceremony is fun to watch.
Congratulations Granite Hills High School, Team A - for winning the event and earning the honor of representing Tulare County at State.
The Awards Ceremony is fun to watch.
Congratulations Granite Hills High School, Team A - for winning the event and earning the honor of representing Tulare County at State.
photo by Esther Avila from the 2007
Academic decathlon at Porterville College
By ESTHER
For the
VISALIA — It was more about having fun than scoring big Saturday for Granite Hills High School as they captured the overall scoring trophy at the 2008 Tulare County Academic Decathlon at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. Before a packed theater, Granite Hill students laughed, cheered, and formed a line across the stage, kicking up their legs in a
“It never gets old,” said GHHS team coach Mark Harriger. “It is always fun and that is what drives all of us. The kids remember the fun of winning and they come after school – faithfully – to study. They like each other, plus they work hard.”
Harriger’s daughter, Karen, walked away with the top-scoring individual plaques in Language-Literature, Music, Science, and Art. Tracey Harriger captured the individual high-scoring plaque in economics and speech, while teammate Jennifer Spangler took home the Math plaque.
Watching from the audience and not a part of the team for the first time in years was Lorraine Harriger who graduated last year from GHHS.
“It was still excited for them, for all of them,” said Lorraine Harriger. “I was here to support them all. They worked so hard and I wanted to see it culminate.”
High School teams from throughout
The “Super Quiz” – with this year’s theme being the Civil War – was held at the
And for the first time in years, the California Academic Decathlon Foundation awarded scholarships. Two local students were nominated and both received the scholarships – Daniel Hensley and Ivan Portillo, both from GHHS.
By the end of the day, GHHS, Team A, had racked up 38,419 points – earning the privilege to represent
“If they can raise that score to about 40,000 points, they have a really good chance at State,” said Carmen Friesen, county coordinator of the event.
Awards at the State level will be awarded by members of the State Legislature. Maria Shriver, First Lady of California, will present the overall trophy.
Granite Hills High School, represented by two teams, also walked away with more than 45 bronze, silver, and gold medals, seven plaques, and four individual trophies, a team trophy, and the large –school trophy.
Walking away with more than 20 medals and the overall-small-school trophy was
“I’m always proud of my students. We have won [overall] Small-School [honors] for four out of the past five years,” said LHS academic coach Brett Pierrote.
Monache High, Porterville High, and Strathmore High all shined – winning more than 65 medals. In addition, Monache captured one individual trophy, Strathmore, two plaques, and Porterville High, two plaques.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I Love you baby and if it's quite alright......
I love you baby...and if it's quite alright, I need you baby.....Click here to see the scene on YouTube.
There is one scene from "Ten Things I Hate About You" that I don't mind seeing again and again... when the girls' soccer team is practicing on the field, and Patrick (Heath Ledger) is up in the stands, microphone in hand, and suddenly over the loudspeaker, you can hear him singing to Kat (Julia Stiles) - while the high school band accompanies him. I will drop everything I am doing and, being the hopeless romantic that I am, will watch blissfully. -I absolutely LOVE that scene!
Heath died today. Ironically, this song is associated with another really good friend I lost recently, making it a very, very sad day for me. It's been quite the day and more than I could take in one day. (sigh) Heath, why did you have to die? The pain must have been unbearable.
"You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, baby.
Let me love you.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay.."
There is one scene from "Ten Things I Hate About You" that I don't mind seeing again and again... when the girls' soccer team is practicing on the field, and Patrick (Heath Ledger) is up in the stands, microphone in hand, and suddenly over the loudspeaker, you can hear him singing to Kat (Julia Stiles) - while the high school band accompanies him. I will drop everything I am doing and, being the hopeless romantic that I am, will watch blissfully. -I absolutely LOVE that scene!
Heath died today. Ironically, this song is associated with another really good friend I lost recently, making it a very, very sad day for me. It's been quite the day and more than I could take in one day. (sigh) Heath, why did you have to die? The pain must have been unbearable.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, baby.
Let me love you.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay.."
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Reflecting on the past year
Happy New year everyone!
What a blessed year it has been.
I would have to say I put in more frequent flying miles this year than the past five years combined - I have spent much of the year traveling - from coast to coast, literally. I spent early months working with, or visiting children, all of July was spent away from home - from Hawaii to Texas for a couple of weeks to several other parts of the country - Chicago, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas. I spent Thanksgiving with family in Oregon, and Christmas to New Year's with family in Southern California.
This was a year of learning. My daughter has a weighted 4.6 GPA (she is a straight-A student and she carries six AP classes, therefore her gpa is higher than the usual 4.0) Anyway, she was accepted to UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz - and a variety of other universities. We spent most of November and part of December checking out schools, filling out scholarship applications, and writing/editing essays.
I did plenty of news-reporting & writing but very little novel-writing this past year. But I did start writing for a new publication - Tulare County Magazine. And I got an interview with a world-renowned chef from Philadelphia for an upcoming story in a national magazine.
In addition, I continued writing weekly articles for the Fresno Bee and frequent stories for the Porterville Recorder, in addition to a couple for the Visalia Times Delta and Tulare Advance Register newspapers.
January: For the fifth consecutive year, I offered a class "Journalism 101" to middle school students - that is always fun - talking to groups of students about writing. I love that. I also worked on a tab of farming stories - covering the top 10 commodities in Tulare County.
February: I continued working on the farming tab stories and also covered the 2007 World Ag Expo - where I got to meet and write about Rudy Giuliani . I also attended a very special concert that I shall never forget - Gustav Holsts' The Planets with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia. Awesome.
March: Continued covering local events and started working on stories for Tulare County Style Magazine - now called Tulare County magazine. I also covered the CMEA - California Music Educators Association - music festival. It was four days of band music - heaven!
April: Who can forget Opening Day of Oaks Baseball? Loved every minute of it. I also covered a tab of stories and photos for the Iris Festival.
May: I covered the Porterville Fair. That is always fun.
June: Took a break and enjoyed Hawaii with my children for 10 days before taking a 12-hr flight to Pennsylvania and W. Virginia to cover the tour of the Fabulous Studio Band.
July: Returned in time to travel to Texas by mid month for a couple of weeks. Enjoyed writing while I was there and toured George W. Bush' childhood home. I also entered the July contest for a national writing group and won "Best Short Story" for my story "Christmas 1942 - A Means to Mighty Ends." I had such fun writing it.
August: I turned down an all-expense paid trip to a luxury resort hotel to the Philippine Islands (two weeks room/board, airfare, etc) - poor timing. I had been gone almost all summer and needed time at home - girls returning to school. Instead, I spent a week on the shore of the East Coast, visiting several lighthouses, made tacos and drank and sipped on delicious imported teas and coffees. Also this month - I wrote a series of stories about the Porterville Historical Museum.
September: Covered the Tulare County Fair - 2 stories a day during the course of the fair - and worked on stories for the "Living Here" magazine tab. My story on Valley Fever came out in Tulare County Magazine. One very special highlight was to receive 49 long-stem white roses for my birthday from a secret admirer.
October: I wrote the "Women in Business" tab and covered the 2007 California Business Expo - where I got to meet and write about former President Fox of Mexico. I also did a little bit of traveling this month - east coast again, of course.
November: Worked on most of the stories for the Veterans Day tab in addition to covering the usual Veterans' Day events - The annual Veterans Day Old Timers' Tea and the Buck Shaffer Band-A-Rama. Again, a little travel, short but magical. And I spent an extended Thanksgiving holiday in Portland, Oregon with my girls.
December: I continued visiting schools with my daughter and basically took December off to work on scholarship applications and enjoy the holidays with family and loved ones in the Valley and Southern California.
What a blessed year it has been.
I would have to say I put in more frequent flying miles this year than the past five years combined - I have spent much of the year traveling - from coast to coast, literally. I spent early months working with, or visiting children, all of July was spent away from home - from Hawaii to Texas for a couple of weeks to several other parts of the country - Chicago, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas. I spent Thanksgiving with family in Oregon, and Christmas to New Year's with family in Southern California.
This was a year of learning. My daughter has a weighted 4.6 GPA (she is a straight-A student and she carries six AP classes, therefore her gpa is higher than the usual 4.0) Anyway, she was accepted to UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz - and a variety of other universities. We spent most of November and part of December checking out schools, filling out scholarship applications, and writing/editing essays.
I did plenty of news-reporting & writing but very little novel-writing this past year. But I did start writing for a new publication - Tulare County Magazine. And I got an interview with a world-renowned chef from Philadelphia for an upcoming story in a national magazine.
In addition, I continued writing weekly articles for the Fresno Bee and frequent stories for the Porterville Recorder, in addition to a couple for the Visalia Times Delta and Tulare Advance Register newspapers.
Reflections and Highlights of 2007:
January: For the fifth consecutive year, I offered a class "Journalism 101" to middle school students - that is always fun - talking to groups of students about writing. I love that. I also worked on a tab of farming stories - covering the top 10 commodities in Tulare County.
February: I continued working on the farming tab stories and also covered the 2007 World Ag Expo - where I got to meet and write about Rudy Giuliani . I also attended a very special concert that I shall never forget - Gustav Holsts' The Planets with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia. Awesome.
March: Continued covering local events and started working on stories for Tulare County Style Magazine - now called Tulare County magazine. I also covered the CMEA - California Music Educators Association - music festival. It was four days of band music - heaven!
April: Who can forget Opening Day of Oaks Baseball? Loved every minute of it. I also covered a tab of stories and photos for the Iris Festival.
May: I covered the Porterville Fair. That is always fun.
June: Took a break and enjoyed Hawaii with my children for 10 days before taking a 12-hr flight to Pennsylvania and W. Virginia to cover the tour of the Fabulous Studio Band.
July: Returned in time to travel to Texas by mid month for a couple of weeks. Enjoyed writing while I was there and toured George W. Bush' childhood home. I also entered the July contest for a national writing group and won "Best Short Story" for my story "Christmas 1942 - A Means to Mighty Ends." I had such fun writing it.
August: I turned down an all-expense paid trip to a luxury resort hotel to the Philippine Islands (two weeks room/board, airfare, etc) - poor timing. I had been gone almost all summer and needed time at home - girls returning to school. Instead, I spent a week on the shore of the East Coast, visiting several lighthouses, made tacos and drank and sipped on delicious imported teas and coffees. Also this month - I wrote a series of stories about the Porterville Historical Museum.
September: Covered the Tulare County Fair - 2 stories a day during the course of the fair - and worked on stories for the "Living Here" magazine tab. My story on Valley Fever came out in Tulare County Magazine. One very special highlight was to receive 49 long-stem white roses for my birthday from a secret admirer.
October: I wrote the "Women in Business" tab and covered the 2007 California Business Expo - where I got to meet and write about former President Fox of Mexico. I also did a little bit of traveling this month - east coast again, of course.
November: Worked on most of the stories for the Veterans Day tab in addition to covering the usual Veterans' Day events - The annual Veterans Day Old Timers' Tea and the Buck Shaffer Band-A-Rama. Again, a little travel, short but magical. And I spent an extended Thanksgiving holiday in Portland, Oregon with my girls.
December: I continued visiting schools with my daughter and basically took December off to work on scholarship applications and enjoy the holidays with family and loved ones in the Valley and Southern California.
Goals for 2008:
To continue writing and traveling and breaking into magazines. I would like to finally start writing for national magazines. My goal is to submit queries to national magazines and continue writing short stories for an upcoming anthology.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A very Merry and Blessed Christmas
Merry Christmas from my family to you!
Christmas 2007
Esther and girls: Catherine, Marisa, Jennifer (and Meeko)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"Momma, we're in a lockdown. I'm scared," said my daughter's text.
Today was the first day of finals at Redwood High School - so imagine the frustration of the teachers when they suddenly heard the "lockdown" bells.
"You've got to be kidding," my daughter's teacher said. "Not today."
Per protocol, the instructor logged on to his computer for further information and instructions from the front office and immediately read an email to the class:
"This is not a drill. This is a true lockdown. Three murder-suspect prisoners have escaped from the courthouse."
The courthouse is only a couple of hundred feet from the Vista campus of Redwood High. So he promptly locked the door, moved the students into the center of the room - away from the windows - and turned off the lights.
My younger daughter immediately text me.
Thank God for cell phones. (After Columbine, even though my children were young, I went and got them all cell phones. Now, almost every kid in school has one.)
"Mama, we're in a lockdown. I'm scared. Three prisoners escaped from the county jail. They are telling us that they murdered someone and they are considered dangerous. I'm scared but we're fine. We're safe for now."
I immediately text her back and assured her that I would be standing by and ready to go get her if need be but to keep communicating with me. I am only a few blocks from the school and I know better than to head to the school and get in the way of police officers. Still, I drove that direction and stayed a couple of blocks away.
The area was swamped with officers. I stayed away but did text my daughter until I heard the "all clear" announcement from her.
According to Visalia Police Sgt. Allyn Wightman (at a press conference) the escape occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. when [names removed] escaped after arriving to Tulare County Superior Courthouse in a van from Juvenile Hall. Guarded by unarmed probation officers, the three juveniles ran as they reached an entryway to the courthouse.
“They were handcuffed and shackled, but were able to slip out of the leg shackles as they ran,” Wightman said. “They went in a northerly direction and into a residential area in Green Acres — a housing area of that name.”
The three now face charges of escape, resisting and delaying officers in the performance of their duties, and possession of an article to aid a prisoner or inmate in making escape, said Wightman.
"We were so scared, mom," Jennifer said. "We were at the Vista campus and after we all moved to the other side of the room, we heard a shot go off. We all screamed. We heard the guys were hiding in the slough next to the school. That is so scary."
The Vista Campus is down the street from the courthouse - only a couple hundred feet - but according to the press release, the three juvenile murder suspects were captured less than two hours later in the Green Acres area - a woodsy home area northwest of the campus. The shot might have been a backfire from a vehicle because no shots were fired.
Press release info:
The Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and MAGNET — a multiple-agency drug task consisting of the VPD, TCSO, state parole, California Highway Patrol and investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and probation officers — all assisted in the search of the three teens.
Witnesses located the escapees in the 1700 block of West Main Street. Vista is in the 1400 block of West Main.
A perimeter was established and a yard-to-yard search began and shortly before 10 a.m. the three were located in the area of Fairway Street and Manor Drive.
“They scaled a fence when they were first located,” Wightman said, “and the yard they entered was full of police officers. So, they basically jumped a fence to waiting officers.”
Without further incident, the juveniles were taken into custody — still in their jail attire that consisted of grey sweatshirts, tan pants and green T-shirts.
“After they were located and arrested, they were sent back to Juvenile Hall and searched,” Wightman said, “and one of them, [name removed] was in possession of a handcuff key.”
The three were to appear in court this morning for a murder preliminary hearing. They are being charged as adults in connection to the Oct. 1, 2006 murder of Robert Trevino, 16, of Visalia.
Wightman said Trevino was killed on Northeast Fourth Street in Visalia.
The court hearing was postponed to Dec. 19.
"You've got to be kidding," my daughter's teacher said. "Not today."
Per protocol, the instructor logged on to his computer for further information and instructions from the front office and immediately read an email to the class:
"This is not a drill. This is a true lockdown. Three murder-suspect prisoners have escaped from the courthouse."
The courthouse is only a couple of hundred feet from the Vista campus of Redwood High. So he promptly locked the door, moved the students into the center of the room - away from the windows - and turned off the lights.
My younger daughter immediately text me.
Thank God for cell phones. (After Columbine, even though my children were young, I went and got them all cell phones. Now, almost every kid in school has one.)
"Mama, we're in a lockdown. I'm scared. Three prisoners escaped from the county jail. They are telling us that they murdered someone and they are considered dangerous. I'm scared but we're fine. We're safe for now."
I immediately text her back and assured her that I would be standing by and ready to go get her if need be but to keep communicating with me. I am only a few blocks from the school and I know better than to head to the school and get in the way of police officers. Still, I drove that direction and stayed a couple of blocks away.
The area was swamped with officers. I stayed away but did text my daughter until I heard the "all clear" announcement from her.
According to Visalia Police Sgt. Allyn Wightman (at a press conference) the escape occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. when [names removed] escaped after arriving to Tulare County Superior Courthouse in a van from Juvenile Hall. Guarded by unarmed probation officers, the three juveniles ran as they reached an entryway to the courthouse.
“They were handcuffed and shackled, but were able to slip out of the leg shackles as they ran,” Wightman said. “They went in a northerly direction and into a residential area in Green Acres — a housing area of that name.”
The three now face charges of escape, resisting and delaying officers in the performance of their duties, and possession of an article to aid a prisoner or inmate in making escape, said Wightman.
"We were so scared, mom," Jennifer said. "We were at the Vista campus and after we all moved to the other side of the room, we heard a shot go off. We all screamed. We heard the guys were hiding in the slough next to the school. That is so scary."
The Vista Campus is down the street from the courthouse - only a couple hundred feet - but according to the press release, the three juvenile murder suspects were captured less than two hours later in the Green Acres area - a woodsy home area northwest of the campus. The shot might have been a backfire from a vehicle because no shots were fired.
Press release info:
The Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and MAGNET — a multiple-agency drug task consisting of the VPD, TCSO, state parole, California Highway Patrol and investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and probation officers — all assisted in the search of the three teens.
Witnesses located the escapees in the 1700 block of West Main Street. Vista is in the 1400 block of West Main.
A perimeter was established and a yard-to-yard search began and shortly before 10 a.m. the three were located in the area of Fairway Street and Manor Drive.
“They scaled a fence when they were first located,” Wightman said, “and the yard they entered was full of police officers. So, they basically jumped a fence to waiting officers.”
Without further incident, the juveniles were taken into custody — still in their jail attire that consisted of grey sweatshirts, tan pants and green T-shirts.
“After they were located and arrested, they were sent back to Juvenile Hall and searched,” Wightman said, “and one of them, [name removed] was in possession of a handcuff key.”
The three were to appear in court this morning for a murder preliminary hearing. They are being charged as adults in connection to the Oct. 1, 2006 murder of Robert Trevino, 16, of Visalia.
Wightman said Trevino was killed on Northeast Fourth Street in Visalia.
The court hearing was postponed to Dec. 19.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
"Restless Dawn" Short Fiction Contest
Jason Evans announces his 7th
Clarity of Night contest. Using the photograph for inspiration, compose a short fiction piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. Complete rules at:
Clarity of Night
Clarity of Night contest. Using the photograph for inspiration, compose a short fiction piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. Complete rules at:
Clarity of Night
Saturday, November 03, 2007
September Phoenix Skies (excerpt)
Isabelle tried to focus on anything but her mother's screams. She stared out the window. The deafening thunder, piercing lightening and the rain of the mid September monsoon pulsating against the window panes, could not scare her tonight.
She tried to focus on the rapid raging water that seemed to appear out of nowhere. If she was scared, it wasn't because of the monsoon. As lightning hit, it gave her a glimpse of the barn in the distance. Her thoughts wandered to Pepita. She wished she was with her horse, comforting her.
It was a typical monsoon storm, one with winds strong enough to occasionally down the few power lines in town. A colossal cloud of dust had formed and lingered, shutting out the light of the sun for more than two hours – only to be replaced by raging rain, and flashfloods that raced across the desert floor.
It was a miracle Maria had been called earlier in the day – before the monsoon arrived. Isabella had gone into town to inform the midwife that her mom was not feeling well. Though she was not due to give birth for two weeks, Maria came to check on her and ended up staying.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by candles, reflecting fear in Isabelle's eyes. But the fear was not the result of the storm – nor was it created by the loud moans and occasional screams coming from the bedroom. Something else provoked it.
“I’m scared,” Isabelle whispered to Sonia.
“I’m scared,” Isabelle whispered to Sonia.
Her sister instinctively placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her away from the window.
“Mama will be fine.”
“But what if she has another girl?” the fear now evident. “Papa said he’ll leave.”
“Let him leave,” Sonia snapped.
At 17, she was tired of the man they called their father. She looked angry as she grabbed her younger sister by the shoulders.
“Mama will be fine.”
“But what if she has another girl?” the fear now evident. “Papa said he’ll leave.”
“Let him leave,” Sonia snapped.
At 17, she was tired of the man they called their father. She looked angry as she grabbed her younger sister by the shoulders.
Isabelle saw rage in her sister's eyes. She admired her and wished she could be more like her. Sonia was four years older and she had seen a lot of injustices in her short life. A baby brother Isabelle never knew died in infancy, sending their father into frequent drinking binges with destructive consequences to the family.
“Almost. Almost. Come on. Push a little more,” the self-proclaimed midwife looked worried as she encouraged their mother.
“No puedo; no puedo,” she started crying in Spanish. She had been in labor for what seemed like hours and it was obvious that the baby was in trouble. “I can’t do this.”
“You have to do it. Just a little bit more,” Maria raised her voice, scolding the woman before reassuring her. “I see the head now. Come on. You can do this.”
Isabelle gasped as she saw the bloody child pass from her mother. Living on a ranch in
“It’s a boy!” the midwife exclaimed as Sonia’s expression fell. It was not that she didn’t want a brother, she just didn’t want to give her father an excuse to stay.
“Sonia! Quick.! Help me,” the midwife said as they rushed away with the baby.
“Dios mio,” Isabelle heard her mother scream. “Where’s my baby? Where are you taking him?”
At that moment, Isabelle realized she never heard the baby cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks and grief filled her heart as she remembered the tiny baby who was rushed past her – a whitish-blue umbilical cord dangling from the pale limp body.
Powerful spasms hit her mother again causing additional shrieks. Shrieks that penetrated to the core of Isabelle’s heart.
“It’s ok, mama’” Isabelle said in a meek effort to comfort her mother. “You have to pass the placenta now.”
But a look at her mother’s face said otherwise.
“Maria!” Isabelle yelled for the older woman as her mother squeezed her hand. “Maria!”
The midwife rushed in, the first baby still in her arms. She had just wrapped the newborn in a blanket and she quickly handed him to Sonia.
A look of panic filled Maria as she saw a second head crowning between the mother’s legs.
"My God,” the midwife exclaimed. “Twins!"
“Maria!” Isabelle yelled for the older woman as her mother squeezed her hand. “Maria!”
The midwife rushed in, the first baby still in her arms. She had just wrapped the newborn in a blanket and she quickly handed him to Sonia.
A look of panic filled Maria as she saw a second head crowning between the mother’s legs.
"My God,” the midwife exclaimed. “Twins!"
The Tule Fog
It happens every year -- the California Tule Fog sneaks in - sometimes causing zero visibility. It is something that has scared me since I was a child. And every single year, there is at least one disastrous pileup on our Freeway 99. Usually I try to avoid traveling too early or too late - waiting for the fog to lift. There is nothing worse than driving along and suddenly hitting a white wall of nothing. I remember as a young nursing student - in 1978 - coming upon such an accident - and upon arriving at Tulare County Hospital, being assigned to care for a patient who had broken his back in the accident - and he turned out to be a 1976 classmate from my school.
Earlier today I was talking to my newspaper photographer John Tipton when he came upon this horrible pileup. So sad.
***** also*****
Micky Padilla of Porterville was driving with his family to a baptism in Fresno when he slammed into a Nissan Maxima.
"It was just bang, bang all around us," Padilla said. "I can't believe I still have my wife and my kids. Someone was looking out for us."
Earlier today I was talking to my newspaper photographer John Tipton when he came upon this horrible pileup. So sad.
***** also*****
Micky Padilla of Porterville was driving with his family to a baptism in Fresno when he slammed into a Nissan Maxima.
"It was just bang, bang all around us," Padilla said. "I can't believe I still have my wife and my kids. Someone was looking out for us."
Massive Pileup Closes California Highway
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Selma Band Review: Monache Sweeps Up Awards
Photos by Esther AvilaThey did it again!
For the 23rd time, the Monache Marauder Marching Band from Porterville, CA took home the grand sweepstakes at the 43rd annual Selma Marching Band Festival and Field Show Competition at Staley Stadium in Selma Saturday. Click here for full story.
Congratulations, Justin Adams, band director, Monache High School; Troy Rexell, band director, Granite Hills High School; and Donna Steigleder, band director, Burton Middle School, Porterville, CA. You've made our town proud!
AWARDS EARNED
Burton Middle School:Second- Percussion, middle schools
Third - Parade Band, division A, middle schools
Third - ID unit, middle schools
Third - Flag Team, middle schools
Granite Hills High School:Second - Majorettes
Third - Field Show Drum Major
Third - Parade Band, division D
Second - Field Show Performance, division B
Monache High School:Grand Sweepstakes
Half-Time Sweepstakes
Field Show - General Effect
Field Show- High Music
First - Majorettes
First - ID unit / shields
First - Band Parade, division A
First - Field Show Drum Major
Second - Field Show Attachments
Third - Parade Percussion
Third - Flag Team
Friday, October 26, 2007
The "Greatest Generation"
Story by Esther Avila
Contributed photo / Ivanhoe watchtower
The Fresno Bee / October 26, 2007
The Fresno Bee / October 26, 2007
Watchtowers sprang up all over
Stories of the 'Greatest Generation'
Tulare County members of the 'Greatest Generation' share memories of World War II era.
More than 100
The stories, part of a
"This whole program was conceived in 2003 when I needed to write a grant," said Judith Wood, county reference librarian and project director at an Oct. 14 celebration party for the people involved at the
The project, titled "Years of Valor, Years of Hope:
"The main question we wanted answered was how that time frame affected them and how it affected the way they are today," Wood said.
They recruited 20 people who were then trained to do the oral histories, she said. In addition, they found 100 people who lived in
"We started interviewing in 2003 and started editing the stories in 2005," Wood said. "We ended with five boxes of tapes and transcripts of 104 different interviews."
Among the stories is that of Strathmore resident Ted H. Iles who was 70 in October 2003 when he was interviewed by Kris Gray for the project.
When
"They were gone. They were essentially rounded up with their families and sent all over the country to relocation centers," said Iles during that interview. "Suddenly our friends were gone, and we couldn't understand it."
Iles also said he remembers the original flag salute, which included extending the arm towards the flag.
"This continued until the early days of the war -- until they decided that Hitler's salute and that of Mussolini in
Iles' stories are but a few of many that have been transcribed into hard copies. The original tapes, as well as transcriptions, can be reviewed at the Annie Mitchell History Room at the Visalia Library.
Five other libraries and museums are also recipients of the four-year project: the
"It is such a great contribution to our local history room," said Sandi Farnsworth with the Porterville Library. "We are losing the history so rapidly. This is great for future generations and a great way to honor our veterans."
Ellen Gorelick, executive director and chief curator of the
"We're losing people of that era. It is a wonderful project that Judith has gotten involved in," Gorelick said. "The project is a combination of a lot of people's hard work. It has been very successful, and we will all benefit from it."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
WORLD SERIES: Rockies pitchers Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez and my daughters
It is so exciting to watch baseball when your boys are playing - and I mean that literally. The great thing about minor league baseball is that you get to know the players before they disappear into the big leagues .Jeff Francis with my daughter Jennifer / May 2003
Jeff Francis with my daughter Catherine / August 2003
Sometimes, as in Jeff Francis' case, they are here only for a little while. Other times they stay for a couple of seasons before we have to say goodbye.But because I was an active member in the Visalia Oaks Booster Club since 1998 (six years as secretary and board member, wrote mission statement) we knew our boys very well.
In fact, several of them have eaten in our home. And Jeff Francis' family (Uncle) used to invite my children and I to their home in British Columbia. Now it is so exciting to see Jeff Francis pitching the first game of the World Series - needless to say I am cheering for the Colorado Rockies!
Jeff Francis is not the only one - we have several - FIVE - former players -- representing our Visalia Oaks in the World Series.
In the National League - left-hander Jeff Francis (2003) is starting - impressive - he only stayed in Single A one season and quickly moved up - making it to the majors for a cup of coffee his second season - eventually staying there for good. Now he's their No. 1 pitcher. He has been outstanding in his two post-season starts, boasting a 2-0 record and a 2.13 ERA. Jeff has had unbelievable control, striking out 12 and walking just 3 in 12.2 innings.
The Rockies second starter is also someone we know - Ubaldo Jimenez (2003-2004) - and he is just as impressive as Jeff Francis. He has a quick fastball and a 1.59 ERA. Ubaldo has plenty of "swings and misses" - striking out 11 in 11 1/2 innings.
Ryan Speier (2003) has yet to give up an earned run in the 2007 postseason. He has collected one save in two outings and has given up one hit and no walks in 2.1 innings pitched.
Rockies outfielders Ryan Spilborghs (2004) -- batting .300 through five of seven games, scoring three times, and has an on-base percentage upwards of .450
and Jeff Baker (2004) batting .667 (2 for 3) and has one RBI
sidenote: When the Rockies played the Diamondbacks in the playoffs - I got to see three more Oaks players there -- Justin Upton(2007 Oaks player - imagine going from Single A to the majors in the same year) Jeff Salazar (2003-2004 Oaks player) and Eric Byrnes (1998 Oaks
player)
Jeff offers advice on how to hold and throw a baseball correctly
Jeff Francis watches Jennifer pitch
Jeff Francis pitching to Jennifer
Jennifer at bat - Jeff Francis pitches to her
(all photos by Esther Avila)
Ubaldo Jimenez with Catherine and Jennifer, 2003
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Miss Porterville - Emmylou Dowling
story by Esther Avila/photo by Chieko HaraThe Porterville Recorder - Monday, Oct. 22, 2007
Dowling crowned queen
Homecoming: Queen carries double honor.
Emmylou Dowling earned double honors Saturday night when she was named Miss Congeniality by her peers and minutes later crowned Miss Porterville and the 2007-08 Veterans Homecoming Queen in front of a packed crowd at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theater inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium.Homecoming: Queen carries double honor.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” Dowling said as she wiped away tears of joy. “It has been a wonderful evening. All of the contestants deserve this crown. I am honored to become the homecoming queen.”
Also wiping away tears were Dowling’s parents, Robert and Patricia Dowling. Approximately 50 family members attended, including her three siblings, Bobby, Mario and Tiffany, Patricia Dowling said.
“She’s so excited. She deserves and earned this,” Robert Dowling said. “She’s always been involved in many clubs and many [extracurricular] high school activities — and has kept her No. 1 ranking for four hears of high school a GPA of 4.2. Ever since she was little, she’s been really outgoing and a little aggressive. If she wants something, she goes out and gets it.”
TheGranite Hills High School America
The girls were judged by a panel of five out-of-town judges on four areas, each worth 25 points: a 200-word essay, interviews with the judges, poise and the way they presented themselves, and talent.
In addition, the contestants were asked three questions on stage by returning master of ceremonies Jamie McGlasson.
When asked if she could spend an afternoon with one person from any time in history, who it would be, Dowling’s answer brought a hearty applause from the audience.
“My savior, Jesus Christ,” Dowling said. “I believe he was a real man who walked the earth — definitely who I would like to spend the afternoon with.”
Joining Dowling in her royal court are Sammie Jo Stone, senior princess; Crystal Ervin, first attendant; Sabrina Ziegler, second attendant; and Sarah Chandler, third attendant.
“The girls were all wonderful. They are the cream of the crop,” Monique Page, coordinator of the event, said. “They have been very supportive of each other. Any of them could have won the title.”
Also wiping away tears were Dowling’s parents, Robert and Patricia Dowling. Approximately 50 family members attended, including her three siblings, Bobby, Mario and Tiffany, Patricia Dowling said.
“She’s so excited. She deserves and earned this,” Robert Dowling said. “She’s always been involved in many clubs and many [extracurricular] high school activities — and has kept her No. 1 ranking for four hears of high school a GPA of 4.2. Ever since she was little, she’s been really outgoing and a little aggressive. If she wants something, she goes out and gets it.”
The
The girls were judged by a panel of five out-of-town judges on four areas, each worth 25 points: a 200-word essay, interviews with the judges, poise and the way they presented themselves, and talent.
In addition, the contestants were asked three questions on stage by returning master of ceremonies Jamie McGlasson.
When asked if she could spend an afternoon with one person from any time in history, who it would be, Dowling’s answer brought a hearty applause from the audience.
“My savior, Jesus Christ,” Dowling said. “I believe he was a real man who walked the earth — definitely who I would like to spend the afternoon with.”
Joining Dowling in her royal court are Sammie Jo Stone, senior princess; Crystal Ervin, first attendant; Sabrina Ziegler, second attendant; and Sarah Chandler, third attendant.
“The girls were all wonderful. They are the cream of the crop,” Monique Page, coordinator of the event, said. “They have been very supportive of each other. Any of them could have won the title.”
Former queen Katie Lopez spoke on her experience as Miss Porterville and offered words of advice to any young girl who may have her sight on the crown -- encouraging them to believe and to enter the pageant if they have the slightest spark of interest.
“This has been the most wonderful year,” Lopez said before the program started. “For me it was life-changing and something I wanted so much. It has given me such a positive outlook on life. It was unexpected and it happened. That is how it is: When you least expect it, it shines on you. It’s a little sad that it is ending but I also know that it is something that will never go away, this feeling that I accomplished something I wanted so much, and that I was Miss Porterville and the Veterans Homecoming Queen. That will always stay with me.”
The evening began with a welcome by Don Dowling, general chairman of the Veterans Homecoming Committee, posting of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance by Ruben Bonilla, commander of American Legion Post 20 and Tom Jacobs, commander of VFW Post 2001. The National Anthem was performed by five brass members from theMonache High School
In addition, a spirit dance performed by all of the contestants was choreographed by Pam Sheldon of Deenie’s Dance Studio, as well as two presentations by Deenie’s dance performers.
A touching patriotic slide show — including photographs ofWashington , D.C. Arlington National Cemetery U.S. Middle East — had several people in the audience wiping tears as solemn patriotic music filled the auditorium.
The 62nd annual Veterans Homecoming Queen, Miss Porterville Pageant was sponsored by American Legion Post 20; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2001. Emmylou Dowling and her court will preside over the Veterans Day activities on Nov. 11 — the Veterans Memorial Service, Veterans Day Parade and the Veterans Day Band-A-Rama.
“This has been the most wonderful year,” Lopez said before the program started. “For me it was life-changing and something I wanted so much. It has given me such a positive outlook on life. It was unexpected and it happened. That is how it is: When you least expect it, it shines on you. It’s a little sad that it is ending but I also know that it is something that will never go away, this feeling that I accomplished something I wanted so much, and that I was Miss Porterville and the Veterans Homecoming Queen. That will always stay with me.”
The evening began with a welcome by Don Dowling, general chairman of the Veterans Homecoming Committee, posting of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance by Ruben Bonilla, commander of American Legion Post 20 and Tom Jacobs, commander of VFW Post 2001. The National Anthem was performed by five brass members from the
In addition, a spirit dance performed by all of the contestants was choreographed by Pam Sheldon of Deenie’s Dance Studio, as well as two presentations by Deenie’s dance performers.
A touching patriotic slide show — including photographs of
The 62nd annual Veterans Homecoming Queen, Miss Porterville Pageant was sponsored by American Legion Post 20; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2001. Emmylou Dowling and her court will preside over the Veterans Day activities on Nov. 11 — the Veterans Memorial Service, Veterans Day Parade and the Veterans Day Band-A-Rama.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Moon River
Moon River -- I can't play the song without crying - I don't know why. I love this song. It is so beautiful. And as of recently, I have been playing it daily - along with hundreds of other favorites.
I got a new phonograph player for my birthday! I love this thing. I have a couple of record players, part of complete stereo systems, but they were so bulky and took up so much space, I finally stored them. But this little baby, is all inclusive - and looks great.
I am having the time of my life playing all my music. The very first LP I played was Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.
I am currently playing Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons as I write. Life is good.
Yes, I kept most of my LPs and have hundreds of them - everything from classical and opera to jazz, Broadway and big band, and from oldies to rock. My kids laugh every time I play Donny Osmond LPs - my favorite in the early 70s.
Here are just a few of the classical and big band albums in my collection. I also have hundreds of 45-rpm records.
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me."
I got a new phonograph player for my birthday! I love this thing. I have a couple of record players, part of complete stereo systems, but they were so bulky and took up so much space, I finally stored them. But this little baby, is all inclusive - and looks great.I am having the time of my life playing all my music. The very first LP I played was Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.
I am currently playing Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons as I write. Life is good.
Here are just a few of the classical and big band albums in my collection. I also have hundreds of 45-rpm records.
"Moon River"
music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer
"Moon River, wider than a mile,I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me."
September Skies
September -- my favorite time of the year - weather starts changing, school starts, and its my birthday! And though I'm not big on birthdays, I do love the day.
So far my birthday weekend has been full of surprises - from a group of first-graders serenading me with songs, to white roses - my favorite - and 40-plus of them! Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? I love them! They look beautiful and they smell great.
Yes, I'll be 50 in a few years. But I love it. I don't feel my age - I'm always writing, working, attending sports, bands, concerts or club events - or doing something fun with my family, that I don't have time to feel older. But, if I could have the perfect birthday weekend, it would include writing! There is nothing I would like more than to have an entire weekend to write. Not newspaper or magazine articles, I write plenty of those all the time - in fact, I am still working on an entire series for the Women in Business local newspaper-magazine tab. Today my "Living Here" tab published - a series of stories about Porterville and the surrounding communities.
I love my work, but I want to get back to my short stories and novel. Two years ago I participated in Nanowrimo for the first time, and I loved it. It really kicked off my 1930's era novel.
November is National Novel Writing Month. Even though it is it still a month away, I can't help but get excited over it. I'm not sure if I will participate - a lot of it depends on what family activities are happening that month.
So far my birthday weekend has been full of surprises - from a group of first-graders serenading me with songs, to white roses - my favorite - and 40-plus of them! Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? I love them! They look beautiful and they smell great.Yes, I'll be 50 in a few years. But I love it. I don't feel my age - I'm always writing, working, attending sports, bands, concerts or club events - or doing something fun with my family, that I don't have time to feel older. But, if I could have the perfect birthday weekend, it would include writing! There is nothing I would like more than to have an entire weekend to write. Not newspaper or magazine articles, I write plenty of those all the time - in fact, I am still working on an entire series for the Women in Business local newspaper-magazine tab. Today my "Living Here" tab published - a series of stories about Porterville and the surrounding communities.
I love my work, but I want to get back to my short stories and novel. Two years ago I participated in Nanowrimo for the first time, and I loved it. It really kicked off my 1930's era novel.
November is National Novel Writing Month. Even though it is it still a month away, I can't help but get excited over it. I'm not sure if I will participate - a lot of it depends on what family activities are happening that month.
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