LOCAL NEWS
PAGE A16 THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013
NEWS CHIEFTAIN
Family restores prop used to teach bus safety
VAUS
BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK
involved,” Vaus observed. While progress has been made toward having the city be more business-friendly, “There’s no turning the city on a dime. That’s along the lines of turning an ocean liner on a dime.” Vaus said he thinks veterans interested in starting a new business should have their license fee waived. He proposed the change at a recent City Council meeting and it is being reviewed by staff. Looking ahead, Vaus said he’d like to see Poway become the location for a half-marathon and perhaps a brewerythemed restaurant along the lines of the popular Karl Strauss restaurant in 4S Ranch. “I think it’s a matter of telling the Poway story,” he said. He has high praise for the city’s top management team, including City Manager Penny Riley and Assistant City Manager Tina White, along with the department heads who have spent time briefing him on city operations. “They’re talented, bright and willing to problem solve,” Vaus said. Vaus recently launched an online newsletter containing information about community events and the meet-the-councilman coffees he holds at 8 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Hamburger Factory. To subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.powaynow.com.
the bus. “It’s cute,” Henry D’Souza A Rancho Bernardo High said, adding when his son first sophomore and his father mentioned Buster he imaghave donated their time and ined something much smaller. talents to fix a prop used to “It’s huge, but adorable.” teach students about school Some parts could not be bus safety. salvaged so the family donatZach D’Souza, 15, and his ed parts or rigged up compofather, Henry D’Souza, spent nents from parts they had. For countless hours since Novemexample, the remote control ber fixing Buster the Bus, an was not fixable, so they modianimated electronic vehicle fied the bus to work off one that was in disrepair. they no longer used for model Next school year, Poway airplanes. They also replaced Unified officials plan to use the the motors since the originals remote controlled bus when were burned out and have conducting bus evacuation it powered through a small, drills with students from elerechargeable car battery. mentary through high school Henry D’Souza estimated they as required by the state, said donated around $400 worth of Brad Kirby, a driver instructor supplies. in PUSD’s transportation safeThrough the project, Zach ty and training department. D’Souza said he learned how He said the bus, originally to solder, use a lathe and strip owned by the California Asso- The restored Buster the Bus with, from left, Adriana, Henry and wires. ciation of School Transpor- Zach D’Souza, and RB High teacher Lisa Barnett. To see a video “I knew this would be a tation Officials Chapter 13, of Buster in action go to www.PomeradoNews.com good experience for him which serves San Diego and or scan this QR Code with a smartphone. and valuable to the school,” Imperial counties, was used Henry D’Souza said, who is Photo and video by Elizabeth Marie Himchak throughout the area for school an electrical engineer and and community events, such as the county fair. It is more than inventor. He has offered to repair the bus in the future, even if a dozen years old — the exact age is not known — and has not his children are no longer at the school. been used for the last several years because it was broken. Zach D’Souza said all the bus’ components were technoKirby said PUSD officials looked into having the bus fixed, logically old, so they updated some aspects and if the district but the cost was too much, as was purchasing a new bus that wants, the missing cassette player that provided a pre-recorded runs $8,000 to $9,000. “voice” for Buster could be replaced with an iPod. If not, the “(The D’Souza family) saved us a lot of money,” Kirby said. duo fixed the headphone so the operator can stand out of view Lisa Barnett, who teaches science and engineering at Rancho and “speak” for Buster, answering students’ questions during Bernardo High and is the robotics team coach, said last spring presentations. the bus driver taking the team to a competition mentioned “I was amazed because I did not know if they would be able Buster to her and asked if was something students could fix. to fix it,” Barnett said, adding she did not think Buster would After learning from Zach D’Souza, a robotics team member, ever be fully functional again. “They’ve surpassed my expectathat he and his father build remote control airplanes and are tions.” building an electric car, Barnett asked if his family would conTo see a video of Buster the Bus in action, go to www. sider seeing what is wrong with Buster and possibly restore PomeradoNews.com.
BARK
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Costume, Dog Who Looks Most Like Owner, Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog and more. Each category costs $10 per dog to enter, and ribbons will be awarded for the first-, second- and third-place winners in each category. Over 30 pet vendors will have booths at the event, selling everything your
dogs could ever want or need, and a number of pet rescue and pet adoption agencies will also be present, with animals available for adoption and needing good homes. The sheriff’s department’s K-9 unit will be giving demonstrations, as will the Ballistic Racers, a team of dogs per-
forming an agility show. Food will be provided by the Kiwanis Club and sold separately all day, including kid-friendly favorites like popcorn and snow cones. There will also be face painting and balloons for the kids. For details, call 858-880-8419 or send an email to powaykiwanisdave@cox.net.
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HUME
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we thought flowers would be fun.” Hume found the flowers more than fun, she found a passion in them. After graduating from PHS, Jeannie attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and earned a degree in ornamental horticulture. In 1984 she opened Crystal Gardens Florist in Poway. “[Dan Lassanske] is the teacher who has most influenced me in my life,” said Hume. “It’s all because of him that I am where I am today.” Hume has given back to her community more with more than flowers, however. She has been a member of the Poway Soroptimists for nearly 30 years, serving as president in 1999, as well as a member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce. She has dedicated herself to helping battered women and children through the Soroptimists. “It’s my biggest volunteer commitment,” said Hume. Hume’s work with the Soroptimists involves finding transitional housing for battered women and children, who are fleeing abusive relationships. The families, who are processed and directed to the Poway Soroptimists through a crisis center in El Cajon, are given a house or apartment to live in, fully furnished, while they work to find a job and get back on their feet, free from abuse. Each family has 18 months in the program. “There’s never a shortage of families,” said Hume. “It makes you feel good, helping someone right here [in Poway]. What goes around comes around. It’s the right thing to do, to help someone.” Hume will be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony 5 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte. Tickets for the event are $35 per person, and are available at www.PowayHighFoundation.org.
OAKWOOD4H.O.P.E. FIRST ANNUAL CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC 2 Day Weekend Event This two day event kicks off with a VIP Celebrity Meet & Greet pairings party at the Powerhouse in Del Mar on Friday July 12th from 7-10pm The main event Saturday golf scramble is at 11am on Saturday, July 13th at the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club Sponsorship Opportunities Available. All Net Proceeds to benefit the local non-profit, HOPE Foundation, a 501(c)3
Saturday July 13th, 2013
Golf packages include admission to the VIP Celebrity Meet & Greet Pairings Party, Golf, Golf Cart, Breakfast, Lunch, Hordeurves Reception, Dinner, Drinks, Entertainment, & Luxury Gift Bags.
View Video
Some Invited Celebs Lou Gosset Jr. Charlie Joiner
Events Hosted By:
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For More Information Please Contact Angie at 858.217.5248 or Sherrie at 858.943.1697 or email them at astanley@oakwoodescrow.com or sherrierubin1031@gmail.com Sponsorships and Donations are tax deductible, H.O.P.E. 501(c)3 (TIN)27-425-7765-Employer Identification Number
Cindy Matalucci The PULSE San Diego
Emmitt Smith Chuck Muncie Israel Stanley
Anthony Miller Dokie Williams Brett Boone Darren Bennett Sammy Seal Andre Reed Hank Bauer Pete Shaw Brian Presley
MC’d By:
Little Tommy Sablan Kyxy 96.5
Events Hosted By:
Wes Chandler NFL Chargers Hall of Fame