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THE COAST NEWS
JULY 6, 2012
Kids get up close, personal look at animals Garden gala salutes landscape legend
By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — Boys and girls got an up-close look at more than half a dozen animals that usually only come out at night at the Mission Branch Library on June 28. The Wildlife Company brought an alligator, hedgehog, macaw parrot, hissing cockroach, fennec fox, prairie dog and carpet python to show to kids. Crowd favorites were the fennec fox and alligator. “Everybody just loves the fox,” Jessica Larios, director of Wildlife Company, said. “She’s just charming.The alligator always gets the biggest reaction.” The Wildlife Company brings a variety of animals on the road to show to school groups, librarygoers and day campers. The Up All Night presentation was part of the library’s Dream Big summer reading program. “We teach children the nocturnal jobs the animals are doing while we’re sleeping,” Larios said. “It’s a unique experience,” Larios added. “We serve a lot of children who aren’t exposed to animals and don’t have an opportunity to visit the zoo. We want to model a positive interaction with animals and foster a desire to help take care of animals.” Global conservation ideas were also shared.
Jessica Larios, director of Wildlife Company Kids have the chance to view a Fennec fox at the Mission Branch Library. Photos by Promise Yee
“Our goal with a young audience is to give them basic ideas to help,” Larios said. “Recycling, not littering — simple, easy concepts make a big difference.” During the presentation only Wildlife Company staff handled the animals. Larios said another goal of the animal education talk is to foster a healthy respect for animals. “We don’t want to encourage children to want wild animals as pets,” Larios said. Most of the animals the Wildlife Company houses and shares with children’s groups are rescue animals that an individual has illegally had as
MAEGA distributes record scholarships SOLANA BEACH — The Mexican American Educational Guidance Association (MAEGA) awarded a record high of $91,800 in scholarships on June 18 to 47 high school seniors and 24 renewal students from the San Dieguito High School District. “In 42 years, I believe this is the largest amount we’ve been able to give to graduating seniors,” said MAEGA President Anna Vallez, also a MAEGA Alumni. Scholarship award winners included Aldo Aguilar, Karla Arrazola, Carmen Ayala,Valentina Calmo, Rene Cardoso, Juan Castillejos, Aida Cuevas, Sierra DeLuna, Carolina Diaz, Renzo Elias, Patty Escamilla, Jerardo Espana, Jose Espana, Brenda Esparza, Eddie Espejo, Alyssa Espinoza, Sergio Estrada, Kenia Fabian, Marlene Flores, Liliana Fuentes, Jonathan Garcia, Natalie Gonzalez, Jesus Gonzalez, Kayla Grotte, Cinthia Guzman, Daniel Hernandez, Monica Ibarra, Michael Kinney, Cristian Lopez, Mik Lopez, Jose Martinez, Nataly Medrano, Juan Mejia, Sharai Mendez, Emilio Montejo, Jonathan Morales, Melissa Morales,
Elizabeth Perez, Cindy Quiroz, Eddie Reynoso, Edgar Rosales, Issac Santiago, Juan Suaste, Nancy Uribe, Alexandra Villanueva, Sergio Villegas and Tiffany Williams. The students hailed from San Dieguito Academy, Sunset High School, La Costa Canyon High School, Canyon Crest High School and Torrey Pines High School. The awards ceremony was held at the San Dieguito Academy’s Mosaic Café. Students brought their families to the event and many had the opportunity to meet the donors who help make these scholarships possible. MAEGA annual fundraising events also contribute to these scholarships. The Scholarship Committee works hard to review applications, interview, and then select students. Scholarship Chair, Fran Fenical said “There are so many deserving students in our community who have the motivation and ability to succeed in college, but they need a little financial help. MAEGA matches them with generous local donors who offer the financial support that will make a big difference in the lives of these outstanding students.”
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pet or that have come from other animal education facilities. The mobile animal talks fund the costs of caring for the animals. The Wildlife Company speaks to more than 400 groups a year. “The funds go straight back to animal care,” Larios said. The Wildlife Company houses hundreds of animals at its site headquarters in Escondido. Animals on site include more than 50 different species and 20 different Hissing cockroach mammals.
ENCINITAS — San Diego Botanic Garden announces its 13th annual Gala in the Garden, “Nature & Learning: Infinite Possibilities” set for 5 p.m. Sept. 8. As this year’s honored guest, Janet Kister will receive the Paul Ecke, Jr. Award of Excellence during the gala. Kister’s trade affiliations have included terms as president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, president of the San Diego County Flower and Plant Association, president of the Orange County Chapter of the California Association of Nurserymen, board member of the Society of American
Florists, and as a founding director of the San Diego Agricultural Energy Cooperative. She has also served as chairperson of the Southern California Plant Tour Days which received Floral Management’s Marketer of the Year award in 2000, and is one of the founders of the California Nursery Roundtable. For more information about Gala in the Garden or sponsorship opportunities, call (760) 436-3036, ext. 218 or visit SDBGarden.org. Tickets to the event are $175 per person, rising to $200 per person after Aug. 10. Tickets are available online at SDBGarden.org.