Anza Events Calendar, A-2
A day in the life of a firefighter, B-1
Compost is recycled ‘black gold’ for your garden and easy to make, B-6
ANZA VALLEY
OUTLOOK WITH CONTENT FROM
February 27 – March 5, 2015
Local
How to avoid winter stresses on trees and shrubs
www.anzavalleyoutlook.com
25¢
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A
Section Volume 15, Issue 9
Strike averted as tentative teacher’s agreement reached
Tree Care Industry Association Special to the Anza Valley Outlook In winter it’s reasonable to think that heavy snow, ice and frozen soil conditions could damage your trees and shrubs. see page A-3
Local
Palos Verde Peninsula and its surrounding areas Jodi Thomas Anza Area Manager Whether you live in the Southern California mountains, valleys, cities or near its beaches, it is possible be loving sand in the morning and snow that same afternoon. It is this fact and the great weather that gives SoCal the edge on “Day Tripping.” see page A-4
Local
Deadlines approach for ‘Eye or the Artist’ event in Idyllwild Artist members of the Art Alliance of Idyllwild are reminded that Wednesday, March 4 is their deadline to register for Eye of the Artist, the judged show and fundraising silent auction that has become known as Idyllwild’s biggest art party of the year.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FALLBROOK, CA PERMIT #499
see page A-7
After 30 hours of fact finding mediation a Tentative Agreement was reached, HTA leaders said on Jan. 27. Pictured is HTA’s negotiation team with the agreement. On Jan. 29 the agreement was ratified with a 95.4 percent approval rate. Hemet Teachers Association photo
Jodi Thomas AVO Area Manger Hemet Unified Teachers have been working without a contract since June 30, 2013, when their last contract with the Hemet Unified District expired. Since then there has been a battle
have stopped spinning, sat down and came to an agreement. Timeline Jan. 27 – It was announced by the Hemet Teachers Association that after 30 hours of fact-finding mediation, a Tentative Agreement had been reached. Jan. 28 – Hemet Unified District
Superintendent, Barry L. Kayrell, praised this accomplishment in a letter. Jan. 29 – Teachers cast their votes. It was reported that the collective bargaining agreement was ratified with a 95.4 percent approval rate of eligible votes cast.
see TEACHERS, page A-3
Trail Town Committee to view proposed trail map at next meeting Jodi Thomas AVO Area Manager Anza has many trails to explore that offer views of the area’s countryside. These trails may also be the key to economic growth without permanent population growth in our hamlet, allowing us to prosper without losing our rural atmosphere. This is what the Trail Town Committee is all about, connecting the trails and leading them into town where those who come to enjoy Anza’s nature and scenic views can also enjoy Anza’s services. The committee believes in this vision of bolstering Anza’s economy without simultaneously bolstering its population and hopes to facilitate it. The Trail Town Committee is moving right along and are working
see TRAILS, page A-7
Anza Valley Outlook
of “The Revolving Door” in play, as one side and then the other spun around the same fulcrum holding fast to its own separate principles. Each gained momentum but accomplished nothing in the process. There was even talk of a teachers strike happening in the 2015 semester if negotiations continued to bare no good fruit. Finally the two sides
Thomas Mountain as seen from an Anza trail.
Jodi Thomas photo
Kristina Bryant’s pictorial journal of her journey to the State’s Capitol continues- Part Two Kristina Bryant at age 14 is a remarkable young lady; articulate, smart, confident with a zest for life. This zest will surely serve her well in life. We are sharing her personal photo journal of her trip to the State’s Capitol as the representative for our local VFW post at the district level as seen through her eyes in two parts. In Part One we include the written essay that won her the trip. She placed 5th in the State for her Voice of Democracy audio-essay. If you missed that issue of the AVO you can always visit www.live. anzavalleyoutlook.com to read it. Kristina flew to the state capitol, it was her first time ever to fly and landed at Sacramento Airport. This airport is outside of the main city and for years
stood alone in the middle of farm land. The area has grown around it but the impressive part and the charming part of the state capitol is miles away. After landing Kristina boarded a shuttle and headed for her hotel and then the state capitol. I asked her how she felt as she entered the city. - Jodi Thomas AVO’s Area Manager “When I entered the city it was a bit overwhelming because I’ve never done anything like that. When we went into the capitol state building the first thing I noticed was the incredible architecture. I got there on the shuttle bus from the hotel.”- Kristina Bryant
see BRYANT, page A-6
Outside the capitol building! The architecture truly was beautiful! Kristina Bryant photo