Ramona Sentinel 8-18-2011 by Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

VOL. 125, ISSUE 26• 50¢

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

Inside Back to School Special Back to School pullout section has style trends, tips for parents, school schedules, district goals and more.................15-25

Winning foal Chiloquin, a 3-yearold gelding foaled at Ballena Vista Farms in Ramona, won the Real Good Deal Stakes at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club...............34

Index

P.O. Box 367 Ramona, CA 92065

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Ramona CA Permit No 136

Our Town.....................7 Opinion......................8 Worship Directory.....12 Obituaries.................27 Classifieds.................28 Sports........................34 Dining Guide............39

Rider, horse on track for Pan American games — and possibly 2012 Olympics By JOE NAIMAN

Ramona horse and rider could be representing Canada in three-day eventing at October’s Pan American Games and possibly at the 2012 Olympic Games. James Atkinson has ridden Gustav, a German riding horse owned by Carolyn Hoffos of Ramona’s Copper Meadows equestrian center, to two wins on two-star courses since June. The Canadian national team has a roster of horses, and Gustav is one of eight on the top list. Four horse-rider combinations and one individual horse will be selected to compete in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, so Gustav

must survive one of the three cuts. “He’s going very, very well,” Atkinson said. “It’s pretty exciting for us,” Hoffos said. “It’s the beginning of something. It’s pretty amazing.” Although a horse at the Olympic Games or the world championships must be at least co-owned by a citizen of the rider’s country, no such requirement exists for the Pan American Games. The selection of the horses for the Pan American Games will also evaluate consistency at the national level. Atkinson has been riding Gustav for just over a year and participated in a one-star national event in November. “He’s been pretty suc-

cessful at the national level as well,” Atkinson said. The world championships are a four-star event and the Olympics are between a three-star and four-star course. The Pan American Games are at the two-star level and are not open to horses who have competed in fourstar competition. Atkinson contemplated utilizing the three-star course at Kalispell during the July 2124 competition but rode Gustav on the two-star course to maintain their Pan American Games eligibility. “Definitely a good result. Very favorable there,” he said. Atkinson and Gustav also won a June 3-5 threeday eventing competition

in Parker, Colo. Gustav is 12 years old and was 3 when Hoffos obtained him from an East Coast seller.

“I just bought him as a prospect,” Hoffos said. Atkinson moved to Ramona two years ago when See ATKINSON on page 10

Ramona scores high Contentious rural fire tax strips in graduation rates Cal Fire of money, says Berlant By ROSE MARIE SCOTT-BLAIR

The graduation rate at the Ramona Unified School District in the 2009-10 school year was 89.4 percent, which is considerably higher than the countywide rate of 73.8 and the statewide rate of 74.4 percent. And the Ramona district’s dropout rate for the 2009-10 school year was 7.7 percent, lower than the county rate of 16 percent and the state rate of

18.2 percent, according to a newly released report from the California Department of Education. The figures do not total 100 percent because of students who are still enrolled in school, so they are neither graduates nor dropouts, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. Within the Ramona district, Ramona High had a 89.4 percent graduation See DROPOUT RATE on page 10

By KAREN BRAINARD A new California law that will impose a $150 annual fire fee for many residents living in rural areas of the state, would impact the majority of property owners served by the Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department, said an Intermountain board member. The fee will be the focus of a special session for the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection on Aug. 22. A spokesman for Cal Fire said the law would strip money from fire protection and use the fees for fire prevention. Some homeowners in fire protection districts could pay overlapping fire fees and there

are questions surrounding the $150 fee per “habitable” structure on properties. Gov. Jerry Brown signed ABX1 29 into law on July 7. The law targets homeowners who live in wildland areas known as state responsibility areas (SRA), protected by Cal Fire. According to Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant, there are homeowners within the boundaries of the Ramona Municipal Water District’s Fire Department who could pay overlapping fees because they are also in an SRA. No details on such affected areas were available. Ron Peterka, an 18-year-board member of the Intermountain Fire Department, See INTERMOUNTAIN on page 6

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Teen center gets alarm system

Each Winery ad size will be 2 column (3.347”) by 3”. Full color included! In addition to the ad, a different winery will be highlighted each week with their story. The Winery Guide will be featured in the Ramona Sentinel the first week of each month. The Ramona Sentinel distribution is 14,100 every week!

FAIR WARNING—Arriba Teen Center vandals have fair warning: The recently installed alarm system beeps inside and outside the buildings at 1710 Montecito Road, can be heard by neighbors, and alerts the sheriff’s department, which responds and then contacts key teen center volunteers. The alarm has motion sensors and protects all the buildings in the complex that once housed Ramona Community School. The system is a gift from Marvin Brehan, owner of Quality Security Company, an El Cajon firm.

Mike Holmes of Quality Security Company works on the alarm system at the Arriba Teen Center on Montecito Road.

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Kim Lasley, Arriba Teen Center director, is all smiles after Marvin Brehan, owner of Quality Security Company, shows her how to use the center’s new alarm system.

Brehan has donated to Ramona before, a fact that has Kim Lasley, teen center director, saying, “my gosh, he doesn’t even live here and he does this.” Brehan said he’s been doing business in the Ramona area for 15 years and “it’s a natural fit to help the people here as much as we can. We try to do whatever we can whenever we can.” He worked on the alarm system at the same location when it was the fire recovery center after the 2007 Witch wildfire, and he’s given money to Ramona High School for prom tickets so students unable to afford tickets could go to the prom. Lasley is hopeful the alarm system stops the rash of vandalism this summer at the center and the community park that sits on the same property.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Ramonans turn out to view town plans By KAREN BRAINARD Dozens of residents attended the Project Ramona workshop presentations last week to view plans created by professional consultants to revitalize Ramona’s town center and create character in the community. Project Manager Howard Blackson of PlaceMakers said more meetings will be scheduled in the next month to produce a draft plan and “code” for the community by October. Blackson led the PlaceMakers’ team of professionals who specialize in creating form-based codes for communities. Also working with Blackson are county staff and members of the Ramona Village Design Group. Form-based codes, referred to as “designer” building codes by the county, will be tailored to the country character of Ramona and are intended to be integrated into

Sentinel photos/Karen Brainard

About three dozen residents attended the mid-week Project Ramona workshop.

the zoning ordinance. A master plan will be developed. Blackson said it is “the coordinating plan (called a Regulating Plan) that gives the form-based code its assigned zoning sub-districts and design standards.” The project study area covers Main Street from Etcheverry Street on the west end to Third Street on the east end. The study area extends north and south of Main Street by two to three blocks. About three dozen Ramonans attended the Wednesday night presentation of the workshop’s progress with many asking questions and offering suggestions. On Saturday, Ramona Community Planning Group just over two member Scotty Ensign and Rich Murdozen Ramodock of Yeagley Vineyards look over nans viewed the town center project area. maps, images and plans for proposals to code for Ramona’s character. Blackson said the work was well-received. Dialogue focused on traffic, building heights on Main Street, character on neighborhood streets, land use flexibility and design guidelines becoming design standards with zoning, he said. While many positives were mentioned for Ramona

Courtesy photo

A view of Main Street looking west shows how streetscape and private building improvements could look in Old Town, offering shade, lighting, landscaping and outdoor dining.

including the colonnade with the eucalyptus trees lining Main Street, wine tasting rooms, Old Town, and the H.E.A.R.T. mural project, Blackson identified five problem areas for Ramona. The county’s transportation impact fee (TIF) has been a problem for companies wanting to open a business or develop in Ramona. Blackson said the county is working on the fee so it is less of an issue for developments. “The transportation impact fee is being dealt with and being lowered,” he said. Vernal pool mitigation was the second problem he mentioned, saying they are looking into the possibility of creating a managed mitigation area for all affected properties. The third issue is that Main Street is a state highway. Blackson said they want to present a Main Street master plan to Caltrans and work with the state agency to improve the flow and access to private developments. See PROJECT on page 5

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Christmas crash suspect pleads guilty to drunk driving By NEAL PUTNAM John Charles Walters, 50, of Ramona, has plead-

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for Sept. 7 before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Peter Deddeh. Walters remains in the downtown central jail on $175,000 bail. His blood/alcohol level was .26, which is three times the legal limit, according to court records. The incident occurred at

11:05 p.m. and it was raining. The four injured victims were Ian Fay, Emma Pineda, Rudy Evangelista and Eddie Evangelista. Pineda and Fay testified in the April 21 preliminary hearing when he was ordered to stand trial. Walters was driving a 2002 Dodge 2500 truck and he is accused of rearending a Dodge Ram 3500 truck that was stopped for a red light at an intersection. Fay, a Ramona resident, was driving the Dodge 3500 truck, and the force

of that collision sent Fay’s car into a Honda Odyssey that was driven by Emma Pineda of Poway. Two passengers in Pineda’s car were injured. The victims testified they suffered fractured vertebrae and loss of consciousness, and stitches were needed to close wounds at a hospital. Walters was arrested Christmas night and posted $50,000 bond on Jan. 4. A prosecutor won a bail increase to $175,000 on Jan. 24 and Walters was remanded to jail.

For the Record A hay fire in a metal storage structure behind Kahoots Feed and Pet store at 947 Main St. on Monday, Aug. 8, caused roughly $1 million in damages and loss that includes the hay, storage building and two single-family dwellings, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Saul Villagomez with the Ramona Fire Department. It was reported last week that the fire resulted in a loss of more than $1 million worth

of hay. The two homes were located on each side of the structure on B Street and the families living there were displaced. A fund has been set up for one of the families, John and Priscilla Howgrewe and their 3-year-old daughter, at HogreweFireFund.chipin.com. Villagomez said the sheriff’s bomb/arson unit continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

BLACK CANYON ESTATES

Photo courtesy of Ramona Fire Department Paramedics aid a 62-year-old Fallbook man who suffered multiple injuries after losing control of his motorcyle on state Route 67 near Rockhouse Road about 3:50 p.m. on Saturday. According to Cal Fire Engineer/Paramedic Tom Piranio with the Ramona Fire Department, the man was northbound on SR-67 when he lost control of his motorcycle and drifted into the side of a car traveling in the same direction. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured, said Piranio. The man was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center.

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Project

From page 3

Slowing auto speeds through two or three blocks of downtown has also been proposed. Infrastructure for storm sewers is another problem, he said. Four residents from the Kelly and Raymond Avenue area relayed their flooding issues to Blackson at the opening night presentation on Aug. 8. The fifth problem is one that Blackson said he did not know how to solve, and that was sewer service. With the Santa Maria sewer service area on the west side of town near capacity, Blackson said, “this is up to your leadership. It’s a big issue for you.” Now that the weeklong workshop has concluded, Blackson said the next step is to hold breakout meetings with the Ramona Design Review Board, the Village Design Group and county staff to refine the overall master plan and recommendations. After that step, he said they will draft the regulating plan and form-based code for the project area. He plans to provide an update to the Ramona Community Planning Group at its Sept. 1 meeting. Blackson also said a meeting will be held with Caltrans. Drafts of the plan will be posted to www.projectramona.com as available, he said. Dates of public meetings in Ramona will also be posted.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel g

Intermountain

of the property owners in the 125 square miles served by the department, which includes portions of the east end of Ramona to Santa Ysabel. The way the bill was written, Peterka said, a homeowner with more than one habitable dwelling on his property would be charged $150 per dwelling. That could include a cabin or trailer. The law also states that the estimated $200 mil-

From page 1

lion raised from the fee would go solely toward fire prevention, he said. “The consensus is this is crazy,” said Peterka. “I’m not against the fee if the fee was for fire protection.” Intermountain is a volunteer fire department that receives funding from the county and from donations, he said. Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department has not taken a stand on the

fee, said Peterka. The law was intended to raise $200 million annually and $50 million from the remainder of this year for fire prevention, said Berlant. But, he said, there is a swap. Cal Fire’s funds come from the state’s general budget so the amount taken in from the fire fees would be substracted from Cal Fire’s budget. The fire fee bills will be issued by the state Board of Equalization. Once the bills are sent, Peterka said property owners will have 30 days to pay and, if late, will be penalized at 20 percent per month. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors opposes the fee.

On the Agenda Tuesday, Aug. 23 Ramona Municipal Water District, 4:30 p.m., Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. More information: rmwd.org. Thursday, Aug. 25 Ramona Design Review Board, 7:30 p.m., Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Our Town Calendar wednesdayAUG. 17 RAMONA HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION for seniors will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the school, 1401 Hanson Lane, and for juniors from 1 to 3 p.m.

thursdayAUG. 18 BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING—Free blood pressure screenings are offered the third Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon in Ramona Senior Center, 434 Aqua Lane. The screenings are in conjunction with Grace Care Management. The screenings are open to all ages. For more information, call 760-789-9177. RAMONA HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION for sophomores will be from noon to 3 p.m. Registration for all students will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. CHAMBER MIXER—Ramona Fitness Center will host the Ramona Chamber of Commerce mixer at the center, 558 Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for chamber members and $10 for others. For more information, call 760-789-1311.

fridayAUG. 19 CAMP PEIRCE 2011—All incoming seventh-graders at Olive Peirce Middle School and all new students to OPMS are invited to attend Camp Peirce, an opportunity to become acquainted with the school at 1521 Hanson Lane. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with Camp Peirce scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendees are to bring a sack lunch. Introductions, ice breakers and activities will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with lunch from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and Dress for Success fashion show, Super Hero contest and more fun and games from 1 to 3:30 p.m. RAMONA HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION for freshmen will be from 8 to 11 a.m.

SaturdayAUG. 20 BLOOD DRIVE—Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783 of Ramona and the Americal Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive in the post parking lot, 2247 Kelly St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors will receive a free hamburger lunch, a thank you gift and may enter a regional drawing for a $500 gas card. Appointments are not required, but they may

Upcoming Community Events

be made at 760-788-0422 or giveblood0422@aol.com. BAND PROGRAM BARBECUE—All students currently or previously enrolled in a band program at any Ramona elementary or middle school as well as students interested in joining a band program are invited to a barbecue from noon to 4:30 p.m. in Collier Park at Seventh and F streets. Food and games will be provided and organizers say it will be a lot of fun. This is an opportunity for parents and students to get more information about the band program at Ramona school district’s elementary and middle schools. CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE—Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church will host a rummage sale at the church at the corner of Sixth and E streets from 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Among items that will be available are furniture, household goods, miscellaneous baby items, clothing, tools and games. Hot dogs and hamburgers also will be available. For more information, call Nola Burger at 619-981-8045. PONY BASEBALL WINTER LEAGUE SIGNUPS will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pony field near the concession stand in Ramona Community Park. Registration fee for the 10-week session that begins Sept. 11 and ends Nov. 20 (no games on Veterans Day weekend) is $85.

1400 block of Main Street on Sundays from 4 to 8 p.m.. All are welcome to bring their vehicles. Tractors, tanks, boats, Peterbilts, motorcycles and other vehicles are welcome.

mondayAUG. 22 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE classes start at Ramona High School. Classes are free to adult and high school community members and are offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8:50 p.m. Computer literacy classes are included. Three levels of English as a Second Language are offered: ESL 1 in Room I-58, ESL 2 in Room I-52 and ESL 3 in Room I-60. To register, attend a class. For more information, contact Jerrie Raymer at 760-613-6767 or jraymer@palomar.edu. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS, a free support group and recovery program for eating disorders and food obsession, will meet at McAlister Institute, 323 Hunter St., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 760-788-8344. WOMEN’S PICK-UP BASKETBALL at Ramona Oaks Park basketball court Mondays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All ages and abilities are welcome. Contact Vanessa McM-

anus at 760-445-4964 or vmcmanus5@cox.net for more information.

wednesdayAUG. 24 FREE TDAP VACCINATIONS—San Diego County Health & Human Services and Maxim Healthcare will host a free Tdap vaccination clinic for 7th- through 12thgraders at Ramona Library, 1275 Main St., from 2 to 6 p.m. Families are encouraged to first contact their primary physician and insurance providers. A new state law requires students entering grades 7-12 to have this vaccine as a precaution against WHAT? A CITATION?—Ramona Rockettes, from left, Rae O’Rourke, Debby Reaza, Charlotte Jensen and Barb Becker react to receiving a citation from the Ramona Town Hall cops for “looking too sexy” after a recent rehearsal for the Second Annual Ramona Town Hall Patriots Day 9/11 Tribute and Ramona’s Got Talent Benefit scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center Pavilion. Tickets for the show are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Proceeds benefit Ramona Town Hall. For details, see www.ramonatownhall.com.

Submission Deadline 5 p.m. Friday e-mail: maureen@ramonasentinel.com pertussis (whooping cough). A parent or guardian must be present to give consent. Bring each student’s immunization record.

fridayAug. 26 SILVERSNEAKERS, an older adult and senior fitness program, will hold its Fall Prevention Educational Social in Ramona Fitness Center, 558 Main St., at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Those attending are invited to bring a brown bag lunch; fruit and water will be provided. SilverSneakers is part of some insurance plans. For more information, email jbfitness@att.net.

saturdayAug. 27 RAMONA TEA’D—Ramona TEA’d (Taxed Enough Already) continues its Constitutional Series Forum with “Our Border Under Seige” in Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main St. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the program will start at noon. Drug cartels control the border and have penetrated deep into the country, a forum news release states, asking “Why is our government ignoring this threat? What can we do to defend ourselves?” Refreshments are available onsite. For more information, see www.RamonaTead.com.

Sentinel photo/Maureen Robertson

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SundayAUG. 21 PONY BASEBALL WINTER LEAGUE SIGNUPS will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pony field near the concession stand in Ramona Community Park. Registration fee for the 10-week session that begins Sept. 11 and ends Nov. 20 is $85. CAR SHOW—Owners of pre1974 trucks and cars are invited to join the display of vehicles at a free car show in the Albertsons parking lot in the

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Thursday, AUGUST 18, 2011

Jeff Mitchell Publisher Maureen Robertson Editor

Ramona Sentinel

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Project Ramona PlaceMakers Has the Right Plan

t doesn’t take a genius to realize that something needs to be done with Main Street to make it more pedestrian friendly and to create more of a destination location instead of the drive through it currently is. PlaceMakers, a firm that specializes in creating character and a sense of place, has been funded with a grant from CalTrans and Neighborhood Reinvestment to develop form-based codes to accomplish this as opposed to use-based conventional zoning. In other words, let’s plan our future instead of our future being planned for us. PlaceMakers’ plan is vital for Ramona to entice more businesses downtown and to establish a center of town where residents and visitors will want to come to shop, dine and enjoy the ambience of our town. A similar project was done some years ago in downtown Gilroy. The four-lane stretch of road through the middle of downtown was redesigned with wider sidewalks, additional landscaping that provided even more space for pedestrians and caused the traffic flow to slow down just enough to allow for a leisurely ride through the downtown area and to make notice of the various businesses as well. This is what Ramona needs. The biggest stumbling blocks for any development will be reducing the high transportation impact fees, sewer mitigation fees and the environmentally protected vernal pools. Howard Blackson, project manager with PlaceMakers, has said that the fees and vernal pools will be addressed. Let’s hope this can be accomplished. All of the pieces are there for Ramona to become a unique destination with design standards to facilitate future growth while maintaining the character that is Ramona. Bottom line, let’s not become another Poway. Instead let’s implement a strategic plan that makes sense and move forward. Jeff Mitchell Publisher

Sentinel Staff Jeff Mitchell - Publisher Debbie Keller - Retail Sales Manager Maureen Robertson - Editor Karen Brainard - Assistant Editor Kitty Brisendine - Front Office Manager Bill Tamburrino & Joe Naiman - Sports Jerry Meloche - Cartoonist Nancy Stegon - Graphic Designer Nancy Lund & Lynn Sampson - Advertising Executives Frenchy & Chris Choquette - Distribution

Contributors Eddie Brisendine • Beth Edwards • Philip Garnett Tim Hall • S. Elaine Lyttleton • Joe Naiman Dixie Pettit • Neal Putnam • Rose Marie Scott-Blair Pixie Sulser • Stephanie Sweet

Huge costs to protect environment harm free enterprise, commerce By DARRELL BECK In response to Mr. Robert Curwin’s insightful opinion (Ramona Sentinel, July 28) concerning hiring Amish craftsmen to build the 13th Street Bridge: Let me remind the reader of a different time when frontier editor DeSoto Nathan Dodson reported in the Jan. 1, 1905 issue of the Ramona Sentinel: “Mr. Minor built the bridge across the creek north of town…. the dedication of which consisted of breaking one bottle of beer and placing the contents where it would do the most good.” Yes, that was a time when a person could freely build bridges, roads, pipelines, irrigation systems, homes, barns and dams. They could farm,

Guest Commentary graze cattle, extract minerals, dig a well or use their land by applying their own initiative, capital and ambition without asking any questions or receiving any help, or interference from government. But something happened about 40 years ago that began to change all that. It was during that turbulent period of the early 1970s when the anti-war protests began to fade away and the environmental movement began taking root in America, prompting the U.S. Congress to enact the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Then

they created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer and regulate those new laws. In the beginning, those environmental laws actually were beneficial in cleaning up smog, polluted lakes and streams and protecting a few significant species. However, as the years advanced, the bureaucracy at EPA continued to grow, gain power and become more invasive. Today they have vastly expanded their reach and influence over local jurisdictions by declaring their authority to “protect” every obscure species known to man including

Volume125 121 • Number26 43 425-A 10th Street, Ramona, California 92065 • 760/789-1350 • fax 760/789-4057 www.ramonasentinel.com • e-mail: news@ramonasentinel.com The Ramona Sentinel is a legally adjudicated award-winning newspaper The Ramona Sentinel is published weekly at 425-A 10th Street, Ramona, CA 92065 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Ramona Sentinel, P.O. Box 367, Ramona, CA 92065. Ramona Sentinel is owned by MainStreet Communications, LLC. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978

insects, rodents, snails, spiders, slugs, weeds or anything else that “flies, walks, swims, crawls or slithers.” From that well-meaning beginning, the EPA is planning to extend its power to include control over the climate, “sustainability” and “related social issues.” We now realize they are forcefully exercising their power to seize control of private property, known as “critical habitat,” and dictate environmental law as legal justification to protect any species they desire. Because of their overwhelming and unchecked power, their regulations are driving up the cost of just about everything and the people are practically helpless to stop them. Today we couldn’t “go to Pennsylvania and hire ten Amish craftsmen with experience” to build much of anything. A job like the 13th Street bridge would require a licensed and bonded engineering contractor who must deal See COMMENTARY on page 9

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

OPINION

Ramona Sentinel Idol contestants knew the rules

Really surprised you printed the letter two weeks ago on Idol being unfair. The use of karaoke track (lyrics on screen) and background tracks (no lyrics on screen) has been the contestants choice since Idols inception. No wonder people give up on volunteering months of their time for community projects when others in the community are looking for things to complain about rather than looking for ways to help. BTW — it was announced at every audition that either karaoke OR background tracks were acceptable and points may be taken away from contestants staring at the screen. Furthermore, I would like to invite the “complainers” to come and spend some of the 6 months with us it takes to prepare for Idol. Gin Boughner Ramona

Many donated to backpack drive

On behalf of Main Street Roca, Pastor Pablo and Jacquie Linares, their congregation, and the event coordinators of the Backpack & School Supply Drive, we would like to extend a very special thank you to the contributors who made this years Back-ToSchool BBQ so successful. Because of your generosity, over 500 children received backpacks with school supplies and can head back to school with confidence. Thank you to High Valley Veterinary Hospital, Stater Brothers, Clementina Galacia, Albertsons, Glen and Mary Cotant, Patriot Propane, In His Steps, Ransom Pump & Supply, Wal-Mart Poway, Sun Valley Florist, Dreamy Nails, A Country Clip, Susan Royal, Penny Pincher Accounting, Cathy Jackson, Talent Bridge Inc., James and Lynne Meier, Elizabeth Roper, Action Automotive Group Inc., Jerry and Joanna Rudge, First Baptist Church of Silver City, Q’nique Corp., Scott Lee Rudge Construction, European Portable Sanitation,

Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, Treasures Christian Bookstore, Ransom Brothers True Value, Action Jumps, Ronald McDonald, Ramona Sheriff Station, Barbara Wallace, Carlos Nicasio, Remnant Youth, Costco Poway, Company Kids Store, Pete Zindler, Michael Mulligan, Next Wave Youth Band, Paula O’Bryant, Becky Mortier, DJ Abarca, Maureen Robertson, The Ramona Sentinel, Israel Navarro, IHS Women’s Home, and all who brought supplies to the donation bins. Scott and Stacey Rudge Ramona

Thank you, Ramona Girls Softball

Whether it’s attending church service, having breakfast together, sleeping in, or just spending some quiet time with each other away from the distractions of the world, Sunday mornings are a special time for families. It’s with great appreciation that I extend my “thank you” to Ramona Girls Softball for their decision to start their upcoming Winter League Softball games at 11 a.m. on Sundays instead of 9 a.m. This change will allow my daughters, as well as many other girls, to participate in their favorite sport. I’m not sure if it was their intention or not, but RGS’s consideration in this matter shows their understanding of the importance in setting aside time for what really matters. It shows their desire to make participation in softball open to as many girls as possible in our Ramona community and, most importantly, it shows that youth sports aren’t all about winning or losing, but rather that youth sports are about putting the kids and families that participate in them first. Again, thank you, RGS. Connie Sedach Ramona

Appreciated commentary

After I came home from a trip, as I was catching up with my reading of the Sentinel, I did not realize what a pleasure was waiting for me — the guest commentary of Diane

Conklin (“We are all Norwegians now,” Aug 4). Her message of tolerance and respect, and of the belief that all human beings are worthy of dignity and respect should resonate with all. It did with me. I am pleased and proud to share the same ground with Diane Conklin. We are a multicultural society — ethnicity, culture, religion, language, color, name any human traits. Ours is a free democracy with multitude of thought processes about society, politics, intellectual ideas, lifestyles, and conclusions and solutions as well. Agreement and disagreement abound.

There is no room for hatred. One can be passionate without being hateful in actions and expressions, and in spoken or written languages. Conklin writes, “intolerance breeds hatred and (hatred) can breed more hateful actions” — the old adage is “eye for an eye make the whole world blind.” We are a miniature world. We are the ingredients that have the capacity to become a great society for us to feel the nobility and to set a new paradigm for the world to admire. Whether we rise to the occasion or not is up to us. Anyway, I am home. A. Duttaahmed, Ph.D.

Guest Commentary

ABX1 29: The Fire Prevention Fee Law

By RON PETERKA Disclosure: While I am a longtime member of the Intermountain Volunteer Fire Department, this is my personal view. The Board of Directors of Intermountain Fire has taken no position on this fee at this time. Approximately 25% of the land in San Diego County is open range or mountains. In and near our Ramona postal zone there are many residents living on various sized plots of open land with great natural beauty and quiet vistas. If this describes your situation, and your property is protected by Cal Fire, you may be in for a rude surprise later this year when Assembly Bill ABX1 29 takes effect and you get a $150 bill for each “habitable structure” on your property. You will have 30 days to pay without a 20 percent per month penalty. This bill is intended to raise $200 million annually, ostensibly for the sole purpose of fire prevention. This is not fire protection because the State Department of Finance feels that if this “fee” is used for “fire protection” there will be a problem maintaining the “fee” status and would require a ballot vote with a 2/3 majority to pass. The assemblyman who wrote this bill wants to help Governor Brown with the state budget problems and $200 million would be a good step in that direction. Various state agencies vary on the reason for this bill ranging from good public policy to balance the state budget. No fire protection agency in California supports this fee. Cal Fire was charged on very short notice to supply a list of all land parcels that might have habitable structures on land they are charged with protecting. They were granted $1,000 from the general fund to provide this list which cost Cal Fire $500,000 from their budget to produce. The administrative costs of this bill are to be paid from proceeds with no limit set. So, what will we get? The funds will go to several agencies like the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) who will do various approved brush clearing projects. You will get grants to Fire Safe Councils, and inspections of your property to ensure compliance with defensible space rulings, and probably lots of pamphlets and TV spots. What you won’t get is $200 million worth of increased fire protection. The fees collected from the residents in the Intermountain Volunteer Fire response area would fund almost all of our annual budget and would provide 24/7/365 fire and emergency services for 125 square miles of your backcountry. Ron Peterka is a Ramona resident.

Commentary

From page 8

with dozens of government-driven obligations, including complying with all Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) rules including American Disabilities Act (ADA) rules. But before any work could commence, the contractor would first need to perform a costly and time-consuming environmental impact report (EIR). This study would divulge any and all demands for mitigation to protect such “endangered species” as fairy shrimp and vernal pools, arroyo toads, Stephen’s kangaroo rats, least bell vireos, the California gnatcatcher, red-legged frogs, other native plants and anything else that may be deemed to be endangered by the authorities. The contractor would also need to be familiar with regulations emanating from the California Department of Fish and Game, which will require a “stream-bed restoration” study, permit and related mitigation measures and perhaps a “dredge and discharge” permit. The contractor must be aware of all other requirements and regulations such as archaeological impacts, “dark sky” lighting, and traffic impacts and studies, including public trails, and be prepared to “mitigate for unavoidable impacts,” meaning he might be required to purchase “off-site mitigation land” at a 4-1 ratio in order to replace any land destroyed, or otherwise “impacted” by the project. In some cases he may be required to provide a perpetual endowment fund to manage the mitigation land that he was required to set aside for government ownership as an open space preserve. After all environmental requirements, permits and fees have been satisfied, and prior to construction, the contractor would need to have architectural and engineering plans and specifications prepared. Then, during the construction period he must comply with all regulations and inspections related to permits issued by the County Department of Public Works, the County Department of Planning and Land Use, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and perhaps requirements by several dozen more federal, state, county or local agencies, bureaus and administrations. And lastly he must not be surprised by any changing conditions emanating from San Diego County’s “No Surprise Policy.” So in editor Dodson’s uncomplicated era of yesteryear, when free will and common sense prevailed and before EPA and other environmental regulations were enforced, the 13th Street bridge could be built for perhaps onehalf of 1 percent of today’s cost, or let’s say $48,000 for labor and material, and completed in three months by using Amish craftsmen. However, in today’s world of environmental red tape, big bureaucracy and our government’s disregard for the U.S. Constitution, much of the $9.75 million could be expended on “unfunded mandates,” environmental studies, mitigation, permits, fees, inspections, regulations, potential environmental lawsuits, public objections, community reviews and other lost time before any actual work begins. So this explains why there are no “shovel ready jobs.” Today there seems to be a great emphasis placed on protecting the environment; however there never seems to be a price attached to achieving that goal. But in reality, there are huge hidden costs associated with environmental protection that in many ways harm business, commerce, industry, utilities, agriculture, infrastructure and human liberty and in many ways don’t do much to protect the environment. Darrell Beck, a Ramona resident, represents Division 1 on the Ramona Municipal Water District Board and is editor of Citizens for Private Property Rights Inc. newsletter.

10 g

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Atkinson

From page 1

he married Hoffos’ daughter. He was born in England and began three-day eventing in that country. “It’s a little less unusual to do it there,” he said. Atkinson, 34, was 13 when he moved with his family to Canada in 1990. He competed for Canada in the 1999 Pan American Games and in the 2002 world championship. Atkinson met his wife Taren at a horse show in San Francisco.

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Graduation Rates

rate and a 5.9 dropout rate with 443 students. The Future Bound independent study program had rates of 64.5 percent and 22.6 percent with 31 students, and the Ramona Community School had a 100 percent graduation rate with 26 students. Countywide, the Poway Unified School District had the best figures with a 95 percent graduation rate and a 2.5 percent dropout rate with 2,671 students, and the worst was Warner Unified at 56 and 24 percent, but it had an enrollment of only 25 students. Second from the bottom was the Mountain Empire Unified School District at 70.8 and 22.1 percent, with 154 students. The Julian High School District had a graduation rate of 84 percent and a dropout rate of 8 percent, but these figures do not include data from the district’s Eagles Peak Charter School, which was closed at the end of the 2009-10 school year. Overall, the figures

From page 1

show an increase in graduation rates and a decrease in dropout rates, Torlakson’s office said. But it is not possible to compare the 2009-10 statistics with previous years because they were collected with a new system that continues to track students who transfer to another district, as long as they remain in the state. The previous system did not account for transfers and was criticized for overestimating graduation rates. With the new data system now in place, the state now has a goal of achieving a 90 percent graduation rate by 2019, Torlakson said. And it will also be used “to shine a light on the middle school dropout problem,” he said. “Our research shows that chronic absence from school, even as early as kindergarten, is a strong indicator of whether a child will drop out of school later,” Torlakson said. “Clearly,

we need to invest more in programs designed to keep elementary and middle school students in school.” The new data also shows that “a significant gap still persists between Hispanic and African American students and their peers,” Torlakson said. “It is encouraging that about 4,700 more Hispanics graduated in 2010 in the state, by far the largest increase by any other subgroup of students,” but they still have a graduation rate of only 67.7 percent. “Most troubling are the 59 percent graduation rate among African American students and the 56.3 percent rate among English learners,” said Torlakson. In the Ramona district, a breakdown by race shows a graduation rate for 2009-10 of 79 percent for 162 Hispanic students, a 90.3 rate for 370 white students and a 66.7 rate for fewer than 10 African American students.

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State reduces county’s free flu vaccine

ue to the state budget crisis, there will be less free flu vaccine available for low-income adults in the region than in previous years, but the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) anticipates there will be plenty of influenza vaccine for all persons who want it. This flu season, which starts in late August, San Diego County will have 36,690 doses of free vaccine coming from the California Department of Public Health, compared to 65,500 last year. “The decrease in free vaccine is the result of the fragile state budget,” said Nick Macchione, director of HHSA. “But we expect there will be no shortage of vaccine. We anticipate there will be an adequate supply of flu vaccine this season.” The free doses are a small fraction of the total supply of vaccine coming to the county’s seven public health centers and medical offices, which will have plenty of flu vaccine overall, Macchione said. The free vaccine will be available at the seven county clinics and shared with some community organizations that serve people age 60 and older, and other adults who are low-income, uninsured, or who face barriers to obtaining routine health care services. “It’s important that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., county deputy public health officer. “Influenza can have serious side effects and lead to medical complications and hospitalizations, especially in the elderly and in very young children.” For more information, call the county agency’s Immunization Branch at 866-358-2966 or visit www.sdiz.org.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Toddler’s transplant fund grows Two girls set $10,000 goal By DIXIE PETTIT Liam Houck’s race against time was made known to residents of Ramona during the Country Fair. In the end stage of renal failure, this 17-monthold Ramona boy is touch-

ing the hearts of young and old. Through community involvement, the Houcks’ financial burden is being lightened little by little and day by day. On Saturday, Robert and Victoria Bradley hosted a bake sale in front of their store at 642 Main St., Ramona Family Naturals. The sale brought in nearly $800, with additional money coming in from

Sentinel photo/Dixie Pettit

A bake sale at Ramona Family Naturals on Saturday raised nearly $800 for the Houck family.

others inspired by Liam’s story. Donations were collected from a table in front of Albertsons, and tables of baked goods were also placed next to the Third Street Grill by two middle school girls on a mission — “to raise $10,000 for Liam’s family.” Ava Williamson and Amanda Selby, both 12, began raising funds for cancer after walking in Ramona last year for the American Cancer Society, but they switched their signs after hearing Liam’s story. “We found out about it in the paper,” said Williamson. “We were trying to raise money for cancer, but then this popped up, so we changed to this for Liam.” Rapidly declining kidney function has placed Liam on the verge of complete renal failure while he waits for a transplant. He is the son of Ramona residents Vanessa and U.S. Marine Capt. Reid Houck, a pilot. Through the Children’s

Courtesy photo

Amanda Selby, left, and Ava Williamson, both 12, sells baked goods at the Third Street Grill on Saturday.

Organ Transplant Association (COTA), the family used a booth at the Ramona Country Fair to raise awareness of Liam’s plight and to collect donations for the mounting expenses needed to keep him as healthy as possible while waiting for a transplant. A dollar at a time, $60,441 has been raised and is approaching the halfway mark to the total estimated need of $125,000 listed on the COTA website. According to Robert Bradley, more events are in the planning process.

Meetings for fundraisers are being held at the store with volunteers and organizers encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the website at cotaforliamh.com where updates can be found. Persons interested in participating in fundraisers may contact Ramona Family Naturals at 760-787-5987 or COTA coordinator and Ramona resident Suzanne Reese at 858-449-4844. To help: Donation jars are in businesses throughout

town, donations may be made online at cotaforliamh.com/ and donations may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank branch location using account number 5816590656. On Saturday Aug. 20, a fundraiser and barbecue will be held at Pool City, 4250 Bonita Road in Bonita from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Liam’s Festival for Life featuring three bands — Jason Winters, Haley Montgomery and Absolute Truth — will be at Ramona Mainstage on Oct. 9.

TEENS Chess Club: Meets on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Girl Scouts: Scouts help with library projects on Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. Teen Online Book Club: The book is “Iron King.” FAMILIES Pajama Storytime: Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome. Yoga: Bring your mat to participate in Hatha Yoga instruction. All ages welcome. Every Friday at 11 a.m. Family Crafts: Create arts and crafts every Friday at 3 p.m. Everyone is included. ADULTS Adult Book Club: Double the fun with review of two books, “Rappaccini’s Daughter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. On Monday, Aug, 22, at 1 p.m. National Latino Research Center: Group meeting on Mondays at 5 p.m. Tai Chi for 60+: Instructor led Tai Chi classes for adults in the Auerbach Family Com-

munity Room on Thursdays at 9 a.m. Diabetes Workshops: A workshop on this health issue on Thursday Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. Bilingual Spanish Computer Helpers: Instruction for beginners on Thursdays at 6 p.m. Call 760-788-5270 for appointment. Computer Helpers: Instructions for beginners on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Call 760-788-5270 for an appointment. GENERAL Friends of the Ramona Library Board: The board meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Auerbach Family Community room. All volunteers are welcome. Friends Bookstore: Bookstore hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The next book sale is Saturday, Aug. 20. The Friendly Waves Newsletter is available in the bookstore or it can be emailed to members. San Diego County Library is accepting donations to the county’s matching funds program. When a customer requests a donation go to this program, the funds will be matched by the county for up to $200,000. For more information, talk to a library employee.

VFW auxiliary’s poker run benefits Warrior Foundation By BILL TAMBURRINO Approximately 85 people participated in the Men’s Auxiliary of Ramona Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3783’s first Poker Run for The Warrior Foundation and the auxiliary’s Veteran Relief Fund on Saturday. The mission of The Warrior Foundation is to help wounded and disabled servicemen and women. The morning started with coffee and a breakfast at the post. Participants started the run after Joe Vainharrison, chaplain of the Poway VFW Post, gave an emotional benediction. The participants then rode their motorcycles or classic automobiles to five locations (VFW Posts in Poway, Vista and San Marcos, Biggs Harley Davidson in San Marcos and Hooters Restaurant in Rancho Bernardo). At each location

amona Community Library is at 1275 Main St., with the parking in the rear. It opens at 9:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and closes Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m.

Sentinel photo/Bill Tamburrino

Fred Rivera, who is in the Air Force, rode on this motorcycle from Arizona to participate in the Ramona VFW Men’s Auxiliary poker run on Saturday.

the participants received a card for their poker hand. They then returned to Ramona to see who was dealt the winning hand. The event raised approximately $4,000 that will be shared by the Warrior Foundation and the auxiliary’s Veteran Relief Fund. In addition to the poker run, the day featured a silent auction, an op-

portunity drawing and an outdoor open-pit beef barbecue dinner with entertainment from Rock Chyld. Participating were more than 55 motorcyclists, some hot rods and a dune buggy. Mark Mark was in charge of the event and the only complaint was that it ended so soon and it will be another year until the second annual poker run.

Among activities are: YOUTH It’s Book Time with Ronald McDonald: Special guest Ronald McDonald will read with the children and delight everyone with magic and puppetry and fun on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. Baby Lapsit Storytime: On Monday, Aug 22, at 11:30 a.m. for parents and 6- to 18-month-old babies. Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Attendees make crafts at 11:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime: Stories are read from a selection of favorite children’s books every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Church conducts back-to-school shoe and sock drive for students

Cal Fire cautions public about target shooting

After nine years of providing back-to-school backpacks for youth in Ramona, the Outreach Ministry of St. Mary’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church is trying something new this year. They have decided to offer shoes and socks to those in need and will distribute them through the schools. Because their budget is limited, the requests will be considered on need and on a first-come basis. Those who would like more information, or, if you would like to contribute to this project, call the church’s office administrator, Janice Backholer, at 760.789.0890.

Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority has experienced a major increase of fires caused by recreational shooting across the county, reports Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler. CAL FIRE/San Diego has had 10 fires caused by target shooting this year and only two in 2010. There are two types of rounds that firefighters have recovered at the some of these locations: A Russian-made bullet with the caliber of 7.62 by 54R and the other a 5.56 by

45-caliber used in a M4 rifle. The similarity is that they are either steeltipped or steel-cored bullets that can cause fires when they strike rocks or come apart, states a news release from Mohler. If an individual or group causing a fire is found to be negligent, Cal Fire/ San Diego County Fire Authority will attempt to recover firefighting costs, said Mohler. Cal Fire estimates it cost $253,747 to fight five of the fires triggered by taget shooting.

The department asks the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in recreational target shooting. Survey the location for brush clearance and always look behind a potential target to see where the round may end up. It is important to always be aware of current weather conditions and to plan activities around cooler times of the day with higher humidities. For more information, call 619922-4528.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Backpacks, school supplies given away at back-to-school party By MAUREEN ROBERTSON An estimated 800 children and adults enjoyed a barbecue hot dog dinner, the Ronald McDonald Show, and other games and activities during the fifth annual Ramona Backpack & School Supply Drive and Back to School Barbecue outside Main Street Roca church, 825 Main St. Free festivities included The Talking Police Car, Ronald McDonald and his show, party jump for the younger children, games, live music from New Wave Youth Ministries from El Centro, face painting and a barbecue dinner.

Stacey Rudge, coordinator of the fifth annual Backpack and Back to School Drive, hands children’s pamphlets to those attending the Back to School Barbecue outside Main Street Roca church.

Stacey Rudge, who with her husband Scott coordinated the event last Friday evening, said 530 backpacks, 75 binders and 100 matching lunch boxes to go with some of the backpacks were donated for the back-to-school giveaway. School supplies were in the backpacks and binders. Donations came from businesses, individuals and organizations. “The backpacks the kids got were very nice quality,” said Stacey Rudge. “Every child deserves the best, rich or poor.” Because of the generosity of donors, Rudge said, the children had a choice of backpack color and style. The 75 binders for the older children “flew out the door,” she said, and even with three doors to form lines to receive the school supplies, “the crowds were thick with a sea of people at each one.” “There seemed to be

Sentinel photos/Maureen Robertson

An enthusiastic audience applauds Ronald McDonald on Friday evening.

more of an appreciation this year from kids and parents alike,” she said.

New Wave Youth Ministries entertains. Megan Moreno is among volunteer face painters at the barbecue.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

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Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Focus on Technology ‘Bringing 21st century skills into every classroom’

By PIXIE SULSER

he doors to the 201112 school year open in Ramona schools on Monday, Aug. 29, with a continued dedication to college and career readiness and an increased focus on technology in and out of the classroom. “The board has adopted a heavy set of priorities for the upcoming school year,” said district Superintendent Dr. Robert Graeff. “Chief among the instructional priorities will be a focused approach to bringing 21st century skills into every classroom in the district.” The school district recognizes the value and use of the personal mobile technology that is available to students and has

a new policy, known as mLearning, regarding the use of personal mobile communication devices. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cathy Pierce explained that parents will receive a letter regarding mLearning the first of the school year and will hear more about Cyber Citizenship and what that means throughout the year. The mLearning policy states that “RUSD believes the use of mobile devices (smart phones, iPods, ipads, Nooks, Kindles, laptops, etc.) can enhance the students’ educational experience, however, it may not disrupt the teaching and learning process.” “With the explosion of ‘anywhere, anytime connectivity’ made available through mobile technology, students have many learning opportunities and modalities not available just two years ago,”

said Graeff. “Learning how to use these new opportunities to their fullest can help engage students deeper into their learning, plus give them a better preparation for the changing world of work.”

he start of a new school year can be an exciting time at all levels. While the students have been busy swimming at the pool, visiting with friends, working summer jobs or simply relaxing, district principals and staff members have been busy making plans for an even better school experience. Hanson Elementary At Hanson, students who completed reading projects over the summer will be eligible for a prize drawing sponsored by the Hanson PTA and Target stores.

“The prizes include bikes, skateboards and other fun items,” said Principal Shelagh Appleman. “The drawing will be held the second Monday of the school year.” Hanson families will also have a change in the school’s compact day, which will now be on Fridays. The school schedule will run Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. on Friday. Ramona Elementary Approximately 60 Ramona Elementary students received a jump on the school year through a four-week, half-day program aptly titled Jump Start, shared Principal Phyllis Munoz. The program ran from July 18 to Aug. 12 and focused on math, reading and writing.

“Attendance was phenomenal,” said Munoz. James Dukes Elementary James Dukes Elementary welcomes a new principal, Pauline Leavitt, formerly assistant principal at Olive Peirce Middle School. Leavitt speaks with excitement about the James Dukes community. “James Dukes is an exceptional school because we have exceptional students, parents, and staff members,” she said. “Our staff believes every student who walks through our doors is college bound. It may seem that talking about college in elementary school is premature, but the reality is that our students need to embrace the ideology that they are lifetime learners — now.” Mt. Woodson Elementary The staff at Mt. Woodson Elementary is already off and running, having

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recently returned from two days of “very valuable professional development with Turn Around Schools,” shared Theresa Grace, school principal. “This year the Mt. Woodson staff is excited to share our new Commitment to a Culture of Universal Achievement with the Mt. Woodson community,” said Grace. “We are also excited to be able to pilot some exciting new technology at our school. It’s going to be a great year at Mt. Woodson.” Barnett Elementary Barnett Elementary is also putting some new technology to use as well as building on what they already have in place. Principal Kim Reed shared that staff members have received training on interactive whiteboards as well as Kindles, which were See Technology on page 18

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Technology

donated by Damen and Lara Lopez. All teachers are moving from the oldfashioned overheads to LCD projectors and document cameras allowing interactive learning to take place at all grade levels. “We are also investigating the potential that iPads clearly hold for our school,” said Reed. “Our existing iPad pilot has been a huge success, and we hope we will be able to expand that program. As the new year starts, we are extremely excited about getting back to the business of educating tomorrow’s leaders.” Ramona Community Ramona Community School’s principal is enthusiastic about a new technology tool obtained through a grant from Turning Technologies. “We were awarded a set of handheld student response system devices,” said Carol Tennebaum, RCS principal. “Through this system, teachers will be able to construct questions in any content area,

From page 17

poll students, track individual responses, determine strengths and areas of need as well as store the data to integrate with other assessment information.” Olive Peirce Middle Olive Peirce Middle School already utilizes a variety of technological tools in its classrooms, but parents may now follow the Professional Learning Community on the social media network, Facebook. Information is available on the school’s website. Ramona High According to Principal Tony Newman, the focus at Ramona High School will remain on the preparation of students for college and career pathways. “Our vision over the past five years has been on preparing our students to meet the challenges and decisions of college and/ or career, and that dedication will not change,” said Newman. “The benefits of 21st century technology will simply enhance our

focus.” Montecito High “Montecito High School is dedicated to student learning,” said Principal Cynthia Nakhshab. “Therefore, we are implementing a trimester program this year.” The trimester program will allow students to earn 75 credits a year rather than the traditional 60 credits per year. Students who wish to graduate early or who need to recover credits to graduate on time may earn additional credits online in the school’s daily afternoon program.

s Aug. 29 approaches, students and parents are encouraged to check their school’s website for more detailed information regarding start times, necessary school supplies, Back-to-School night dates, and other details pertinent to a particular school site.

Turning Children into Better Readers

eading is the most important skill that children need to master to be successful in school and life. However, kids increasingly are struggling with this most basic of academic abilities. When children have difficulty reading, they quickly can fall behind their peers. Luckily, there are ways to improve almost any child’s reading proficiency. “Telling children to try harder is not the key to developing better readers. Rather, students need to be taught the building blocks of words: phonograms and spelling rules,” says Denise Eide, a teacher and author of “Uncovering the Logic of English.” There are many things parents can do to help: •Explain that writing is code. Many students guess wildly while reading because they have never realized words are made of individual sounds blended together. Show them how letters and groups of letters represent sounds. Then practice blending

the sounds to form words. •Teach all the sounds. Many letters say more than one sound. For example, the letter “S” sounds different in the word “sad” than the word “is.” Many students misread simple words, because they don’t know all the sounds. •Make it fun. Learning the basics doesn’t need to be boring. Engage young children through play. Practice the phonograms with games, large motor activities and art projects. •Cover pictures. Many young students struggle with the left to right eye movement of reading. Allow students to look at the pictures, then cover them with a blank sheet of paper while reading. Covering pictures makes it easier to focus on text. •Teach all nine ‘Silent E’ rules. Many students know only one reason for a silent final “E” — the vowel says its name because of the “E.” This explains words like “game” and “ripe,” but leaves many kids struggling to read “have” and “give.”

Learning the nine reasons, including that English words do not end in “V,” prevents students from needing to memorize thousands of exceptions. •Find answers. Too often we answer questions about reading with “that is an exception.” This frustrates many bright students and discourages them from reading. Rather than dismissing words as exceptions, look for answers and explanations. English is more logical than most Americans think. Answers to questions about English reading and spelling can be found in “Uncovering the Logic of English” and by visiting www.logicofenglish.com. “Many students complain English spelling appears inconsistent, especially highly logical children who may grow up to be scientists or mathematicians,” says Eide. “By teaching students how English works, you will improve their reading abilities and encourage them to read.”

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Tips for Keeping Children Safe

eing a parent can sometimes feel like your heart is walking around in someone else’s body. And while your instinct is to protect your children from any and all harm, it is also important to give them an appropriate amount of freedom to prepare them for the real world. “Parents will always have a lot to worry about,” says Tony Pham, vice president at Life360, a company that uses technology to keep families connected every day and during emergencies. “But having a plan can really help families be prepared for any type of safety situation.” As the new school year approaches, parents may want to consider the following tips when talking to their children about safety: •Emphasize solutions over danger—Constantly warning your children, whether they’re 8 or 18, about all the dangers of the world can do more harm than good by increasing anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. Instead, focus on presenting solutions to known threats. For example, tell children that they have every right to yell, scream and kick if a stranger grabs them. More importantly, since the majority of abductions in the United States are by people children know, teach kids to check in with you if their instincts tell them something is wrong. For younger children, this may mean telling you before doing something adventurous, while for older children this may mean sending a text message before heading off with a family friend. •Get mobile help—Advances in mobile technology are making it easier than ever to keep children safe. For example, mobile apps are available that allow family

Kindergarten Enrollment Registration packets for incoming kindergartners are available at each of the school district’s six elementary schools. Completed packets must be returned to the elementary school. To enter kindergarten on Aug. 29, students must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 2. They are required to have their vaccinations completed before enrolling, unless exempted as provided by law. Those include vaccinations for polio, DTP, MMR, Hepatitis B and chicken pox. California requires dental screenings for all children entering public school for the first time. Kindergarten enrollment information provided by the Ramona school district states that the state contoller’s office will enforce verification of residency laws for school attendance, and the district must therefore verify residency of all enrolling students. More information about kindergarten registration is available at the elementary school in the student’s attendance area. Ramona Unified School District has six elementary schools: Barnett, Hanson, James Dukes, Mount Woodson, Ramona Elementary and

Ramona Community. Ramona Community School offers two alternative programs: Montessori Academy and Mountain Valley Academy Home School Program. These two programs are on a first-come, first-served basis and not bound by a specific attendance area. Information about Ramona Community openings is available at 760787-3600. Parents uncertain about their family’s attendance area may contact Connie Fierro at 760-787-2028 or ciferro@ramonausd.net.

members to request a “Check In” from another family member, along with a GPS location update. This technology proved useful during the tornadoes in the Midwest earlier this year, when thousands of families were able to contact their loved ones to share location and status updates even though phone calls weren’t going through. But before it gets to that, make sure your family has

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a disaster plan in place. Kids and teens should know where to go in your home to stay safe during an earthquake, tornado or whatever disasters may hit your area. You should also agree on a meeting place away from your home (a neighbor or relative’s house or even a specific street corner) where you will reconnect if separated in an emergency. •Virtual Safety—Children need to know that strangers exist on the Internet, too. Parents should warn them about connecting with strangers or “friends” of friends on social networking sites. Children should also not disclose any personal information such as a home address, Social Security number or bank account without first checking with an adult. Updating your safety plan as part of your back-toschool activities will keep your kids safe all year long.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Ramona’s public schools New immunization rule for secondary students

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Ramona has 10 public schools: six elementary, one middle school and three high schools. Schedules are the same as last year at most of the schools, but changes are planned at three schools. Most of the schools have what the district calls a Compact Day, a shorter teaching day to allow for teacher collaboration and planning. Montecito High, one of the district’s alternative high schools, has a longer teaching day this year for 63 additional minutes four days a week and four minutes on the fifth day. Following are school names, addresses, start and end times, contact information and office hours: •Barnett Elementary, 23925 Couna Way, 7:45 a.m. to 1:56 p.m. except the first Wednesday of the month, when classes end at 11:45 a.m., 760-787-3500. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. •Hanson Elementary, 2520 Boundary Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with classes ending at 12:35 p.m. on Fridays, 760-787-2100. Office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. •James Dukes Elementary, 24908 Abalar Way, 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. four days a week, with classes ending at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, 760-788-5060. Office hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. •Ramona Elementary, 415 Eighth St., 8 a.m. to

2:05 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 760-787-4400. Office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. •Ramona Community, 1010 Ramona St., Montessori half-day kindergarten, 8 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.; Montessori full-day kindergarten, 8 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.; Montessori kindergarten through grade 8, 8 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. four days a week, with classes ending at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesdays; Mountain Valley Academy (MVA) grades K-8, 8:40 a.m. to 2 p.m., and grades 9-12, 8:40 a.m. to 3:35 p.m., 760-7873600. Office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. •Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, 7:50 a.m. to 2:10 p.m., 760787-2400. Office hours, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. •Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Lane, 7:20 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. four days a week with start time 8:08 a.m. on Mondays, 760-7874000. Office hours, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. •Montecito High School, 720 Ninth St., 7:45 a.m. to 12:48 p.m. four days a week with classes ending at 11:49 a.m. on Wednesdays, 760787-4300. Office hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. •Future Bound Independent Study for grades 7-12, 720 Ninth St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Office hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ramona Unified School District offices at 720 Ninth St. are open from 7:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Free clinic for Tdap vaccine set for Aug. 24

new state law that took effect July 1 requires that all students entering grades 7 through 12 receive a Tdap vaccine and have proof of the shot before entering school this year. A recent change extended the deadline, which means that Ramona students have until Sept. 29 to show proof of receiving the immunization. Tdap stands for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). The new law was in response to a spike in the number of whooping cough cases, some involving deaths. A walk-in clinic sponsored by county health and Maxim Healthcare will offer the Tdap immunization for free in Ramona Library, 1275 Main St., from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24. The shots are only for incoming seventh- through 12th-graders, and this is the only clinic offering Tdap immunizations for free in Ramona. A parent or guardian must be present to give consent, and the county asks that the students’

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immunization records be brought. Families are encouraged to review the students’ immunization records because many children already have received the pertussis booster shot. They also are encouraged to contact their primary physicians and insurance providers. Information about the free shots is on the school district website at ramonausd.net. Superintendent Robert Graeff asked all schools in the Ramona district to use the district’s automated all-call telephone system to announce the information to all families with students enrolled in the district, and he planned to do the same from his office this week. Information also is included in registration materials distributed before the clinic date. The new law affects students in private as well as public schools. A free clinic in Escondido will be at the North Inland Regional Center, 600 E. Valley Parkway, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Options for before and after school When it comes to before and after school, working parents — particularly parents who work out of town — need to consider the hours before school starts and before they arrive back in Ramona in the late afternoon or early evening. Depending on parents’ work hours and where their children attend school, families have options offered by the school district, area businesses and organizations, and a group of volunteers. For elementary students, the district’s Extended Student Program (ESP) operates before and after school at Barnett, James Dukes and Mount Woodson elementary schools. At Hanson Elementary, ESP is offered only before school, since two after-school programs are offered at that school: ASES (After School Education & Safety) and HELP (Hanson Extended Learning Program). ESP starts at 6:30 a.m., and ESP, ASES and HELP end at 6:30 p.m. ESP offers recreational and enriching activities, homework assistance and snacks. ASES is federally funded, is offered at no charge to families and has an attendance requirement. ESP and HELP are paid for with fees the families pay. Ramona Elementary has no before-school program but offers ASPIRE (Access to Student assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone), a federally-funded after-school program that provides

homework help, snacks and activities. There is no before- and after-school program at Ramona Community School. The After School Teens Program at Olive Peirce Middle and the Bulldog CONNECT program at Ramona High School are afterschool programs. Students can sign up for a range of after-school opportunities offered from academic assistance to enrichment activities such as drama, robotics and sports. More information about both programs is on each school’s website. For the past two years, ARRIBA Ramona has offered a range of free activities for teens in middle and high school at the ARRIBA Teen Center, 1710 Montecito Road. Because the center is operated totally by volunteers, it is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If more adults volunteered at the center, it would be open more days, said Kim Lasley, ARRIBA Board president and teen center director. “It gives the kids a place to hang out, do homework, play games, watch movies,” — and, thanks to a donation of nearly $30,000 worth of fitness equipment from Karen and Tom McKenzie, exercise, said Lasley. The center also has a recording studio, computer room and band rehearsal space, and special events such as Movie Night and

Concert Night are scheduled occasionally on weekend evenings. It’s all offered to the teens at no charge and is supported by donations from individuals and organizations such as the Ramona Teachers Association, Creative Youth Foundation, Palomar Pomerado Health, Ramona Rotary, Ramona Kiwanis, Ramona Soroptimists and the Sheriff’s Department.

For more information about the teen center or to volunteer, visit the center, call 760-788-6433 or email arribaramona@yahoo.com. Among other options available to families are businesses, such as Busy Bee (see page 16), and the Ramona Branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ramona in Collier Park (see page 20).

Back to School Nights Parents have an opportunity to meet their children’s teachers, learn what the teachers have planned for the school year and visit their children’s classrooms during Back to School Nights. Most of the schools have PTA meetings scheduled the same evening as Back to School Night. James Dukes Elementary and Barnett Elementary plan split sessions on Back to School Night, with the PTA meeting between the two sessions. Additional information about Back to School Night at each school is on the school district website, www.ramonausd.net, and will be sent home with student-parent packets the first day of school.

Back to School Night Schedule Ramona Community—Thursday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m. PTA meeting begins at 6 p.m. James Dukes Elementary—Wednesday, Sept. 7, Session 1 begins at 5:30 p.m., the PTA meeting starts at 6 p.m., and Session 2 begins at 6:30 p.m. Olive Peirce Middle—Thursday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. Barnett Elementary—Tuesday, Sept. 13, Session 1 at 5:30 p.m., PTA meeting at 6, and Session 2 at 6:30 p.m. Montecito High—Monday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. Future Bound Independent Study—Monday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. Hanson Elementary—Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. PTA meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Mt. Woodson Elementary—Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. PTA meeting begins at 6 p.m. Ramona Elementary—Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. PTA meeting begins at 6 p.m. Ramona High—Thursday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. PTA meeting begins at 6 p.m.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Getting Them to Eat Breakfast

e all know the old adage: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Nevertheless, many parents find themselves short of time or struggling to get their children to eat a healthful breakfast every morning. “Whether they’re getting ready for school or just a day of play, kids need to eat something in the morning to jump-start their metabolism and keep them energized and focused,” said Stacy Stengel, a sports nutritionist. “Otherwise their bodies go into starvation mode and start storing fat, which can lead to weight-related problems.” Here are some tips to get your children to eat well in the morning: •Example is the only teacher. The best way to get your kids to eat in the morning is to eat with them. Even if it’s just gulping down a bowl of cereal in 10 minutes, eating every morning, preferably while sitting down, will teach your child a life lesson in making healthy living a priority. •Move up dinner time. The reason breakfast is so critical is because after sleeping eight hours your body has been deprived of food for 10 to 12 hours. But if your children are eating dinner close to bedtime, they may not be hungry. Try moving dinnertime up by an hour to get them hungrier for breakfast. •Cook with flair. Don’t be afraid to don a chef’s hat and get imaginative. Choose foods that children find fun

but that can be prepared quickly. For example, a product called Batter Blaster lets you squirt pancake batter out of a whipped-cream style can, cutting down on prep time and entertaining youngsters, who can choose from different flavors such as organic original, double chocolate, buttermilk, and organic whole wheat with brown sugar and cinnamon. •Make faces. Breakfast doesn’t have to be a chore of whole grains and protein. Try being creative, like adding food coloring to cereal milk, making faces on the children’s plates or preparing pancakes in fun shapes. •Think outside the box. Breakfast time doesn’t mean your child has to eat breakfast foods. Healthy is healthy. Let them have last night’s pizza or chicken with rice — the important thing is that they’re getting protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. •Eat on the go. While it’s not ideal, eating on the go can be another way to squeeze some nutritious eating in your child’s life. Cereal without milk or granola mix is a great car snack. For children who aren’t very hungry in the morning, try a smoothie of frozen fruit with orange juice or yogurt. Most of all, don’t stress too much. They only need about 500 calories to get them going, and some may eat less in the morning. So long as healthy food is available in the house, they’re sure to get the nutrition they need.

Tips for Packing Healthy School Lunches The rush of getting everyone out the door in the morning can make packing a healthful lunch seem like an impossible burden.

The typical parent will pack around 200 school lunches yearly, and planning them all requires some serious nutritional skills. Not only do parents need to know how to choose healthful fare, but they need to know how to pick foods their children will actually eat. “When you plan your child’s lunches, be sure to choose items that are both healthful and fun,” says Edmond Sanctis, cofounder of Sahale Snacks, a producer of all-natural nuts and nut blends. “You want to select foods that are colorful and appealing and that provide energy and nutrients to get them through the day.” •Get creative with protein. Nuts and beans provide more fiber and less saturated fat than traditional proteins like meat, cheese and eggs. Try making a bean dip from chickpeas or pinto beans and pairing it with crunchy vegetables, like carrots, celery, bell peppers or whole-wheat pita triangles. Or add texture and sweetness to low-fat yogurt with a handful of nuts or granola. •Pack edible ABCs. Fresh fruits and nuts are a fun way for kids to get much-needed vitamins, from A to zinc. For example, oranges pack a wallop of vitamin C, blueberries are full of antioxidants, and almonds are rich in vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and iron. •Portion control matters. Little bellies require smaller portions. While kids love opening crinkly bags of chips, the serving size may be too large and unhealthful. Instead, look for small portion packs, like .75-ounce bags of healthful nut blends, such cashews with pomegranate or almonds with cranberries. Choose packaged foods made with natural sweeteners and flavors such as vanilla, honey and sea salt instead of artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. Ramona Lutheran School •Drinks are as important as foods. Once you’ve gone Our Students Gain Significantly with: to all that trouble to choose • Stronger Reading and Math Skills nutritious foods, don’t ruin your efforts by tossing soda • Less Disciplinary Problems into your child’s lunchbox. • More Teacher-Student Interaction Opt for unflavored low-fat milk, water or 100 percent • Character Building Citizenship fruit juice. Many juice prodand Christian Values ucts only have small amounts • A Challenging, Balanced Curriculum of real fruit juice, so read labels carefully. Don’t let your child •Make vegetables special. Add extra flavor and crunch fall short of his/her to salads with apple slices, potential! nuts and dried cranberries. Or mix in pre-packaged nut Ramona Lutheran blends or seasoned nuts. For young children, consider School Welcomes blends combining tree nuts Students of all Faiths with dried fruit, like pomefrom granate. Older children might like salads topped with Preschool–Grade 8 more flavorful choices, such as barbecued almonds with rlsoﬃce@cox.net mild chipotle and ranch. For more healthful, kidfriendly food ideas, visit Education is a gift of a lifetime, w w w. s a h a l e s n a ck s . c o m . why not invest in your child’s future? “While you needn’t be a seasoned chef to pack great CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE school lunches, it helps to 760-789-4804 • 520 16th Street • Ramona know a few tricks of the lunchbox trade to get your ramonalutheranschool.com kids eating more healthfully,” said Sanctis.

A Small School Environment May be the Answer for Your Child.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

No time to eat breakfast or pack a lunch? For those days when there’s just not enough time to eat breakfast or prepare a lunch, Ramona school district serves breakfast and lunch at each school. Breakfast is $1 at the elementary schools and $1.25 at the middle and high schools. Breakfast is available at each school 30 minutes before school starts. The only school in the district not serving breakfast is Ramona Community. Lunch is $2 at the elementary schools and $2.50 at the middle and high schools. Reduced-price meals for those who qualify are 25 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. Some families, based on income guidelines, qualify for free meals. Payment may be at the school or online via mySchoolBucks.com. Credit cards and debit cards may be used to make online payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Automatic payments can also be set. Parents using the online service can check their child’s balance and account

activity at any time. A prepaid balance is maintained for each student in the cafeteria’s computer at most of the schools. To register online, go to www. mySchoolBucks.com and use your child’s student identification number or name exactly as registered at the school. All fees go to mySchoolBucks.com, an independent service that interfaces with the school district’s cafeteria software. Payments for the 2011-12 school year are already being accepted. Olive Peirce Middle School students and Ramona High and Montecito High students must know their student identification number to access their account. School meals are required by law to meet guidelines for calories, percentage of fat, saturated fat and sugar. Information about and applications for free and reduced-price meals is online at ezmealapp.com. For more information about the school meal program, see ramonausd.net.

School District Priorities for 2011-2012 The same week in June that the 2010-11 school year ended, Ramona school board members were working on district priorities for the 2011-12 school year that will start on Monday, Aug. 29. 1. Improve personal and academic student achievement through clear, relevant, and rigorous standards-based curriculum and accountability system, with a focus on the following strategies: a. Exploring ways to serve the needs of the 21st century learner that combine a discrete focus on student outcomes with innovative support systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required of them in the 21st century. b. Enhancing research-

based strategies consistent with the Professional Learning Community model at each school site. c. Enhancing systems in Grades K-12 to increase student preparation for college entrance and/or career readiness, and to increase access to Advanced Placement, honors, vocational, and ROP programs for secondary students. d. Improving student performance in K-12 mathematics and encouraging more high school students to continue enrollment in math courses through Grade 12. e. Improving student performance in K-12 English language arts, while continuing to utilize independent reading strategies and reading comprehension as key components for improv-

Offe

15/

s 9/

ire Exp

ing student literacy. f. Expanding the utilization of high-quality online instruction at the secondary level (Grades 7-12) while utilizing existing and costeffective technology resources to enhance student learning, K-12. g. Exploring an expansion of secondary course offerings for World Languages and for Engineering Studies. 2. Improve district’s longterm fiscal health, while continuing to address maintenance and technology services, updating a K-12 facilities plan, and continuing to explore more efficient sources for energy and water. 3. Maintain environment of open and honest communication with the local community and all employee groups.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Clothing trends reflect the ‘80s Vintage look is also popular By KAREN BRAINARD

right colors, jeans, leggings, jeggings and lace headline the list of back-to-school clothing styles and bring back some of the 1980s and vintage looks. Very popular, said Ramona retailers, are jeans, especially skinny jeans. Michele Lobaugh,owner of Fashionably Late, said she doesn’t see the jean trend ending anytime soon. Susan Hunter with the Kid’s World department at Kmart said there is a strong focus on denim and, while skinny jeans are the rage, straight-leg boot-cut and

Sentinel photos/Karen Brainard

Brittany Kurtenbach at Fashionably Late pairs a vintage lacey top with Miss Me boot cut jeans. Yellow Box wedges, bangles and a vintage-style necklace complete the look.

Fashionably Late is at prising a stylish look for make a splash this year. girls. A variation is the jeg“Many girls don’t want 1443 Main St. in the Albging — a stretchy legging backpacks; they use the ertson’s shopping center, that looks like jeans. purses,” said Martha Tor- 760-787-0797. Kmart is on the east side Layering can provide an res, owner of Kimi’s Fashof town at 1855 Main St., interesting look that can ions. also be economical. Torres has a variety of 760-788-7886. “The layered T-shirt look is very p o p u l a r for teens,” said Hunter, showing sets for boys that offer three looks in one. A buttondown shirt with a coordinating T-shirt sells for $16.99. The pieces can be worn together or s e p a r a t e l y, said Hunter. Kimi’s Fashions displays a variety of large purses. Owner Martha TorAlso paired res says some girls opt for a purse instead of a backpack for school. are short- and long-sleeved T-shirts and with one sport- large purses in white, ing a design and the other black, tan, brown and in a solid color. two-toned, many embelSelling well for boys are lished with studs, rhinemilitary-style shirts, Hunter stones or flowers in her added. store. Lobaugh emphasized the Jansport backpacks are lacey vintage look that she available at Kimi’s and described as a little bit ro- this year come in colorful mantic and sweet. checks, plaids and other Besides lacey tops, the designs as well as solids. vintage look is also found Fashionably Late also on belts and hats in Fash- carries a variety of large ionably Late. purses in different shades Big purses and hair ac- and styles. cessories (see related story) The three stores sell shoes and, while Torres said sandals are still the shoe of choice, she will be getting in more boots at the end of the month. “We try to bring every season in with different things,” said Torres. Hunter said Kmart has clearance sales on spring and summer clothing, and store clerks are continually putting out more fall apparel. Kimi’s Fashions is at 1627 Main St., near Stater Bros., 760-789-1099.

The ‘80s play a role in Hunter. “Skinny jeans this year’s fashions with for boys are really leggings and tunics compopular,” she added. Signature by Levi and Route 66 are two of the At Fashionably Late, Britbrands Kmart tany Kurtenbach wears a stretchy vintage belt with carries that offer skinny jeans for a flowered romper, along boys. with flat, strappy Volcom Royal colors sandals and a straw fedora are also big, with a lace band. Her Volnoted, com purse is decorated with Hunter pointing out the bling-lined fringe. bright cranberry, flared are also offered. teal, purple and “There’s a type of pant pink. The layered look is in for boys, says Susan Hunter at Kmart. for every body size,” said

A leopard-print top added to a pair of boot cut jeans is a trendy look at Kimi’s Fashions.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Feathers – hot hair trend By KAREN BRAINARD

alon stylists say feathers have become a craze among girls of all ages, even women, as a way to embellish their hair. “Feathers are huge,” said Christina Hansen, coowner of Salon Blondies. The look, she added, is making a comeback from the 1980s. The feathers come in a variety of colors and last two to three months, Hansen said. “They grow out with the hair.” They are also quick to apply. Hansen showed how she pulls a few strands of hair and a feather through a small metal bead that she pinches near the roots. “You can wash them, flat-iron them and blowdry them,” she said, adding that girls usually have three to five feathers attached to their hair. At Salon Blondies, Hansen said grizzly feathers with a black stripe are the most in demand. Michelle Claasen, a stylist with Belle Mia Salon and Spa, also has seen a surge in the feather look. “I’ve got lots of requests for hot pink, teal and purple,” she said. Leopard prints and feathers with jewels and rhinestones are hot items, she added. Claasen said she likes to mix the bright colors with black or white to give some contrast. “I try to give it just a bit of a kick so it stands out,” she explained. “We also have neutral colors for people who want to hide or let them blend in.” Older girls, Claasen said, often like to put the feathers underneath their hair where they are not real noticeable. As for hairstyles, Hansen said the “ombre” look is popular. That’s basically grown-out color with the dye at the ends. “It’s awesome for the school kids because they don’t have to rush in to get re-colored,” she said. Another hairstyle is the “one-shoulder wave,” said Hansen, with wavy tresses pulled around to one side to flow over the shoulder. Free-flowing styles are

Christina Hansen, co-owner of Salon Blondies, attaches three feathers to Emilee Eckhart’s hair by pulling them through a small metal bead. The feathers will last two to three months, she said.

popular, said Claasen. “Girls want to see their hair flowing this year,” she said. Textured and symmetrical looks and soft fringe around the face are also in, she added. Salon Blondies is at

1925 Main St., 760-7899989. Bella Mia Salon and Spa is at 745 Main St., 760788-3275. Both stylists said specials are available and appointments are recommended.

Sentinel photos/Karen Brainard

Emilee Eckhart, a senior at Ramona High School, shows the purple and white feathers with black stripes that Christina Hansen put in her hair at Salon Blondies. “I really like it,” said Eckhart. “It looks awesome.”

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

EN & P O OW ning

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Cyndie Jobb, PA-C

Jerry Fabrikant, DPM

A Certiﬁed Physician Assistant who worked in San Diego as an EMT and paramedic until training at USC Medical School, Cyndie has worked in family practice, women’s health and urgent care since 1994.

A podiatrist who does medical and surgical treatment of the ankle and foot, Dr. Fabrikant works with warts, eczema, fungal and in-growing nails. He also has a special interest in heel pain, reconstructive surgery for complicated bunions and foot deformities.

Walter K. Nahm, MD, PhD

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Utilizing a combination of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, tui na, and manual therapy, Drew treats a large variety of conditions such as pain, sexual dysfunction, back problems, headaches, wellness, weight, and more. He trained both in Hong Kong and New York.

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

SPORTS

Ballena Vista foal wins Real Good Deal Stakes by Joe Naiman Chiloquin, a 3-year-old gelding who was foaled at Ballena Vista Farms in Ramona, won the Real Good Deal Stakes at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club meet on Aug. 10. Chiloquin, ridden by Martin Pedroza, led throughout the seven-furlong race for 3-year-old California-bred horses and defeated second-place Luckarack by half a length. “He’s had a lot of tough trips in his life,” said trainer Scott Hansen. “Finally we got one to go his way.” Chiloquin had three previous victories in his 11 career races prior to the Real Good Deal Stakes. He won three of his first six career races with the most recent win occurring Jan. 16 at Santa Anita, and he finished third in his next two races, fourth in the Snow Chief stakes race April 23 at Hollywood Park, and second in June 9 and July 14

races at Hollywood Park. The Snow Chief race was his only stakes competition prior to the Real Good Deal Stakes. Six horses competed in the Real Good Deal Stakes including Bench Points, who had won five of his other eight races and went off with 1:2 odds. Chiloquin had the third post position and paid his bettors 4.4:1 odds . Pedroza had ridden Chiloquin in the horse’s previous eight races and for all three of Chiloquin’s victories, so Hansen trusted him to make decisions during the race. “I don’t usually give Martin instructions,” Hansen said. Chiloquin and Pedroza broke first and had a onelength lead over Luckarack, who was second for the entire race, a quartermile past the starting gate. Those two furlongs took Chiloquin 23.97 seconds. “It didn’t look like any speed (horses who go to the front early and win

only if the more distanceoriented horses don’t catch up),” Hansen said. “Fortunately we were right.” In a sense Chiloquin acted as the speed, as Hansen and Pedroza had Bench Points in mind. “I thought we could steal the race, and we got a 24 (second) first quarter and for once it worked out,” Hansen said. “I thought we’d get everything our way. It was just a question of whether Bench Points would come running at us.” Bench Points, who was third for the entire race and finished a length behind Chiloquin, trailed Luckarack by half a length and Chiloquin by 1-1/2 lengths after two furlongs. Chiloquin reached the half-mile point at 46.76 seconds and had a twolength lead over Luckarack. Luckarack had a 1-1/2 length lead over Bench Points after half a mile. Chiloquin entered the

stretch 1:10.63 into the race while leading Luckarack by a head. Luckarack was two lengths ahead of Bench Points as they entered the stretch. “This is a game horse. He’s very competitive; he wants to wait on horses, then take them on. That’s what he did today,” Pedroza said of Chiloquin. “When the other horse (Luckarack) came up alongside him, he dug back in.” Chiloquin had a winning time of 1:22.45. “He ran hard today, and he got it done,” Pedroza said. “He came out of the race in good shape,” Hansen said. “We’re just very happy that we finally got to win a stakes and get some attention for him.” The win was the first at Del Mar for Hansen. His only previous stakes win was at the Suffolk Downs track in Greater Boston.

Chiloquin’s sire was Tribal Rule and his dam was Zzyzzx Road, which has one more “z” than the actual San Bernardino County road. He was bred by Sam and Carl Asadurian and foaled at Ballena Vista on March 26, 2008. He is owned by Hansen and Carl Asadurian, who lives in Moorpark and has

a ranch in Oregon. Chiloquin spent part of his early life at the Oregon ranch and was broken in Northern California. Hansen lives in Murrieta and has a training center there, and Chiloquin has trained both in Murrieta and at the San Luis Rey Downs Thoroughbred Training Center in Bonsall where he is stabled. The win gave Chiloquin $60,000 of the total $100,000 purse and increased his lifetime earnings to $186,784.

A preview of Ramona’s Bulldog football team By BILL TAMBURRINO The NFL collective bargaining agreement must have taken a close look at Coach Damon Baldwin’s practice plans. The NFL’s new agreement allows only one full pads practice a day during two-a-days (Hell Week to RHS followers). That’s the way Baldwin has done it during his tenure at RHS. “We try to teach and review our offense and defense during fall camp,” he said. “Our first practice is in shells (helmet and shoulder pads). We walk through the plays and defenses that we will be implementing in the late practice. It is a teaching period. We walk through special teams. We do a lot of teaching. We don’t con-

t h e m s e l v e s ,” said Baldwin. “They provide sandwiches, fruit, Popsicles, cereal and granola bars, Gatorade and cold water, and other snacks. What they have done is truly amazing and wonderful. The players and coaches really Sentinel photos/Bill Tamburrino appreciate their Coach Matt Lisowski instructs an offensive lineman. efforts.” The second practice is from dition.” what used to be a peanut The first practice is from butter and jelly sandwich 6:30 to 8:45 in the eve2:30 p.m. to 4:15 FCT bar has turned into a full ning. It is in full pads, and blocking and tackling fun(football coaches’ time). lunch spread. Few if any practices end “Our team parents’ rep- damentals are stressed. exactly on time, but they resentative, Leighanne Group work and team always start on time. Kerchner, has organized work is stressed, and there The coaches and play- a group of mothers and is conditioning. “Our players reported in ers then take a break, and they have really outdone

phenomenal shape,” said Baldwin. “The coaches have done a great job over the summer getting the players in shape and teaching them. Our practices have been up tempo and the players’ attitudes have been great.” The Bulldogs had three two-a-day sessions the first week and are scheduled to have one two-a-day the second week. They opened on Monday, Aug. 8, in jerseys, shorts and helmets only. On Tuesday they added shoulder pads to their wardrobe, and on Wednesday it was full gear in the second practice only. Baldwin’s Bulldogs are young and inexperienced. The Dawgs only return eight starters after graduating 25 seniors from last

year’s team that finished 5-6 and went 1-3 in their initial season in the Palomar League. Thirty-six seniors are in camp. However, many of them saw limited duty or played junior varsity last season. The strength of the team will be the offensive line. Highly recruited Kwayde Miller (6’8, 305) will start the season at tackle after moving there from tight end during the season last year. Luke Papps (5’10, 225) is back at guard and was last year’s lineman of the year. Eric Box (6’3, 265) is back for his third varsity campaign and is getting interest from several colleges. Preston Johnson (6’4, 280) started at tackle last year but was moved to deSee Football on page 36

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

8 new cabins open at William Heise Park County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and the County Parks and Recreation Department hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday for eight new family cabins at William Heise Park east of Ramona. The cabins, which sleep up to six people, are furnished with bunk beds and rustic-style tables and chairs. Each cabin has heating, indoor lighting, Wi-Fi Internet access, a fireplace and an outdoor picnic table and fire ring/grill.

William Heise County Park is at 4945 Heise Park Road near Julian. Some 4,200 feet above sea level at the northern end of the Laguna Mountains, Heise county park is nestled in the hills. The new cabins will help meet the demand for more cabins in the park, which attracts yearround visitors, including winter snow-birds. Heise now offers the most cabin sites at a County park — 24 — along with 103 tent sites and two group camping areas.

Expires 9/18/11

Football

From page 34

fense. Johnson is also getting interest from colleges. Running back, according to Baldwin, will be by committee until somebody emerges. Kirk “K10” Kaliszewski is the lone back with any experience on the varsity level. K-10 had 19 carries for 113 yards and one TD last season. “Our wide receiver/defensive back crew looks great,” said Baldwin. “We have the best depth at those positions since I have been here.” Jason Laws is the only returner who had significant playing time last season. Laws had seven catches for 113 yards. Travis Stevens is recovering from a broken leg, so Hunter McHargue took the majority of snaps at quarterback during passing league games. McHargue has no varsity experience. New defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Stephon Pace has three starters returning

Coach Stephon Pace explains technique to a linebacker

from last year’s team. Javier Dominguez started at defensive back, Kaliskewski started games at linebacker, and Preston Johnson started games at tackle. Punter Christian Glotfelty returns for his senior season. The kicking job is still up for grabs. The Dawgs may be short on varsity experience, but Baldwin likes the team’s speed, strength, size at key positions and most of all the players’ desire and attitude. “In high school football, every year the seniors graduate and you have to replace them,” he said. “Our frosh and junior

varsity teams run our system and the coaches have done a great job of developing talent and teaching our system. Our kids work very hard in the off season and have gotten bigger, quicker, faster and stronger. Right now we have eight sophomores on the varsity roster and they all can play and they all can contribute. That is a tribute to last year’s frosh football staff. We should have an exciting season.” With only one day of hitting under their belts, the Bulldogs are all vying for starting jobs and spots on the depth chart. As those jobs are filled, they will be reported in the Sentinel.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Varsity cheer team earns first in Ultimate Stunt Routine

amona High School’s varsity cheerleaders returned from an advanced stunt camp at Pepperdine University with first place in the Ultimate Stunt Routine. Four RHS cheerleaders were selected Universal Cheerleader Association (UCA) All-American cheerleaders and received invitations to perform in London, England, in the New Year’s Parade, and 2011-12 team captains Ali Iraheta and Karis Brunner were invited to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

from the nationally ranked San Diego State University cheer team, Sierra Madden and Dakota Sanders. The Ramona team participated in the advanced stunt camp conducted by the Universal Cheerleader Association at Pepperdine University on July 29-31. Nationals are in February and the 2011-12 varsity cheer team is working to become strong, sharp and ready to represent RHS and the town of Ra-

RHS seniors selected Universal Cheerleader Association All-American cheerleaders are, from left, Sierra Cooper, Kaitlyn Osborne, Karis Brunner and Ali Iraheta.

Comments due on regional airport plan Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 24 on the Draft Airport Multimodal Accessibility Plan (AMAP) that evaluates options to improve surface transportation to San Diego International Airport, McClellan-Palomar Airport, Gillespie Field and Tijuana Rodriguez International Airport. Each year, more than 11.5 million air passengers within San Diego County use the four airports, reports the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). The options considered were previously identified in the Regional Aviation Strategic Plan (RASP). SANDAG developed the plan with the airport authority to comply with state law to promote long-range planning for airports, advance regional transportation strategies, and explore mechanisms for regional cooperation. The report is at www.sandag.org/AMAP. To comment, contact Linda Culp at lcu@ sandag.org or 619-699-6957.

tune-in

Ramona High varsity cheer team earns first in Ultimate Jump competition at Universal Cheerleader Association advanced stunt camp at Pepperdine University. Coach Heather Howard is front far left, and Assistant Coach Dakota Sanders of the San Diego State University Cheer Team is at far right.

Heather Howard, head coach for the Ramona High School varsity cheer program, has been building the program for the past six years, and

the school this year has a complete competition squad with advanced tumbling skills. Howard’s goal was to build a team that could compete at what is considered the toughest national competition in Orlando, Fla. The RHS varsity squad thus far has competed in the noteworthy competition in Anaheim, Calif.,

and is looking forward to competing in Orlando. Howard has increased the level of training to include rigorous conditioning with the help of volunteer certified personal trainer Sheryl Cooper, a professional summer camp, additional summer practices, more intense choreography and the addition of two volunteers

mona in Orlando, said Howard. Each coach could select six cheerleaders to try out to be a UCA All-American cheerleader. The competition included performing a UCA dance and a UCA cheer, and they also executed one jump of their choice. RHS cheerleaders selected UCA All-American cheerleaders are Sierra Cooper, Kaitlyn Osborne, Karis Brunner and Ali Iraheta.

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Ramona Sentinel

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August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

Ramona amputee sets sights on world championships in Beijing

anielle McLaughlin, who calls Ramona home and has parents and family who live in Ramona, is an amputee and cancer

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McLaughlin only began racing in April and this race was her first Olympic distance triathlon. She began training under Coach Bernard Baski at TriFit Club and Studios in Santa Monica, Calif., in June of this year. With hard work and determination and a new running prosthetic from the Challenged Athletes Foundation based in San Diego, she progressed quickly in the sport. When McLaughlin had her foot ampu-

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tated due to cancer nearly seven years ago, she never thought she would be able to run, let alone race in triathlons. To generate interest about the young adult cancer survivor community and, most especially, Challenged Athletes, McLaughlin is blogging and fundraising to be

able to attend the World Championships in Beijing on Sept. 9. Her blog is called Cancer Ate My Foot and can be found at canceratemyfoot.wordpress. com. Her fundraising page is at raceforareas o n 2 0 1 1 . k i n t e ra . o r g / DaniellegoestoWorlds.

August 18, 2011

Ramona Sentinel

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CUSTOM HOME

Spectacular views from this 5BR, 4.5BA home on .76 acre parcel. Gourmet kitchen, quality appliances, built-in entertainment center, game room, 1000+foot deck. Pool/spa/basketball court. $748,800 (110034995)

SEEING IS BELIEVING!

Hurry over to see this 24.42 acre lot w/ much to offer. Property boasts large detached 28’ x 50’, outbuilding 50’ x 100’ on separate meter & very clean manufactured home. $550,000 (110024860)

USABLE 4.15 ACRES

Ranch style home – 4BR, 3.5BA, with 3784esf. Large Family room, 20 ft. ceilings. Property is fenced, 48x40 Barnmaster Barn, tack room/feed area. Solar heated pool. $830,800 (110039174)

THE PALISADES

This 2BR, 2BA upstairs, end unit located in North Park. Granite counter tops and stainless kitchen appliances. Custom cherry stained maple cabinets, wood laminate flooring. $190,000 (100032642)

GATED COMMUNITY

Unsurpassed views of this 4+BR, 3+BA, 3617esf Valley View Estate. Bamboo floors, maple cabinets, designer blinds, indoor laundry, surround sound. $919,000 (100058960)

PANORAMIC VIEWS

Remodeled 1560esf, 3BR, 2BA Ranchita home. Features wood laminate flooring, free standing stove, tiled floors, granite counters. 30x70 potentially commercial greenhouse. $179,800 (110039896

Please call for all open house listings!

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WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN?

Beautiful 3BD/2BA w/2 car garage. Family room w/fireplace. Master bath w/garden tub & separate shower. Land leased. $89,900 (110031958)

160 ACRE HORSE RANCH

Enjoy the pastoral and Mtn. views from this 3BR, 2BA home w/2280esf. Arena, round pen, paddocks, tack room, workshop, well house, rifle range + more. $695,800 (110022009)

JAMUL

Horse ranch on 9.14 acres. Resort style pool with stamped concrete, Ianais and bubbling waterfall. Home has been upgraded with designer paint, wrap around porch and rustic hardwood floors. $450,000 (100071631)

REMODELED

Fenced on .86 of an acre, pool, spa, gazebo, wood deck and mountain views. Hardwood engineered floors, granite counters, formal dining room, covered porch. $369,800 (110038998)

“O” ANIMAL DESIGNATOR

Spectacular views on 10+ acres of the graceful Ramona hills and valleys. Offering 3BR, 2BA with 1740esf. New carpet, designer paint and tile. $385,000 - $399,000 VR (110017836)

RAMONA TERRACE ESTATES

Won’t last at this great price! Mature trees, shed and storage. Spacious bedrooms and conveniently located. $29,000 (110017974)

BEAUTIFUL SDCE

Horse Property w/Guest House!! Main house & attached studio. Gated driveway. RV/ tractor parking etc. Stamped walkway/ outdoor fire pit. Horse corral. Plus more….. $389,300. (110030798)

GREAT LOCATION!

Close to town and schools. Open floor plan with 3 Bed/2Baths, 1573esf, 2 story Twin-home. Two car attached garage. Back yard fenced. $180,000 (1000073423)

DRE# 00841062