Each week during winter term, the LaVerne Krause Art Gallery in Lawrence Hall displays the artwork of three undergraduate students. Art majors Torin Stephens, Daniel Waroff and Shannon Sullivan are featured this week.
Student artists who want to be featured must complete a rigorous application process, and all artists featured in a given exhibit must display complementary work.
“Dan and Torin applied together and I applied on my own,” Sullivan said. While their pieces collaborate well, each student has an individual style.
Stephens, 24, enjoys painting with acrylic on canvas, although his other mediums of choice include ink and spray paint.
“I’m just a fast, dirty, angry painter,” Stephens said. He likes to use a “combination of human figures with contrasting abstract landscapes … using bold, loud colors.”
Stephens’ paintings require anywhere from 15 to 30 hours of preparation and actual painting time, but he said he does very little preliminary sketching.
A Portland native, Stephens has attended the University since 2005. He is a photography major and has been “seriously involved in photography since the age of 16.” However, painting has become his passion in the past two-and-a-half years.
While some of Waroff’s and Sullivan’s pieces were created in classes, Stephens’ pieces were not.
Stephens has also studied glassblowing, printmaking and drawing, and in 2004, he did a three-and-a-half-month photography internship documenting the efforts of Buddhist monks involved in environmentalism in Thailand.
Stephens hopes to graduate in the spring, after which he plans to return to Portland and continue his art.
“Hopefully people like it and will decide they should give me more than coffee change to own it for themselves,” he said. “I also intend on going back to graduate school for art in a couple of years after taking a breather from academia.”
Waroff, 25, prefers to use oil paint on canvas. A dedicated painter since the age of 14, Waroff said he would like to continue his work as an artist and perhaps become a teacher someday.
In his display, Waroff focuses on figures that “capture the psychological frustration … (through) environments that are not literal but internal and psychological.” Though Stephens uses bold backgrounds in his paintings, Waroff is “not a fan of backgrounds” and feels there is no need for them.
Also displaying her work at the gallery is Sullivan, 21, who does not yet have a specialty but wants to explore her options as an artist. She used a variety of mediums for her pieces, including acrylic on canvas, oil on silk and charcoal on canvas.
Excited about her first exhibition, Sullivan said she would “love to continue to develop her art and hopefully not get stuck in the place where (she is) now.”
Sullivan would also like to concentrate on figure drawing. Sullivan said she began painting at a very young age but only became serious at 17 years old.
“I first remember wanting to be an artist professionally when I saw Alan Lee’s watercolor illustrations of the Lord of the Rings,” she said. “However, I liked to draw well before then.”
Sullivan has also experimented with Chinese brush paint, raku pottery, batik and watercolor. These days, she regularly experiments with oils, which she began using upon her arrival at the University.
“I decided to become an art major despite my misgivings of it being a wise decision in terms of career choice,” she said, referring to possible financial instability. “As I’ve progressed within the program, I’ve tried to devote more and more of my time to painting.”
Sullivan plans to apply for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in painting, as she aspires to be an artist. She looks forward to future exhibitions and would like to do “a series of figure drawings. Bodies in motion especially interest me.”
The exhibit will be on display through Friday.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Happiness workshop will focus on staying positive in the winter
The Mills International Center will conclude its “It’s Always Sunny in the Mills Center” event with a public presentation and workshop on happiness.
Vania Situmeang, Mills International Center co-program manager, said the event “is designed to create a sense of happiness and lighten the moods of students and faculty.”
The University Counseling & Testing Center will host the “How Happy Are You?” workshop on Monday in the EMU Mills International Center. Carla Davey, a psychology intern at the Counseling & Testing Center, is coordinating the presentation.
“The workshop is on positive psychology, and positive psychology is focused on increasing positive emotions and recognizing people’s strengths,” Davey said. “A lot of time during the winter it can be hard to get in touch with some of those positive emotions and do actions that make people feel good.”
Situmeang said Davey would discuss three major points: the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the present and hope for the future.
“The presentation will be informational at the beginning, about positive psychology, to fill people in on the situations,” Davey said. “Then there will be a discussion on what people are doing to create this positive energy and emotion, if at all.”
After that, there will be an activity session, including a questionnaire and small-group work designed to create positive ways to increase happiness in daily life. Situmeang said the workshop would measure people’s happiness.
Other “It’s Always Sunny in the Mills Center” events included a Hawaiian game night, a feature presentation of Wall-E, and a “funny corner” with bright colors and Hawaiian and beach theme decorations designed for people with seasonal affective disorder.
Vania Situmeang, Mills International Center co-program manager, said the event “is designed to create a sense of happiness and lighten the moods of students and faculty.”
The University Counseling & Testing Center will host the “How Happy Are You?” workshop on Monday in the EMU Mills International Center. Carla Davey, a psychology intern at the Counseling & Testing Center, is coordinating the presentation.
“The workshop is on positive psychology, and positive psychology is focused on increasing positive emotions and recognizing people’s strengths,” Davey said. “A lot of time during the winter it can be hard to get in touch with some of those positive emotions and do actions that make people feel good.”
Situmeang said Davey would discuss three major points: the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the present and hope for the future.
“The presentation will be informational at the beginning, about positive psychology, to fill people in on the situations,” Davey said. “Then there will be a discussion on what people are doing to create this positive energy and emotion, if at all.”
After that, there will be an activity session, including a questionnaire and small-group work designed to create positive ways to increase happiness in daily life. Situmeang said the workshop would measure people’s happiness.
Other “It’s Always Sunny in the Mills Center” events included a Hawaiian game night, a feature presentation of Wall-E, and a “funny corner” with bright colors and Hawaiian and beach theme decorations designed for people with seasonal affective disorder.
Hundreds rally, march to support LGBTQA
Published: Thursday, February 4, 2010
University students and Eugene residents gathered Wednesday for a solidarity march to stand up against what they said was an act of hateful vandalism that occurred this weekend.
Janitors entered the LGBTQA office early Monday morning to discover a four-by-four-and-a-half foot swastika spray-painted on the carpet. They also found a spray-painted computer and television.
“I think that these individuals or individual were obviously trying to create a sense of hatred and intimidation but I think in the face of all this … us all being here, that’s not going to happen,” LGBTQA Co-Director Alex Esparza said.
UO Students in Solidarity organized the march, which began at 11:30 a.m. and proceeded from East 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street to the EMU Amphitheater, where a rally began at noon. At the start of the march, supporters chanted in unison, “An attack against one is an attack against all; they might try, but we won’t fall,” and “There ain’t no power like the power of the people ’cause the power of the people don’t stop, say what?”
rules committee before approving it. That means the resolution is not yet sure to pass: At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Senate voted unanimously to send the last Pacifica Forum resolution to its rules committee, only to vote the same document down the next week.
However, Senators said the likelihood of the resolution’s passage on Feb. 10 is much higher because of the deliberation it has undergone. The resolution’s sponsors also took pains to encourage senators to vote against the resolution on Wednesday night if they opposed it.
“If you can’t support it now, let’s vote it down now and send it back to the drawing board,” Sen. Nick Schultz, one of the resolution’s authors, said.
The Senate’s discussion on the new resolution was calmer than it had been at the Jan. 27 meeting. At that meeting, audience members jeered many senators who questioned the resolution.
The resolution’s sponsors, however, said the Pacifica Forum’s student opponents had since agreed not to interrupt senators.
Many of the Jan. 27 resolution’s supporters of said they would have rather voted for a stronger resolution, but said compromise was necessary if the Senate was to approve any resolution against the group.
“I have a feeling neither side will be perfectly happy,” Sen. Chris Bocchicchio said.
The only senator who voted against passing the resolution on to the Senate’s rules committee was Tyler Griffin, who had previously said he would oppose any resolution that mentioned the Forum by name.
Griffin, along with Sen. Max Barkley, pushed for the inclusion of language from the Supreme Court’s Brandenburg v. Ohioruling, which created a legal definition for speech that is not protected by the First Amendment. Resolution supporters rejected the change, saying they did not want free speech to be the main point of debate.
Students have criticized the Pacifica Forum for inviting speakers who hold white supremacist beliefs and deny that the Holocaust happened. Critics say the Forum’s presence on campus creates an atmosphere in which non-white students fear violence and discrimination. University administrators and student leaders called the Pacifica Forum’s rhetoric partly responsible for the incident in the LGBTQA.
Others have defended the group, saying removing it from campus would implicitly violate its First Amendment rights. University officials have said that, for that reason, removing the group could leave the University open to a lawsuit.
The group is allowed to meet on campus because its founder, Orval Etter, is a former University professor, and University policy allows former professors to meet on campus free of charge.
The Jan. 27 resolution’s defeat was unpopular and many Forum opponents criticized the ASUO for it, especially in the wake of Sunday’s incident in the LGBTQA office.
Schultz said he intends to resign in the wake of a dispute with Senate President Nick Gower over the meeting’s speakers’ list.
University students and Eugene residents gathered Wednesday for a solidarity march to stand up against what they said was an act of hateful vandalism that occurred this weekend.
Janitors entered the LGBTQA office early Monday morning to discover a four-by-four-and-a-half foot swastika spray-painted on the carpet. They also found a spray-painted computer and television.
“I think that these individuals or individual were obviously trying to create a sense of hatred and intimidation but I think in the face of all this … us all being here, that’s not going to happen,” LGBTQA Co-Director Alex Esparza said.
UO Students in Solidarity organized the march, which began at 11:30 a.m. and proceeded from East 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street to the EMU Amphitheater, where a rally began at noon. At the start of the march, supporters chanted in unison, “An attack against one is an attack against all; they might try, but we won’t fall,” and “There ain’t no power like the power of the people ’cause the power of the people don’t stop, say what?”
rules committee before approving it. That means the resolution is not yet sure to pass: At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Senate voted unanimously to send the last Pacifica Forum resolution to its rules committee, only to vote the same document down the next week.
However, Senators said the likelihood of the resolution’s passage on Feb. 10 is much higher because of the deliberation it has undergone. The resolution’s sponsors also took pains to encourage senators to vote against the resolution on Wednesday night if they opposed it.
“If you can’t support it now, let’s vote it down now and send it back to the drawing board,” Sen. Nick Schultz, one of the resolution’s authors, said.
The Senate’s discussion on the new resolution was calmer than it had been at the Jan. 27 meeting. At that meeting, audience members jeered many senators who questioned the resolution.
The resolution’s sponsors, however, said the Pacifica Forum’s student opponents had since agreed not to interrupt senators.
Many of the Jan. 27 resolution’s supporters of said they would have rather voted for a stronger resolution, but said compromise was necessary if the Senate was to approve any resolution against the group.
“I have a feeling neither side will be perfectly happy,” Sen. Chris Bocchicchio said.
The only senator who voted against passing the resolution on to the Senate’s rules committee was Tyler Griffin, who had previously said he would oppose any resolution that mentioned the Forum by name.
Griffin, along with Sen. Max Barkley, pushed for the inclusion of language from the Supreme Court’s Brandenburg v. Ohioruling, which created a legal definition for speech that is not protected by the First Amendment. Resolution supporters rejected the change, saying they did not want free speech to be the main point of debate.
Students have criticized the Pacifica Forum for inviting speakers who hold white supremacist beliefs and deny that the Holocaust happened. Critics say the Forum’s presence on campus creates an atmosphere in which non-white students fear violence and discrimination. University administrators and student leaders called the Pacifica Forum’s rhetoric partly responsible for the incident in the LGBTQA.
Others have defended the group, saying removing it from campus would implicitly violate its First Amendment rights. University officials have said that, for that reason, removing the group could leave the University open to a lawsuit.
The group is allowed to meet on campus because its founder, Orval Etter, is a former University professor, and University policy allows former professors to meet on campus free of charge.
The Jan. 27 resolution’s defeat was unpopular and many Forum opponents criticized the ASUO for it, especially in the wake of Sunday’s incident in the LGBTQA office.
Schultz said he intends to resign in the wake of a dispute with Senate President Nick Gower over the meeting’s speakers’ list.
Feminist studies expert to visit campus Thursday
Published: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The University’s Center for the Study of Women in Society will host a seminar titled “Transforming Feminisms” Thursday. The event, billed for faculty, will explore developments in women’s and gender studies programs.
The featured guest speaker will be Gina Dent, a professor at UC Santa Cruz’ feminist studies department and the director of the Institute for Advanced Feminist Research.
University women’s and gender studies professor Lynn Fujiwara said Dent had coordinated and reworked the women’s studies department at UCSC.
The University invited Dent to speak about “the challenges of institutionalizing the intersections of race and gender in the women’s and gender studies departments and feminist research institutions, facilitating a discussion about how to do that work (at the University of Oregon),” according to the Center for the Study of Women in Society’s Web site.
“The CSWS is under new directorship by Carol Stabile, and she has been working very hard to establish her reign of leadership by institutionalizing diversity,” Fujiwara said.
She added that a part of this institutionalization of diversity includes the program she is coordinating, called the “Women of Color Projects.”
The project is designed to “promote the leadership of women of color from historically under-represented groups,” according to the Center for the Study of Women in Society’s Web site. It is currently in its developmental stages. Officials said they hope Dent’s experience will help guide the project and spread awareness of it throughout the University.
The seminar will take place in the Knight Library Browsing Room on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Although the seminar is reserved for the faculty, students will be permitted upon request through the department.
The University’s Center for the Study of Women in Society will host a seminar titled “Transforming Feminisms” Thursday. The event, billed for faculty, will explore developments in women’s and gender studies programs.
The featured guest speaker will be Gina Dent, a professor at UC Santa Cruz’ feminist studies department and the director of the Institute for Advanced Feminist Research.
University women’s and gender studies professor Lynn Fujiwara said Dent had coordinated and reworked the women’s studies department at UCSC.
The University invited Dent to speak about “the challenges of institutionalizing the intersections of race and gender in the women’s and gender studies departments and feminist research institutions, facilitating a discussion about how to do that work (at the University of Oregon),” according to the Center for the Study of Women in Society’s Web site.
“The CSWS is under new directorship by Carol Stabile, and she has been working very hard to establish her reign of leadership by institutionalizing diversity,” Fujiwara said.
She added that a part of this institutionalization of diversity includes the program she is coordinating, called the “Women of Color Projects.”
The project is designed to “promote the leadership of women of color from historically under-represented groups,” according to the Center for the Study of Women in Society’s Web site. It is currently in its developmental stages. Officials said they hope Dent’s experience will help guide the project and spread awareness of it throughout the University.
The seminar will take place in the Knight Library Browsing Room on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Although the seminar is reserved for the faculty, students will be permitted upon request through the department.
Power problem put everything on the fritz : TV sets and other appliances damaged (Santa Barbara News-Press)
July 30, 2009 12:04 PM
Residents of one Santa Barbara neighborhood are feeling burned over a problem with a Southern California Edison line they say fried a number of appliances.
The voltage disruption occurred at about 2 p.m. July 24, essentially destroying hair dryers, fans, microwave ovens, televisions, computers, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers in about a dozen homes in the 100 block of South Alisos Street.
Geoffrey Rowles was sleeping at the time, and awoke to the smell of smoke inside his 50-year-old house. Two TVs, an old computer and his microwave oven were billowing smoke, he told the News-Press.
Neighbor Allen Frick said he recalled a series of small power outages two weeks earlier. The "big one," he said, claimed three TV sets and a computer.
"Fire was coming out of two of the TVs," he said. The other fell victim to a surge protector that Mr. Frick said flamed up during the incident.
"The breakers didn't break," he said. "Why even have a thing like this if it's not going to help?"
Mr. Frick was the first to call Edison, at around 2:30 p.m. Several hours later, two technicians from Edison showed up to fix the problem.
According to Mr. Frick, one of the technicians claimed that the problem was caused by the grounding mechanism breaking, most likely because of constant salt water contact, which eroded the electrical components.
John Britton, an Edison spokesman, told the News-Press Wednesday that the problem was a "bad connector on the line which ended up causing odd voltages to customers in the area."
While this type of problem doesn't happen often, Mr. Britton said "a bad connector can occur, especially if close to the ocean."
It wasn't until technicians arrived the day of the incident that other neighbors came out to investigate for themselves. That's when they discovered they weren't alone.
"We each thought it was our own (house) problem," said Mr. Frick.
The technicians handed out business cards to the residents in case of inquiry.
Mr. Frick also said Edison instructed those who had damage to file a claim online, which allows eight items per claim, or put their claim in writing.
Reviews can take 10 days and another three for Edison officials to determine whether to accept liability for the damage.
According to Mr. Frick, Edison also requested receipts and invoices from the residents coinciding with the damaged items.
One resident claimed "most of these appliances are so old, we don't have those anymore."
German Cuevas lost four televisions and a brand-new washer and dryer.
Down the way, Debbie Perez returned home that day to find it reeking of smoke. After inspecting the house, she placed all the burnt appliances, including TVs and lamps, out on her lawn.
According to Edison's Mr. Britton, there were no complaints from residents as of Wednesday.
As for the connector that appeared to cause the problem in the first place, Mr. Britton said it was fixed.
If residents choose to file a claim, he added, the utility's claims department would evaluate the situation and react fairly quickly.
Residents of one Santa Barbara neighborhood are feeling burned over a problem with a Southern California Edison line they say fried a number of appliances.
The voltage disruption occurred at about 2 p.m. July 24, essentially destroying hair dryers, fans, microwave ovens, televisions, computers, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers in about a dozen homes in the 100 block of South Alisos Street.
Geoffrey Rowles was sleeping at the time, and awoke to the smell of smoke inside his 50-year-old house. Two TVs, an old computer and his microwave oven were billowing smoke, he told the News-Press.
Neighbor Allen Frick said he recalled a series of small power outages two weeks earlier. The "big one," he said, claimed three TV sets and a computer.
"Fire was coming out of two of the TVs," he said. The other fell victim to a surge protector that Mr. Frick said flamed up during the incident.
"The breakers didn't break," he said. "Why even have a thing like this if it's not going to help?"
Mr. Frick was the first to call Edison, at around 2:30 p.m. Several hours later, two technicians from Edison showed up to fix the problem.
According to Mr. Frick, one of the technicians claimed that the problem was caused by the grounding mechanism breaking, most likely because of constant salt water contact, which eroded the electrical components.
John Britton, an Edison spokesman, told the News-Press Wednesday that the problem was a "bad connector on the line which ended up causing odd voltages to customers in the area."
While this type of problem doesn't happen often, Mr. Britton said "a bad connector can occur, especially if close to the ocean."
It wasn't until technicians arrived the day of the incident that other neighbors came out to investigate for themselves. That's when they discovered they weren't alone.
"We each thought it was our own (house) problem," said Mr. Frick.
The technicians handed out business cards to the residents in case of inquiry.
Mr. Frick also said Edison instructed those who had damage to file a claim online, which allows eight items per claim, or put their claim in writing.
Reviews can take 10 days and another three for Edison officials to determine whether to accept liability for the damage.
According to Mr. Frick, Edison also requested receipts and invoices from the residents coinciding with the damaged items.
One resident claimed "most of these appliances are so old, we don't have those anymore."
German Cuevas lost four televisions and a brand-new washer and dryer.
Down the way, Debbie Perez returned home that day to find it reeking of smoke. After inspecting the house, she placed all the burnt appliances, including TVs and lamps, out on her lawn.
According to Edison's Mr. Britton, there were no complaints from residents as of Wednesday.
As for the connector that appeared to cause the problem in the first place, Mr. Britton said it was fixed.
If residents choose to file a claim, he added, the utility's claims department would evaluate the situation and react fairly quickly.
Lompoc sanctuary devoted to welfare of wild horses : The Return to Freedom offers a home to horses, education for people
September 7, 2009 7:08 AM
After centuries of people making decisions on what should happen to wild horses to benefit themselves, some are making an effort to do what is best for the horses. The Return to Freedom sanctuary in Lompoc has been making a valiant effort to save wild horses from slaughterhouses, domestication and harmful outcomes from government wildlife management since 1997.
The Return to Freedom is a program that was initiated and created by Neda DeMayo, 49, to protect and preserve the remaining wild horses, of America, through sanctuary, education and conservation.
"I've always wanted to do this. My mom said my first word was 'horsey' and for me the passion was always there," Ms. DeMayo explained. "I remember watching a roundup on TV when I was little and being so upset about what I saw and decided that when I grow up I want to do something about it." When the wild horse issue blew up in the 1990s Ms. DeMayo was in a transition period of her life. While she had always planned to own a ranch when she got older, she decided "now is the time."
"I researched [the government agencies] and what's not being done for these herd animals," Ms. DeMayo told the News-Press. "It's important to secure a place on the American range land for these wild horses and to do that you need to educate people on the issue," she added. Processing her plans to create this education program, Ms. DeMayo decided what the key issues are and asked herself the following question:
"These are social animals, herd animals... (so) how can I educate people without putting these horses in corrals and being able to show people the society and social structure within the horse culture?" Ms. DeMayo explained to the News-Press that the horses "need the older horses [in the herd] for a healthy and balanced herd society and to shape the character of the younger horses -- behaviors that are destroyed in corral scenarios or when horses are separated from the herd and auctioned off to ranchers.
"These animals were wild before they were domestic; it doesn't serve us or them to disregard their natural design," Ms. DeMayo added. The mistreatment of the wild horses is why Ms. DeMayo started her model sanctuary.
In 1997 Ms. DeMayo, with the help and support of her parents and sister, bought a 300-acre parcel in Lompoc and began her dream to help the wild horses. In 1999, the first horses to live at the sanctuary arrived, in their original social groups, after they were removed from their range at the Hart Mountain Refuge in Oregon.
Starting off essentially on her own, Ms. DeMayo has invested her life into Return to Freedom and today the sanctuary has grown to include eight employees, a biologist and volunteers. The sanctuary also serves as the home of 200 horses including bands of colonial Spanish mission horses; Sulfur Springs horses; and horses of Spanish descent that are related to the horses used by the Choctaw and Cherokee nations, which were used on the Trail of Tears.
The Return to Freedom also offers a "spectrum of experiential programs where people can learn through sensitive observation of the natural world," according to Ms. DeMayo. The sanctuary is also devoted to conserving rare bloodlines that define the American wild horse of today.
Ms. DeMayo said the horses that reside at the sanctuary are separated into different pastures according to their genetic origins. Also, the horse populations are managed by vaccinating the mares with Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP), a non-hormonal and reversible birth control. In addition to preventing pregnancy and controlling the horse population, the non-hormonal vaccine also allows the mares to continue their natural behavior.
The Return to Freedom is a non-profit organization. which is able to function through the support and funds from the ASPCA and corporate sponsors. Many of the rescue missions that the program provides are funded by benefits and fund-raising as well as their corporate sponsors. The community is also given the opportunity to support Return to Freedom, by sponsoring a horse, for $45 a month or sponsoring a whole herd for $2.700 per year. Sponsors receive a picture and a brief biography of their horses and certificates.
The organization also spreads its mission all over the country to horses in need. If the sanctuary is at full capacity. Ms. DeMayo works with other sanctuaries in Texas and South Dakota to find homes for horses in need.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the fourth annual Spirit of the Horse event will be held to benefit the Return to Freedom. The event will be held at the Bella Vista Ranch in Carpinteria, 2800 Via Real, from 1 to 6 p.m. It will include Native American dancers and drummers with Choctaw horses representative of Native American culture. There will also be flamenco dancers, Brigitte Huber on her Lusitano gelding and Haut-ecole dressage demonstration to represent the Spanish culture. The layout of the benefit will be set up like little villages with Native American, Spanish and Old West themes.
Vendors will will sell saddles, jewelry, clothes and much more. Tickets are available for $60 per adult, $45 per child or $200 for a family of four. All proceeds from the Spirit of the Horse will go towards the Return to Freedom sanctuary and program. For more details, visit www.returntofreedom.org or call (805)737-9246.
After centuries of people making decisions on what should happen to wild horses to benefit themselves, some are making an effort to do what is best for the horses. The Return to Freedom sanctuary in Lompoc has been making a valiant effort to save wild horses from slaughterhouses, domestication and harmful outcomes from government wildlife management since 1997.
The Return to Freedom is a program that was initiated and created by Neda DeMayo, 49, to protect and preserve the remaining wild horses, of America, through sanctuary, education and conservation.
"I've always wanted to do this. My mom said my first word was 'horsey' and for me the passion was always there," Ms. DeMayo explained. "I remember watching a roundup on TV when I was little and being so upset about what I saw and decided that when I grow up I want to do something about it." When the wild horse issue blew up in the 1990s Ms. DeMayo was in a transition period of her life. While she had always planned to own a ranch when she got older, she decided "now is the time."
"I researched [the government agencies] and what's not being done for these herd animals," Ms. DeMayo told the News-Press. "It's important to secure a place on the American range land for these wild horses and to do that you need to educate people on the issue," she added. Processing her plans to create this education program, Ms. DeMayo decided what the key issues are and asked herself the following question:
"These are social animals, herd animals... (so) how can I educate people without putting these horses in corrals and being able to show people the society and social structure within the horse culture?" Ms. DeMayo explained to the News-Press that the horses "need the older horses [in the herd] for a healthy and balanced herd society and to shape the character of the younger horses -- behaviors that are destroyed in corral scenarios or when horses are separated from the herd and auctioned off to ranchers.
"These animals were wild before they were domestic; it doesn't serve us or them to disregard their natural design," Ms. DeMayo added. The mistreatment of the wild horses is why Ms. DeMayo started her model sanctuary.
In 1997 Ms. DeMayo, with the help and support of her parents and sister, bought a 300-acre parcel in Lompoc and began her dream to help the wild horses. In 1999, the first horses to live at the sanctuary arrived, in their original social groups, after they were removed from their range at the Hart Mountain Refuge in Oregon.
Starting off essentially on her own, Ms. DeMayo has invested her life into Return to Freedom and today the sanctuary has grown to include eight employees, a biologist and volunteers. The sanctuary also serves as the home of 200 horses including bands of colonial Spanish mission horses; Sulfur Springs horses; and horses of Spanish descent that are related to the horses used by the Choctaw and Cherokee nations, which were used on the Trail of Tears.
The Return to Freedom also offers a "spectrum of experiential programs where people can learn through sensitive observation of the natural world," according to Ms. DeMayo. The sanctuary is also devoted to conserving rare bloodlines that define the American wild horse of today.
Ms. DeMayo said the horses that reside at the sanctuary are separated into different pastures according to their genetic origins. Also, the horse populations are managed by vaccinating the mares with Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP), a non-hormonal and reversible birth control. In addition to preventing pregnancy and controlling the horse population, the non-hormonal vaccine also allows the mares to continue their natural behavior.
The Return to Freedom is a non-profit organization. which is able to function through the support and funds from the ASPCA and corporate sponsors. Many of the rescue missions that the program provides are funded by benefits and fund-raising as well as their corporate sponsors. The community is also given the opportunity to support Return to Freedom, by sponsoring a horse, for $45 a month or sponsoring a whole herd for $2.700 per year. Sponsors receive a picture and a brief biography of their horses and certificates.
The organization also spreads its mission all over the country to horses in need. If the sanctuary is at full capacity. Ms. DeMayo works with other sanctuaries in Texas and South Dakota to find homes for horses in need.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the fourth annual Spirit of the Horse event will be held to benefit the Return to Freedom. The event will be held at the Bella Vista Ranch in Carpinteria, 2800 Via Real, from 1 to 6 p.m. It will include Native American dancers and drummers with Choctaw horses representative of Native American culture. There will also be flamenco dancers, Brigitte Huber on her Lusitano gelding and Haut-ecole dressage demonstration to represent the Spanish culture. The layout of the benefit will be set up like little villages with Native American, Spanish and Old West themes.
Vendors will will sell saddles, jewelry, clothes and much more. Tickets are available for $60 per adult, $45 per child or $200 for a family of four. All proceeds from the Spirit of the Horse will go towards the Return to Freedom sanctuary and program. For more details, visit www.returntofreedom.org or call (805)737-9246.
One step at a time : Prayer walk brings Ohio minister through the South Coast
August 27, 2009 7:23 AM
On her fourth mile of the day, the Rev. Carol Cruise walked through a foggy Summerland Wednesday morning doing what she does every mile -- planting a one-foot-tall wooden cross, with a note and contact information attached, in the ground to mark her prayer trail.
The Rev. Cruise, an Ohio resident and minister in Faith Walk Ministries, has walked 7,471 miles across the country while praying for the people of America. What sets her apart from others with a cause that spurs them to walk is that she has just one leg.
The Rev. Cruise said she lost a portion of her right leg as the result of an unnecessary surgery followed by 15 more surgeries to try to save the leg.
"For nine years I woke up with an obsession to do a prayer walk for the nation," she told the News-Press during the Summerland stretch of her perimeter-of-the-U.S. walk.
"The night before my amputation, after a three-year battle, I was determined to be a better person, not a bitter person," she said. "I asked God to use me as an amputee in a way that I couldn't be used with two legs."
The Rev. Cruise started her walk in 2002 in Miami, Fla., where she planted a three-foot cross as the beginning of her endeavor. During her walk, she prays "we get past the idea of going to church and start being the church -- joy, love, kindness, generosity."
She explained, "If Christians would be the church, the world would be a better place. I still go to church and have fellowship (with those at church), but then I go out and share it with the rest of the world."
Encouraging people embrace their abilities and not focus on what others see as disabilities is also part of her mission.
Instead of referring to people as disabled, the Rev. Cruise prefers the term differently-abled.
The West Coast leg of the Rev. Cruise's walk should be done in October and she plans to be finished by the end of next year.
"I have never missed one step," she said. "I have always gone back to the exact spot I left off from."
Her trek, she added, has not been continuous. There have been breaks, especially because of weather, where she spent her time attending conferences and sharing her testimony, but got right back to walking as soon as she was able.
Inspiring and touching people across the nation, the Rev. Cruise has received numerous calls and letters from people who find her crosses. One letter was from a woman with two "disabled" children. Moved by her story, said the mom, the kids decided they could do anything and they weren't going to let their disabilities get in the way.
The story she finds most inspiring involves a police officer in Maryland who had a harrowing near-death experience one night on a bridge while on patrol.
"While coming down off the bridge, a car pulled in front of her (and) she was forced to slam on her brakes. She went airborne and while airborne, she said her life flashed before her and she knew she was going to die or at least be seriously injured," said the Rev. Cruise.
The car, with the officer inside, bounced and landed between a steel pole and a telephone pole. She backed up and saw one of the crosses.
"She said, 'I knew it was divine intervention and that my life would never be the same,''' recalled the reverend.
"It was the most touching because I thought (that route) was a detour because it was shortly after 9/11 and the high security no longer allowed foot traffic on bridges at that time, and she (the police officer) found it."
Coinciding with the walk, the Rev. Cruise is also writing two books: one about her life and the problems with her leg and how she started this journey, and the other a compilation of the letters and other responses she has had from the crosses.
Without love and support from people across the land, she said, the prayer walk wouldn't be possible. The crosses as well as her shoes, clothing, food, shelter -- even her prosthetic legs -- are donated.
"This is my seventh leg on this walk, and my eighth pair of shoes," she said with a chuckle.
With a daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter at home in Ohio, the Rev. Cruise has made difficult decisions to accomplish her mission. She plans to go home for six days next month and then continue her journey .
"I walked away from everything to do this walk and have made it through from the kindness of people throughout my walk."
On her fourth mile of the day, the Rev. Carol Cruise walked through a foggy Summerland Wednesday morning doing what she does every mile -- planting a one-foot-tall wooden cross, with a note and contact information attached, in the ground to mark her prayer trail.
The Rev. Cruise, an Ohio resident and minister in Faith Walk Ministries, has walked 7,471 miles across the country while praying for the people of America. What sets her apart from others with a cause that spurs them to walk is that she has just one leg.
The Rev. Cruise said she lost a portion of her right leg as the result of an unnecessary surgery followed by 15 more surgeries to try to save the leg.
"For nine years I woke up with an obsession to do a prayer walk for the nation," she told the News-Press during the Summerland stretch of her perimeter-of-the-U.S. walk.
"The night before my amputation, after a three-year battle, I was determined to be a better person, not a bitter person," she said. "I asked God to use me as an amputee in a way that I couldn't be used with two legs."
The Rev. Cruise started her walk in 2002 in Miami, Fla., where she planted a three-foot cross as the beginning of her endeavor. During her walk, she prays "we get past the idea of going to church and start being the church -- joy, love, kindness, generosity."
She explained, "If Christians would be the church, the world would be a better place. I still go to church and have fellowship (with those at church), but then I go out and share it with the rest of the world."
Encouraging people embrace their abilities and not focus on what others see as disabilities is also part of her mission.
Instead of referring to people as disabled, the Rev. Cruise prefers the term differently-abled.
The West Coast leg of the Rev. Cruise's walk should be done in October and she plans to be finished by the end of next year.
"I have never missed one step," she said. "I have always gone back to the exact spot I left off from."
Her trek, she added, has not been continuous. There have been breaks, especially because of weather, where she spent her time attending conferences and sharing her testimony, but got right back to walking as soon as she was able.
Inspiring and touching people across the nation, the Rev. Cruise has received numerous calls and letters from people who find her crosses. One letter was from a woman with two "disabled" children. Moved by her story, said the mom, the kids decided they could do anything and they weren't going to let their disabilities get in the way.
The story she finds most inspiring involves a police officer in Maryland who had a harrowing near-death experience one night on a bridge while on patrol.
"While coming down off the bridge, a car pulled in front of her (and) she was forced to slam on her brakes. She went airborne and while airborne, she said her life flashed before her and she knew she was going to die or at least be seriously injured," said the Rev. Cruise.
The car, with the officer inside, bounced and landed between a steel pole and a telephone pole. She backed up and saw one of the crosses.
"She said, 'I knew it was divine intervention and that my life would never be the same,''' recalled the reverend.
"It was the most touching because I thought (that route) was a detour because it was shortly after 9/11 and the high security no longer allowed foot traffic on bridges at that time, and she (the police officer) found it."
Coinciding with the walk, the Rev. Cruise is also writing two books: one about her life and the problems with her leg and how she started this journey, and the other a compilation of the letters and other responses she has had from the crosses.
Without love and support from people across the land, she said, the prayer walk wouldn't be possible. The crosses as well as her shoes, clothing, food, shelter -- even her prosthetic legs -- are donated.
"This is my seventh leg on this walk, and my eighth pair of shoes," she said with a chuckle.
With a daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter at home in Ohio, the Rev. Cruise has made difficult decisions to accomplish her mission. She plans to go home for six days next month and then continue her journey .
"I walked away from everything to do this walk and have made it through from the kindness of people throughout my walk."
Ojai Valley Inn's chef shares James Beard menu
August 20, 2009 7:39 AM
The honor of preparing a dinner for the James Beard Foundation has been offered to Jamie West, executive chef of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and a former chef at San Ysidro Ranch.
On Sept. 10, Mr. West will travel to the James Beard House in New York City to share a carefully planned five-course dinner. The Ojai Valley Inn is celebrating the recognition offered to Mr. West by hosting an event featuring the same menu, Saturday at the resort, 905 Country Club Road.
Mr. West left his hometown of Tucson, Ariz., to attend the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated in 1987. In 1999, he moved to Santa Barbara, where he worked as a chef at San Ysidro Ranch. He remained there until 2003.
In June 2008, he took over as executive chef at the Ojai Valley Inn.
As executive chef at the five-diamond resort, Mr. West also has the privilege and duty of overseeing the operation of four restaurants, as well as the banquet department.
As for the menu he created for the Beard House event, he told the News-Press: "I want to bring food items from this region to the diner that are a reflection of the area."
"The majority of the meals that will be prepared will be my own but all will have my touch and twist," he added.
Duck and lamb loin are on the menu. So are corn and truffle risotto and tomato basil fondue. Dessert includes Ojai Chocolate Sensation Walnut Sable, Vanilla Cream with Tangerine Confit and Ojai Honey Tuille.
Each course will be paired with local wines.
Saturday's event will be held in the Maravilla Lounge, starting with a reception at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner in the Maravilla Dining Room at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available throughout the night. Dancing and entertainment by the Craig Thomas Band will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event at the Ojai Valley Inn are available and include the option to attend the reception, five-course meal, wine-pairing and dancing for $125, or guests can stay over Saturday night and receive complimentary tickets for two to the dinner.
The James Beard Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that provides a space for chefs from all over the country to come and provide a formal dinner and bring a taste of their talents and the area they represent. The dinner is held at the former home of James Beard, in Greenwich Village.
The intimate setting gives the attending guests the "opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the works of a wonderful chef," and even get a hint of the chef's preparation and ideas during the reception and hors d'oeuvres, said Izabela Wojcik, director of house programming at the James Beard Foundation.
Ms. Wojcik said, Mr. West "worked with (the James Beard Foundation) back in 2000 and we have been keeping in touch. . .and the Ojai Valley Inn is a property we are familiar with."
Ms. Wojcik said the foundation provides the James Beard House as an inclusive venue and performance space where chefs can come and "offer a menu and receive validation of prior accomplishments."
"We work with the chefs to develop a theme and (with Mr. West) our goal is to bring a taste of Ojai Valley and the wonderful California bounty," she said.
Tickets to Saturday's event are available by calling 800-422-6524.
e-mail: rkaapu@newspress.com
ON THE MENU
Reception:
Blue Cheese Stuffed Fig Brule; Lavender Ojai Honey, Prosciutto, Balsamic Crisp Risotto; Shrimp and Fennel Salad with Hoot Ranch Meyer Lemon Aioli; Ahi Tuna in Spinach and Phyllo Crust; Ginger Emulsion.
Casa Barranca, Rose, "The Pink Moment," Santa Barbara County 2008
First Course:
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with California Avocado Sorbet.
The Ojai Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc, McGinley Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 2007
Second Course:
Pan-Seared Diver Scallop; Smoked Mozzarella, Corn and Truffle Risotto; Tomato Basil Fondue.
Baileyana, Chardonnay, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Edna Valley, 2005
Third Course:
Carpenter Ranch Duck Breast and Duck Confit; Arugula and Roasted Beet Salad; Shaved Parmesan, Blackberry Vinaigrette.
Melville, Pinot Noir, Carrie's Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, 2007
Fourth Course:
Coffee and Mesquite Smoked California Natural Lamb Loin; Pointe Reyes Blue Cheese Potato Gratin & Cassis Cabernet Sauce.
Vixen, Syrah, "Harmony," Santa Ynez Valley, 2004
Fifth Course:
Ojai Chocolate Sensation Walnut Sable, Grand Marnier Gelee, Chocolate Mousse, Vanilla Cream with Tangerine Confit and Ojai Honey Tuille.
Barreto Cellars Port, Lodi, NV
- Rachael Kaapu
The honor of preparing a dinner for the James Beard Foundation has been offered to Jamie West, executive chef of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and a former chef at San Ysidro Ranch.
On Sept. 10, Mr. West will travel to the James Beard House in New York City to share a carefully planned five-course dinner. The Ojai Valley Inn is celebrating the recognition offered to Mr. West by hosting an event featuring the same menu, Saturday at the resort, 905 Country Club Road.
Mr. West left his hometown of Tucson, Ariz., to attend the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated in 1987. In 1999, he moved to Santa Barbara, where he worked as a chef at San Ysidro Ranch. He remained there until 2003.
In June 2008, he took over as executive chef at the Ojai Valley Inn.
As executive chef at the five-diamond resort, Mr. West also has the privilege and duty of overseeing the operation of four restaurants, as well as the banquet department.
As for the menu he created for the Beard House event, he told the News-Press: "I want to bring food items from this region to the diner that are a reflection of the area."
"The majority of the meals that will be prepared will be my own but all will have my touch and twist," he added.
Duck and lamb loin are on the menu. So are corn and truffle risotto and tomato basil fondue. Dessert includes Ojai Chocolate Sensation Walnut Sable, Vanilla Cream with Tangerine Confit and Ojai Honey Tuille.
Each course will be paired with local wines.
Saturday's event will be held in the Maravilla Lounge, starting with a reception at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner in the Maravilla Dining Room at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available throughout the night. Dancing and entertainment by the Craig Thomas Band will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event at the Ojai Valley Inn are available and include the option to attend the reception, five-course meal, wine-pairing and dancing for $125, or guests can stay over Saturday night and receive complimentary tickets for two to the dinner.
The James Beard Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that provides a space for chefs from all over the country to come and provide a formal dinner and bring a taste of their talents and the area they represent. The dinner is held at the former home of James Beard, in Greenwich Village.
The intimate setting gives the attending guests the "opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the works of a wonderful chef," and even get a hint of the chef's preparation and ideas during the reception and hors d'oeuvres, said Izabela Wojcik, director of house programming at the James Beard Foundation.
Ms. Wojcik said, Mr. West "worked with (the James Beard Foundation) back in 2000 and we have been keeping in touch. . .and the Ojai Valley Inn is a property we are familiar with."
Ms. Wojcik said the foundation provides the James Beard House as an inclusive venue and performance space where chefs can come and "offer a menu and receive validation of prior accomplishments."
"We work with the chefs to develop a theme and (with Mr. West) our goal is to bring a taste of Ojai Valley and the wonderful California bounty," she said.
Tickets to Saturday's event are available by calling 800-422-6524.
e-mail: rkaapu@newspress.com
ON THE MENU
Reception:
Blue Cheese Stuffed Fig Brule; Lavender Ojai Honey, Prosciutto, Balsamic Crisp Risotto; Shrimp and Fennel Salad with Hoot Ranch Meyer Lemon Aioli; Ahi Tuna in Spinach and Phyllo Crust; Ginger Emulsion.
Casa Barranca, Rose, "The Pink Moment," Santa Barbara County 2008
First Course:
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with California Avocado Sorbet.
The Ojai Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc, McGinley Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, 2007
Second Course:
Pan-Seared Diver Scallop; Smoked Mozzarella, Corn and Truffle Risotto; Tomato Basil Fondue.
Baileyana, Chardonnay, Grand Firepeak Cuvee, Edna Valley, 2005
Third Course:
Carpenter Ranch Duck Breast and Duck Confit; Arugula and Roasted Beet Salad; Shaved Parmesan, Blackberry Vinaigrette.
Melville, Pinot Noir, Carrie's Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, 2007
Fourth Course:
Coffee and Mesquite Smoked California Natural Lamb Loin; Pointe Reyes Blue Cheese Potato Gratin & Cassis Cabernet Sauce.
Vixen, Syrah, "Harmony," Santa Ynez Valley, 2004
Fifth Course:
Ojai Chocolate Sensation Walnut Sable, Grand Marnier Gelee, Chocolate Mousse, Vanilla Cream with Tangerine Confit and Ojai Honey Tuille.
Barreto Cellars Port, Lodi, NV
- Rachael Kaapu
Botanic Garden gets $40,000 NEA grant : Funds will support residency of artist Herb Parker
August 13, 2009 7:41 AM
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has received a grant for $40,000 from the federal National Endowment for the Arts.
The grant money, awarded July 23, will support the residency of Herb Parker, an American artist, and educational and public programs accompanying Mr. Parker's installation.
During the months of May and June, Mr. Parker was a temporary resident of the Botanic Garden.
Throughout his stay he invented and constructed a large-scale temporary environmental sculpture. Composed of plants native to California, the most recent work by Mr. Parker, titled "Labyrinth: Haven," can be viewed at the Meadow. This intricate maze offers an aesthetic and sensory-filled experience. Visitors are invited by paths covered in flowers to explore the interior that constantly changes its pattern of lights. Visitors may also discover the courtyard at the center of the maze and enjoy the carved stone seating available as well as the surrounding garden.
Mr. Parker's creations are molded from natural materials including sod, wood, and stone. He uses these natural materials in his work, in hopes of reflecting the belief of painter Marc Chagall that "great art picks up where nature ends."
Commenting on his materials of choice, Mr. Parker stated, "My nature-based installations are created to enhance a viewer's perception of the environment and our relationship with nature."
Pleased and grateful with the work of Mr. Parker, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden President Dr. Ed Schneider said, "We believe that, in the aftermath of the destructive Jesusita fire, it was important to fulfill our commitment to install this wonderful work as a testament to the future -- that the garden and the community will grow and thrive again."
Dr. Schneider added, "This extraordinary sculpture continues a long ... tradition of art in the garden."
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has received a grant for $40,000 from the federal National Endowment for the Arts.
The grant money, awarded July 23, will support the residency of Herb Parker, an American artist, and educational and public programs accompanying Mr. Parker's installation.
During the months of May and June, Mr. Parker was a temporary resident of the Botanic Garden.
Throughout his stay he invented and constructed a large-scale temporary environmental sculpture. Composed of plants native to California, the most recent work by Mr. Parker, titled "Labyrinth: Haven," can be viewed at the Meadow. This intricate maze offers an aesthetic and sensory-filled experience. Visitors are invited by paths covered in flowers to explore the interior that constantly changes its pattern of lights. Visitors may also discover the courtyard at the center of the maze and enjoy the carved stone seating available as well as the surrounding garden.
Mr. Parker's creations are molded from natural materials including sod, wood, and stone. He uses these natural materials in his work, in hopes of reflecting the belief of painter Marc Chagall that "great art picks up where nature ends."
Commenting on his materials of choice, Mr. Parker stated, "My nature-based installations are created to enhance a viewer's perception of the environment and our relationship with nature."
Pleased and grateful with the work of Mr. Parker, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden President Dr. Ed Schneider said, "We believe that, in the aftermath of the destructive Jesusita fire, it was important to fulfill our commitment to install this wonderful work as a testament to the future -- that the garden and the community will grow and thrive again."
Dr. Schneider added, "This extraordinary sculpture continues a long ... tradition of art in the garden."
Music Academy fundraising Cabaret returns after 1-year hiatus
August 13, 2009 7:35 AM
After a one-year hiatus the Cabaret gala fundraising event, benefiting the Music Academy of the West, returns for its 62nd summer festival.
Tonight at 5:30 p.m., the Cabaret will be held in the Plaza de Sol of Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort. In addition to cocktails, dinner, and a live auction, the gala will feature 23 talented young singers from the Music Academy's voice program. They will be performing a variety of popular songs from both screen and stage. During this evening's program, world-renowned mezzo-soprano, Marilyn Horne, who is also the Music Academy voice program director, will be honored.
Gerald Sternbach, who made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut in 2005 and has extensive performance credits including serving as an accompanist for Carol Burnett; John Lithgow; and Kelsey Grammer oversee tonight's events.
For the first time at a Cabaret fundraising event, Stephen Singleton and Judith Getto will be serving as co-chairs. Mr. Singleton, a resident of Santa Barbara for 30 years, is a longtime community volunteer and fund raiser who actively participates in the Music Academy's Compeer and relationship management program. Ms. Getto, an educator, has served on boards and chaired in fundraising efforts for Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco, and youth programs in Harlem and also served as the Bay Area coordinator for Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth.
The Music Academy of the West, founded in 1947, is ranked at one of the top summer schools and festivals for young, classical musicians. Admission to the academy is strictly merit-based and the students receive full-scholarships that include tuition, room and board. Graduates of the Academy go on to be members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties across the globe.
Single tickets are available for $300 and table sponsorships are available for $5,000 and $10,000. All proceeds go to the Music Academy's full-scholarship program.
After a one-year hiatus the Cabaret gala fundraising event, benefiting the Music Academy of the West, returns for its 62nd summer festival.
Tonight at 5:30 p.m., the Cabaret will be held in the Plaza de Sol of Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort. In addition to cocktails, dinner, and a live auction, the gala will feature 23 talented young singers from the Music Academy's voice program. They will be performing a variety of popular songs from both screen and stage. During this evening's program, world-renowned mezzo-soprano, Marilyn Horne, who is also the Music Academy voice program director, will be honored.
Gerald Sternbach, who made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut in 2005 and has extensive performance credits including serving as an accompanist for Carol Burnett; John Lithgow; and Kelsey Grammer oversee tonight's events.
For the first time at a Cabaret fundraising event, Stephen Singleton and Judith Getto will be serving as co-chairs. Mr. Singleton, a resident of Santa Barbara for 30 years, is a longtime community volunteer and fund raiser who actively participates in the Music Academy's Compeer and relationship management program. Ms. Getto, an educator, has served on boards and chaired in fundraising efforts for Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco, and youth programs in Harlem and also served as the Bay Area coordinator for Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth.
The Music Academy of the West, founded in 1947, is ranked at one of the top summer schools and festivals for young, classical musicians. Admission to the academy is strictly merit-based and the students receive full-scholarships that include tuition, room and board. Graduates of the Academy go on to be members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties across the globe.
Single tickets are available for $300 and table sponsorships are available for $5,000 and $10,000. All proceeds go to the Music Academy's full-scholarship program.
Sansum pediatrician is coalition's choice : Daniel Brennan named by breast-feeding group as doctor of the year
August 12, 2009 7:11 AM
Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition's inaugural Doctor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Daniel R. Brennan Tuesday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
A pediatrician at the Sansum Clinic, Dr. Brennan has been working with Cottage Hospital for eight years. He acquired his pediatric training at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. It was at Cedars-Sinai that he met a mentor who was a pediatrician as well as a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), which inspired Dr. Brennan to pursue the same path. Dr. Brennan, after his pediatric training, enrolled in a 40 hour course to become a CLC. "The reason I wanted to do this is to help out the moms and help them to be successful in breast-feeding," Dr. Brennan told the News-Press after the award ceremony. Dr. Brennan added "this is slowly becoming more prevalent, but this supplements my own practice and its a big topic with the moms."
There are so many benefits to breast-feeding, mostly for the baby but for the mothers as well. According to the Lactation Center at Cottage Hospital, research shows that breast-fed babies will be sick 50% less often than formula fed babies. Breast-feeding reduces SIDS, diabetes, obesity, and certain childhood cancers as well as having keener eyesight, higher IQ's, better teeth alignment, fewer ear infections, and fewer digestive upsets.
Dr. Brennan told the News-Press that it is also beneficial for the mothers. "Breast-feeding decreases the risk in getting certain types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer, and of course a closer bond between mother and baby." According to the The Lactation Center (TLC) at Cottage Hospital, women who breast-feed have less osteoporosis and can lose pregnancy weight more quickly.
While receiving the award Dr. Brennan said, "I grew up here (Santa Barbara) and wanted to come back. The Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition and Meg Beard helped me with my practice- there's the TLC where families can go and that really helps." The Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition awarded Dr. Brennan with a plaque "for providing excellent breast-feeding support to families and the community. Your commitment to breast-feeding is recognized and appreciated. We support and honor you during breast-feeding awareness month."
The lactation center and the Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition support mothers and encourage them to breast-feed their babies for at least a year after birth. They provide consultations, house visits, and even supplies including breast pumps and other necessary products for breast-feeding. With credit to these two groups the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has a 98% start up for breast-feeding with patients compared to a national rating of 75%.
Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition's inaugural Doctor of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Daniel R. Brennan Tuesday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
A pediatrician at the Sansum Clinic, Dr. Brennan has been working with Cottage Hospital for eight years. He acquired his pediatric training at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. It was at Cedars-Sinai that he met a mentor who was a pediatrician as well as a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), which inspired Dr. Brennan to pursue the same path. Dr. Brennan, after his pediatric training, enrolled in a 40 hour course to become a CLC. "The reason I wanted to do this is to help out the moms and help them to be successful in breast-feeding," Dr. Brennan told the News-Press after the award ceremony. Dr. Brennan added "this is slowly becoming more prevalent, but this supplements my own practice and its a big topic with the moms."
There are so many benefits to breast-feeding, mostly for the baby but for the mothers as well. According to the Lactation Center at Cottage Hospital, research shows that breast-fed babies will be sick 50% less often than formula fed babies. Breast-feeding reduces SIDS, diabetes, obesity, and certain childhood cancers as well as having keener eyesight, higher IQ's, better teeth alignment, fewer ear infections, and fewer digestive upsets.
Dr. Brennan told the News-Press that it is also beneficial for the mothers. "Breast-feeding decreases the risk in getting certain types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer, and of course a closer bond between mother and baby." According to the The Lactation Center (TLC) at Cottage Hospital, women who breast-feed have less osteoporosis and can lose pregnancy weight more quickly.
While receiving the award Dr. Brennan said, "I grew up here (Santa Barbara) and wanted to come back. The Santa Barbara County Breast-feeding Coalition and Meg Beard helped me with my practice- there's the TLC where families can go and that really helps." The Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition awarded Dr. Brennan with a plaque "for providing excellent breast-feeding support to families and the community. Your commitment to breast-feeding is recognized and appreciated. We support and honor you during breast-feeding awareness month."
The lactation center and the Santa Barbara county breast-feeding coalition support mothers and encourage them to breast-feed their babies for at least a year after birth. They provide consultations, house visits, and even supplies including breast pumps and other necessary products for breast-feeding. With credit to these two groups the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has a 98% start up for breast-feeding with patients compared to a national rating of 75%.
Real estate broker Garrett joins S.B. mayor's race
August 11, 2009 7:32 AM
Real estate broker Isaac Garrett is expected to formally announce his candidacy for mayor of Santa Barbara 1 p.m. today at City Hall.
"There are issues that need to be discussed and addressed that are not currently being addressed," Mr. Garrett told the News-Press on Monday.
The 69-year-old has been working as a real estate broker for 36 years. He has a wife of 44 years, Alice Garrett, and three grown sons Phillip, Kenneth and Timothy.
How will his experience serve the city well?
Mr. Garrett said, "I believe that I have a broader background than other members currently sitting on the council and other candidates" who intend to run for mayor.
As well as serving on several city and county committees, Mr. Garrett served as a member of the county civil Grand Jury in 1991-'92 and is a former president of the Santa Barbara Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
In 2001, he ran unsuccessfully for Santa Barbara City Council.
The News-Press asked what's taken place since then that makes Mr. Garrett confident about a shot at the mayor's seat in November.
"There's a lack of (people) dealing with real issues," he said. "And that is a real problem. There are fiscal irresponsibilities, and the city can be much better managed at a lesser cost."
"Affordable housing is not being dealt with adequately, and the environment is not safe and clean as it should be."
Despite the uncertainty of how many medicinal marijuana dispensaries there are in Santa Barbara and the ratio of legal vs. illegal dispensaries, Mr. Garrett stated that he stands in support of the use and distribution of medicinal marijuana.
Another issue that could come to bear on candidates is building heights, especially in historic areas.
"It would be a question that I would love the voters of Santa Barbara's opinion on," he said, adding, "original building contracts should be held true."
"If, however the voters decide on a different ruling and decide on restrictions, then the builders should be compensated for the difference."
In a statement, Mr. Garrett said his goals are campaign finance reform, returning the city to district elections, providing affordable and workforce housing.
He joins a field of at least eight people, including two seated council members, vying to succeed Marty Blum, who is not in the running.
The filing period closes Wednesday.
Real estate broker Isaac Garrett is expected to formally announce his candidacy for mayor of Santa Barbara 1 p.m. today at City Hall.
"There are issues that need to be discussed and addressed that are not currently being addressed," Mr. Garrett told the News-Press on Monday.
The 69-year-old has been working as a real estate broker for 36 years. He has a wife of 44 years, Alice Garrett, and three grown sons Phillip, Kenneth and Timothy.
How will his experience serve the city well?
Mr. Garrett said, "I believe that I have a broader background than other members currently sitting on the council and other candidates" who intend to run for mayor.
As well as serving on several city and county committees, Mr. Garrett served as a member of the county civil Grand Jury in 1991-'92 and is a former president of the Santa Barbara Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
In 2001, he ran unsuccessfully for Santa Barbara City Council.
The News-Press asked what's taken place since then that makes Mr. Garrett confident about a shot at the mayor's seat in November.
"There's a lack of (people) dealing with real issues," he said. "And that is a real problem. There are fiscal irresponsibilities, and the city can be much better managed at a lesser cost."
"Affordable housing is not being dealt with adequately, and the environment is not safe and clean as it should be."
Despite the uncertainty of how many medicinal marijuana dispensaries there are in Santa Barbara and the ratio of legal vs. illegal dispensaries, Mr. Garrett stated that he stands in support of the use and distribution of medicinal marijuana.
Another issue that could come to bear on candidates is building heights, especially in historic areas.
"It would be a question that I would love the voters of Santa Barbara's opinion on," he said, adding, "original building contracts should be held true."
"If, however the voters decide on a different ruling and decide on restrictions, then the builders should be compensated for the difference."
In a statement, Mr. Garrett said his goals are campaign finance reform, returning the city to district elections, providing affordable and workforce housing.
He joins a field of at least eight people, including two seated council members, vying to succeed Marty Blum, who is not in the running.
The filing period closes Wednesday.
'Wimpy Kid' book tour makes stop in Goleta : Latest title in series, 'The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,' will be released Oct. 12
August 8, 2009 7:07 AM
A bus tour promoting the book series "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" rolled into the South Coast Thursday.
In hopes of promoting literacy and libraries as well as the new addition to the series, "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," the bus tour will be travelling across the country delivering free ice cream to fans.
Making a short visit to Goleta, the "Wimpy Kid" tour bus was stationed at the Goleta Public Library late Thursday morning where, in addition to the free ice cream incentive for the children, they offered question-and-answer broadcasts with author Jeff Kinney between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The visit to Goleta also included a social media tie-in that accounted for all the actions of the fans. This media tie-in will be present and recorded throughout the remainder of the tour in cities to come.
With three million copies of the first printing, "Dog Days" will be released on October 12 with a signature bright-colored cover. While the previous three books wore either red, blue, or green on their cover, this soon the be released book will bear a yellow cover. The "Wimpy Kid" series has been widely credited for making reluctant readers excited about cracking open a book. More than 20 million copies are in print in the U.S. and have been sold in more than 30 countries since the initial publication in April 2007.
Excited about the release of "Dog Days," author Jeff Kinney remarked "it takes Greg out of the school setting for the first time. It's been a lot of fun to write about the Heffley summer vacation."
The tour, which began in Sacramento, will press on through countless cities across the U.S. throughout the month of August until it reaches Boston, Mass., on August 29 where the tour will come to an end.
A bus tour promoting the book series "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" rolled into the South Coast Thursday.
In hopes of promoting literacy and libraries as well as the new addition to the series, "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," the bus tour will be travelling across the country delivering free ice cream to fans.
Making a short visit to Goleta, the "Wimpy Kid" tour bus was stationed at the Goleta Public Library late Thursday morning where, in addition to the free ice cream incentive for the children, they offered question-and-answer broadcasts with author Jeff Kinney between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The visit to Goleta also included a social media tie-in that accounted for all the actions of the fans. This media tie-in will be present and recorded throughout the remainder of the tour in cities to come.
With three million copies of the first printing, "Dog Days" will be released on October 12 with a signature bright-colored cover. While the previous three books wore either red, blue, or green on their cover, this soon the be released book will bear a yellow cover. The "Wimpy Kid" series has been widely credited for making reluctant readers excited about cracking open a book. More than 20 million copies are in print in the U.S. and have been sold in more than 30 countries since the initial publication in April 2007.
Excited about the release of "Dog Days," author Jeff Kinney remarked "it takes Greg out of the school setting for the first time. It's been a lot of fun to write about the Heffley summer vacation."
The tour, which began in Sacramento, will press on through countless cities across the U.S. throughout the month of August until it reaches Boston, Mass., on August 29 where the tour will come to an end.
Do you know your Fiesta? Locals take a whack at a spot quiz on annual event
August 7, 2009 7:06 AM
Fiesta is a well-known celebration of Santa Barbara's history, but how well do locals know the event?
The News-Press hit El Mercado de la Guerra and parts of State Street on Wednesday -- opening day of the five-day party -- to find out just how much people know about the Fiesta.
First question: What is Competencia de los Vaqueros?
Joshua Pemberton, a concert promoter and resident of Santa Barbara, responded after a brief pause "competition of cowboys. . .its like a rodeo."
Ronnie Ybarra, 52, a judicial officer from Carpinteria, offered a similar response. "A cowboy competition," he said.
Assembly-line worker Carmen Diaz had a different idea. It's "when two vaqueros compete for a reason, like for the love of a woman or to see who's stronger," said the 37-year-old Santa Barbara resident.
For those who don't know, Competencia de los Vaqueros is the Fiesta rodeo and stock horse show, held at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
The next question, What is El Desfile Histórico?, proved to be a challenging one for the younger participants.
Daina Torres, 17, of Santa Barbara, puzzled, searched for an answer for a minute, then finally said, "I really don't know."
Junior Zanabria, an 8-year-old from Santa Barbara, pondered the question with a confused look on his face. "Desfile histórico?" He finally just shrugged his shoulders.
Up the street selling confetti eggs -- cascarones -- with her grandson, Belel Caxto knew the answer immediately. El Desfile Histórico is the annual parade, which gets underway at noon today.
"Muy bueno," said an excited Ms. Caxto. "Muy bueno parade fiesta."
Directional acuity could have been the category of the next question: Where is El Mercado de La Guerra?
Ashlynn Medeiros, 39, of Carpinteria, will tell you to "walk down State Street until you find De la Guerra. . .look for the booths and you're there."
Retired adventurer Robert "Bob" Lake, 55, pointed in the direction of the space east of State and between De la Guerra and Ortega streets, and exclaimed, "The grassy courtyard bordered with food stands!"
"Isn't it this marketplace here?" said another retiree, Steve Treanor of Ventura, standing in the middle of the plaza.
De la Guerra is but one of the mercados. MacKenzie Park, off Las Positas Road, south of State Street, is the site of El Mercado del Norte.
So, how do you get there?
Gardener Rolando Jimenez, 24, was a bit unsure. "El Mercado. . .up by La Cumbre maybe?"
Kendra Rhodes of Orcutt hit it spot on.
"At MacKenzie Park up in the San Roque area."
Michael Lazaro, 47, of Santa Barbara was somewhat vague in his response. "Over on upper State Street."
Everyone we talked to was stumped to find an answer to this question: What are fiesteros?
"Never heard of it," said Carpinteria resident Alyssa Chavez, 17, on break from dancing at the main stage at El Mercado de La Guerra.
Adrianna Muñoz, 13, brainstormed with some friends and decided she had no idea either. Finally, after much thought she said, "I'm thinking it's an object."
"A male dancer maybe?"
Michelle Baptiste, a 26-year-old teacher from France, pointed to all the booths in El Mercado de la Guerra and replied, "This!"
"It's a big celebration," she added.
Close. Fiesteros is another word for Fiesta celebrants.
Our test of peoples' Fiesta knowledge ends with the question, What is El Fandango?
Santa Barbara mom, Maria Frye, 31, reluctantly said, "I think it's a big party where you get dressed up."
Delilah Velasquez, 37, of Riverside, replied, "Music, maybe?"
Goleta resident Christy O'Neill, 20, said with enthusiasm, "It's that thing on the Internet for movie tickets."
Actually, El Fandango is the costume party during Fiesta.
Fiesta is a well-known celebration of Santa Barbara's history, but how well do locals know the event?
The News-Press hit El Mercado de la Guerra and parts of State Street on Wednesday -- opening day of the five-day party -- to find out just how much people know about the Fiesta.
First question: What is Competencia de los Vaqueros?
Joshua Pemberton, a concert promoter and resident of Santa Barbara, responded after a brief pause "competition of cowboys. . .its like a rodeo."
Ronnie Ybarra, 52, a judicial officer from Carpinteria, offered a similar response. "A cowboy competition," he said.
Assembly-line worker Carmen Diaz had a different idea. It's "when two vaqueros compete for a reason, like for the love of a woman or to see who's stronger," said the 37-year-old Santa Barbara resident.
For those who don't know, Competencia de los Vaqueros is the Fiesta rodeo and stock horse show, held at Earl Warren Showgrounds.
The next question, What is El Desfile Histórico?, proved to be a challenging one for the younger participants.
Daina Torres, 17, of Santa Barbara, puzzled, searched for an answer for a minute, then finally said, "I really don't know."
Junior Zanabria, an 8-year-old from Santa Barbara, pondered the question with a confused look on his face. "Desfile histórico?" He finally just shrugged his shoulders.
Up the street selling confetti eggs -- cascarones -- with her grandson, Belel Caxto knew the answer immediately. El Desfile Histórico is the annual parade, which gets underway at noon today.
"Muy bueno," said an excited Ms. Caxto. "Muy bueno parade fiesta."
Directional acuity could have been the category of the next question: Where is El Mercado de La Guerra?
Ashlynn Medeiros, 39, of Carpinteria, will tell you to "walk down State Street until you find De la Guerra. . .look for the booths and you're there."
Retired adventurer Robert "Bob" Lake, 55, pointed in the direction of the space east of State and between De la Guerra and Ortega streets, and exclaimed, "The grassy courtyard bordered with food stands!"
"Isn't it this marketplace here?" said another retiree, Steve Treanor of Ventura, standing in the middle of the plaza.
De la Guerra is but one of the mercados. MacKenzie Park, off Las Positas Road, south of State Street, is the site of El Mercado del Norte.
So, how do you get there?
Gardener Rolando Jimenez, 24, was a bit unsure. "El Mercado. . .up by La Cumbre maybe?"
Kendra Rhodes of Orcutt hit it spot on.
"At MacKenzie Park up in the San Roque area."
Michael Lazaro, 47, of Santa Barbara was somewhat vague in his response. "Over on upper State Street."
Everyone we talked to was stumped to find an answer to this question: What are fiesteros?
"Never heard of it," said Carpinteria resident Alyssa Chavez, 17, on break from dancing at the main stage at El Mercado de La Guerra.
Adrianna Muñoz, 13, brainstormed with some friends and decided she had no idea either. Finally, after much thought she said, "I'm thinking it's an object."
"A male dancer maybe?"
Michelle Baptiste, a 26-year-old teacher from France, pointed to all the booths in El Mercado de la Guerra and replied, "This!"
"It's a big celebration," she added.
Close. Fiesteros is another word for Fiesta celebrants.
Our test of peoples' Fiesta knowledge ends with the question, What is El Fandango?
Santa Barbara mom, Maria Frye, 31, reluctantly said, "I think it's a big party where you get dressed up."
Delilah Velasquez, 37, of Riverside, replied, "Music, maybe?"
Goleta resident Christy O'Neill, 20, said with enthusiasm, "It's that thing on the Internet for movie tickets."
Actually, El Fandango is the costume party during Fiesta.
PARADE 'ENTRY' BY AIR : Flyover by Navy C-130 to be featured
August 6, 2009 7:30 AM
The Fiesta Parade on Friday will start with something that's never happened in 85 years -- a flyover of a U.S. Navy plane, starting at Stearns Wharf and heading straight up State Street.
The C-130 fly-over, set to take place just prior to El Desfile Histórico, which starts at noon, was made possible by the Santa Barbara Navy League, according to Dennis Rickard, Old Spanish Days vice president and parade chairman.
It was Mr. Rickard's father, former Mayor Jack Rickard, who reached out to the Navy in the early 1950s to develop a relationship between the Navy and Fiesta, and the flyover coincides with the 60th anniversary of the elder Mr. Rickard's year as El Presidente of Fiesta.
Flying at a mere 1,000 feet, the plane is operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 or VR-55 "World Famous Minutemen" stationed at Point Mugu, organizers said.
The duties of VR-55 include round-the-clock availability -- and on a moment's notice to be able to provide global logistics support for the Navy around the globe including regions such as the Mediterranean, Europe, Southwest Asia, the Middle East and Indian Ocean.
The Fiesta Parade on Friday will start with something that's never happened in 85 years -- a flyover of a U.S. Navy plane, starting at Stearns Wharf and heading straight up State Street.
The C-130 fly-over, set to take place just prior to El Desfile Histórico, which starts at noon, was made possible by the Santa Barbara Navy League, according to Dennis Rickard, Old Spanish Days vice president and parade chairman.
It was Mr. Rickard's father, former Mayor Jack Rickard, who reached out to the Navy in the early 1950s to develop a relationship between the Navy and Fiesta, and the flyover coincides with the 60th anniversary of the elder Mr. Rickard's year as El Presidente of Fiesta.
Flying at a mere 1,000 feet, the plane is operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 55 or VR-55 "World Famous Minutemen" stationed at Point Mugu, organizers said.
The duties of VR-55 include round-the-clock availability -- and on a moment's notice to be able to provide global logistics support for the Navy around the globe including regions such as the Mediterranean, Europe, Southwest Asia, the Middle East and Indian Ocean.
NIFTY AT 50 : Evelyn Dias retires after decades of doing laundry at Marian Medical Center
July 31, 2009 7:27 AM
Marian Medical Center will hold a retirement party today for Evelyn Dias -- its first employee to log 50 years of service.
The 92-year-old Santa Maria resident spent most of her years in the Laundry Department, scared away from a lot of patient contact because of vacuum cleaner mishap many years ago, she told the News-Press on Thursday.
Throughout her career, which started at Sisters' Hospital (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), continuing at Marian since it opened in 1967, Ms. Dias served faithfully, according to those who know her.
When she came to Sisters' Hospital in the 1950s, a cleaning job is all that was available. Her employer showed her how to use a dust mop and other appliances, but after a vacuum cleaner slid under the bed of a patient, Ms. Dias decided maybe she was cut out to do something else.
"I didn't want to be working around the patients," she said. "It wasn't the job for me."
When a laundry position opened up, Ms. Dias jumped at the chance -- and that's where she's been ever since.
At 3 p.m. today, colleagues, family and friends will celebrate Ms. Dias' milestone with a reception in the Marian Conference Center, on Church Street.
"Evelyn is a very dependable employee with a superior ability to train staff on proper surgical towel folding techniques," Chon Hardin, director of Environmental Services and Ms. Dias' supervisor, said in a statement.
"What Evelyn has done for Marian and the footprints she has left on the sands of her fellow co-workers' hearts will never wash away."
And while officially retiring, Ms. Dias is not giving up work. She said she hopes to start volunteering at Marian -- doing laundry.
To this day, Ms. Dias admitted with a sense of humor, cleaning is not exactly her favorite activity.
When asked her secret to keeping house, she with a laugh, "I'd like to lock the door, run away, and not even look at it!"
Marian Medical Center will hold a retirement party today for Evelyn Dias -- its first employee to log 50 years of service.
The 92-year-old Santa Maria resident spent most of her years in the Laundry Department, scared away from a lot of patient contact because of vacuum cleaner mishap many years ago, she told the News-Press on Thursday.
Throughout her career, which started at Sisters' Hospital (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), continuing at Marian since it opened in 1967, Ms. Dias served faithfully, according to those who know her.
When she came to Sisters' Hospital in the 1950s, a cleaning job is all that was available. Her employer showed her how to use a dust mop and other appliances, but after a vacuum cleaner slid under the bed of a patient, Ms. Dias decided maybe she was cut out to do something else.
"I didn't want to be working around the patients," she said. "It wasn't the job for me."
When a laundry position opened up, Ms. Dias jumped at the chance -- and that's where she's been ever since.
At 3 p.m. today, colleagues, family and friends will celebrate Ms. Dias' milestone with a reception in the Marian Conference Center, on Church Street.
"Evelyn is a very dependable employee with a superior ability to train staff on proper surgical towel folding techniques," Chon Hardin, director of Environmental Services and Ms. Dias' supervisor, said in a statement.
"What Evelyn has done for Marian and the footprints she has left on the sands of her fellow co-workers' hearts will never wash away."
And while officially retiring, Ms. Dias is not giving up work. She said she hopes to start volunteering at Marian -- doing laundry.
To this day, Ms. Dias admitted with a sense of humor, cleaning is not exactly her favorite activity.
When asked her secret to keeping house, she with a laugh, "I'd like to lock the door, run away, and not even look at it!"
Entertainment lineup set for Fiesta's Mercado del Norte (Santa Barbara News-Press)
July 31, 2009 7:26 AM
Fiesta, a cherished celebration in Santa Barbara, is right around the corner.
The five-day event kicks off Wednesday and promises lots of food, elaborate fashion and, of course, entertainment.
Main stage entertainment at Mercado del Norte, McCaw Avenue and Las Positas Road, will begin Wednesday with Cruz Dance & Entertainment from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by Grupo Folklorico de West L.A. from noon to 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., the Kathy Cota Dance studio will perform.
Next will be Grupo de Danza Quetzalcoatl beginning at 1 p.m. West Coast Ballet will be the next to take the stage and show off their talent from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Following that are the traditional stylings of Fuego Gitano from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and Spirits of Fiesta from 2:45 to 3 p.m.
Finishing the daytime entertainment at the main stage is Alma de Mexico at 3 p.m. and the Antoinette Lopez "FlamenColores" Dance Academy at 3:30.
Opening day evening entertainment at the mercado kicks off at 6 with False Puppet, a power trio playing both originals and favorites of rock 'n' roll. They will be followed at 7 p.m. by Jaded Cloud, described as a young rock band with old school skills.
The Crazy Horse Cantina Stage features Pepe Marquez and the Latin Soul Revue at 6:15 p.m., followed by the dynamic Latin fusion Mestizo at 8:20 p.m.
Here's the rest of Mercado del Norte's entertainment offerings:
Aug. 6
Main stage:
• Antoinette Lopez "FlamenColores" Dance Academy, 11 a.m.
• Kathy Cota Dance Studio, 12:30 p.m.
• West Coast Ballet, 1:15 p.m.
• Grupo Folkorico de West L.A., 1:45 p.m.
• Cruz Dance & Entertainment, 2:15 p.m.
• Alma de Mexico, 3:30 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio DFO, 4 p.m.
• Jensens Rock 'n' Roll Army and special guests Marymount Monsters of Rock, 6 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• I want my Eighties, 6:15 p.m.
• Area 51, 8:20 p.m.
Aug. 7
Main stage:
• Linda Vega Dance Studio, 11 a.m.
• Alma de Mexico, noon
• West Coast Ballet, 12:30 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio, 1 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 1:30 p.m.
• Bailes de España, 2 p.m.
• Paloma Rios, 2:30 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 3 p.m.
• Spirits-Fuego Gitano, 3:30 p.m.
• Shawn Henry Dancers DFO, 4:30 p.m.
• Odd Job (local luminaries making their big-stage debut), 6 p.m.
• The Martyrs, 7:15 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• CRV- Classic Country Rock, 6:15 p.m.
• Lucky Jacksons, formerly the Raindogs, 8:40 p.m.
Aug. 8
Main stage:
• Paloma Rios, 11 a.m.
• Rudenko, 11:30 a.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 1 p.m.
• Bailes de España, 2 p.m.
• Paloma Rios, 2:30 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 3 p.m.
• Spirits-Fuego Gitano, 3:15 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio, 4 p.m.
• Lonesome Dub, 6 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• CRV- Classic Country Rock, 6:15 p.m.
• Lucky Jacksons, formerly the Raindogs, 8:40 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• The Tearaways, 6:15 p.m.
• Cafè R&B, 8:40 p.m.
Fiesta, a cherished celebration in Santa Barbara, is right around the corner.
The five-day event kicks off Wednesday and promises lots of food, elaborate fashion and, of course, entertainment.
Main stage entertainment at Mercado del Norte, McCaw Avenue and Las Positas Road, will begin Wednesday with Cruz Dance & Entertainment from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by Grupo Folklorico de West L.A. from noon to 12:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., the Kathy Cota Dance studio will perform.
Next will be Grupo de Danza Quetzalcoatl beginning at 1 p.m. West Coast Ballet will be the next to take the stage and show off their talent from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Following that are the traditional stylings of Fuego Gitano from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and Spirits of Fiesta from 2:45 to 3 p.m.
Finishing the daytime entertainment at the main stage is Alma de Mexico at 3 p.m. and the Antoinette Lopez "FlamenColores" Dance Academy at 3:30.
Opening day evening entertainment at the mercado kicks off at 6 with False Puppet, a power trio playing both originals and favorites of rock 'n' roll. They will be followed at 7 p.m. by Jaded Cloud, described as a young rock band with old school skills.
The Crazy Horse Cantina Stage features Pepe Marquez and the Latin Soul Revue at 6:15 p.m., followed by the dynamic Latin fusion Mestizo at 8:20 p.m.
Here's the rest of Mercado del Norte's entertainment offerings:
Aug. 6
Main stage:
• Antoinette Lopez "FlamenColores" Dance Academy, 11 a.m.
• Kathy Cota Dance Studio, 12:30 p.m.
• West Coast Ballet, 1:15 p.m.
• Grupo Folkorico de West L.A., 1:45 p.m.
• Cruz Dance & Entertainment, 2:15 p.m.
• Alma de Mexico, 3:30 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio DFO, 4 p.m.
• Jensens Rock 'n' Roll Army and special guests Marymount Monsters of Rock, 6 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• I want my Eighties, 6:15 p.m.
• Area 51, 8:20 p.m.
Aug. 7
Main stage:
• Linda Vega Dance Studio, 11 a.m.
• Alma de Mexico, noon
• West Coast Ballet, 12:30 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio, 1 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 1:30 p.m.
• Bailes de España, 2 p.m.
• Paloma Rios, 2:30 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 3 p.m.
• Spirits-Fuego Gitano, 3:30 p.m.
• Shawn Henry Dancers DFO, 4:30 p.m.
• Odd Job (local luminaries making their big-stage debut), 6 p.m.
• The Martyrs, 7:15 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• CRV- Classic Country Rock, 6:15 p.m.
• Lucky Jacksons, formerly the Raindogs, 8:40 p.m.
Aug. 8
Main stage:
• Paloma Rios, 11 a.m.
• Rudenko, 11:30 a.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 1 p.m.
• Bailes de España, 2 p.m.
• Paloma Rios, 2:30 p.m.
• Grupo Danza Quetzalcoatl, 3 p.m.
• Spirits-Fuego Gitano, 3:15 p.m.
• Garcia Dance Studio, 4 p.m.
• Lonesome Dub, 6 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• CRV- Classic Country Rock, 6:15 p.m.
• Lucky Jacksons, formerly the Raindogs, 8:40 p.m.
Crazy Horse Cantina Stage
• The Tearaways, 6:15 p.m.
• Cafè R&B, 8:40 p.m.
UCSB's Bren Hall recognized by Green Building Council (Santa Barbara News-Press)
September 29, 2009 6:57 AM
Bren Hall, the building for the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, was recently awarded two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. The certifications recognize existing buildings operations and maintenance, and new construction.
LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of the most energy-efficient, high performance buildings.
John Melack, Bren school acting dean, said in a statement, "it was a major achievement to construct Bren Hall as the first LEED platinum laboratory . . . but in some ways that was easier than earning recertification at the platinum level."
Chancellor Henry Yang also noted the rankings.
"I am excited by this recognition, which raises the bar on our already ambitious campus-wide sustainability efforts."
UCSB is one of three institutions invited by the Green Building Council to participate in the Portfolio Program, which allows LEED to grant credits to groups of buildings that have sustainability strategies in common, such as using recycled water, buying green janitorial products and the installation of energy-efficient lighting.
Twenty-five other buildings on campus have also been selected for future LEED certification. Officials will soon begin the application process for 29 pre-approved, shared credits. These sustainability credits are awarded by the Green Building Council for everything including construction materials and landscaping to purchasing policies, energy efficiency and the health and safety of the occupants.
New construction certification includes credits for location, materials used, management of construction-related waste, resource efficiency and operational elements.
Existing building certification is based on maintenance and operation, occupant health, and financial return of the initial investment in sustainability technology and strategies.
Bren Hall's energy use is about one third to one half of that used by buildings with similar functions.
Jordan Sager, LEED Program Manager at UCSB physical facilities stated that most of the work was "no cost or low cost," and no major retrofitting occurred to obtain the double platinum rating.
Said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the Green Building Council: "Bren Hall demonstrates tremendous green building leadership (and) serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
Bren Hall, the building for the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, was recently awarded two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. The certifications recognize existing buildings operations and maintenance, and new construction.
LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of the most energy-efficient, high performance buildings.
John Melack, Bren school acting dean, said in a statement, "it was a major achievement to construct Bren Hall as the first LEED platinum laboratory . . . but in some ways that was easier than earning recertification at the platinum level."
Chancellor Henry Yang also noted the rankings.
"I am excited by this recognition, which raises the bar on our already ambitious campus-wide sustainability efforts."
UCSB is one of three institutions invited by the Green Building Council to participate in the Portfolio Program, which allows LEED to grant credits to groups of buildings that have sustainability strategies in common, such as using recycled water, buying green janitorial products and the installation of energy-efficient lighting.
Twenty-five other buildings on campus have also been selected for future LEED certification. Officials will soon begin the application process for 29 pre-approved, shared credits. These sustainability credits are awarded by the Green Building Council for everything including construction materials and landscaping to purchasing policies, energy efficiency and the health and safety of the occupants.
New construction certification includes credits for location, materials used, management of construction-related waste, resource efficiency and operational elements.
Existing building certification is based on maintenance and operation, occupant health, and financial return of the initial investment in sustainability technology and strategies.
Bren Hall's energy use is about one third to one half of that used by buildings with similar functions.
Jordan Sager, LEED Program Manager at UCSB physical facilities stated that most of the work was "no cost or low cost," and no major retrofitting occurred to obtain the double platinum rating.
Said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the Green Building Council: "Bren Hall demonstrates tremendous green building leadership (and) serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
Tasty way to benefit Arthritis Foundation (Santa Barbara News-Press)
September 10, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arthritis Foundation Santa Barbara Branch is gearing up for its 28th annual Taste of the Town benefit, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Riviera Park Gardens.
Jeanne David, executive director of the local Arthritis Foundation branch, said the event will be set up in a quadrangle in covered corridors. Within the corridors will be 40 wineries and 40 restaurants offering samplings and tastings.
Live entertainment is being provided by Santa Barbara jazz musician David Tovar.
The food offered at Taste of the Town is classified as strictly gourmet, with a menu that includes red roast Kurobuta pork belly with Napa cabbage fondue; banana pudding coconut macaroons; ravioli al burro e salvia; spicy chicken; ahi tuna tartar with avocado and sesame ginger sauce topped with seaweed salad served on a crunchy wonton chip; mini cheddar with sweet potato and bacon quesadilla with caramelized onion and creme fraiche; and shredded phyllo-wrapped tiger prawns with coconut curry dipping sauce.
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit health organization addressing the needs of more than 46 million Americans -- 1 in 5 adults -- and 300,000 children who are diagnosed with arthritis or diseases related to arthritis.
According to the Foundation, there are 120 different forms of arthritis. A 2005 California Health Interview Survey showed there are also more than 5 million Californians diagnosed with arthritis and arthritis-related diseases, including gout, lupus and fibromyalgia -- 58,000 are located in Santa Barbara County.
In addition to the millions of people arthritis affects in California, it is the second most prevalent chronic disease among adults in the United States, next to hypertension, and affects more adults than heart disease, cancer or diabetes, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
The Arthritis Foundation helps individuals take control of their arthritis and assists in improving quality of life by offering public health and advocacy programs as well as funding vital research to find a cure.
Ms. David said that two-thirds of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under the age of 65. Nearly 80 percent of adults either have or know someone with arthritis and, nationally, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among women than men.
The goal of Taste of the Town is to raise funds for the nonprofit foundation, but Ms. David added, "throughout the event there will be some education presentations, including two local high school students who have been diagnosed and living with arthritis who will share their stories, as well as some other educational information and brochures."
Riviera Park Gardens is located at 2030 Alameda Padre Serra.
Tickets are $100 advance or $125 at the door and are available by calling 563-4685 or visiting www.tasteofthetownsantabarbara.
The Arthritis Foundation Santa Barbara Branch is gearing up for its 28th annual Taste of the Town benefit, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Riviera Park Gardens.
Jeanne David, executive director of the local Arthritis Foundation branch, said the event will be set up in a quadrangle in covered corridors. Within the corridors will be 40 wineries and 40 restaurants offering samplings and tastings.
Live entertainment is being provided by Santa Barbara jazz musician David Tovar.
The food offered at Taste of the Town is classified as strictly gourmet, with a menu that includes red roast Kurobuta pork belly with Napa cabbage fondue; banana pudding coconut macaroons; ravioli al burro e salvia; spicy chicken; ahi tuna tartar with avocado and sesame ginger sauce topped with seaweed salad served on a crunchy wonton chip; mini cheddar with sweet potato and bacon quesadilla with caramelized onion and creme fraiche; and shredded phyllo-wrapped tiger prawns with coconut curry dipping sauce.
The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit health organization addressing the needs of more than 46 million Americans -- 1 in 5 adults -- and 300,000 children who are diagnosed with arthritis or diseases related to arthritis.
According to the Foundation, there are 120 different forms of arthritis. A 2005 California Health Interview Survey showed there are also more than 5 million Californians diagnosed with arthritis and arthritis-related diseases, including gout, lupus and fibromyalgia -- 58,000 are located in Santa Barbara County.
In addition to the millions of people arthritis affects in California, it is the second most prevalent chronic disease among adults in the United States, next to hypertension, and affects more adults than heart disease, cancer or diabetes, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
The Arthritis Foundation helps individuals take control of their arthritis and assists in improving quality of life by offering public health and advocacy programs as well as funding vital research to find a cure.
Ms. David said that two-thirds of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are under the age of 65. Nearly 80 percent of adults either have or know someone with arthritis and, nationally, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among women than men.
The goal of Taste of the Town is to raise funds for the nonprofit foundation, but Ms. David added, "throughout the event there will be some education presentations, including two local high school students who have been diagnosed and living with arthritis who will share their stories, as well as some other educational information and brochures."
Riviera Park Gardens is located at 2030 Alameda Padre Serra.
Tickets are $100 advance or $125 at the door and are available by calling 563-4685 or visiting www.tasteofthetownsantabarbara.
Documentary goes after girl bullying (Santa Barbara News-Press)
September 8, 2009 7:10 AM
Is the "girl world" a place where young girls and developing young ladies want to be?
According to Pepperdine University graduates Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, founders of the nonprofit Kind Campaign, every girl goes through or takes part in some type of girl-against-girl bullying, including physical fighting, name-calling, threats, power struggles, competition, manipulation, secrets, rumors and ostracizing others.
Although girls are no strangers to such activity, Miss Parsekian and Miss Stroud say it's not a well-known or recognized issue in society. In hopes of changing that, the pair have hit the road with their college degrees, cameras and passion to make a documentary about the subject.
The goal of the project is to encourage girls to stop the competition, stop the cattiness, stop the hate and to be kind.
Their journey began Sept. 1 in Malibu and will take them to 60 cities by year end. Miss Parsekian was in Santa Barbara last week.
"The adventure started at the Mountain Documentary Film Festival in Telluride two years ago, but the issue has been with me since I was a little girl," she told the News-Press. Miss Parsekian said she entered middle school as one of the "popular girls" until her so-called friends ostracized her, resulting in female wrath the remainder of her middle school years.
"I was tortured. I became scared to go to school, for the fear of what new tortuous experience they would put me through," she said. "My grades started to drop, I was scared to answer the phone, and finding places to hide on campus became a daily routine. Through this time I battled depression and thought about suicide frequently. I remember feeling worthless, ugly, stupid, and more than anything else, I felt like my world was over."
Knowing she wanted to help girls with these issues, but having no idea about how to address them, she realized during the film festival in Telluride that a documentary was a realistic way to go. She pitched the idea to producer Tom Shadyac ("Bruce Almighty," "Patch Adams") for whom she served an internship. Mr. Shadyac fully supported the idea and supplied her with cameras and is sponsoring the Kind Campaign trip.
The tour around the U.S. was also made possible by the support and company of the women's mothers; Crown Toyota, which donated a 2009 Sienna; Chris Harrison, host of ABC's "The Bachelor," who provided the funds for gas; and Susan Salas, their production professor and mentor.
"After I had my idea set up, I thought about someone I wanted to do this project with. Molly and I met up and I told her about the documentary and she was immediately on board," Miss Parsekian said. "We started brainstorming and started interviewing girls and we realized that people were wanting to speak out."
The issue, they decided, was bigger than just a documentary, so they launched their nonprofit organization about a year ago.
"And about six months ago, we launched our interactive Web site (www.kindcampaign.com) where girls can go and share their stories and know they aren't alone," Miss Parsekian added.
With the documentary and nonprofit organization, Miss Parsekian and Miss Stroud hope to create a program where they screen the movie in schools, have a dialogue about the issue and provide some sort of resource materials for the schools to use.
Their overall mission is creating a movement "based upon the powerful belief in kindness, that seeks to bring awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of abuse within the 'Girl World.' "
Is the "girl world" a place where young girls and developing young ladies want to be?
According to Pepperdine University graduates Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, founders of the nonprofit Kind Campaign, every girl goes through or takes part in some type of girl-against-girl bullying, including physical fighting, name-calling, threats, power struggles, competition, manipulation, secrets, rumors and ostracizing others.
Although girls are no strangers to such activity, Miss Parsekian and Miss Stroud say it's not a well-known or recognized issue in society. In hopes of changing that, the pair have hit the road with their college degrees, cameras and passion to make a documentary about the subject.
The goal of the project is to encourage girls to stop the competition, stop the cattiness, stop the hate and to be kind.
Their journey began Sept. 1 in Malibu and will take them to 60 cities by year end. Miss Parsekian was in Santa Barbara last week.
"The adventure started at the Mountain Documentary Film Festival in Telluride two years ago, but the issue has been with me since I was a little girl," she told the News-Press. Miss Parsekian said she entered middle school as one of the "popular girls" until her so-called friends ostracized her, resulting in female wrath the remainder of her middle school years.
"I was tortured. I became scared to go to school, for the fear of what new tortuous experience they would put me through," she said. "My grades started to drop, I was scared to answer the phone, and finding places to hide on campus became a daily routine. Through this time I battled depression and thought about suicide frequently. I remember feeling worthless, ugly, stupid, and more than anything else, I felt like my world was over."
Knowing she wanted to help girls with these issues, but having no idea about how to address them, she realized during the film festival in Telluride that a documentary was a realistic way to go. She pitched the idea to producer Tom Shadyac ("Bruce Almighty," "Patch Adams") for whom she served an internship. Mr. Shadyac fully supported the idea and supplied her with cameras and is sponsoring the Kind Campaign trip.
The tour around the U.S. was also made possible by the support and company of the women's mothers; Crown Toyota, which donated a 2009 Sienna; Chris Harrison, host of ABC's "The Bachelor," who provided the funds for gas; and Susan Salas, their production professor and mentor.
"After I had my idea set up, I thought about someone I wanted to do this project with. Molly and I met up and I told her about the documentary and she was immediately on board," Miss Parsekian said. "We started brainstorming and started interviewing girls and we realized that people were wanting to speak out."
The issue, they decided, was bigger than just a documentary, so they launched their nonprofit organization about a year ago.
"And about six months ago, we launched our interactive Web site (www.kindcampaign.com) where girls can go and share their stories and know they aren't alone," Miss Parsekian added.
With the documentary and nonprofit organization, Miss Parsekian and Miss Stroud hope to create a program where they screen the movie in schools, have a dialogue about the issue and provide some sort of resource materials for the schools to use.
Their overall mission is creating a movement "based upon the powerful belief in kindness, that seeks to bring awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of abuse within the 'Girl World.' "
Julie McLeod to exit S.B. Dance Alliance Sept. 13 (Santa Barbara News-Press)
September 4, 2009 7:12 AM
Changes are coming to the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance.
In a letter sent to supporters by e-mail early Thursday, Alana Tillim, president of the alliance's board of directors, announced that 10-year executive director Julie McLeod will be retiring on Sept. 13.
"During her tenure with SBDA, Julie has built our scholarship program and helped transform events like BASSH and New Works into 'must-see' performances in our community," said Ms. Tillim. "Her presence will be missed, but her legacy and vision will live on in the many years to come."
Ms. McLeod has been with the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance since the inception of the program 30 years ago. She has served as a board member, the vice president, president, and for the past 10 years has been working as the executive director.
Ms. McLeod quipped that she has been threatening to retire from the alliance for several years now and at a board retreat she gave a firm date of March 2010.
According to Ms. McLeod, the "Dance Alliance board decided that replacing me was an action that should happen sooner and moved the date to September of 2009."
Ms. McLeod has invested substantial time and energy to the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance. Throughout her 30 years with them, she has contributed to the development of programs, such as the DaM, the Dancers Ball, Dance Day and BASSH.
She told the News-Press, however, that "it's time for the younger generation to take over and do their part in this nonprofit organization.
Ms. McLeod wouldn't single out any program as a favorite or the most successful of her tenure.
"Its the whole package. We have offered 115 scholarships over the past six years amounting to around $55,000 to people between the ages of eight and seventeen who show talent, dedication and financial need. We are an umbrella organization for 18 local dance groups, which means we provide 501(c)(3) nonprofit sponsorships and hook them into insurance certificates."
Ms. McLeod added that the nonprofit organization has been hurting due to the state of the economy.
"We had to reduce our staff hours by 30 percent and I had to pick up an extra load and because of that I experienced a true and total burnout," Ms. McLeod said.
After she departs on Sept. 13, she plans on taking "a little while and rest, do a little vacationing, and repair my brain."
"You can't stop me though, I am a do-er," she continued. "I have a strong dance history, as an original cast member in West Side Story, and I had my first dance lesson on my third birthday ... This is my passion. I have a strong passion to bring dance to the community and I am terribly proud of what we've accomplished thus far ... and I will continue to work with the dance communities. I don't know how yet, but I am hoping for all kinds of propositions."
Changes are coming to the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance.
In a letter sent to supporters by e-mail early Thursday, Alana Tillim, president of the alliance's board of directors, announced that 10-year executive director Julie McLeod will be retiring on Sept. 13.
"During her tenure with SBDA, Julie has built our scholarship program and helped transform events like BASSH and New Works into 'must-see' performances in our community," said Ms. Tillim. "Her presence will be missed, but her legacy and vision will live on in the many years to come."
Ms. McLeod has been with the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance since the inception of the program 30 years ago. She has served as a board member, the vice president, president, and for the past 10 years has been working as the executive director.
Ms. McLeod quipped that she has been threatening to retire from the alliance for several years now and at a board retreat she gave a firm date of March 2010.
According to Ms. McLeod, the "Dance Alliance board decided that replacing me was an action that should happen sooner and moved the date to September of 2009."
Ms. McLeod has invested substantial time and energy to the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance. Throughout her 30 years with them, she has contributed to the development of programs, such as the DaM, the Dancers Ball, Dance Day and BASSH.
She told the News-Press, however, that "it's time for the younger generation to take over and do their part in this nonprofit organization.
Ms. McLeod wouldn't single out any program as a favorite or the most successful of her tenure.
"Its the whole package. We have offered 115 scholarships over the past six years amounting to around $55,000 to people between the ages of eight and seventeen who show talent, dedication and financial need. We are an umbrella organization for 18 local dance groups, which means we provide 501(c)(3) nonprofit sponsorships and hook them into insurance certificates."
Ms. McLeod added that the nonprofit organization has been hurting due to the state of the economy.
"We had to reduce our staff hours by 30 percent and I had to pick up an extra load and because of that I experienced a true and total burnout," Ms. McLeod said.
After she departs on Sept. 13, she plans on taking "a little while and rest, do a little vacationing, and repair my brain."
"You can't stop me though, I am a do-er," she continued. "I have a strong dance history, as an original cast member in West Side Story, and I had my first dance lesson on my third birthday ... This is my passion. I have a strong passion to bring dance to the community and I am terribly proud of what we've accomplished thus far ... and I will continue to work with the dance communities. I don't know how yet, but I am hoping for all kinds of propositions."
Wing at County Clinic renamed for late Dr. Stephen Birch : Dedicated doctor died in April plane crash over Gaviota coast (Santa Barbara News-Press
September 4, 2009 7:10 AM
The halls of the Santa Barbara County Clinic were filled Thursday morning for the dedication and naming of a specialty wing in honor of the late Stephen R. Birch, M.D.
Family, friends, colleagues and even patients gathered for the dedication, which began at 8:30 a.m.
Born in Ann Arbor, Mich., Dr. Birch was the first-born son of Dr. Larry and Roberta Birch.
He received his undergraduate degree in 1973 from Jacksonville University. He then went on to medical school at the University of Miami, where he received his medical degree in 1977. After finishing his orthopedic training in 1982, Dr. Birch and his wife, Alice, moved to Santa Barbara, where he spent the next 25 years working at the office of Peus, Birch, Kahmann, Gallivan and Romero.
Dr. Birch passed away on April 19 at the age of 62 when the plane he was flying went down over the Gaviota Coast.
Dr. Birch was an orthopedic doctor with a private practice located in downtown Santa Barbara. He donated a significant amount of his time to the Santa Barbara Clinic, where he has offered his services for 23 years.
Dr. Elliott Schulman, the outgoing director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Health, made the opening statements at the ceremony acknowledging Dr. Birch and his mark on this community.
"Today we are here to honor Steve as the professional he was, (although many of) you are here to honor Steve as the man he was ... Steve is the epitome of what this clinic is all about," said Dr. Schulman, adding that Dr. Birch wasn't worried about himself in terms of the health risks he faced working in a clinic. He was concerned about what was the right thing to do, Dr. Schulman said.
Debra Nichols, Dr. Birch's cousin, told the News-Press that Dr. Birch was dedicated to everything he did whether it was medicine, working with patients, hanging out with his friends, or being with his family.
Ms. Nichols added that there was nothing Dr. Birch wasn't good at.
"He was an excellent doctor, but he was amazing outside the office as well and was outstanding in water skiing, snowboarding and was a fantastic pilot. Most of all though he was a wonderful father," Ms. Nichols told the News-Press.
During the dedication of the specialty wing to Dr. Birch, Ms. Nichols shared a story of "Christmas at the Birch house." She commented about how Dr. Birch generously offered his medical attention to his family members on Christmas day. "I have back problems, and was at a 90-degree angle and Steve injected me." Dr. Birch also helped out two other family members that day, and Ms. Nichols said "that's just the way Steve was."
"Dr. Birch donated many hours of his time to help others and he touched a lot of people. Dr. Birch symbolizes what a dedicated medical community we have in Santa Barbara. We are lucky to have specialists like him" who are willing to donate their time, said 2nd District County Supervisor Janet Wolf.
Ms. Wolf added that Dr. Birch was not concerned with the health care reform issues today; his business was healing and that's what he did.
According to the Santa Barbara County Clinic manager, Lou Ellen Scott, the County Clinic provides service to underprivileged members of the community and those members of the community who do not have health insurance.
The specialty wing is where specialists like an orthopedic doctor or a gynecologist, for example, would come and donate their time to see patients who otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive medical attention.
The specialty wing is now known as the Stephen R. Birch M.D. Specialty Wing.
A plaque was mounted in the center hall of the specialty wing of the clinic with a picture and some information about him.
The halls of the Santa Barbara County Clinic were filled Thursday morning for the dedication and naming of a specialty wing in honor of the late Stephen R. Birch, M.D.
Family, friends, colleagues and even patients gathered for the dedication, which began at 8:30 a.m.
Born in Ann Arbor, Mich., Dr. Birch was the first-born son of Dr. Larry and Roberta Birch.
He received his undergraduate degree in 1973 from Jacksonville University. He then went on to medical school at the University of Miami, where he received his medical degree in 1977. After finishing his orthopedic training in 1982, Dr. Birch and his wife, Alice, moved to Santa Barbara, where he spent the next 25 years working at the office of Peus, Birch, Kahmann, Gallivan and Romero.
Dr. Birch passed away on April 19 at the age of 62 when the plane he was flying went down over the Gaviota Coast.
Dr. Birch was an orthopedic doctor with a private practice located in downtown Santa Barbara. He donated a significant amount of his time to the Santa Barbara Clinic, where he has offered his services for 23 years.
Dr. Elliott Schulman, the outgoing director of the Santa Barbara County Department of Health, made the opening statements at the ceremony acknowledging Dr. Birch and his mark on this community.
"Today we are here to honor Steve as the professional he was, (although many of) you are here to honor Steve as the man he was ... Steve is the epitome of what this clinic is all about," said Dr. Schulman, adding that Dr. Birch wasn't worried about himself in terms of the health risks he faced working in a clinic. He was concerned about what was the right thing to do, Dr. Schulman said.
Debra Nichols, Dr. Birch's cousin, told the News-Press that Dr. Birch was dedicated to everything he did whether it was medicine, working with patients, hanging out with his friends, or being with his family.
Ms. Nichols added that there was nothing Dr. Birch wasn't good at.
"He was an excellent doctor, but he was amazing outside the office as well and was outstanding in water skiing, snowboarding and was a fantastic pilot. Most of all though he was a wonderful father," Ms. Nichols told the News-Press.
During the dedication of the specialty wing to Dr. Birch, Ms. Nichols shared a story of "Christmas at the Birch house." She commented about how Dr. Birch generously offered his medical attention to his family members on Christmas day. "I have back problems, and was at a 90-degree angle and Steve injected me." Dr. Birch also helped out two other family members that day, and Ms. Nichols said "that's just the way Steve was."
"Dr. Birch donated many hours of his time to help others and he touched a lot of people. Dr. Birch symbolizes what a dedicated medical community we have in Santa Barbara. We are lucky to have specialists like him" who are willing to donate their time, said 2nd District County Supervisor Janet Wolf.
Ms. Wolf added that Dr. Birch was not concerned with the health care reform issues today; his business was healing and that's what he did.
According to the Santa Barbara County Clinic manager, Lou Ellen Scott, the County Clinic provides service to underprivileged members of the community and those members of the community who do not have health insurance.
The specialty wing is where specialists like an orthopedic doctor or a gynecologist, for example, would come and donate their time to see patients who otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive medical attention.
The specialty wing is now known as the Stephen R. Birch M.D. Specialty Wing.
A plaque was mounted in the center hall of the specialty wing of the clinic with a picture and some information about him.
Aliso Elementary School mural unveiled : Dubbed "The Bridge," mural project was part of 15-year-old program (Santa Barbara News-Press)
September 2, 2009 7:07 AM
Children, teachers and proud parents gathered Tuesday afternoon for the Aliso Elementary School mural unveiling in Carpinteria.
The mural was created during the Summer Youth Mural Program hosted by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. For the past 15 years the program has been offered primarily to high school and middle school students. This year marked the first time the program has been offered to elementary students including third, fourth and fifth graders. In the past the program was structured so the students came to the museum and worked on the project and later the mural would be moved to another venue in the community. This year, however, the museum was able to do the mural project on site at Aliso School.
This summer's project has been a six-week program with a few weeks to gather ideas and get supplies and three weeks to work with the kids and complete the mural.
The mural was inspired by a painting called "The Bridge" by Max Pechstein, a German expressionist. Senior art teacher Susan Griffin, who chose the piece, said that this painting was a personal favorite so she decided "The Bridge" would be the inspiration for the mural .
"We started with kids drawing the bridge in pencil, colored pencil, then we moved on to chalk pastels, then we watercolored the bridge and we moved on to painting (it) on canvas with acrylic paint, and finally we gave the kids big sheets of paper to practice their big brush strokes," Ms. Griffin said.
The big mural began with a sketch on a white board that kept changing until the product was satisfactory. "The fun part for me was when the kids had their big sheets of paper and were drawing big things. I gave them color wheels and while they thought no one was listening, one student became frantic that there was no green paint left, but the surrounding students helped out and said, 'No, if you mix blue and yellow you make green.' ... they just figured everything out on their own," Ms. Griffin added.
The director of Education, Patsy Hicks, 55, said the most exciting part "is the kids are going to walk by this mural and they are going to remember this bridge and the way they are this summer and it connects them to their past and hopefully it will be the bridge to their dreams and their future."
Adrianna McElearney, 10, stated her favorite part of the project was "painting the big one and (being able to) see all the color and all the work we did." Adrianna added enthusiastically that of the pieces in the mural that she was responsible for painting, "the little people were (my) favorite because there is so much detail in them."
Children, teachers and proud parents gathered Tuesday afternoon for the Aliso Elementary School mural unveiling in Carpinteria.
The mural was created during the Summer Youth Mural Program hosted by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. For the past 15 years the program has been offered primarily to high school and middle school students. This year marked the first time the program has been offered to elementary students including third, fourth and fifth graders. In the past the program was structured so the students came to the museum and worked on the project and later the mural would be moved to another venue in the community. This year, however, the museum was able to do the mural project on site at Aliso School.
This summer's project has been a six-week program with a few weeks to gather ideas and get supplies and three weeks to work with the kids and complete the mural.
The mural was inspired by a painting called "The Bridge" by Max Pechstein, a German expressionist. Senior art teacher Susan Griffin, who chose the piece, said that this painting was a personal favorite so she decided "The Bridge" would be the inspiration for the mural .
"We started with kids drawing the bridge in pencil, colored pencil, then we moved on to chalk pastels, then we watercolored the bridge and we moved on to painting (it) on canvas with acrylic paint, and finally we gave the kids big sheets of paper to practice their big brush strokes," Ms. Griffin said.
The big mural began with a sketch on a white board that kept changing until the product was satisfactory. "The fun part for me was when the kids had their big sheets of paper and were drawing big things. I gave them color wheels and while they thought no one was listening, one student became frantic that there was no green paint left, but the surrounding students helped out and said, 'No, if you mix blue and yellow you make green.' ... they just figured everything out on their own," Ms. Griffin added.
The director of Education, Patsy Hicks, 55, said the most exciting part "is the kids are going to walk by this mural and they are going to remember this bridge and the way they are this summer and it connects them to their past and hopefully it will be the bridge to their dreams and their future."
Adrianna McElearney, 10, stated her favorite part of the project was "painting the big one and (being able to) see all the color and all the work we did." Adrianna added enthusiastically that of the pieces in the mural that she was responsible for painting, "the little people were (my) favorite because there is so much detail in them."
Wheels N' Windmills: A car (and boat) show for a cause : Fifth annual version of popular event back in Solvang today (Santa Barbara News-Press)
August 29, 2009 7:55 AM
The 5th annual "Wheels N' Windmills" classic and custom car show will be held today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Copenhagen Drive and other downtown streets in Solvang.
A new attraction -- five original and restored vintage quarter-mile racing drag boats -- will be added to this year's show. Accompanying their boats will be the original drivers from the 1960s and 70s, including Don Edwards from Solvang, Bob Garner from Chino Hills, Spike Morelli from West Hills, John Miller from Santa Maria and Fred Laia from Paso Robles.
Mr. Edwards, in addition to showing off his restored drag boat which holds a super-charged Chrysler Hemi engine at the show, will also be hosting an all-day book signing of his recent best-selling specialty book, "Drag Boats of the 1960s."
Barry McCown and racers Barry Berkus and Larry Schwabenland will also be present at the book signing.
Mr. Edwards has been living in the Santa Barbara area his whole life. He was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and attended Santa Barbara High School. After graduating Mr. Edwards worked in the wholesale sundries business during the 1960s before moving to Solvang with his wife, where he got into the ranching business. However, Mr. Edwards was not all work and no play. He became a part of the drag boat racing club in Santa Barbara. During this time, Mr. Edwards became one of a select few -- a drag boat driver who successfully topped 100 mph at a sanctioned National Drag Boat Association meet.
This was a time when hot-rods were highly celebrated, but some adventurous young men, including Larry Schwabenland and the late Ray Caselli, turned to their need for speed on a different track, water.
The mid-1950s marked the beginning of drag boat racing.
Mr. Edwards, now 70, and fellow racer and friend, Mr. McCown, who co-wrote "Drag Boats of the 1960s," got together and decided to co-author a book.
"We wanted to document the history of drag boat racing, a sport that we put so much into, before we got too old," Mr. Edwards told the News-Press.
With over 40 local and state sponsors participating, all proceeds from the show will go toward the "Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary" and to the "Progeria Research Foundation."
The 5th annual "Wheels N' Windmills" classic and custom car show will be held today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Copenhagen Drive and other downtown streets in Solvang.
A new attraction -- five original and restored vintage quarter-mile racing drag boats -- will be added to this year's show. Accompanying their boats will be the original drivers from the 1960s and 70s, including Don Edwards from Solvang, Bob Garner from Chino Hills, Spike Morelli from West Hills, John Miller from Santa Maria and Fred Laia from Paso Robles.
Mr. Edwards, in addition to showing off his restored drag boat which holds a super-charged Chrysler Hemi engine at the show, will also be hosting an all-day book signing of his recent best-selling specialty book, "Drag Boats of the 1960s."
Barry McCown and racers Barry Berkus and Larry Schwabenland will also be present at the book signing.
Mr. Edwards has been living in the Santa Barbara area his whole life. He was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and attended Santa Barbara High School. After graduating Mr. Edwards worked in the wholesale sundries business during the 1960s before moving to Solvang with his wife, where he got into the ranching business. However, Mr. Edwards was not all work and no play. He became a part of the drag boat racing club in Santa Barbara. During this time, Mr. Edwards became one of a select few -- a drag boat driver who successfully topped 100 mph at a sanctioned National Drag Boat Association meet.
This was a time when hot-rods were highly celebrated, but some adventurous young men, including Larry Schwabenland and the late Ray Caselli, turned to their need for speed on a different track, water.
The mid-1950s marked the beginning of drag boat racing.
Mr. Edwards, now 70, and fellow racer and friend, Mr. McCown, who co-wrote "Drag Boats of the 1960s," got together and decided to co-author a book.
"We wanted to document the history of drag boat racing, a sport that we put so much into, before we got too old," Mr. Edwards told the News-Press.
With over 40 local and state sponsors participating, all proceeds from the show will go toward the "Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary" and to the "Progeria Research Foundation."
Mega Millions jackpot of $325 million draws dreamers (Santa Barbara News-Press)
August 28, 2009 7:23 AM
What would you do with all that dough?
That's the question on many people's minds as they await tonight's Mega Millions lottery drawing. The Jackpot is at an estimated $325 million and a cash option is available at a whopping $204.6 million.
Buying Lotto tickets in hopes of becoming the state's latest mega-millionaire, customers trickled in and out of Crown Liquor store at 2 N. Milpas street Thursday afternoon.
The cashier at Crown Liquor, who would only give his first name, John, said he sells, on average, 400 Mega Millions tickets per day. He added that "when it gets closer to the drawing day I sell more tickets." On the days when there's a drawing, he said, he sells an average of 900 tickets.
Customers can buy tickets until about 7 p.m. on the day of the drawing, he said, and usually drawing days attract the most customers to the store to buy lottery tickets.
An excited Phillip Gamble, 31, came into Crown Liquor Thursday afternoon to buy some drinks on a hot day and purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket as well. Asked by the News-Press what he would do with $325 million, Mr. Gamble replied, "If I won $325 million ... I would release all my family from their debts, help the poor people of Santa Barbara and give back to my community."
Then, he would spend a little on himself, he said.
"I would also take a trip to Brazil. I've always wanted to go to Brazil," he mused. A semi-frequent player, he buys lottery tickets "a couple times a month" and spends about $20 a month on tickets. "Mega Millions is my favorite game," said Mr. Gamble, but sometimes he chooses other games if it feels right.
Joking around as he left the liquor store, Mr. Gamble said to the clerk, "If I win, you know I'm coming back here for you ... give you a piece."
Also in need of a refreshing drink during the hot summer afternoon, Ruben Chavez, 51, came into the liquor store to slake his thirst and while doing so bought a lottery ticket.
He told the News-Press that if he won the $325 million Jackpot he would "take a vacation to Mexico and then come back and take a week to think about what to do with the rest of the money." Mr. Chavez spends no more than $15 a month on lottery tickets and said he always does the "quick pick" (done by the lottery computer) because I don't like taking the time to figure out those numbers."
He only buys tickets when the jackpot is big.
A 44-year-old mother strolled into the liquor mart to buy her Lotto ticket before the drawing of today's winners. She told the News-Press that if she were the lucky jackpot winner she "would keep half and the other half would go to my friends and family who need some help. ... You can't take it all with you ... you have to spread the wealth," she added.
According to megamillions.com, jackpot winners can choose between the annuity option in which they will be provided with annual payments over a 26-year period or winners can choose the cash option in which they will be provided a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. The odds of anyone winning the Jackpot, according to the Mega Millions Web site, are approximately 1 in 175 million.
What would you do with all that dough?
That's the question on many people's minds as they await tonight's Mega Millions lottery drawing. The Jackpot is at an estimated $325 million and a cash option is available at a whopping $204.6 million.
Buying Lotto tickets in hopes of becoming the state's latest mega-millionaire, customers trickled in and out of Crown Liquor store at 2 N. Milpas street Thursday afternoon.
The cashier at Crown Liquor, who would only give his first name, John, said he sells, on average, 400 Mega Millions tickets per day. He added that "when it gets closer to the drawing day I sell more tickets." On the days when there's a drawing, he said, he sells an average of 900 tickets.
Customers can buy tickets until about 7 p.m. on the day of the drawing, he said, and usually drawing days attract the most customers to the store to buy lottery tickets.
An excited Phillip Gamble, 31, came into Crown Liquor Thursday afternoon to buy some drinks on a hot day and purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket as well. Asked by the News-Press what he would do with $325 million, Mr. Gamble replied, "If I won $325 million ... I would release all my family from their debts, help the poor people of Santa Barbara and give back to my community."
Then, he would spend a little on himself, he said.
"I would also take a trip to Brazil. I've always wanted to go to Brazil," he mused. A semi-frequent player, he buys lottery tickets "a couple times a month" and spends about $20 a month on tickets. "Mega Millions is my favorite game," said Mr. Gamble, but sometimes he chooses other games if it feels right.
Joking around as he left the liquor store, Mr. Gamble said to the clerk, "If I win, you know I'm coming back here for you ... give you a piece."
Also in need of a refreshing drink during the hot summer afternoon, Ruben Chavez, 51, came into the liquor store to slake his thirst and while doing so bought a lottery ticket.
He told the News-Press that if he won the $325 million Jackpot he would "take a vacation to Mexico and then come back and take a week to think about what to do with the rest of the money." Mr. Chavez spends no more than $15 a month on lottery tickets and said he always does the "quick pick" (done by the lottery computer) because I don't like taking the time to figure out those numbers."
He only buys tickets when the jackpot is big.
A 44-year-old mother strolled into the liquor mart to buy her Lotto ticket before the drawing of today's winners. She told the News-Press that if she were the lucky jackpot winner she "would keep half and the other half would go to my friends and family who need some help. ... You can't take it all with you ... you have to spread the wealth," she added.
According to megamillions.com, jackpot winners can choose between the annuity option in which they will be provided with annual payments over a 26-year period or winners can choose the cash option in which they will be provided a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. The odds of anyone winning the Jackpot, according to the Mega Millions Web site, are approximately 1 in 175 million.
Burnett named to state Hall of Fame (Santa Barbara News-Press)
Santa Barbara area-resident Carol Burnett is among 13 new inductees into the California Hall of Fame, which was created by First Lady Maria Shriver four years ago, it was announced on Tuesday.
The names of the 2009 inductees were released by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ms. Shriver and were announced by Pat Splinter, museum trustee and the chair of the California Hall of Fame committee.
The California Hall of Fame recognizes and honors legendary people who represent the Golden State's innovative spirit and have made their mark on history.
Ms. Burnett said she is excited about her induction and expressed her fondness for California.
"I love California. My fondest memory as a kid was climbing the Hollywood sign," she said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to be honored by the state I love."
Other 2009 inductees are former Intel CEO Andrew Grove, former Governor and U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, decathlete and philanthropist Rafer Johnson, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, peace activist and philanthropist Joan Kroc, filmmaker George Lucas, football commentator John Madden, gay rights activist Harvey Milk, artist Fritz Scholder, author Danielle Steel, fitness and bodybuilding pioneer Joe Weider and Air Force test pilot General Chuck Yeager.
The hall of fame celebrates those who have made achievements in areas including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, fitness, technology, activism, and politics. However these people are not recognized solely for their achievements in one field or talent, but also for the impact they have made upon the world with their overall courage, determination and creativity. This year's inductees will join the 38 hall-of-famers who have already been inducted into the hall of fame for their efforts and achievements.
The induction ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 1, at the California Museum in Sacramento. During the ceremony, Mr. Schwarzenegger and Ms. Shriver will present the Spirit of California medals.
Mr. Schwarzenegger commented that "the California Hall of Fame celebrates our most influential women and men, and honors them for their drive, willingness to take risks, dedication and success in touching the lives of millions of people -- not just in this state but around the world."
Said Ms. Shriver, "the perseverance and passion of one person can have a lasting impact in the lives of people...." She added that the combination of talent and unfailing drive of an individual has the potential to create "a legacy of change, hope and empowerment."
"Each individual inducted into the California Hall of Fame symbolizes the biggest hearts, the greatest drive and the deepest inspiration. It's an honor to induct these extraordinary individuals ... "
The California Museum's Executive director, Claudia French, commented that "being selected for this award is a distinction of great honor ... reserved for the best and the brightest."
The California Hall of Fame mission is extended through its Dreamer's Challenge program, which dares young people to dream by recognizing innovative and creative thinking; The program awards two $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors who best illustrate how they would improve and change the world using any medium available at their discretion.
For more information on the California Hall of Fame including videos, inductee biographies and to view images, visit CaliforniaMuseum.org.
The names of the 2009 inductees were released by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ms. Shriver and were announced by Pat Splinter, museum trustee and the chair of the California Hall of Fame committee.
The California Hall of Fame recognizes and honors legendary people who represent the Golden State's innovative spirit and have made their mark on history.
Ms. Burnett said she is excited about her induction and expressed her fondness for California.
"I love California. My fondest memory as a kid was climbing the Hollywood sign," she said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to be honored by the state I love."
Other 2009 inductees are former Intel CEO Andrew Grove, former Governor and U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, decathlete and philanthropist Rafer Johnson, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, peace activist and philanthropist Joan Kroc, filmmaker George Lucas, football commentator John Madden, gay rights activist Harvey Milk, artist Fritz Scholder, author Danielle Steel, fitness and bodybuilding pioneer Joe Weider and Air Force test pilot General Chuck Yeager.
The hall of fame celebrates those who have made achievements in areas including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, fitness, technology, activism, and politics. However these people are not recognized solely for their achievements in one field or talent, but also for the impact they have made upon the world with their overall courage, determination and creativity. This year's inductees will join the 38 hall-of-famers who have already been inducted into the hall of fame for their efforts and achievements.
The induction ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 1, at the California Museum in Sacramento. During the ceremony, Mr. Schwarzenegger and Ms. Shriver will present the Spirit of California medals.
Mr. Schwarzenegger commented that "the California Hall of Fame celebrates our most influential women and men, and honors them for their drive, willingness to take risks, dedication and success in touching the lives of millions of people -- not just in this state but around the world."
Said Ms. Shriver, "the perseverance and passion of one person can have a lasting impact in the lives of people...." She added that the combination of talent and unfailing drive of an individual has the potential to create "a legacy of change, hope and empowerment."
"Each individual inducted into the California Hall of Fame symbolizes the biggest hearts, the greatest drive and the deepest inspiration. It's an honor to induct these extraordinary individuals ... "
The California Museum's Executive director, Claudia French, commented that "being selected for this award is a distinction of great honor ... reserved for the best and the brightest."
The California Hall of Fame mission is extended through its Dreamer's Challenge program, which dares young people to dream by recognizing innovative and creative thinking; The program awards two $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors who best illustrate how they would improve and change the world using any medium available at their discretion.
For more information on the California Hall of Fame including videos, inductee biographies and to view images, visit CaliforniaMuseum.org.
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