Valley News • www.myvalleynews.com • July 3, 2015
B-8
Education
Chef teaches Oak Grove students that ‘Cooking can be a family affair’ Paul Bandong Staff Writer The enticing smell – garlic, oregano, basil, onion, and tomato reducing in a red wine sauce – filled the air and activated salivary glands as three young cooks displayed their talents in the kitchen at the Oak Grove Center for Education, Treatment & the Arts in Murrieta. Under the careful and caring tutelage of local cooking expert Sonia Perez, Liam, 15, Brian, 17, and Zach, soon to be 18, expertly handled knives in the slicing and dicing of the locally-grown onions, tomatoes, and basil. They rolled ground turkey, garlic, basil, salt and spices into uniformly-sized meatballs and cooked them in a deep sauté pan. They added cherry tomatoes, garlic, onions, and spices to the butter/olive oil/tomato sauce base and then added red wine and let it reduce. Throughout the process, Perez educated the eager aspiring chefs on the benefits of using organic herbs to add flavor and nutrition and the relationship between ingredients and health. The boys learned about parsley being able to leach lead out of the body, that tomatoes have licopene and that garlic is a cancer-fighting antioxidant. The result of the cooking experience was a beautiful and delicious homemade spaghetti. In previous weeks, the boys learned to make lemon rosemary chicken with a salad and thyme vinaigrette; orzo with dill, red onions and cherry tomatoes; lettuce wraps with ground turkey, ginger and garlic accompanied with baked sweet potato fries; and a parfait with yogurt, and homemade granola. “I really enjoy the creativity,” said Liam, who used to cook for
himself and occasionally for his family of six. “I enjoy learning about the food and learning recipes,” Brian said. “The turkey wrap was my favorite,” said Zach, who was initially not a big fan of vegetables. Not only does this teach cooking skills,” said Tammy Wilson, executive director of Oak Grove, “but it also builds confidence and self-esteem. Sonia shows she cares and the boys respond; they work for her approval. She’s a mother figure to them.” The Oak Grove Center specializes in the treatment and education of kids with emotional and behavioral challenges. “Treatment is important, but enrichment – visual arts, performing arts, sports, and vocational training – provides skills that they can build upon,” Wilson said. Perez, who was inspired by her grandmother Carmen’s heirloom recipes and sustainable foods lifestyle, believes “cooking can be a family affair.” It’s that same attitude that she brings to the class – prepping, cooking, eating and cleaning up together afterwards. “Cooking can be fun and we have fun together.” Perez is currently producing a cooking show “Sonia’s Cooking Off The Vine” that features recipes from northern Spain to the Caribbean section of Mexico to California. Perez’ focus is farm to table, sustaining locally-grown seasonal produce and infusing dishes with local artisan flavors. Both Perez and Wilson are excited about continuing the program, including growing organic vegetables in Oak Grove’s garden to complete their sustainability cycle and also to provide additional produce that they can sell to community restaurants.
Sonia Perez poses with young cooks Liam,left, Zach and Brian. The three were part of a multi-week “Cooking Off the Vine” class that Perez has been teaching at Oak Grove Center.
The young cooks’ efforts resulted in delicious and well-plated dishes of homemade spaghetti and turkey meatballs. Paul Bandong photos
Local residents graduate from basic Local residents make training spring dean’s lists SAN ANTONIO, Texas —Air Force Airman Susana Vargas graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Vargas is the daughter of Maria and Eugenio Vargas of Romoland, Calif., and sister of Jesus Vargas. She is a 2014 graduate of Heritage High School in Menifee. Air Force Airman Vanessa Y. Pulido graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Pulido is the daughter of Gloria and Juan Pulido and granddaughter of Ruben Velasco, Maria Luz, and Robert and Vera Mendoza. All six relatives are residents of Lake Elsinore. Pulido graduated in 2013 from Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military
discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
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TEMECULA—The following residents made the spring dean’s list at college: Jansen Button of Menifee, Georgia State University, Atlanta; Fernando Bauzo of Murrieta, Trine University, Angola, IN.; Kirsten Alexander of Temecula, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI.; David Gandara of Canyon Lake, American International College, Springfield, MA.; and Rafael Navarro IV of Temecula, Clemson
University, Clemson, SC. The following residents made the spring dean’s list at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks: Brittany Elamparo of Murrieta; Logan Young of Murrieta; Kaylie Sergott of Menifee; Jennifer Birch of Canyon Lake; Janelle Garland of Temecula; Danielle Tichy of Temecula; and Nicole Tichy of Temecula.
MSJC offering new American Sign Language program MENIFEE—Mt. San Jacinto College’s American Sign Language Department is launching the first program on the West Coast designed to prepare deaf and hearing students to enter the field of professional interpreting. The MSJC ASL/English Interpreting Preparation Program will begin with the fall 2015 semester, which starts on Aug. 17. Students may begin registering for the program in June. The program will be held on MSJC’s Menifee Valley Campus. All courses will be led by one deaf and one hearing instructor to maximize students’ exposure to both linguistic and cultural diversity. Unlike several existing interpreting programs, which focus on professional practice in K-12 educational settings, the MSJC ASL/English Interpreting Preparation Program will prepare students for a diverse number of settings, including: medical, performing arts, legal, video relay/video remote and educational (primary, secondary, post-secondary). Each of these exciting lecture/ practicum courses will take place in MSJC’s state-of-the-art interpreting lab on the Menifee Valley Campus. The lab houses the most advanced recording and media editing equipment available that is essential for producing high-quality,
professional work samples. Our recently revised curriculum implements the latest research in the field and is designed in alignment with standards of professional practice set forth by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Students will study interpreting and translating theory and practice, analyses of ethical and professional quandaries and appropriate problem-solving strategies, and the history of interpreting in the U.S. and Canada. Students will be required to complete a capstone project wherein they will conduct collegiate-level research into the field of professional sign language interpreting and compose an academic paper in both written English and American Sign Language. Students must also produce a digital professional portfolio highlighting their résumé, work samples, and academic achievements. Prospective students are required to complete American Sign Language 1 through 4 before beginning the IPP and must complete a successful interview for a position in the program. Accepted students will matriculate as cohorts, working together throughout the twoyear program. For more information contact Leslie Greer at (951) 6395399 or lgreer@msjc.edu or Jeremy Rogers at jrogers@msjc.edu.
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