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December 21, 2018 | www.valcomnews.com

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AND THE WINNING WORD.... VOCIFEROUS

Matsuyama Spelling Bee crowned fifth grader Giada Bhan its champion and raised $875 for the Boys & Girls Club of Paradise see page 4 WHY PAY MORE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO? COME HOME TO THE EXPERTS.

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Get on the Bus

by Patricia A. Clark

During the holiday season with its frenetic pace of material gift-giving, our thoughts can turn to how we can use the gift of our time and energy to make the world a better place. In our own community, there is a dedicated group of volunteers that work without fanfare or acclaim to do just that. The volunteer group was led by Pocket resident Carole D’Elia who passed away in December 2017 at the age of 55, yet the group continues strong into 2018.

Volunteers at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and indeed across California are helping the children of incarcerated parents visit their mother or father in state prison. “Get on the Bus” (GOTB) is a partnership between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the Center for Restorative Justice Works (CRJW) that arranges free bus transportation for the children and their caregivers to the prison around Mother’s and Father’s Day. The goal is to help the children achieve better emotional and social ad-

justment as well as help the incarcerated parent, because parents that see their children have lower recidivism rates and higher rates of successful community reintegration.

The visitation day is a long one, with buses departing various California cities en route to multiple prisons. GOTB volunteers provide travel bags for the children, a photo of each child with their parent, and meals for the day. Each child also receives a teddy bear with a letter from their parent on the drive back.

There are significant statistics to support the need for GOTB. According to CRJW, in California at least 200,000 children have at least one parent in prison. There are over 165,000 men and women in prison in California. Of those, approximately 10,000 are women with an average age of 36. Not surprisingly, about two-thirds of the women in prison have minor children. Many of the minor children are cared for by relatives, especially grandparents, during the parent’s incarceration.

Many of these families are financially unable to make the trip for visitation.

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E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com Editorial questions: (916) 267-8992 Pocket News is published on the first and third Fridays of the month in the area bounded by Interstate 5 on the east and the Sacramento River on the north, west, and south.

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Vol. XXVII • No 24 1109 Markham Way Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906

Cover photo by: Monica Stark

“The volunteers for Get on the Bus make an important program possible,” said Landon Bravo, chief of program operations for CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs. “Uniting a child with an incarcerated mother or father maintains the family bond and reduces the likelihood that the offender will come back to prison.”

Primarily these trips are sponsored for Mother’s and Father’s Day and the volunteers are busy. In 2018, for example, across California GOTB served a total of 1,031 children with 41 buses that visited 13 different prisons in California, according to CRJW’s fact sheet. The volunteer work includes working with the families to prepare the necessary documentation such as birth certificates and proof of guardianship for visitation day as well as the actual trip.

St. Anthony’s Parish is one of several in the Sacramento Diocese that participates in GOTB. However, there are other religious and non-religious organizations that provide volunteers and donations to support the program.

The volunteers at St. Anthony’s have worked with GOTB for about 10 years and are currently led by Stephanie Linsao who became the bus coordinator after Carole D’Elia passed away. Last year, Stephanie was the coordinator for the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) – Chowchilla Mother’s Day event. CCWF-Chowchilla is a large women’s facility in Madera County between the cities of Fresno and Madera. This bus also goes to Valley State Prison, an adjacent men’s prison. According to Carole’s friends and co-workers, this is the same trip that Carole organized each year. see Bus page 5 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

with Pat Lynch

Last year about a week before Christmas I took a walk in the Fab Forties. A man approached, striding purposefully, almost marching. We made eye contact.

His forehead immediately furrowed and he shouted grimly, “Merry Christmas.� I knew in an instant. He was yelling Merry Christmas to show his allegiance to Fox News and its annual flap about a War on Christmas.

If I didn’t say Merry Christmas in return it would show that I was an anti-Christian leftist who said Happy Holidays, thereby revealing an attachment to godlessness, cultural diversity and contempt for traditional values.

I didn’t want to anger him by saying Happy Holidays, but I saw a woman watching from her porch, and I didn’t want her to think I was a Fox Christmas screecher. So I said heartily to the man, and with a smile, “You too.� It seemed to satisfy him and he strode on.

When I mentioned this encounter people said things like, “Don’t worry about what others think,� “Say what’s in your heart,� “Be your own person,� and so forth. One said, “Own your truth,� whatever that means. A neighbor said stoutly that she, for one, would never stop saying Merry Christmas. The implication here was that I lacked authenticity, which was sadly true. I couldn’t satisfactorily explain how much I dreaded being mistaken for a Fox Christmas warrior enlisted to defend Christmas from whatever the rest of us were doing to it.

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So I did some research.

Turns out there WAS a war on Christmas, but it was started by the Puritans, not Democrats. Puritans disapproved of the singing, drinking, feasting, decorating and merriment the holiday brought, scowled upon the celebrants and even tried to cancel it altogether. They scorned Christmas festivities in England and got them outlawed. And when they came here they imported their dreary notions. It can’t have been too much fun living amongst that bunch with their long black outfits and somber faces. Imagine being a kid and having to visit your Puritan aunt during the season. You’d have to sit on cold stick furniture and talk about brimstone. No songs. No treats. No fun.

Those were bleak times, when one religion dominated large parts of the land.

In the Massachusetts Colony you were fined five shillings if you were caught singing a Christmas song. In those days the song was possibly In Dulce Jublio (Good Christian Men, Rejoice.) composed in the 13th century. I wonder if it was a toe tapper.

But finally, by 1870, our growing pluralism had improved things. Immigrants with happier traditions had arrived and assimilated and Christmas became a legally recognized federal holiday.

This made for a much jollier country.

When I was growing up, before Fox News descended on us like an angry UFO, there was a furor over Big Business. In my Catholic school, the nuns said that

“certain businessmen� were trying to secularize Christmas and drive Christ out.

How were they doing this?

By saying,“Happy Holidays.�

By advertisements emphasizing Santa, presents, and new cars. “It’s greed, greed, greed, girls,� Sister Roberta intoned. She said “they� only wanted to celebrate the pagan element that came from Nordic myths and polluted the Christian truth of Baby Jesus. Because the pagan element led to profit and they would do anything for profit. Greed, greed, greed.

But I liked the greedy pagan part of Christmas, liked buying gifts, liked the cheery Christmas tunes in the mall, liked seeing the little kids in line to see Santa, got a nice, uplifting vibe from the whole scene. When many of us became young political radicals we too disdained the commercialization of America and that included Christmas. But I (and others) secretly went shopping and looked forward to going home on Christmas week.

We wanted it both ways— we were not religious now but wanted the nostalgic comforts of the hymns and the traditions. And we want-

ed to make our parents happy. We wanted those snug yuletide get-togethers with kin.

Then in 1977, the American Family Association arrived to monitor Christmas behavior. Rachel Schnepper from the New York Times reported that the “American Family Association called for boycotting Old Navy and The Gap for not using the term “Christmas� in their holiday advertising.� The AFA also “criticized schools for giving equal time to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.� But what is the American Family Association? Turns out it is

a Christian fundamentalist organization that was designated a “hate group� by the Southern Poverty Law Center. What is the AFA’s hate mission? “Using demonizing propaganda� against gay people, says Wikipedia. So now we have a hate group defending the true spirit of Christian love. But wait. It gets weirder.

Twenty years later Fox landed and launched its thunderous war against our non-existent war on Christmas. Fox, always dreaming of a white person Christmas, targeted those who see Door to Door page 19

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3

And the winning word.... vociferous Matsuyama Spelling Bee crowned fifth grader Giada Bhan its champion and raised $875 for the Boys & Girls Club of Paradise

By Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

Photo by Monica Stark

Shown in the front row are the top three finishers of the Matsuyama Spelling Bee, which was held on Friday, Dec. 14. From the left, third place winner Kavina Ma, second place Colsen Nguyen, and first place winner Giada Bhan. Behind them are 24 additional finalists who competed that day.

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It was quite apropos the winning word of the Friday, Dec. 14 Matsuyama Spelling Bee was vociferous, deriving from the Latin word, vox, which means “voice.” While according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out, there really was none of that, but there was excitement in the air as the kids went 12 rounds, spelling 112 words correctly before declaring champion, fifth grader Giada Bhan.

“Some of the people’s words I was wondering, ‘Oh, if I got that one, I’d be out already,’” Giada said.

Toward the end of the bee, there were back-and-forth rounds between her and second place winner Colsen Nguyen. While many may have been anxious during that period, Giada said, “I was thinking, ‘Colsen (Nguyen): Just spell the word.’”

Giada now moves on the next level of competition for other school champions in the Greater Sacramento region. She will take a written test of Spelling and Vocabulary in midJanuary. If she receives one of the top 50 scores, she will advance to the California Central Valley Spelling Bee on March 6 at the Rocklin Event Center. The winner will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC in May. Two weeks prior to the spelling bee, a preliminary round was held for all in-

terested spellers, bee organizer and proud parent Sue Ping Kuo Jiang explained to the audience during her introductory remarks. “Because it was our first year having a Bee, we weren’t sure what to expect, but we had a great turnout, with 81 spellers across all grade levels, showing up to take a 25word written spelling test,” she explained.

From that round, they narrowed the field down to the following 27 finalists, among whom included a second grader, five third graders, seven fourth graders, eight fifth graders and eight sixth graders: Burhan Razaq, 4th Grader from Mr. Hanks class; Arianna Caridad, 5th grader from Ms. Gravitz’s class; Essey Ghebregziabher, 3rd grader from Ms. Porto’s class; Isabella Moreno, 6th grader from Ms. Renschler’s class; Grayson Stockdale, 4th grader from Mr. Freeman’s class; Gordon Lee, 6th grader from Ms. Renschler’s class; Marcos Lujan, 6th grader from Mr. Commandatore’s class; Emelia Shoemaker, 3rd grader from Ms. Porto’s class; Joshua Zanders, 6th grader from Ms. Renschler’s class; Colsen Nguyen, 5th grader from Ms. Gravitz’s class; Itzel Martinez, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Tristan Caridad, 3rd grader from Mrs. Nylander’s class; Tyson Jiang, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Josie Kirkman, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Dylan Smith, 6th grader from Mr. see Vociferous page 5 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Vociferous: continued from page 4

Commandatore’s class; Giada Bhan, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Ethan Roach, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Emani Evans, 4th grader from Mr. Hanks’ class; Sarah Fry, 4th grader from Mr. Hanks’ class; Abel Bustillo, 4th grader from Mr. Hanks’ class; Omar Soliman, 5th grader from Ms. Chertorisky’s class; Gabriella Carmona, 4th grader from Mr. Hanks’ class; Kevina Ma,

Bus:

continued from page 2

An active community member for years, Carole became interested in GOTB through her work at the State of California’s Little Hoover Commission (LHC). LHC is an independent state oversight agency charged with investigating state government operations and making recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for improvement. Among the many reports Carole worked on for LHC were criminal justice reports. Krystal Beckham, Project Manager at LHC, recalled, “I believe it was her work on our 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole, that really resonated with her.”

Beckham continued, “And this is the nexus between incarceration, Get on the Bus, post-release services, recidivism and how the children of incarcerated mothers fare. Family ties are so critical in helping female offenders straighten out their lives, but women often don’t see their kids while they’re in prison.”

Pocket resident Rich Fowler, who worked on GOTB for years with Carole, deValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

6th grader from Ms. Renschler’s class; Natalie Lam, 4th grader from Mr. Thao’s class; Issara Jong, 6th grader from Ms. Renschler’s class; Emily Barker, 3rd grader from Ms. Porto’s class; Samiya Jenkins, 6th grader from Mr. Commandatore’s class.

“As you can see, we have some really young spellers competing against the oldest kids in the school,” Jiang said. “We also have some kids here tonight for whom English is not their first language. And even one student whose family just moved to the Unit-

ed States seven months ago. Principal Farina is extremely proud of the diversity of this group that is representing our school.”

The Matsuyama PTA lined up several community sponsors who pledged money for every correctly spelled word at the bee to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Paradise. There were enough sponsors that every correctly spelled word earned about $5. In the end, this Mighty Pines Spell-a-thon raised a total of $875 for the Boys and Girls Club of Paradise. Community

sponsors included Sacramento City Council Member Rick Jennings, Realtor Renee’ Catricala and Girl Scout Troop #1309 who donated their cookie money saved from five years of selling cookies. Additionally, there were two anonymous donors.

These donations supported the spellers, the school and the young fire victims of the recent Camp Fire, all at the same time. “ This cause is especially meaningful as our own Principal Farina’s father had to be evacuated from his home in Butte Coun-

ty and her husband, Charlie is currently doing relief work in Paradise,” Jiang said.

The Matsuyama Spelling Bee words were announced by Principal Farina and the event was judged by yours truly and Libby Reynolds, a former Matsuyama student and junior at CK McClatchy High School. Reynolds is the head coach of the new Matsuyama Speech and Debate Team and is an accomplished Policy Debater competing at the National Level at C.K. McClatchy High School.

scribed the volunteer work needed to sponsor the St. Anthony’s bus to CCWFChowchilla each year. “It begins after the new year with a training for volunteers.

The prisoner requests the visit and, if approved, we get the names and help the families get approved for the visit during the spring,” Fowler said. “Just before Mother’s Day, we help them get to the church and get on the bus,” he added. Financial donations are always gratefully received as the cost of sponsoring the bus is significant, Fowler commented.

Another GOTB volunteer, Janet Sandlin, remembers Carole pointing out that the children of incarcerated parents were innocents who still loved their parents. “The trip provided the children with perhaps their only chance to connect with their parent,” Janet added.

New volunteers will participate in a training early in 2019. If you are interested in giving of your time and energy to this unique program, contact Jackelin Aguilar of CRJW at jaguilar@crjw.org.

If you would like to financially support GOTB at St. Anthony’s, contact Jessica Adel, Business Manager at St. Anthony’s, at (916) 428-5678 who can ensure your dona-

tion is accurately designated you would like to read more sponsor a child, please visit for the program. Outside of about Carole’s work and sup- the CRJW website at www.

Carole’s beloved Pocket Area, port this statewide effort to crjw.org. at press time we learned that CRJW is starting a statewide fundraiser to honor and publicize Carole’s legacy of love for these innocent children. If

Call Melissa at (916) 429-9901 www.valcomnews.com

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CLUES ACROSS 1. A great lunch 4. German composer 8. Expresses pleasure 10. Unit of energy 11. Genus of beetles 12. Type of respect 13. City in Netherlands 15. Showing lack of skill 16. Irish surname 17. Exaggerated or affected sentiment 18. Diversion 21. Journalist Tarbell 22. Wrath 23. Current unit

24. Sixers’ Simmons 25. Makes honey 26. Tributary of the Rhine 27. Once home to a notorious wall 34. Gets back 35. She was beheaded in France 36. Cheer 37. Tropical Asian palm 38. Darker 39. Figures 40. Old World trees 41. Protects a broken bone 42. Dried-up 43. An enclosure for swine

CLUES DOWN 1. Blab 2. __ Bacall, actress 3. Declaration of an intention to inflict harm 4. The most direct route 5. Affirm to be true or correct 6. Rift 7. Oil company 9. Alphabetic character 10. Large marsh bird 12. Hollywood event 14. Scottish port 15. French river 17. Something frustrating (abbr.)

19. More in time 20. Payroll company 23. Pokes holes in 24. A way to steal 25. Blacken with dirt 26. Autonomic nervous system 27. A lab tech’s tool 28. A place to stay 29. UK school 30. Moroccan 31. Where rockers work 32. Most friendly 33. In a state of turbulence 34.“Bridget Jones� actress 36. Hebrew liquid units

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Pocket resident receives United Way’s top volunteer award Carolyn Mullins of the Pocket area received United Way California Capital Region’s Boje and Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism earlier this month at a recognition event held at Antiquité Maison Privée in Midtown Sacramento. Mullins was one of four United Way donors and volunteers honored by the local nonprofit for their commitment to United Way’s Square One Project that is ensuring local students graduate from high school prepared for success in college and beyond.

Mullins, who is retired from AT&T, has donated to United Way since 2001, been active as a member of United Way’s Women United action group since 2010, and served as a board member for 12 years, including three years as chair.

During her term as chair, she led the executive recruitment process for a president and CEO in 2013 and transition in leadership. She currently serves as chair of the Board Development Committee, helping to strengthen the board and increase engagement.

Other honorees included Andrea Shipley of UPS who was named Women United Member of the Year, Creston Whiting-Casey of the California State Assembly who was named Young Leaders Society Member of the Year, and

SMUD which received the Cornerstone Award.

At the recognition event, United Way California Capital Region President and CEO Stephanie Bray told guests and honorees, “I know we have a bright year ahead as we continue to work together to make sure kids succeed in school and beyond. But it’s going to take all of us. I hope you will step up your commitment to the exciting work we are all doing together through the Square One Project. Please join us in making Sacramento the best place to live, work and play for everyone.”

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending generational poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation: www. yourlocalunitedway.org.

Selling hundreds of Homes in the Pocket area, since 1983 So, if you are you an original owner of a home in Quail Run, Lakecrest Village or River Village, chances are that I sold you your home! And, if you are still here, I want you to know that I am too, and as always, I look forward to assisting you with any of your current real estate needs!

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Carolyn Mullins of the Pocket area receives United Way’s Boje and Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism from president and CEO Stephanie Bray and board chair Julie Quinn at a recognition event earlier this month.

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All lit up and decked out for the holidays Photos by Stephen Crowley

Thanks to 50 volunteers who made the Pocket Canal Holiday Lights a reality. Organized by the Pocket-Greenhaven Community Association, neighbors installed over a mile of lights running in each direction from Rush River Road. Here are some photos of folks enjoying their evening on Sunday, Dec. 16.

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Matsuyama robotics team won “Judge’s Award” at First LEGO Champs for selfless acts of kindness

By Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

Ten students from Matsuyama Elementary School participated in the 2018 First LEGO Championship on Sunday, Dec. 2 at Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove. In addition to their participation, these “RoboPines” chose to fundraise for two Paradise teams who lost everything. During the week of Nov. 26-30, the RoboPines held after school fundraisers, collecting donations and had robot races while selling cotton candy and popcorn for $1. During this one week, these 10 students have raised $4,800 for the two Paradise robotics teams.

Because of their selflessness, the RoboPines were awarded the Judges Award, which recognizes the team commitment to humanity, spirit and core values. This team had the commitment to help others and wanted to really make a difference.

As third teacher and RoboPines coach Mike Mullen reiterates the core values of the First LEGO League Robotics program, “We are stronger when we work together. The Matsuyama RoboPines Team #445 exemplified this value in December.”

For eight years, the RoboPines have participated in First LEGO League Robotics, even going to regional championships.

This year, after months of planning, building, programming and practicing, the team discovered their competition was canceled due to the unhealthy air conditions caused by the nearby Camp Fire.

Mullen guided the team in understanding and emValley Community Newspapers, Inc.

pathy towards those that had been impacted by the fires. With extra time and no competition in sight, the team’s creativity turned towards how to help those in need. It was discovered that two robotics teams, #33283 “P.F.U.D.O.R” and #37875 “Nerd Herd”, had been severely impacted by the fire. The twelve member team, consisting of 5th and 6th grade students from Matsuyama, decided to hold a fundraiser for the robotics teams located in the fire region. For five days, the RoboPines collected cash and new and slightly used LEGOS from parents and community members. The RoboPines also held a robot race event, which collected additional donations.

First LEGO League heard about the RoboPines efforts, and invited them to compete in the Regional Championship.

The team continued to focus their efforts on the teams in Butte County, setting up a booth and collected over $5000 in cash and LEGOs to donate. The Matsuyama RoboPines were acknowledged for their effort, presented with the Judge’s Award for community outreach and compassion. They also performed well in the competition, scoring 106 points on the mission board.

The team built a robot to perform various tasks on “the robot board”. They made it to the championships where 36 teams competed. The teams are made up of 9-14 year olds, so the RoboPines mostly competing against middle schoolers. “We did well achieving 106 points. That landed

us in 23rd place for the robot portion of the competition,” Mullen explained. “ This team thought they were out of the competition. Rather than sulk and feel sorry for themselves, they thought of others that were worse off than they were. It’s a testament to wonderful parenting. I love being part of this. I always learn more from them, then what they get from me,” Mullen said.

The donations are set to be delivered to the robotsee Robotics page 19

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Pocket resident directed La Pastorela de Sacramento, bringing to light immigration issues with powerful bilingual musical

By Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

Photos by Monica Stark Latino Center of Art and Culture Executive Director Marie Acosta with La Pastorela de Sacramento director, Pocket resident Nicole Limon, at the closing ceremony of the musical, which was held Dec. 13-16 at The Guild Theatre in Oak Park.

The Latino Center of Art and Culture (LCAC), Sacramento’s non-profit Latino art and cultural center, presented the 6th annual “La Pastorela de Sacramento,” a popular holiday musical for kids and adults alike. This clear-eyed example of political theater mixed with cultural traditions mixed with hope and holiday spirit, directed by Pocket resident Nicole Limón was sold out multiple days during its four-day run Dec. 13-16 at the Guild Theatre in Oak Park.

A modern bilingual musical of Mexico’s traditional Christmas pageant. Satirical,

poignant, moralistic, sly and romantic, with contemporary and timeless subject matter, La Pastorela de Sacramento draws directly from current affairs in the best tradition of magical realism.

Written by Marie Acosta (LCAC Executive Director/ San Francisco Mime Troupe alum), and Tomas Benitez (Plaza del La Raza/Teatro Café) the lively play brought together experienced actors and community players. Original songs amplified the visual power of the show, which used low-tech magic to great effect. The transformation of contemporary recognizable figures into four shepherds traditional was a new twist.

Armando, a young developer about to score a major contract in Oak Park; Carmela, a Sacramento-born former Hollywood starlet who lost everything when she refused to sleep with her producer; Juan, an Afghanistan war vet with PTSD, and Gila, a college student and homeless advocate face their moral dilemmas had to work together to help a homeless family (Mary and Joseph characters) and save the world from “fire, famine and pestilence”. The finale, with its dramatic battle of good versus evil had audiences erupting into boos, cheers and song. see La Pastorela page 12

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Pocket News • December21, 2018 • www.valcomnews.com

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www.valcomnews.com • December21, 2018 • Pocket News

11

La Pastorela: continued from page 10

Photos by Monica Stark The cast of La Pastorela de Sacramento celebrates the end of a successful run on Sunday, Dec. 16..

12

Pocket News • December21, 2018 • www.valcomnews.com

The first year directing this production Limón, a theater professor at Sacramento State and Pocket resident, participated in La Pastorela previously as an actress.

Besides the added responsibility as director, she has enjoyed bringing her vision to the piece, as well as a sense of community, re-

cruiting current and former students. “My inspiration is really about being able to bring the stories that resonate with my community to the stage, so that it’s a reflection of ourselves. We don’t necessarily always get to see ourselves represented.”

One of the characters is a Dreamer, there are people living paycheck to paycheck, one woman is living in her car (putting up the facade that everyone is okay), as the play itself surrounds the shepherds trying to find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus -- all reflective of the immigration that’s happening now and affecting communities right here in Sacramento.

Wearing a red hat with the statement, “Make Heaven Great Again,” Luzbel (Lucifer) opens the play with a prologue in which it’s explained how he, due to his ego, fell from heaven. Set behind Luzbel and the dark angels, are projections of Trump rallies and caravan footage out of Honduras, reinforcing today’s realities.

Those multimedia aesthetics have been produced by Oak Park resident George Holden, better known for his light shows at the Fillmore, working with legendary bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Van Morrison, and Quicksilver.

Another memorable scene, Limón’s favorite, is when all four shepherds get deported. One says he’s an American citizen with papers, while another doesn’t have his. They sing about being deported and being Mexican, they way they look, the struggle and the journey they’re about to have.

It’s through song that the audience hears each of their stories.

The idea that “ Teatro” is under the umbrella of theater, historically enacted on the backs of pickup trucks in fields in Delano during the 1960s, and which were inspired by the lives of their

audience, this production of “La Pastorela de Sacramento” continues the tradition calling for social justice.

While the story is serious in theme, like a lot of oldschool teatro, it’s all done through humor.

Said Limón: “ This was my opportunity to really share with the cast that it’s not just a theater production, this is a gift to the community because we are reflecting the current issues that are happening... how they can connect social issues with art.

Art is action.”

To her, the beauty with this piece and a lot of teatro is that there’s a universal story but it’s through a Latino lenses. “Immigration right now is focused around brown or indigenous people, people from Mexico and Central America. But there are immigrants in every shade, from every country.” She has students who are not Latino, and that immigration story is theirs. “ They might be a DACA, or they might be undocumented, but they can see the disparity between the way that brown people are being treated, and targeted and how they are not and how they get a pass because of what they look like or what the assumption is about their status,” she said.

Limón admits mostly the play will preach to the choir, but she did warn the cast there will be people in the audience who will be on both sides this story. In other words, there might be Trump supporters who will be in favor of what Luzbel is asking for.

Perhaps, they’ll be moved for some reason to change their point of view, or perhaps they’ll be moved to leave the show out of discomfort.

As politics continue to change, so does the script each year for “La Pastorela de Sacramento”. And with that, who knows what next year’s script will bring.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Herbert Yee honored with humanitarian award

Photo by Lance Armstrong

Herbert Yee was recently honored by the California Dental Association Foundation.

Longtime South Land Park resident Dr. Herbert Yee, a retired dentist, recently received a special honor from the California Dental Association Foundation.

The organization, which he joined seven decades ago, presented him with the 2018 CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award.

The award is presented to California dentists who demonstrate excellence through “a lifetime of outstanding, unselfish leadership and contributions to fellow human beings in the field of dentistry.”

During his life, Herbert, 94, has dedicated himself to community service through dentistry, leadership and philanthropy.

His nearly half century in dentistry included serving as the dentist for the staff and family of California Govs. Edmund G. “Pat” Brown and Ronald Reagan.

Herbert noted that it took additional convincing for Reagan to make arrangements with a dentist who previously worked with a Democratic governor.

Reagan later wanted to reappoint Herbert as his dentist, Herbert recalled.

“I said,‘No, governor, you can’t do it,’” he said. “(Reagan) said, ‘What do you mean I can’t? I’m the governor.’ No said, ‘I already Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

served two terms.’ The law says you can only serve eight years.”

Herbert’s other experiences in dentistry include serving on the California State Board of Dental Examiners, and the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

He also served as president of the University of the Pacific Dental School Alumni Association, president of the International College of Dentists, and counselor of the ADA’s Council on Dental Education.

In 1984, Herbert was named president of the U.S. section of the International College of Dentists at the annual convention in Atlanta.

Reagan acknowledged Herbert at the time through a let-

my father put me in the second grade,” he said.“The teacher said, ‘You can’t even speak one word of English,’ so they put me back to first grade. But then I skipped low seventh (grade), I skipped the last six months of high school. So, I made up for it.”

Herbert’s father, Henry, previously spent time in the United States, and earned a bache-

lor’s degree in civil engineering in 1921 and a master’s degree in the same subject in 1923. He later attended Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

While living in Sacramento, Henry became a leader in the local Chinese and American communities. see Herbert page 17

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ter, which partially reads: “This honor reflects your commitment to your profession and to the organization paying tribute to you.

“By your service as a dentist and as a member of your community, you have made outstanding contributions. In every area where you work, whether as a member of your profession or as a concerned citizen, your dedication is greatly respected.”

Herbert has also financially assisted organizations and institutions such as the Sacramento District Dental Society and the California State Railroad Museum.

Long before becoming a dentist, Herbert began his life in China.

His journey to achieving his American dream began with his arrival at Angel Island at the age of 6 on May 1, 1931.

However, his connection to Sacramento dates back much earlier.

Herbert’s great-grandfather, an herbalist known as Dr. Wah Hing, came to California during the Gold Rush. He would eventually establish an herbal store in Fiddletown.

Although he would eventually excel in school, Herbert said that his introduction to American schools was a bit challenging.

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Sacramento poet Brad Buchanan’s latest book chronicles his quest to survive cancer

By Scott Weiss

the alphabet once scattered through my blood has metastasized producing a poem —from “The Differential Diagnosis” The quotation above opens the second poem in East Sacramento resident Brad Buchanan’s third collection of poetry, The Scars Aligned: A Cancer Narrative, set for publication in early 2019 from Finishing Line Press.

These early lines announce the importance of language in Buchanan’s quest to understand the onset of cancer and its impact on his life and family.

A professor of English at Sacramento State and active in the Sacramento poetry community, Buchanan remains sidelined from the university classroom by his bout with lymphoma, which has, however, drawn him into the thick of the action as a poet.

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workshop we helped co-found.

Naturally, I was stunned by the news of his cancer diagnosis and anxiously followed news of his treatment and recovery.

Recently, the opportunity arose to ask Buchanan about his new book for this article. My first question focused on the title.

He said that “the title is a pun on the phrase ‘the stars aligned,’ which suggests an astrological position that precipitates or allows some earthly event.”

Of substituting “scars” for “stars,” Buchanan said, “the reference is to the poems in the book, which are like the scar tissue left behind by all the procedures, tests, treatments, and injuries incurred because of my physical encounter (some might call it a battle) with cancer.”

The pieces in this collection “were written at various points over the 2-year period from my pre-diagnosis suspicions (or paranoia) about my having lymphoma to my slow recovery from the stem-cell transplant,” he said, adding that the poems “have been ‘aligned’ into as linear and logical a narrative as I could manage.”

But this book is no mere journaling of events, as we embark on a compelling journey filled with emotion and suspense. “I wanted the book to read like a kind of medical thriller,” Buchanan said, “with all the key elements of a good plot: background, exposition, rising action, climax, and dénouement, with a coda at the final poem.”

We accompany Buchanan through tests and procedures aimed at finding answers or a cure. But in bringing his writing to bear upon his illness, he seems to be running tests of his own, from one poem to the next, poking and prodding back at cancer and all of its fallout.

When asked about this observation, Buchanan said that “each poem in the book could indeed

be seen as a kind of self-diagnosis, a sort of emotional temperature-taking to see how all of the twists and turns are landing on me and my family.”

Emotion at times runs high, as Buchanan writes his way through matters of mortality in revealing scenes that lay bare cancer’s impact upon him and his relationships.

Another compelling feature of this book is Buchanan’s collaboration with poets like John Keats and William Butler Yeats, alternating lines of poetry from their works with his own. He sees “an experimental side to the interlinear poems,” adding that they provide “a sort of litmus test for my own writing.”

Buchanan also imitates his poetic forebears in pieces that “try to answer questions like, ‘How would Wallace Stevens handle saying goodbye to his daughter before leaving for a necessary but lengthy and potentially fatal medical procedure?’” He admits, “I’m not sure my answers really tell us anything about these earlier, amazing poets, but they enabled me to say what I needed to say, somehow.”

As one who lost both parents to cancer, the personal experiences of cancer patients have been unknown territory for me. But Buchanan’s poems seem to guide us to a better understanding of this frightening underworld.

When asked about comparing his role as poet to that of Virgil, Dante’s poet-guide in Inferno, Buchanan said, “if I am functioning as a guide like Virgil, my message would be something like this: However bad it gets, keep writing about it. The strength you gain from taking that literary distance from your body’s weakness might just be what saves you.”

Readers can preorder The Scars, Aligned: A Cancer Narrative at https://www.finishinglinepress.com.

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Life on Two Rivers - Go Wild: Get Your Naturalist Training

By Ellen Cochrane

If you’re looking for a chance to nudge your inner child back to Mother Nature, now’s the time. The University of California’s Master Naturalist program has multiple training opportunities in and near Sacramento and you don’t need to be a science pro, just have a passion about the natural world and be ready to train and embrace your love of the outdoors.

For years I was determined to place myself back into nature, and not just as an occasional visitor.

Twenty years of teaching in an urban, public school and four years of service on the school board had not erased the push of the Pacific wind from my thoughts or dried up the smell of sunbaked oat grass. And I had a sense of urgency. Being in my 50s, I heard the tick-tock of time. A chance internet search led to the University of California’s Master Naturalist Program and I began my journey.

Just after sunrise on Heart’s Desire Beach, a sheltered cove in the Point Reyes National Seashore, I began Naturalist Adult Camp. For seven days 25 people (young, old, students, retirees, all races and social econom-

Herbert:

continued from page 13

Herbert recalled a time when Gov. Pat Brown praised his father, who founded one of the city’s first Chinese supermarkets, and was active in the efforts to build the Confucius Temple and community center at 4th and I streets.

“At my father’s 70th birthday, (Brown) got up at the Confucius Temple, and said,‘I would rather be Dr. Yee than to be governor of the state of California,’” he said.

After graduating from Sacramento High School in 1942, Herbert joined the U.S. Army Dental Corps of the Army Specialized Training Program at Stanford University.

“They sent me back to dental school to study to be a dentist, Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

ic groups) practiced survival skills, studied redwood ecology and the Coho salmon watershed. We worked, camped, ate, and drank beer together.

Naturalists learn facts. For five or so hours a day we studied in the classroom. Scientists, nonprofit conservation program directors, volunteers, authors and other naturalists schooled us on local flora, fauna and geology. The remainder of the time we learned in the forest, by the creek side and on the seashore.

A twisty dirt path curled through the redwood forest. We stopped to watch our interpretive guide unwrap a tissue. Out popped what looked like a tomato seed. Interest turned to astonishment when she pointed to a giant of the forest. The minute dot was a redwood seed.

We explored Lagunitas Creek trails alongside salmon spawning grounds and learned the breeding cycle from biologists. Later the same day we helped repot native plant seedlings and redwood sprouts with a botanist.

A few days later we were immersed in the world of mist nets and tagging native bird species.

We took notes, kept journals

and sketched. All staples of the classically trained Naturalist.

My most emotional moment came when we examined a washed up female blue whale on Agate Beach near the Bolinas Duxbury Reef. It was impossible not to feel pity standing next to the lifeless body of the largest species on Earth, who was most likely hit by a ship. We learned later that she was part of a research project and her migration from Alaska to Mexico had been tracked for 18 years.

By the end of the week we had strong bonds, a network of colleagues, and were ready to volunteer for science and nature.We had earned our chops to become part of the nation-wide movement to build cadres of like-minded people who want to share nature in a positive way, not focusing on conflict resolution or policy battles.

Multiple studies point to the benefits of volunteering, especially later in life. But becoming a steward of the Earth, supporting environmental programs and introducing the young to life changing adventures is not just volunteering, it’s a passion. Most naturalists find their calendars packed and some are much bus-

because they did not know how long the war was going to last,” Herbert recalled.

With his success in business and his fundraising efforts, Herbert has financially assisted many other causes during his life.

His philanthropy also includes contributing to his native land through his funding of the construction of China’s Kee Siu School, which opened on Sept. 28, 1981, and a cultural center and library named after himself and his father, Henry Yee. The cultural center and library opened in China in 2007.

Those who know Herbert well know that he has consistently been involved with a variety of activities and held many positions.

Other positions he has held include regent of the University of the Pacific, district governor of Lions Club District 4 C5, president of the Sacramento Pioneer Association, president of the Sacramento Chinese Benevolent Association, president of the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Association, and president of the Yee Fong Toy family association.

Herbert currently serves as the commander of Gung Ho American Legion Post No. 696, an organization he joined as a charter member in 1946.

In pondering his career in dentistry and his life, in general, Herbert said he is content.

“I’m happy I (was a dentist), because that’s my profession,” he said. “I had a great career.

I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do.”

ier volunteering than when they worked. But the commitment is not another career, it’s a calling.

Budding naturalists train 40 hours or more with local environmental partners, organizations and instructors who are experts in the immediate geographic area. Students learn about the flora and fauna ecosystems and conservation as well as broader environmental issues. Some courses are taught in a classroom with field trips, others (like my class) are 24/7 immersion courses in nature. Think class time combined with daily campfires, practicing survival skills and interact-

Becoming a Naturalist Beginning your journey is just a click away. Go to the University of California, Davis California Naturalist site to see state wide information: http://calnat.ucanr. edu/ The immediate Sacramento area offers numerous opportunities to train as a Cer-

ing with field scientists. After you complete the course you’re ready to work. Some do use the training to seek out encore careers, but others feed their souls by finding the perfect volunteer niche.

University of California program director, Adina Merenlender, observes that naturalist training gets us off our islands and brings people from all walks of life together, people who would not normally interact.“It’s important to engage youth and older people to find their path, around sciences, outdoors, and the environment—to find their life’s work,” Merenlender said. tified California Naturalist.

A favorite is The American River Conservancy California Naturalist Course.

Dates: February 21, 2019 May 9, 2019 Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact: Dillon Brook, dillon@arconservancy.org Full course info: website: http://calnat.ucanr.edu/ Take_a_class/American_ River_Conservancy/

www.valcomnews.com • December21, 2018 • Pocket News

17

What’s

happening

VCA GREENHAVEN POCKET ANIMAL HOSPITAL WINTER PET CARE DRIVE: Loaves & Fishes and VCA Animal Hospitals announce the kickoff of our 5th Annual Winter Pet Care Drive focused on helping some of the neediest people in our community and their pets. During the month of October, donations may be brought to any one of the VCA Animal Hospitals in the Sacramento area and all items will go directly to the individuals served at Loaves & Fishes in downtown Sacramento. This winter drive is dedicated to supporting the power of the human-animal bond across all members of our community and is an extension of an ongoing bimonthly Pet Food Pantry program in partnership between Loaves & Fishes, VCA Animal Hospitals and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Last year’s drive was very successful: 16 VCA hospitals in the Sacramento Valley mobilized employees and clients in a winter drive that collected more crates, blanket, leashes, pet sweaters, and toys than we could even count. They hope, with your help, for more of the same this year. You are welcome to join in the effort to collect pet sweaters, blankets, collars, leashes, pet carriers and pet toys for those in need in our community.

Loaves & Fishes provides a variety of shelter, food and support services to the Sacramento homeless community. For more information about Loaves & Fishes, visit sacloaves.org. VCA Greenhaven Pocket Animal Hospital is located at 1 Valine Court, Sacramento, CA 95831. For more information, call 916-391-3677 or visit www.

VCAgreenhaven.com

athletic achievements during high school or with exceptional effort and service to the John F. Kennedy High School athletic department. The Hall of Fame looks to reflect the proud history of John F. Kennedy High School, highlight the long-standing athletic success of the institution and recognize the importance of developing well-rounded individuals. Please contact Athletic Director, David Parsh at: david-parsh@scusd.edu for more information. To submit an nomination, visit https://jfk.scusd.edu/post/hallfame-nomination-form

JFK HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME: The John F. Kennedy High School Athletics Department will induct its first Hall of Fame class this spring in May, 2019. The school is looking for nominations of Cougar graduates, coaches, teams and athletic department contributors.

The John F. Kennedy High School Athletics Hall of Fame is intended to recognize and honor those who have made a significant impact on the athletic community with their

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP – Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group conversation led by a facilitator on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do, and more.

All levels and parents with children are welcome! No registration is needed. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, January 2 and 16, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

2019 JAN. 1 NEW YEAR’S GATHERING: Friends of the Riverbanks invites you to this monthly event, which generally meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. (note there are exceptions so check the calendar), at Sutter’s Landing Park at the VERY end of 28th Street in Sacramento. Bring water and sunblock, and a change of clothes for young ones who are sure to get sandy, muddy, and wet. Children under 13 must wear life jackets if they go into the water, per law.

Leave your dogs at home and please bike, walk, or carpool if you can to keep our carbon footprint as small as possible. Directions: Head north on 28th Street, cross C Street and then the railroad tracks. Continue to the last parking lot where the park abuts the American River Parkway.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship Monday, December 24 5:30 pm & 11:00 pm Traditional Christmas Services With Carols & Lessons

Historic Pioneer Church 2700 L Street, Sacramento Across from Sutter’s Fort

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Pocket News • December21, 2018 • www.valcomnews.com

Pocket/Greenhaven?

SATURDAY, JAN. 5 READ TO A DOG - Looking for a way to boost school-age reading skills? Join us in the library’s Reading Tower area and practice reading out loud to a registered therapy dog. Kids are invited to bring their own books or borrow one from our collection.

First and third Saturdays ( January 5 and 19), 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

BOOK DISCUSSION - If you like to read and you like to talk about books, look no further than the Pocket Library book discussion group. The group reads a wide variety of books to challenge the minds and interests of all group members. At this meeting we will be discussing The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso. (February’s selection will be The Immortalists

by Chloe Benjamin.) Saturday, January 5, 1 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

TUESDAY, JAN. 8 POP UP SALE AT BELLE COOLEDGE LIBRARY: On Tuesday, January 8, 2019, the Belle Cooledge Library is having its Pop Up Sale from 10am to 5 pm. Book prices are $1 for hardback, .50 for trade and paperbacks. Fill up a grocery size bag for $5. No credit cards please. Belle Cooledge is located at 5600 South Land Park Drive.

ANDROID SMARTPHONE TRAINING CLASS: Make your Android smartphone work better for you! Learn how to make it louder, send text messages, connect to Bluetooth, operate basic functions and much more. Pre-registration required. Free of charge. Class will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 10 a.m. to noon at ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Drive. For more information, call (916) 393-9026 ext 330 or www.acssv.org.

FRIDAY, JAN. 11 CREAMY CHICKEN AND CORN CHOW: Chicken corn chowder is a soup you can eat year round. This is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions like bacon and chopped pepper. It can be cooked in a crockpot instead of the stove.Pre-registration and pre-payment of $16 required. Class will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 from noon to 1 p.m. at ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Drive. For more information, call (916) 393-9026 ext 330 or www.acssv.org.

TUESDAY, JAN. 15 “ALL IN” GAMING AND SOCIAL HOUR FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS – Join us for games, refreshments, conversation, and fun! Available games will include poker, chess, Scrabble, checkers, dominos, Mahjong, cribbage, and more! Tuesday, January 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Robbie Waters

Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16 SOUND THERAPY: Explore the world of using sound to assist in creating and maintaining health. Learn about the latest medical research and sound therapy techniques that use classical music, white noise, Mantra prayers, and ancient musical instruments. Experience the Himalayan Singing Bowls and learn ancient techniques to relax the body and mind and bring balance into your life. Pre-registration and pre-payment of $20 required. $25 drop-in fee at the door.

Class will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2019 from 1:30-3 p.m. at ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Drive. For more information, call (916) 393-9026 ext 330 or www.acssv.org.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP – Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group conversation led by a facilitator on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do, and more.

All levels and parents with children are welcome! No registration is needed. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, January 2 and 16, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

THURSDAY, JAN. 17 iPHONE SMARTPHONE TRAINING CLASS: Make your iPhone smartphone work better for you! Learn how to make it louder, send text messages, connect to Bluetooth, operate basic functions and much more. Pre-registration required. Free of charge. Class will be held Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 10 a.m. to noon at ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Drive. For more information, call (916) 393-9026 ext 330 or www.acssv.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 19 READ TO A DOG - Looking for a way to boost school-age reading skills? Join us in the library’s Reading Tower area and practice reading out loud to a registered therapy dog. Kids are invited to bring their own books or borrow one from our collection.

First and third Saturdays ( January 5 and 19), 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2 DREAM VARIATIONS: A SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: The Sacramento Youth Symphony presents a major community concert event celebrating the ongoing contributions by African-Americans to our country’s artistic landscape.

Musical selections will include celebrated works by Duke Ellington, William Grant

Still, Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass, and much more. An impressive roster of special guests will join the orchestra on-stage for this special event. Some of our guests include: Emcee-Omari Tau; Speaker-Courtney Dempsey; Guest Artists-Jay Mason, Chase Spruill 4th, Indigo Moore, Julian Dixon, Leslie Sandefur, & Sheryl Counter. Tickets: General $25, Students/Children/Seniors $20. For more information, visit www.sacramentoyouthsymphony.org

ONGOING FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP: Every first Monday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. Location: Sacramento. Call 916-428-3271 for exact location. Description: Is your friend or family member in a domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking situation?

This free, drop-in group is for you. Learn how to support your loved one, and receive some support yourself among people who are in the same situation. Feel free to call My Sister’s House for more information: 916-428-3271. #METOO SUPPORT GROUP: Every third Monday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. Location: Sacramento. Call 916-4283271 for exact location. Description: This drop-in support group is free, confidential, open to all genders, and available to sexual assault survivors at any point in their healing. Feel free to call My Sister’s House for more information: 916-428-3271.

MUSIC AND MOTION AT BELLE COOLEDGE COMMUNITY CENTER: Rowena Alverto brings exercise classes for seniors with a combination of yoga, tai chi, zumba, for seniors on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. $3. 5699 South Land Park Drive.

LOW-COST VACCINATION CLINICS AT THE SSPCA: Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for vaccines; no appointments necessary. Vaccines include: 1) DAPP vaccine ($20) — DAPP stands for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. While important for dogs of every age, puppies are susceptible to the Parovirus.

2) Bordetella ($20) -- often referred to as the kennel cough vaccine, this helps protect against a strain of bacteria that can cause kennel cough. Many boarding kennels and groomers require this vaccine for services, 3) FVRCP vaccination ($20) prevents three potentially deadly airborne viruses: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia in cats, 4) Rabies shot ($6) -- this vaccine is required by animal control or to license your dog. The first vaccine is valid for one year, subsequent vaccines if given on time will last 3 years.

If you are 65 or older, vaccinations are free!

The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is located at 6201 Florin Perkins Road, Sacramento.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Robotics: contined from page 9

ics teams in Butte County in the upcoming days.

The team includes the following Matsuyama students: Nicholas Buckman, Andy Huang, Tyson Jiang, Emily LaBrasca, Gordon Lee, Kevina Ma, Olivia Messer, Aydden Miranda, Isabella Moreno, Jacob Smith, Jonah Hrabe and Benjamin Hrabe.

Alongside Mullen, guiding the RoboPines is coach Michelle Miranda, who has met with the team regularly for about four months to prepare for the competition.

The following are student responses to the question: How does it make you feel being awarded the Judges Award?

-Olivia: “I feel great. We worked as a team. Our team is so happy we got the award.”

-Nick: “I am happy we got it but we raised money not for the award but to help the people who lost everything.”

-Jonah: “I feel proud for making valuable work for the team and for keeping up sprints with jokes.”

-Tyson: “Special and happy for getting a high award. It was fun collecting money.”

-Gordon: “I feel happy that we got an award. I also feel proud of myself and my teammates.”

-Andy: “It feels nice knowing that there are only two judges awards and we got one of them.”

-Benjamin: “It feels god because this is the first time being awarded a LEGO award.”

-Kevina: “I felt really honored and proud of our team!

The judges award is a really cool award! It didn’t feel real being handed the award!”

-Jacob: “It feels satisfying to earn an award from the judges of the FLL.” -Aydden: “I felt accomplished that we got it but there were other teams that would also get the award”.

-Isabella: “Winning the judges award is a great honor.

It really shows that we are a unique team, which we are!”

-Emily: “I am proud!

Working with my team is beyond fun! Winning an award from hard work makes it even better!”

What was the experience like competing?

-Olivia: “I love competing with my team. We got to

show all of out talents and we had a lot of fun doing it.”

-Nick: “It was fun to compete but it was hard because this was the first competition we did as a team and it was the finals.”

-Tyson: “Fun and exciting. The robot board was fun to see how we would do. The robot design went well.”

-Gordon: “Competing was very fun and exciting. I was confident and nervous.”

-Andy: “ The experience was very fun. Even though sometimes the robot didn’t work, it didn’t matter.

We were there to competed have fun”.

-Kevina: “The experience was s mind-blowing! The day we worked so hard for was finally here! We tried our hardest, and I think it payed off!”

-Aydden: “At first, I was very nervous because I thought we were not do so well. But after, I was very happy and joyful!”

-Isabella: “The experience competing was amazing! I got to meet new people and learn new things.”

-Emily: “It was very fun.

I enjoyed seeing the rest of my team happy. Work-

ing with and as a team was awesome.”

What will you say to the paradise robotics team members when you see them?

-Olivia: “We all hope that this can help them. I will ask them what it feels like and how else we can help.”

-Nick: “I will say “sorry the they lost everything” and I will try to cheer the up”.

-Tyson: “How are you doing”?

-Gordon: “I would say that I waster them and that we want to donate money to them”.

-Andy: “I would tell them how bad I feel for them and how they lost everything in the fire”.

-Benjamin: “I hope you enjoy the Legos we have gathered for you”.

-Kevina: “I’ll tell them what we did raising money and legos, and wish them luck. I would tell them that they are a really cool team and that I wish they were there competing with us in the competition”.

-Jacob: “I will wish them luck and hope for the best”.

-Aydden: “I would tell them that I’m very sorry for all your loss and I hope that we would make them feel better”.

-Isabella: “Well, I’ll tell them they are very important to us and to have fun with their new supplies”.

-Emily: “I will say, “hi” to them and try to say nice things them and say I am sorry for what happened to you.”

CalBRE# 00692245

Door to Door: continued from page 3

didn’t use the word, Christmas, in their seasonal greetings, bad people who sent cards saying, “Have a Peaceful Holiday.” Bill O’Reilly roared, “Stop terrorizing people who like Christmas.” But who was terrorizing? The teacher who explained Kwanzaa? The Gap? Does the Gap terrorize you?

I didn’t think so. (O’Reilly’s pious rages are heard no more because four women brought sexual assault charges against him and Fox had to cut him loose).

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

I saw on TV that Trump is now going around bellowing Merry Christmas at his crowds and bragging that he resurrected the phrase. He did this last year too. But I recall Obama saying Merry Christmas every one of his eight years. Yet the very next year, 2017, Trump said, “People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again,” as if the Puritans had returned and banned it, and he, like a twinkling angel had floated down and re-lit all the darkened trees and lifted the ban. Trump—the Christmas miracle.

So now, if I say “Merry Christmas,” I worry that people will think I’m for Trump.

That’s really too much to risk.

I guess I could wear a big Harris/Beto button, and then say, “Merry Christmas,” but what if people don’t know who Harris and Beto are? So it’s a dilemma. And please don’t say,”Be true to yourself,” because that’s off the table.

As for those who’ve read this, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a wonderful holiday. Have a Happy Hanukkah. Have a Happy Kwanzaa. Rock the Winter Solstice. And if you celebrate something that hasn’t gone mainstream yet, have a happy whatever it is. Cheers to all. www.valcomnews.com • December21, 2018 • Pocket News

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*Holiday Sale prices are not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Please allow time for delivery on some items. All sizes are approximate.

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