Anza Events Calendar, A-2
Holiday Depression: Fixable and something not to be ignored, B-8
‘Night of Champions’ boxing hits Pechanga, B-1
ANZA VALLEY
OUTLOOK
25¢
Sales tax included at news stand
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499
A
WITH CONTENT FROM
December 19 – 25, 2014
Local
Mid-December News for Anza VFW Post # 1873
Section
www.anzavalleyoutlook.com
Volume 14, Issue 51
Community Christmas in the Anza Valley
Tonie Ford Local Contributor Just another reminder to all members of the community that post meals are open to all members of the community. You don’t have to be a member, a friend or relative of a member or military personnel. We welcome you all. see page A-3
Local
Anza Valley Christian School to host Annual Christmas Play Jodi Thomas AVO Area Manager Christmas in the Anza Valley begins with the lighting of the local cedar tree, aka Anza’s Christmas tree. Jodi Thomas photos
With the holidays around the corner, Anza Valley Christian School will once again be hosting their annual Christmas play, which many Anza residents enjoy.
Jodi Thomas AVO Area Manager
see page A-6
Home & Garden
Nature in the Garden
Seeing Santa filled may young hearts with Christmas joy.
Sacha Hope Special to the Anza Valley Outlook
Hello Fellow Gardeners! You may wonder what I mean when I state “Nature in the garden” — you’re probably thinking “Well, isn’t everything in my garden part of nature”? Not really. You may have many things in your garden that are not a part of nature, from walkways, to patios, trellises, even pools, nor is what I am actually referring to the plant life in your garden, but rather the animal/insect portion of nature, that we actually want in our gardens. Wildlife is a term that comes to mind, but personally, I tend to think bobcats and coyotes more as “wildlife” than butterflies and toads.
Last May Mr. Avilez, Language Arts teacher at Cottonwood School, was attending the Carlsbad Village Faire when he met award-winning author Kevin Gerard, writer of two series of books, “Diego’s Dragon “and “Conor and the Crosworlds.” As they spoke, Gerard related how “Diego’s Dragon” became an idea and then a reality through a writing contest when he had the honor of awarding first place. Mr. A, as he is known, took that idea and turned it into reality at Cottonwood School in Aguanga. Since he taught at Cottonwood in the ‘80s and again currently, Mr. A recognizes the many special talents of his students. That’s why he came together with with Bertha Estrella, school librarian, to hold Cottonwood’s first annual fantasy writing and drawing contest. They contacted Gerard to come present the winning trophy and Gerard did much more than that. He spoke to the middle
Anza Valley Outlook
see CHRISTMAS, page A-4
Award-winning author Kevin Gerard visits Cottonwood and presents winning trophies to writing and drawing contest winners
Linda McDonald-Cash Landscape Designer
see page B-1
December 6 marked the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Party at the Anza Valley Community Hall. At dusk the
community gathered around the town’s Christmas tree and sang carols and spread cheer as the colored lights came alive with a Christmas glow.
see WINNERS, page A-3
From left to right: Karey Koenig, winner of drawing contest; Olivia Necochea, winner of writing contest; Paige Fiehler, 3rd place drawing contest; Charlotte Siefken, 2nd place drawing contest; Author Kevin Gerard; Verdandi Bowden, 2nd place writing contest; Jaylin Brown, 3rd place writing contest. Courtesy photo
Photo contest highlights California’s largest state park; the Anza Borrego Desert
Hike to Elephant Knees by David Scarbrough won First Place in 2014 in the People Enjoying the Desert category.
Anza-Borrego Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2015 AnzaBorrego Desert Photo Contest. The eighth annual contest will celebrate
the unique and natural beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Photographers of all ages are encouraged to submit photos taken
within the park, just a two-hour drive from many of Southern California’s metropolitan areas. The Anza-Borrego Desert Photo
David Scarbrough photo
Contest offers an opportunity for photographers and visitors to stay see CONTEST, page A-8