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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 12, No. 5
Stricken teen home again by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Roger MacDonald
Ignacio Pena, center, with O’Hara Park P.E. teachers Patrick James and Vicki Simmons. The Oakley teen collapsed during P.E. class in October and returned to school last week for his first visit since the incident.
Ignacio Pena’s reputation as a “miracle boy” might sound extravagant – but there’s no other way to describe him. “Honestly, if you don’t believe in miracles, all you need to do is look at Ignacio,” said O’Hara Park Principal Roger MacDonald of the Oakley teenager. “It’s a pretty miraculous, emotional thing.” Last October, the eighthgrader collapsed while running the field during P.E. class. His teacher, Patrick James, called 911 while the school’s other P.E. teacher, Vicki Simmons, administered CPR. Ignacio was rushed
to the hospital, where his heart was eventually revived, but he remained in a coma for nearly three weeks. “The doctors didn’t give him too many chances to live,” said a teary-eyed Yanin, Ignacio’s sister, at their home last week. “But we just prayed and prayed and he finally opened his eyes and woke up.” Yanin said the doctors still don’t know exactly what caused the otherwise healthy teen to collapse, but he did have a pacemaker surgically installed and continues to undergo physical therapy to help him with his walking, speech and writing. His see Teen page 15A
Holocaust survivor to speak in Brentwood by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer In l939, 7-year old Ralph Samuel’s parents kissed their son goodbye, put him on a transport plane to England – and saved his life. It would be the last time the German Jew would see his father and many months before the young boy would be reunited with his mother. But for the now 80-year-old Samuel, his tale of inexpressible tragedy and loss is a testament to hope, courage and the resilience of the human spirit. “I was one of the lucky ones; I know that,” said Samuel in a recent interview with the Press. “It’s not something that I think about every day, but it’s something that is important to remember. And by talking about it, it helps to keep me sane.” Samuel will next be talking
Photo courtesy of Ralph Samuel
A photo of Samuel, front row second from right, taken in 1935. The Holocaust survivor was part of Great Britain’s Kindertransport program during World War II. about his experience on Feb. 10 in Brentwood, when he will speak at a traditional Shabbat dinner at Chabad of the Delta. The public
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is welcome to attend. Born in 1931 in Dresden, Germany, the only child of Jewish parents, Samuel was forbid-
Mozart mania
go to news/WebExtras! A local orchestra is tuning up for an evening of classical perfection.
den by Nazi decree to attend regular school. As anti-Semitism in Germany became increasingly blatant, Samuel’s parents began searching for a safe haven for their son. They found it in Great Britain. “During that time, there were many Jews who wanted to leave Germany, Austria and other European countries, but much of the world closed its doors,” said Samuel. “England was one of the only countries that welcomed us.” And so in January of 1939, Samuel became one of the tens of thousands of young refugees – “Kinders,” as they would later be called – to benefit from the humanitarian relief effort called the Kindertransport. The program placed predominately Jewish children in foster homes throughsee Survivor page 15A
Kiddie lit.
go to news/press releases A children’s book author and illustrator will share the secrets of her craft.
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February 3, 2012
Streets-savvy sweepstakes
Valentine’s Day is the occasion and The Streets of Brentwood is the venue for an exciting online contest. Page 1B
Holly jolly recreation The recent completion of Holly Creek Park will be celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. Page 8A
No time like overtime
Freedom survived a tooth-andnail tussle with Liberty that wasn’t decided until the bitter end. Page 18A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 9B Cop Logs ............................ 14B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 6B Food ...................................... 4B Milestones ........................12A Opinion ..............................14A Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Green garb
go to multimedia/videos Fashion show models flaunted organic and recycle-based apparel.