Environmental ‘naturalist’ Ray Williams dead at 79

September 12, 2013 Education, Local News

Environmental ‘naturalist’ Ray Williams

Rio Hondo, Cal High teacher left his footprint on the earth, in a good way

By Tim Traeger
Editor
411whittier.com

WHITTIER – If you love nature and the great outdoors, you’re a kindred spirit to Ray Williams.
Known primarily for his passion for biology, his ’57 Chevy, longevity in teaching and his environmental stewardship, the longtime Rio Hondo College biology teacher died Aug. 15 at his home in Lake Arrowhead. He was 79.
Williams did many positive things for the environment over the course of his life. He helped found California’s first Earth Day, started the 80-acre Rio Hondo College Wildlife Sanctuary and stood on the front lines with other key people who helped save the Upper Newport Bay as an ecological preserve.
“Because of his efforts, many endangered birds still have one of the few remaining bays in Southern California to migrate to, and thusly are saved from extinction as they migrate from California to Mexico,” said his wife of 13 years, Tatyana “Mary” Melnikoff. They enjoyed a “27-year love-of-life” relationship.
She said among her husband’s many attributes, he worked tirelessly to preserve the Whittier Hills. “’No’ spells ‘now.’”
The couple met when she was a Rio Hondo student in one of his biology classes. Mary said they were both educators, she being a professor of poetry at Citrus College in Glendora. She also served a stint as a staff writer for the Whittier Daily News.
In 1968 Williams joined the Rio Hondo College Biology Department, where he helped originate its first ecological and environmental courses. Over the next 45 years, he led hundreds of nature hikes and taught literally thousands of students to embrace the outdoors in places like Hawaii. He traveled through the Amazon and enjoyed the Salton Sea and Morro Bay. He began teaching at California High in 1957.
“Everybody is saying the word ‘respect.’ He was very well respected,” said longtime friend and fellow Rio Hondo staple Don Jenkins. “His heart was out there with the animals and the environment. I always told him he was the voice of the environment. He took care of the earth. He saved Back Bay in Newport Beach and became mayor,” Jenkins said.
Judi Henderson, longtime dean of behavioral sciences at Rio Hondo, remembered Williams as a caring educator who loved biology and nature.
“He was for years an academic leader, a faculty leader,” Henderson said. “He was active in the union. He was a union leader. He taught environmental biology class. He took his students out on hikes. Until recently, he would lead hikes up around (Lake Arrowhead) and explain the plants. He engaged people in outdoor activities – a very popular teacher.”
In fact Williams served as president of the Rio Hondo College Faculty Association from 1982 to 1984 where he orchestrated the first community college strike in California history.
“Ray was a good man, a real man. He had the most gentle soul, powerful and wise, and he will always be so loved and appreciated. His greatest happiness was caring for us and our family,” wife Mary said. “Losing Ray, my life is forever changed and nothing will ever be the same.”
Ray Elbert Williams was born Dec. 20, 1933 at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles to the late DeLoss and Min Williams of Whittier. He was the eldest son of two children. He graduated in 1951 from Whittier High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from San Jose State and a master’s degree in both education and environmental sciences from Whittier College.
Williams is survived by wife, Mary; stepdaughter Anya Seboldt; sister Phyllis Millard (Bill); children from a previous marriage, Jennifer McDonald (Dallas) and grandson Connor; sons Barry and Jeff.
Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Newport Bay Conservancy; e-mail JohnBennettKeating@gmail.com or mail to P.O. Box 10804 Newport Beach, CA. 92658

Tim Traeger is former editor of the Whittier Daily News. E-mail him at ttraeger@411whittier.com or call 626-646-7352.

No comments

Trinity to host Adam’s Road Band

September 11, 2013 Around Town, Faith

Trinity Worldwide Reprographics will host Adam’s Road Band, a special guest Christian music band from Florida, this Friday, Sept. 13, 2013. They are a Christian nonprofit band of four men who once were raised in a Latter Day-Saints family and were members of LDS Mormon church.

Through Grace of God all have come to biblical Christianity and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their story is powerful and joining them, too, will be one of the young men’s parents Lynn and Michael. Lynn Wilder has a book titled “Unveiling Grace” published by Zondervan.

The Friday event runs from 9 to 10 a.m. and a continental breakfast will be served.

For more information call 562-567-2050 or visit www.trinity3in1.net. Trinity Worldwide Reprographics is located at 10410 Pioneer Blvd. #2 in Santa Fe Springs.

 

 

No comments

Partisan poets’ corner

September 11, 2013 Viewpoints

How the nuns flunked me in Spanish class

By Robert Rosenblatt
Staff Writer
411whittier.com
A critical week in history is starting to unfold before us. Will the United States attack Syria in order to punish Bashir al Assad for using sarin gas to kill innocent civilians? Poets who favor peace over war could tip the final decision by President Obama.
Vladamir Putin of Russia has given the U.S. a way to avoid the conflict by having Syria turn over all chemical stockpiles to the Russians and the United Nations’ inspectors and then verifying the actual destruction of the chemical stocks.
We will know by Obama’s speech which course to take.
The change in course by the administration “red line” and a reluctant congressional vote of approval for war remain in doubt.
The pressure to do something, anything, reminded me of how I had flunked Introduction to Spanish my freshman year of high school.
The crisp, black and white “habit” or uniform of the Dominican nun who was our teacher was intimidating enough. The rules of proper classroom behavior were enforced by the classic yardstick across the knuckles of your outstretched hands. It really hurt if you know what I mean.
I was just able to pass the written part of the test, and now the moment of truth, the oral part of the exam had to be completed. I knew a few of the basic questions and answers but had no confidence in the more detailed part of the exam.
The moment of truth was about to unfold. Sweat drenched my whole body and I felt like an actor who freezes when their lines come up in the script.
The immortal words I managed to blurt out will remain with me the rest of my adult life. I will leave these desperate Spanish words to all my fellow poets, especially those who attended St. Paul High School.
I don’t quite remember the question but this was my final answer …
“Mi tio’ es infermo, pero la carrera es verde.”
Yeah, that’s right, say it loud and say it proud. Call your best friend, or perhaps your estranged relatives and simply repeat the phrase.
If the world is not right today, it will be tomorrow, for you just can’t be sad when you say the words. “My uncle is sick, but the highway is green.”
Don’t be afraid to send us your favorite traumatic schoolyard nightmares. Until next time, look to the 411 …
Robert Rosenblatt is a longtime Whittier resident. Contact him at rrosenblatt@411whittier.com or call 562-314-7669.

No comments

Area football preview

September 10, 2013 Local News, Sports

California High School participates in team practice on Aug. 22.

View Videos From Practice

View More Photos

Loads of local talent bode well for coming season

By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writers

411whittier.com

Summertime has reached its final stages and the calendar is getting ready to turn to fall.

This time of year signifies the start of a new high school football season, which brings about a sense of optimism.

Hopes are riding high among the area’s teams as they prepare for the 2013 season.

La Serna, which captured the Del Rio League crown and advanced to its second consecutive CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division championship game last year, will look to take that final step in 2013. The Lancers, who finished 5-0 in league play and 12-2 overall, fell to Downey 33-25 in last season’s Southeast title game.

California will also seek a return to the postseason. The Condors, who posted a third-best 3-2 record in the Del Rio League, are coming off an 8-3 season.

Pioneer (1-4 league, 2-8 overall) and Whittier (0-5, 3-7) will both look to improve from a disappointing 2012.

St. Paul, which features a new head coach in Rick Zepeda, is hoping for better days. The Swordsmen experienced a turbulent 2012 season, finishing 0-5 in the Mission League and 1-9 overall.

Whittier Christian, which captured the 2012 Olympic League title by posting a 4-0 record, will attempt to sustain its success. The Heralds, who turned in an overall mark of 8-4, advanced to last season’s CIF-SS Northwest Division quarterfinals.

Here is a closer look at the area’s six teams:

CALIFORNIA

The Condors figure to face a season of transition due to the graduation of several key players such as quarterback Drew Castro, running backs Aaron Garcia and Josh Perez, offensive linemen German Ponce, David Escamilla and Jacob Gamboa, defensive back Bryan Limon and linebacker Aaron Licon.

California, however, does feature some returning talent in running back Manny Espinoza, wide receiver Julio Arce, linebackers Nick Gonzales and Thomas Vielma, offensive/defensive lineman Dominic Sanchez and defensive back Isaiah Almarez. Espinoza, Arce, Gonzales and Almarez are seniors while Vielma and Sanchez are both entering their junior years.

According to Condors coach Jim Arnold, promising newcomers include running back/linebacker Nathan Lowden, defensive back James Contreras and lineman Brendon Simpson, who figures to play on both offense and defense.

“It will definitely be competitive,” Arnold said of the Del Rio League. “We need to stay away from injury. I think we can be a pretty decent football team.”

The Condors opened their season Sept. 5 with a home victory over Montebello. They start Del Rio play Oct. 11 against archrival La Serna.

“We open up with La Serna – it’s going to be a big battle,” Arnold said. “We’re all about trying to get ready for league. We have a lot of guys (playing both offense and defense). Normally, we don’t like to do that but we have to do it this year.”

California opened its season Sept. 5 with a 24-13 victory over Montebello.

LA SERNA

The defending Del Rio League champions appear primed for another successful season with a team that features returning talent on both sides of the ball.

Senior and three-year starting quarterback Frankie Palmer leads an offense that also features fellow senior returners in offensive lineman Enrique Huerta, tight end Luis Camacho and wide receiver Matt Rosales.

Camacho and Huerta, who play outside linebacker and defensive lineman respectively, figure to play essential roles for the Lancers defense, which also features senior safety Tony Ceron.

Promising newcomers include junior running back/defensive back Kevin Ramos, sophomore linebacker Daniel Campos and sophomore running back/defensive back J.T. Thompson.

Lancers coach Margarito Beltran feels good about their chances this year and they’re focusing on getting to the playoffs, and will take it from there.

La Serna is off to a 1-1 start, winning its Aug. 30 opener against Vista, 27-10, before falling 24-20 to Los Osos on Sept. 6.

PIONEER

The Titans will look to make strides under second-year coach Chuck Willig.

The Pioneer’s offense features key returners in senior quarterback Jonathan Jimenez and wide receivers Julio Reynoso (junior) and Matthew Rodriguez (senior). Jimenez passed for 959 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.

After losing several defensive players such as linebackers Angel Paez and Angel Marquez to graduation, the Titans will feature a youthful defense that hopes to make their presence felt quickly.

Since construction has started on a new football facility that is scheduled to open in 2014, the Titans will be on the road this year. Pioneer will play this season’s home games at California and La Mirada high schools and Cerritos College.

The Titans opened their season Aug. 29 with a 28-20 nonleague loss to Sunny Hills before defeating Glenn, 44-26, on Sept. 5.

WHITTIER

The Cardinals, which feature a senior-laden roster, have high hopes for 2013.

“We have a lot of seniors on the team,” Whittier second-year coach Visko Ancich said. “We have a handful of kids who came out for football and who want to be a part of the program.”

Whittier features several returners that include wide receiver/defensive back Matt Acosta, running back/defensive back Anthony Figueroa, defensive linemen Zach Nicholson and Andres Garcia, offensive lineman Alex Pastrana, quarterback Jared Reza and fullback Eddie Orta. All are seniors except for Orta, who is a junior.

Senior linebacker Mario Espinoza, junior offensive lineman Albert Gonzales and senior wide receiver Jacob Cervantes will also look to make an impact.

“We need to stay healthy, do our job and play with passion,” Ancich said. “We’re looking forward to getting started.”

The Cardinals have started 2-0 with wins against Sonora (28-21) and Azusa (31-12).

ST. PAUL

Rick Zepeda, a 1988 graduate of St. Paul, returns to his alma mater.

“I love St. Paul,” said Zepeda, who previously served as El Rancho’s head coach for four seasons (2008-11). “This place changed my life when I was a kid. I feel really blessed to have this opportunity to give back to a school that gave me a lot.”

Zepeda added, “It’s going to be tough. We play the best teams every week. This year, we have a lot of young guys and first-time varsity starters. We have good quality offensive and defensive linemen. Our skill guys have to play above their means.”

Junior quarterback Jacob Maier will lead the offense, which also features fellow returning left tackle Junior Millan, running back Daniel Aguilar, center Jeremy Funk and wide receiver Matt Baker.

Key defensive returners include lineman Jamie Diaz and linebacker Aaron Miranda.

Defensive backs Nick Delgado and Brandon Garcia, along with linebacker Jacob Bertram and nose guard Joe Gallardo, will also seek to play major roles for the Swordsmen.

St. Paul started its season Aug. 30 with a 40-20 home loss to Buena Park and then fell to 0-2 with a 56-7 defeat to Mater Dei on Sept. 5.

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN

The Heralds, armed with a roster that returns several key players, are aiming for more success in 2013.

Senior quarterback Ryan Esslinger returns to lead a talented offense that also features junior wide receiver Noah Evans, senior center Parker Subia, and sophomore running back/wide receiver Nick Watase.

The senior trio of safeties Dylan Murphy and Matt Triviso, along with linebacker Jack Huitt, figure to serve as the Heralds’ defensive leaders. Sophomore defensive end Ryan Seen will also look to make an impact.

Heralds coach Sergio Gradilla feels excited about their chances this year with key seniors returning. Their focus is on keeping both sides of the line strong.

Whittier Christian has started well, winning its first two games against Bishop, 41-20, and Cantwell Sacred Heart, 32-17.

Twitter:@411whittierspts

No comments

The Partisan Poets Corner

September 4, 2013 Local News, Viewpoints

By Robert Rosenblatt
Staff Writer
411whittier.com
WHITTIER – Those local poets who went to school in Whittier as young students in the 1950s and 1960s experienced one of the finest educational systems in the nation.
California was a leader in sending students to college. Whittier took pride in producing great scholars and athletes on a consistent basis.
The traditional core values instilled by our parents, teachers and religious leaders have always made this city great for raising a family. Whittier schools remain a cut above elementary and high schools in Los Angeles in general, with higher test scores and unprecedented numbers of graduates going to college.

Whittier city management has kept us out of bankruptcy with a more responsible use of taxes for maintenance of schools, parks and roads. The trash is collected three times a week instead of once, as they do in Los Angeles. The police in Whittier and Santa Fe Springs help keep crime rates lower than most of our neighboring communities.
Two incidents in close proximity over the past few months have shaken my faith in humanity.
The desecration of grave markers at Founders’ Park and the early release of thousands of “low risk” prisoners due to overcrowding changed everything. There were multiple incidents of young girls being approached by ex-cons in our local parks. The original brass plaques representing the first people to settle in Whittier were stolen and melted down for scrap by thieves and thugs.
The shattered wood mountings and cost of brass have so far prevented the restoration of the Founders’ Park memorial. The history of the residents interred could be found by the excellent Whittier Historical Society. Local artisans could replace brass with less expensive etched marble to replace the brass. If you go near Calvary Cemetery on Whittier Boulevard, you will see some of the best family-owned artisan-monument-makers in the country.

Perhaps the good folks at Rose Hills could participate in a noble cause to restore some dignity to that hallowed ground.

In this way, we honor those poets who came before us.
In regards to the next prisoner release, the perps should heed the phrase, “Fear the Poets,” the motto of our beloved local college. The local martial arts academies are all in support of showing up to teach when they can at Penn Park and Founders’ Park. Local Kenpo master Steve Gallardo can be seen on Wednesday afternoons teaching his young charges.

The former Arizona State Sun Devil football player lost a foot to diabetes, but continues to inspire all of us by standing up to teach our future citizens.

“Good on you, mate,” I say. My fellow instructors will do what we can to back a very stretched thin blue line with our eyes and our cell phones.

The sight of martial arts training in the parks may help in a small way to deter the creeps from harassing our most precious assets, our children, from harm.

A peaceful life will usually produce better poets and certainly better poetry. We at 411whittier.com will keep up with the local issues that concern us all. Until next time …

Robert Rosenblatt is a longtime Whittier resident. Write to him at rrosenblatt@411whittier.com or call 562-314-7669.

 

No comments

This week’s homily

August 28, 2013 Faith

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles, PhD. DMin. D.D.

A pompous city man, turned farmer, was showing a young
boy over his acreage. As they drove through field after field, the
man bragged incessantly about his accomplishments, how he had
started from scratch as a young man and worked his way up through the business world.

He told how he had earned far more money than had been necessary to purchase the land and how he had invested
thousands upon thousands of dollars to transform the formerly
worthless farm into the agricultural paradise they were surveying.

He told of the amazing yield of his crops, and the lushness of the
new spring planting. Finally, he pointed toward the stacked hay, the full granary, and the boxes of produce and declared, “And I grew it all by myself, son. Started with nothing, and now look at it!”

“From nothing?” echoed the duly impressed lad. “That’s right,”
said the man. “From nothing.”

“Wow,” the young boy said, pausing to reflect for a few seconds.
“My dad farms, but he needs seed to grow his crops.”

A man wrapped up in himself makes
a very small package.

A fool finds no pleasure in understandings
but delights in airing his own opinions.

Proverbs 18: 2

No comments

Nixon cousin, Seafare owner Milhous dead at 90

August 27, 2013 Faith, Local News

Gary, left, and Scott Milhous have run the Seafare Inn in Whittier since their parents, Bill and Dorothy, retired in 1984. Bill Milhous, second cousin to the 37th president of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon, died on Aug. 18 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 90.

By Tim Traeger
Editor
411whittier.com
Whittier is a good 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean, yet Bill Milhous and his wife, Dorothy, brought the sea to this landlocked Quaker community 52 years ago. He died Aug. 18, 2013 after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease. People in Whittier will miss his integrity, business acumen, perseverance, faith and dedication. Not to mention his outstanding seafood.
“The only thing I can say about my dad was his integrity and hard work,” said eldest son Gary Milhous, 65. He said his dad, an avid pilot, served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and the Naval Reserve afterward. It was then he came across Anthony’s Fish Grotto in San Diego and saw a business model that just might fly in Whittier.
After a long stint working with Don Nixon at Nixon’s Grocery Store and Coffee Shop on Whittier Boulevard – one of five Nixon-owned markets stretching from Fullerton to Whittier to Anaheim – Bill Milhous opened a burger joint called Whirly’s along the city’s main drag and at the same time founded the Laurel Café, the precursor to Scotty’s Restaurant.
It was tough going early on. But the aforementioned hard work and integrity paid off.
Bill and Dorothy were on opposite ends of a double date in the early 1940s. She liked Bill better than her intended beau and the union stuck. Four children, six grandchildren and great-grandchildren later, the love affair endured.
“They did everything together. They worked together all their lives, they never went anywhere without each other. She died 10 years ago to the day that my dad died,” said Scott Milhous, 55. “About two years after she died my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It progressed slowly. Finally about six months ago, he wandered off and fell down. Since then he needed 24-hour care.
“About a week ago he had a heart attack, pneumonia.”
His death leaves a hole in the community as deep as the sea he loved. One might say the Seafare is an institution in its own right. And they would be correct. The Milhouses founded the unique restaurant in 1961 in an old steakhouse building at 16363 E. Whittier Blvd. The family has been serving up fried and broiled seafood, lobster, crab and halibut ever since.
Bill and Dorothy retired in 1984, often flying to their vacation home in Oregon. Their love for East Whittier Friends Church never waned, a true testament to their devout Christian beliefs. There was even one year when Bill offered a special deal at the Seafare on Easter Sunday where patrons could write the name of their favorite church on the back of the bill and get a 10-percent donation based on the size of the meal given to their favorite place of worship.
“To drum up business, Bill went to area churches and offered a discount coupon. Write on the back of your bill what church you attended and he would give 10 percent to the church,” Gary said. “Back then, most meals were $1 or $2. A $3 meal was a high-ticket item. He was going around on Monday to all these churches leaving off 35 cents. Maybe $3. It was amazing.”

William Alan Milhous, second cousin to President Richard Milhous Nixon and co-founder of the storied Seafare Inn in East Whittier, died Aug. 18, 2013 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. The father of four is seen here from the early 1940s, when he lettered in football, basketball and track 10 times at Fullerton Union High School. The Navy veteran of World War II was a staple businessman with his wife, Dorothy, for decades in the Whittier area. He was 90.

Gary and Scott said the “Milhous” notoriety gained access to Richard Nixon’s inaugurations in 1968 and 1972, but the name itself really wasn’t a big deal.
“Richard was 11 years older (than Bill Milhous) so there was that age difference. Bill went to the inaugurations, that was exciting,” Scott said. “They knew each other but it wasn’t like they were best friends.”
After high school Bill Milhous attended Fullerton Junior College with Dorothy and both went on to U.C. Berkeley. He was an engineering major, she studied economics and business. The union worked well when they went into business together.
The problem with his dad joining the Navy, Gary said, was that his dad got seasick. A lot.
“He spent a lot of time over the rails.”
As the war wound down, the Navy didn’t need as many pilots, so Bill became a radar officer aboard the USS James E. Keyes.
Asked about the ongoing success of the Seafare Inn, Gary shared a simple formula.
“I’d say keep it simple. Not getting too extravagant. One thing. Between my brother and our wives, we do most of it. We’ve got a lot of great employees, but one of us is here all the time.
“We’re pretty darned lucky.”
Bill Milhous is survived by his sons, Gary (Shelley) and Scott (Clare), daughter Marianne Wiggins, Sharon and Dave Delano, six grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill Milhous will be cremated at White Emerson Mortuary and his ashes scattered at sea, along with his beloved wife, Dorothy.
“The best thing about this place is my mom and dad,” Gary said about the Seafare Inn. “Every now and again someone comes in and just starts talking about my mom and my dad. One guy came in from our church and said how much my dad helped him. He said my dad bought him a car so he could get to work. ‘I’m thinking, wait a minute, he always made us buy our own cars. But he always gave us the opportunity to come in and work and make enough money to buy our own cars.”
Tim Traeger is former editor of the Whittier Daily News. He can be reached at 626-646-7352 or by e-mail at ttraeger@411whittier.com. Follow him on Twitter at @411whittier.com

No comments

The partisan poets corner

August 23, 2013 Viewpoints

The riddle of the sphinx

By Robert Rosenblatt
Staff Writer
411whittier.com

This week’s events in Egypt have a direct effect on local poets. Local instability on gasoline, transportation, languishing naval tankers on the Arabian Gulf and Suez Canal could cause an upward price spike on oil. Things are stable now with prices actually going down over the past six weeks.
Current reports from Yusuf Ibrahim, former reporter for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, indicate a genocidal slaughter of hundreds of Coptic Christians this week. The reports indicate 58 churches, several monasteries and convents burnt to the ground, some with worshipers still inside.
Where is the U.S. Administration policy on this? Why is there no protest from the Christian church leadership? Where are there Christian protesters? What are religious people to think in these times?
The Muslim brotherhood was and has been at times of government neglect of the poor, a substitute social service network for medical care, food for families and serves as a local court on community affairs, thus it commands local political power with ample power from trained and well-armed militias.
Ironically, during World War II, both Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat were both members of the group. These two men were the first post-World War II leaders of Egypt. Sadat would be assassinated by the group at a military private review after signing the Camp David Accords with President Carter.
For the first time in years, other editors and writers took a shot at the Obama administration and Hillary Clinton’s presumed coronation as the next presidential candidate. An unexpected negative source of publicity even appeared in newspaper editorials published in the New York Times.
One of my favorite female editors at the New York Times has to be Maureen Dowd. This columnist’s style has wit along with flamethrower prose and a firm fanatical allegiance for the far-left at the paper of record. She tore into the Clintons’ outrageous speakers’ fees for speeches given recently by Bill Clinton in Israel. The ex-president charged a cool $500,000 to speak at the 90th birthday party of Shimon Peres. Hillary only charges $200,000 by comparison.
Then, Rolling Stone Magazine got into it bashing misuse of the Clinton Foundation funds. The always-on-the-administration-side website POLITICO.com charged the Clinton administration with spending $60 million on travel expenses with more than $17 million lost to cronies and unaccounted expenses.
All this new angst from unexpected sources could cause some re-election speed bumps for Senate elections in 2014.
We will leave our fellow poets with this cautionary tip: “If you are visiting anywhere near Sea World or the San Diego mayor’s office downtown, keep a close eye on grandma, for the mayor may yet appear.”
Robert Rosenblatt is a longtime Whittier resident and staff writer at 411whittier.com. Write to him at rrosenblatt@411whittier.com

No comments

Whittier sports briefs for Aug. 20, 2013

August 20, 2013 Sports

Karate for pre-schoolers

Children ages 3 to 4 can register for karate classes hosted by Frazier Martial Arts Studio, 759 E. Whittier Blvd. in Whittier.

One session is available: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from Aug. 24 to Sept. 14.

The fee is $42 for residents, $47 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Recreational swim

Palm Park offers recreational swimming until Aug. 25. Recreational swimming will also be offered on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2.

The program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The fee is $2. No swimming is slated for Aug. 23.

An adult must accompany any child under age 7.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Adult golf classes

The city of Whittier also offers golf classes for adults.

Students will receive a bucket of balls each lesson, and equipment is included.

Sessions are slotted for 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays from Sept. 2 to 23, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays from Sept. 3 to 24, and Saturdays from Sept. 7 to 28, at La Mirada Golf Course, 15501 E. Alicante Road in La Mirada.

The fee is $71 for residents and $81 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Youth golf classes

Children ages 5 to 17 can sign up for a beginning golf classes that cover the basic fundamentals as well as strategies and skills. Intermediate classes will include swing training, club selection, etiquette and short game. Students will receive a bucket of balls each lesson, and equipment is included.

Sessions are scheduled Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 6 to 27, and Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 7 to 28, at La Mirada Golf Course, 15501 E. Alicante Road in La Mirada.

The fee is $47 for residents and $52 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Lil All Stars tee ball

Children will have the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals, rules and organization of tee ball.

The first three weeks will be broken into skill drills such as batting, throwing, catching and positional play, along with team concept. The final week will be a scrimmage to imitate a game situation. Parents must stay at the park for the entire class. Participants should bring a glove.

Classes are slated Saturdays from Sept. 7 to 28 at Michigan Park, 8228 Michigan Ave. in Whittier.

Youngsters ages 3 to 4 can register for either the 8:30 or 9:20 a.m. session, while children ages 4 to 6 could sign up for either the 10:10 or 11 a.m. class. The fee is $50 for residents and $55 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Take a hike

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority is presenting a “historical hike” from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, at Hacienda Hills Trailhead, 7th Ave. and Orange Grove Ave. in Hacienda Heights.

The hike consists of a 2.3-mile journey through time. Learn about the history of the Puente Hills from the time of Juan Bautista De Anza to modern day.

A “doggy hike” is also scheduled from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Arroyo Pescadero Park, 7531 S. Colima Road in Whittier. This course is a 2-mile dog hike for you and your canine buddy. Dogs must remain leashed at all times, and participants must remove their dogs’ droppings from the trails, and provide adequate water for them. Dogs are expected to remain under reasonable control during the hike.

For information, visit www.habitatauthority.org or e-mail Helen Cohen at HillsAlive@habitatauthority.org or call 562-945-9003. Rain will cancel the hikes.

Skateboard contest

The Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) will present “The Throw Down” skateboard contest on Saturday, Oct. 5, at La Habra Skate Park, which is located at Bonita Park, 1250 Fahringer Way. Check-in is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., followed by the first event at 2 p.m.

The event will feature three contests: Park jam, mini bowl and best trick. The fee is $20, which includes entry to all three contests. Each event will be judged with awards for the top three in each age division, which will include under 10, under 14 and under 18.

Registration deadline is Oct. 1. Late registration and day of event registration will not be accepted. Register at www.active.com.

For more information, visit www.scmaf.org.

‘Fit for Life’

Whittier’s 5K “Fit for Life” run/walk, presented by the Whittier Community Foundation and the Whittier Host Lions Club, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

The event will start with the “Children’s Creepy Crawly,” a timed half-mile dash, at 7:30 a.m., followed by the “Spooktacular,” the 5K run/walk, at 8 a.m.

For more information, call 562-567-9400.

 

No comments

Gay therapy bill blasted

August 19, 2013 Faith, Viewpoints

New Jersey Gov. Christie takes the heat

By Brad Dacus

Pacific Justice Institute

Trenton, NJ — Gov. Chris Christie finalized his decision to sign a bill on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 outlawing therapy for minors seeking professional help for unwanted same-sex-attractions.

“Gov. Christie is no friend of free speech,” said Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) in response to the governor’s decision.

PJI filed the first of two lawsuits against a nearly identical bill in California. PJI obtained a preliminary injunction in December 2012, and the law is currently on hold because of the serious free speech and religious freedom restrictions it imposes.

Dacus also noted that in addition to free speech and religious freedom issues, one of the major flaws of this bill is that — like the California one — it is based on LGBT activist pressure and not scientific outcomes. “The question here isn’t if sexuality comes from birth or not; the question is ‘Should we allow the government to restrict religious and constitutional freedoms because a forceful LGBT lobby says we should?’ The answer to that question is a resounding ‘No!’”

This is not the first time that Gov. Christie has drawn the ire of religious freedom advocates. In 2011 PJI criticized Gov. Christie for siding with LGBT activists over free speech concerns. Gov. Christie suggested a teacher — Viki Knox — should be fired for posts on her personal Facebook page that were deemed unsupportive of LGBT history month.

Legal challenges to the new bill are likely. If the California litigation is any indication, it could be bottled up in court for months to come, delaying implementation.

Licensed counselors in New Jersey and parents who have minors detrimentally impacted by this new law should contact PJI immediately to discuss their possible participation as a plaintiff in litigation.

Brad Dacus is president and founder of the Pacific Justice Institute providing defense for families and religious organizations when their constitutionally guaranteed freedom is threatened. Visit www.pji.org

No comments
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »