Countdown with Keith Olbermann

My angel story has caught the attention of Keith Olbermann - it was mentioned in his "let's play oddball" section of his July 31 "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" show.

That is so cool!

And, more exciting news....my Angel stories are bringing in record hits at the office -- almost 10,000 hits in less than a week!! -- a record for us!

Of course, I've had a few phonecalls from people saying "how dare you write this" -- but I never said I believed or didn't believe it was an angel or Jesus on the Cross -- I simply reported what people out there were doing and saying.

Stay tuned for another story soon. I'm already working on story number three.

If you missed my last story, click here.

Angel gone but Jesus and Virgin Mary in palm tree

Wow. Just when I thought I had heard it all - something new comes along. The angel on the window is gone but guess what? It was replaced by an image of Jesus on a nearby tree.
I went to report on it tonight and there were so many people, it took forever to get out of there and back to the office. I had to drive through a couple of parking lots and then take the back roads all the way to Morton Avenue and return to the office the long way back.
Talk about a fun day! (I also worked on a couple of other stories - new superintendent for Alta Vista school district and a story about a patient from a developmental center who escaped and is still missing.)
To read the image story - click here.

Angels in the newsroom

Photo by Esther Avila

I had a most interesting day today - covering everything from visiting with Chinese children, followed by a police chase and shooting, an afternoon covering boat races and photographing children in the lake, and finishing the day by covering the sudden appearance of an angel in a window.
Oh yes, today was a fun news reporting day.
Can my job be any more interesting?
Did I mention that I absolutely love my work?
I do. I do. I do. I do. I do.

Angel appears on local window

Recommended 13

July 24, 2008 - 7:02PM

By ESTHER AVILA

THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

The appearance of what appears to be the image of an angel on a local business window has several Porterville residents flocking to the location in hopes of seeing the angel, with halo, that appears to be flying.
The image has been appearing after dark for several nights, said Debrah Dattoli, who captured it on video.
People have been gathering after dark at Carpet Plus Colortile, 1043 W. Olive Ave., to catch a glimpse of the angel.
To read the full story - click here.

I'm sorry - this story appears to be gone. However, I did write a couple of other stories on this topic.
See two stories below.

Angelic sighting attracting crowds to Porterville store
Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008 12:00 am

By ESTHER AVILA

(Recorder photo by Esther Avila)

Age didn't matter, and neither did religion, as more than 200 men, women and children gathered Friday evening in one accord — to see firsthand if an image of what appears to be an angel on the window of a local business was real.

"It's unexplainable," said Debra Dattoli, when she brought a video of the image to the Porterville Recorder on Thursday. "It has actually been there over a year now."

Once Dattoli reported the angelic image — which spans across two large storefront windows at Carpet Plus Colortile at 1043 W. Olive Ave. — large crowds flocked to the area.

Fathers lifted their young children and pointed to the image. Others brought their cameras and used their cell phones to call family, friends and loved ones — inviting them to come see for themselves — the angel that has been making appearances night after night. Most of the people arrived in large crowds, bringing their families and friends along. Most of the people talked excitedly but a couple of people stood silently, as if in awe, one with tears.

"It's amazing. We're Catholic — we do believe in Virgin Mary appearances but very seldom do we see an appearance of an angel. It's a blessing," said Sylvia Trevino of Porterville. "We're true believers. I have a feeling this will go national. This is huge. There's a reason why this is here."

Many in attendance expressed similar sentiments.

"It says in the Bible, Acts 2, that in the end days there will be signs and wonders," said Maria Hurtado, who said she attends a Porterville non-denominational church. "I was in a bad mood before coming but once I got here, it had a calming affect on me. This is a way of God saying ‘I'm coming.'"

Hurtado said people keep trying to figure out what is causing the image.

"Not me. I just accept it. In Proverbs 3, it says that we should not lean on our own understanding," Hurtado said. "They should just accept it and trust in God."

Brothers Adrian and Joe Soto arrived with their father and with friends. Though Adrian Soto said he was a bit skeptical, Joe Soto said he wanted to know why it suddenly appeared.

"I'm not sure what to think," Joe Soto, said. "This is something you don't see every day. I'm not sure how to react to it. I heard of it today so we all came over. It's funny how everybody's gathering to see it."

One woman, Angelina Briones, said she captured the image on video — opening and closing her eyes.

"We came last night and I caught it on film," she said as she showed several people her video. "They say in the Bible that there will be signs. This is a sign. I like it."

The stories continued, with resident after resident sharing their stories, photos and videos with those around them.

"It's beautiful. Our town needed a sign like this. It's exciting to see all the people. We needed this to keep the faith," said Aimee Navarro. "I read about it in the paper. You can't believe it till you see it so I came with my nephew, brother, cousins and friends. We don't see too many positive signs like this and we needed it after [Friday's] stabbing and shooting. People should come and see this."

Owners of the business, Ronald and Teri Johnson, said during a television interview that they believed the bright image was created by an odd reflection. But after rearranging racks and other store items, the reflection continued — night after night.

Teri Johnson said: "I think our angel is sent here from God and watches over us because we pray all the time for our business and our family."

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.

People seeing new image - Jesus on the cross

Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 12:00 am

By ESTHER AVILA

Recorder Photo by Esther Avila 

 An image of what appeared to look like an angel on the window of a local store is gone but a sea of people longing to catch a glimpse of the heavenly creature flocked to the site tonight hoping to see not only the angel but also something new — an image of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross on a nearby palm tree.

“I went looking for the angel and it was gone,” Robert Sanchez said today. “Then someone said Christ was there and I looked up and I saw him. Christ was on the cross, arms out, head down, his beard, his eyes — down to the last detail. You can see his ribs and his stance with his knees up and arms hanging to the side. I was thrilled. To have two sightings in the same place — it confirms that the image on the window was not fake.”

Sanchez said he saw the new image around 8:45 p.m. Monday and again at 2 a.m. today when he returned with his family.

Two Porterville police officers and the PPD traffic patrol supervisor monitored the activity tonight.

“We’re out here to make sure everyone is safe,” said traffic patrol supervisor Mark Acevedo. “Other than the traffic issues, there have been no problems.”

Crowds of people could be seen on both sides of Olive Avenue. Some people parked east of the highway and walked to the 1000 block of West Olive Avenue.

Most of the crowd could be seen taking photographs. Some claimed to see it, some didn’t. Television crews were interviewing people.

The Rev. Steve Benton, pastor from Hope Restoration Ministries in Poplar, placed a cross at the base of the palm tree.

Recorder Photo by Esther Avila

“My wife and I were here to share our faith with the people who are drawn to this image in the window,” Benton said. “I have been out here for two nights and never saw it myself but these people are looking for something to fill the vacuum in their lives. That is why I put up the cross, because it is an image that is really clear. People are looking for something. People are looking for hope.”

Porterville resident Trina Leon said her heart felt heavy when she saw the people.

“My heart just sank. People want to believe,” Leon said. “I said ‘People, this is not of God.’ It was an illusion. I call it mass hysteria. People want to have hope but that hope needs to lie in God. Instead of turning to a palm tree or a window, they need to look for God.”

The angel in the window turned out to be nothing more than reflections of light from the mini mart across the street. But people who have been gathering at the site are not convinced.

“People will see whatever they want to see. That’s imagination,” Adel Joudi, owner of Xpress Gas and Minit Mart, said. “The angel has been there since I opened the store two years ago. It was a light reflection. If I turn on the light, it is there. If the light is off, it is gone.”

Nearly 400 people arrived Monday night to see the angel, he said.

“I had to call the police,” Joudi said. “They couldn’t control the crowd. I had to shut my store down for two hours while they got all the cars out of here.”

Joudi said he was forced to turn off the lights directly under the overhang of his business to prove to the people that the angel was caused by a light reflection.

“But people wouldn’t believe it. They wouldn’t leave. They hung around the area until 1 a.m. to see if the angel would return,” Joudi said. “I just want them to go away. I want them to know that the angel will not return. I have a business. I just want people to respect my business.”

Across the street, the owners of Color Tile, Ron and Teri Johnson, also talked about the mass crowd.

“There were so many people [Monday] night. They were in the street, in the street median, in the parking lots, at the empty brick house across the street, in the empty field — they were everywhere. It was unbelievable,” Ron Johnson said. “It is wonderful and exciting and nice but I don’t think it is a miracle.”

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.

Mamma mia... dot dot dot

I went to see "Mamma mia" with the girls - it was so funny and we had a great time. I'm such a hopeless romantic and I like Meryl Streep. Growing up in the 70s - of course, Abba was all over the radio, but I don't remember particularly paying attention to any one song - you automatically sing with the radio - I mean, I did. I'm always singing - constantly, especially when I wash dishes, in the shower, and always in the car. But listening to the songs, in this musical, it brought it all back. Songs I had forgotten, came back to me. I had to resist the urge to start singing along in the theater.

Interestingly enough, the theater was filled with two age groups - mostly women in the younger teen to 20s and mature women but -- when it came to couples, they were all in their 60s.
I will go and buy the soundtrack - just for fun. They are all cute songs. I like all genres of music. Here's three songs that I really liked. They all had words that meant something to me. I can only imagine what it must be like to actually have someone of your very own. ohhh...mamma mia.

Mamma Mia

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My My, just how much I've missed you?
Yes, I've been broken-hearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I should not have let you go


Our last summer
I can still recall
Our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the (shore)
Laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain

We made our way along the (coast)
And we sat down in the grass by the (light houses)
I was so happy we had met
It was the age of no regret
Oh, yes
Those crazy years
That was the time of (living our dreams)
... We took our chance
Like we were dancing our last dance

I do I do I do I do I do
Oh, I've been dreaming through my lonely past
Now I've just made it
I found you at last
So come on
Now let's try it
I love you
Can't deny it
'Cause it's true
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

Oh, no hard feelings between you and me
If we can't make it
We just wait and see
So come on now, let's try it
I love you, can't deny it

'Cause it's true, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
Love me or leave me
Make your choice
but believe me I love you,
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do

I can't conceal it
Don't you see, can't you feel it?
Don't you too? I do, I do, I do, I do, I do
OH, mamma mia, indeed.

Story posted

My story is in. :)
Please go over to Jason's "Clarity of Night" sight to read it.
I'm entry No. 45 but they are alphabetized and I am the fifth one down.....
"Letting Go"

And don't forget to comment. Better yet, enter a story of your own. You have a day left.
I always enjoy entering the contests.

See you all at the finish line!

"Clarity of Night" short fiction contest

Jason Evans is running his ninth "Clarity of Night" short fiction contest. I'm so excited.
I always enjoy these and encourage all writers to enter the contest.
You can find all of the official rules here: "Running-Wind-Short-Fiction-Contest"
If you have not participated before, it's really quite simple.
Using a photograph (posted on his site) for inspiration, compose a short fiction (or poetry) piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. That's it. There are a few prizes just for fun, but really, all participants get so much out of it. Not only do people comment on the stories, but Jason will give you a little evaluation on your writing. (via email)

If you want to read any of my previous entries from other Jason Evans' contests, you can find them here:

"Two Lights" short fiction - I won second place - it was my debut online writing contest
http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2006/04/two-lights-short-fiction-contest_27.html
Read story here: http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2006/04/entry-6.html
"Endless Hour" short fiction - I won First Runner up, Readers' Choice award
http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2007/04/endless-hour-short-fiction-contest_25.html
see story here: http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2007/04/entry-31.html
"It is finished" short fiction - http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2006/06/entry-9.html
"Silent Grey" - http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com/2007/01/entry-38.html

Skunks, racoons, and UCSB

I've been at UCSB with Catherine for a two-day Freshman Orientation -- two days of workshops to help scholars and parents transition into college life. I loved it.

I learned so much. Catherine and I were separated into separate groups. Scholars went with peers and parents with parents. They kept us so busy too. I was in "class" from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. the first night.

Thursday night they scheduled a "parent social" but I'm not into those things, so I decided to skip it and I went to the beach and sat there for a long time -- watching the moon dance on the water, listening to the waves, and dreaming.

As I walked down the little pathway back to the dorms (only a couple hundred feet from the ocean) I was startled when out of the bushes came two skunks! Yikes! Right in front of me. I had seen several on campus - (probably saw about 15 of them) - but these came right out and were about five feet from me. I froze. I did not want to get sprayed by them. They stopped and looked at me and I swear, they smiled. I said, "hi little ones" and they kept walking. They were so cute.

AND...I kid you not. Right behind them were a couple of large raccoons. Those scared me. I didn't know if raccoons attacked or not. They walked away and as I looked to the side, one more skunk appeared and the five of them frolicked in the nearby grass - you would think they were the best of friends. I tried taking a photo with my blackberry phone but it was too dark to capture the image. Oh, I bought a new blackberry! 

Anyway, I continued on my way back to my room. I was so lucky. I got a room all to myself. When I signed up, I was told I would get a female parent to room with but when I checked in, I was given a single room so I had it all to myself. Once I went back to my room, I showered, and was going to read, but my eyes were tired (I had been up since 2:30 a.m.) so I turned off the light, opened my window (Mine faced the ocean) and fell asleep to the sound of water lapping, birds chirping, crickets and frogs, and occasional other strange noises.

Catherine skipped her teen social too. She and her roommate, who was from Sherman Oaks (her dad graduated from Redwood High School! Wow. Small world) were both tired, so they went to their room to rest. We had left home at 3:30 a.m. so she was exhausted too.

The program ended Friday evening. She's quite excited. She got her new schedule too.
I'm so proud of my little girl. She's a scholar now at one of the most prestigious teaching schools in the world.

Meet my Sweetpea!

I am in love! Isn't my puppy sweet and adorable? He's my new baby. I bought him today from Kimberly Caudillo at work. I took one look at that little face and I had to have him. So precious. Sweet - sweet - sweet. 

Escaping into a different world

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed reading. It's an escape for me. It's how I survived for so many years. I love to read.



With a three-day weekend on my hands, it was the perfect time to escape again. And I certainly did. I picked up a book Friday evening - this time "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and I just finished it earlier this morning. That's how I read. Once I start reading, I can't put books down....if I get into them and this one I certainly did. it truely was heartwrenching and mesmerizing - especially since I myself have a Down Syndrome little girl.

I'd much rather read than watch a movie. In fact, I'm always disappointed when I see a movie made from a book. The book is always so much better.

As to escaping..... I needed it. That's all I will say for now. Someday when I am ready, I will share more.

Red, White, Blue and spectacular - with the one I love

I've always been patriotic - ever since I can remember I wished I had been born on the Fourth of July.

I love the holiday. And year after year, I have watched the fireworks, always wishing there were someone special next to me to enjoy them with. I've always had my children, of course, but something always wasn't quite complete.

Until Friday.

I sat there, with my little Marisa, just the two of us as we often do. And suddenly, I realized, she's all I needed. My little precious first baby. She will always be with me and I love her so much.

We danced and ate pink cotton candy and drank diet Coke. I bought her glow sticks and watched her glow. My heart warmed when she got very excited with the flyover. "Did you see the jets, mom?" she asked again and again.

When the fireworks - and all of the patriotic music - started. we oohed and ahhhed together at the beautiful streams of gold and reds, blues, whites, and greens.

It was a night I will remember forever. It did not matter suddenly that my own Cinderella and Prince Charming story would never happen. Her's has. And I will be happy for that.

My other two daughters, age 16 and 18, were off celebrating with their own friends. But my Marisa - she's my faithful baby - always at my side.

I love them all, but my Marisa, I treasure her in a special way. I couldn't imagine celebrating without her.

George Washington University

Well, my baby (Jennifer) is back. I missed her so much.

She had gone to George Washington University in Washington D.C. -- only four blocks from the White House -- and loved it. It was so strange that she was not here. Last Wednesday evening she attended a Nationals Baseball game.

I think of last summer, it was so different. We flew all over the place and did so much. Now, all my girls are in school.

Jennifer wanted to be a pediatrician and was taking advantage of a summer intern program at GWU medical center - she won a full scholarship. I'm so proud of her. But now that she's back - she no longer wants to be a pediatrician. She wants to be a surgeon. She's a really bright (4.0 gpa) kid - I'm sure she will succeed in anything she wants to do.

Catherine is off to University California Santa Barbara - also on a full scholarship. Another bright kid (4.67 gpa - graduated 6 out of 300+ students in her class)

And my little Marisa, now 25, loves her music and art. She has her art on display at a local art gallery.

I'm very proud of my three "babies" -- but it also makes me realize they're all grown up now. They're making their dreams come true. I put mine on hold as I help others with their dreams...... but I'm longing for mine. Someday. Somehow. Someway.

Never let go of your dreams!

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 Sinatra

And 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.

Frank S - you gotta love him

Fly Me to the Moon

---

Fly me to the moon
And 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."

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

Odyssey: A paid trip to Maryland.

May 7, 2008 - 12:20AM

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

"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.

World Ag Expo and a Russian journalist

Rudy Giuliani at World Ag Expo 2007

Click 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.

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.

photo by Esther Avila from the 2007
Academic decathlon at Porterville College

By ESTHER AVILA
For the Porterville Recorder

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 New York Radio City Music Hall “Rockettes” kick before taking a simultaneous bow – evidence to the fun the team was enjoying with their win.

“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 Tulare County competed for two days in ten subjects: economics, mathematics, music, art, language and literature, science, prepared and impromptu speeches, and a written essay. In addition they were interviewed by a panel of judges.

The “Super Quiz” – with this year’s theme being the Civil War – was held at the COS gymnasium and opened to the public.

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 Tulare County in March at the state competition in Sacramento.

“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 Lindsay High School who scored 28,682 points.

“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.

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.."

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.

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.