Results tagged “Calif.” from Yucaipa Now
For the Thunderbirds are on a roll, winning six of their past eight games. And knocking a huge gorilla off their backs: The Redlands East Valley Wildcats - their Citrus Belt League foes, and arch rivals, who reside just a few miles over the northwest hills from Yucaipa.
The Thunderbirds had lost eight games in a row to the Wildcats - a losing streak extending back to the 2004 - 2005 season.
But last Friday night that all changed as Yucaipa exacted a bit of revenge. Behind balanced scoring that had five Thunderbirds in double figures, Yucaipa finally knocked off REV, 80-58, in the Wildcats' gymnasium.
Beating a Bill Berich coached team - fueled by loud and raucous fans in the Wildcats' "house" is no easy task.
The win gives the Thunderbirds a Citrus Belt League record of 4-1, 8-7 overall. In the race for a championship, and a CIF Playoffs berth, Yucaipa is in third place in the CBL behind front-runners, Rialto Eisenhower and Redlands, both with 5-0 league records.
If you haven't taken in a game yet and you appreciate intense defense along with an up-tempo offensive pace, then you will enjoy watching this team. Senior guard-forward, Blake O'Donnell and junior forward, Taijuan Walker, are worth the price of admission alone.
But they aren't alone. The team runs deep with talented shooters, ball handling wizardry, and a defensive-minded mentality.
Take note: The Thunderbirds have two big Citrus Belt League games this week. Tomorrow they travel to Fontana A.B. Miller (1-3 CBL, 7-7 overall) to take on the Rebels.
And on Thursday, coming to town is the Redlands High Terriers sporting a 5-0 CBL record, 15-2 overall. The old Yucaipa High gym should be 'rockin for this one. Both games are scheduled for tip-off at 6 p.m.
YUCAIPA SCORING VERSUS REV: Blake O'Donnell 17 and 8 rebounds, Cole Hauso 3, Casey Garrison 14 and 11 rebounds, Chingy Singh 16, Sam Newaz 16, and Taijuan Walker 14 and 13 rebounds.
Tom Breitkreuz hits range balls at Oak Valley Golf Club.
BEAUMONT - On a sun splashed day the golf ball screaming off Tom Breitkreuz driver soon became a white speck as it soared north toward the towering San Bernardino Mountains.
Breitkreuz from Redlands is a regular at the Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont. He comes for the challenging fairways and greens, the views, and the club's setting. "The greens are exceptional and fast, and true," Breitkreuz said while taking a break from hitting balls at the driving range. "And there are outstanding vistas all around. It's excellent."
But Oak Valley is far more than a course for the locals to play a round or two of golf.
It's also home to one of the few "schools" for aspiring professional golfers. "We are the only course on the west coast to have the PGA Qualifying School Second Stage," said Kai Chang, the course manager.
Golfers aspiring to reach the PGA ranks must qualify and obtain a PGA Tour card. And they are difficult to come by. Golfers must advance through stages - first, second, and then the final stage to qualify for the card.
Taking those steps to golf with the likes of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mikelson includes a challenging second stage stop at Oak Valley.
But the youth are also served at Oak Valley. The club has established a strong golfing link to China by providing a venue for the best young golfers in China to challenge the best America has to offer. Last July the club hosted its inaugural USA China Friendship Cup.
The competition will return to Oak Valley again in July. China will send two teams of young women and young men to challenge America's best.
"It is like Rider Cup format," Yu said. "There are eight boys and eight girls (from each country) and they are (age) 18 and under. We want more activities for youth. Golf is our participation for youth."
Making people smile and brightening up their lives is the best part of her business, said Yeoman, who owns Yucaipa Florist located in the Tower Center on County Line Road.
And over the years, she's brightened up a lot of lives with flowers. And she's collected a treasure trove of stories about the people who order them.
The most poignant story started with a very long distance phone call in 2004. "I got this call from a soldier in Iraq from a satellite phone," Yeoman said. "He said, 'bear with me, I'm in Iraq and we're under fire.'"
Five-year renovation has returned dilapidated church to prominence
YUCAIPA - The CiRullo's laugh easily now, but when they began the renovation of the "The Old Church," as it's known in Yucaipa, it wasn't quite so funny.
Bernard and Kris CiRullo, an artistic husband and wife team, bought the old church on Bryant Street near Yucaipa Boulevard in December 2003. Kris because she had a vision of what the old, run down church could once again become. And Bernard because he relished the challenge of restoring the church to prominence.
In October 2008, they finished their project. And it looks beautiful. But what a mess the CiRullo's had on their hands when they began the renovation.
"It was such an eyesore," said Kris CiRullo. "When we started, I thought it would be easier than it turned out to be."
CALIMESA - The Lady Cardinals kick off the Banning Kiwanis Holiday Girls' Basketball Tournament, today, in a 4:30 match up with the Cathedral City Lady Lions at Banning High School.
Cathedral City is off to an 0-3 start, while Mesa Grande (playing a tough preseason schedule) has a 2-4 record.
Then at 7:30, the host Banning Lady Broncos (3-6) meet West Valley of Hemet (1-6).
The Banning tournament is scheduled Monday, Dec. 22, 23, 26, and 27.
Banning High School
100 W. Westward St.
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 922-0285
Directions: Take Interstate 10 east to Banning. Exit at 8th Street off ramp. Turn right on 8th Street at bottom of ramp and continue to Westward. Turn left on Westward, and school will be on right.
Then, this morning I headed out to Yucaipa Regional Park before the snow melted and caught the scene of upper lake with the mountains in the background.
The orange and rose pictures were taken in my neighbors yard. The rose looked pretty pathetic with that lump of ice weighing it down.
YUCAIPA - Yucaipa High School math teacher, Nathan Westwick, has set a goal of raising enough money to buy 1,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry.
But he is 400 pounds short of his goal. And he has but one night left to reach it: Tonight.
Every Thursday for three months, Westwick has been selling coffee at Market Night in Redlands. He uses the money from coffee sales of his Christmas Blend to help stock Joseph's Storehouse, a local food bank in Redlands that feeds the hungry.
"With every half-pound bag of our Christmas Blend we sell, we will donate enough to purchase five pounds of food for Joseph's Storehouse," said Westwick.
He's sold enough to buy 600 pounds of food, but to reach the 1,000 pound benchmark he has set, he must sell enough coffee TONIGHT at the final Market Night to buy the additional 400 pounds of food.
You can help by stopping by the Wild Goose Coffee Company booth at Market Night and buying a half-pound of Christmas Blend coffee. And if you're not a coffee hound, but want to make a donation, that is welcome as well, Westwick said.
Market Night hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. and is located on State Street in downtown Redlands. From Interstate 10, exit at Orange Street and continue south to State Street.
The Wild Goose Coffee booth will be located near Bank of America and Baskin Robbins.
YUCAIPA - Petey is searching for a home for the holidays. He is a 1 1/2 year old neutered male Retriever mix who is pleasantly plump. Petey is wonderful with children, adults and other animals. He enjoys sunset walks, dinner and a belly rub.
Raisin is another YAPS dog that is searching for her forever home. Raisin was once stolen from YAPS and, thankfully, found. She is a wonderful people dog and would love a family of her own. Kids to play with would really make her day. She is a 1.5 year old female American Bulldog just hoping to be your next love.
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society
P.O. Box 199
11937 13th Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 790-1440
yaps@yaps.org
Hours of Operation
Tuesday - Saturday
11 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
YUCAIPA - The Yucaipa Thunderbirds defeated the Mesa Grande Cardinals of Calimesa in the first ever meeting between the two neighboring schools, 42-36, Tuesday.Click Here For Photos
Mesa Grande's Brianna Melker pulls down a rebound during the Cardinals game with the visiting Yucaipa Thunderbirds.
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
CALIMESA - It was the first ever meeting between the two neighboring schools, and it proved exciting, hard fought, and close. And when the girls' basketball game between the Yucaipa Thunderbirds and Mesa Grande Cardinals of Calimesa came to an end, both coaches agreed: "Let's do this again next season."
The Thunderbirds pulled out a 42-36 victory over their new neighborhood rivals on Tuesday, but the Cardinals made them work for it. And if not for a 7-0 Yucaipa run in the closing 1:46 of the first half, the game could have gone down to the wire.
But instead, Yucaipa went in the half leading, 23-11. But the Cardinals didn't quit. They came roaring back in the third quarter to close the gap to three, 27-24, with under a minute left in the quarter.
"We are young and we had a lapse at the end of the first half," said Mesa Grande Coach, Bob Walker. "I told the girls at halftime that we needed to come out and score the first two baskets."
CALIMESA - There's a big rivalry on tap tonight in girls high school basketball as the Mesa Grande Academy Cardinals of Calimesa host the Yucaipa Thunderbirds in the Mesa Grande High School gymnasium.
Game time is 6 p.m.
Mesa Grande has started out slowly this year with a 1-3 record. But that can be deceiving as the Cardinals typically begin each season by playing much bigger schools from higher CIF divisions than they otherwise face in the Victory League.
Year-in-and-year-out, the Cardinals are a Victory League contender and a CIF Playoffs regular.
The Cardinals, Jennifer Dupper, paces Mesa Grande in scoring with 11.5 points per game, while Tamara Bowles carries a 6.5 ppg, and Brianna Melker averages, 5.5 ppg. In rebounding, Melker pulls down 13.3 per game, while Megan Williams averages 11.3.
Yucaipa has posted a 3-1 record to date. The Thunderbirds are led by the scoring of Megan Allen with a 15.7 ppg, and Jolene Castanon at 15.3 ppg. Allen also averages 7.7 rebounds per game, while Sam Tucker pulls down 13 rpg, along with 7.8 ppg.
Mesa Grande Academy
975 Fremont St.
Calimesa, CA
(909) 795-1112
(Take County Line Road east to Fremont Street, and turn right. The school is on the left side of Fremont.)
YUCAIPA - The Writers' Gallery is offering several upcoming workshops and classes for aspiring writers interested in honing their writing skills in children's books and novels, and for parents interested in advancing their children's creative writing.
On Tuesday, January 13, 20, and 27, Diane Adams, author of two children's picture books, Zoom!, (Peachtree, illustrated by Kevin Luthardt), and I Can Do It Myself! (Peachtree, illustrated by Nancy Hayashi 2009), the illustrator of A Home For Salty (written by Stephanie Stuve Bodeen.), will take you through the steps of writing a successful children's book.
Adams' workshop will including plotting, illustrations, how to submit for publication and the finished product. Included in the workshop is manuscript critique provided by Adams.
News Release:
By Sherry Washburn
Administrative Assistant
YUCAIPA - City of Yucaipa Public Works Department Construction Update
Chicken Springs Wash Storm Drain and Street Improvements/Yucaipa Boulevard Storm Drain
These projects include the construction of curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt concrete pavement, storm drain improvements, earth channel grading, placement of grouted rip rap, concrete structures and catch basins, removal of existing storm drain culverts, construction of concrete flood walls/retaining walls, and reconstruction of existing surfaces between Adams Street and 3rd Street along Yucaipa Boulevard and at the 3rd and 4th Street culvert crossings. The project is underway and is scheduled to be completed by March 2009.
7th Street Park Rehabilitation - Phase II
The project consists of retrofitting a partially finished concrete pad as three covered basketball courts with lighting. In addition, the project will include a modular skate park and retrofitting several gazebos with additional landscaping around the "formal" main gazebo to enhance its use for special events. This project is underway and is now scheduled to be completed by January 2009.
YUCAIPA - The high, leaping jump shot? The fast break? Not so high, and not so fast anymore.
Their physical skills may have faded over the years, but what remains as strong as ever is their love for the game. And the men who play senior basketball at the Yucaipa Community Center still have plenty of that.
Their ages range from 50, such as Wallace Frisbey, the youngster of the group, to Bill Pittman, who plays much younger than his 76 years.
The seniors - numbering from 12 to 20 - get together from about noon to 1:30 three days a week to play the game they can't seem to let go. They play hard and they play to win. But as far as in-your-face defense and win at all costs, that's a no-no. Their game has become much more social than when they were youngsters tearing up the hardcourt.
"Our camaraderie is great," said Pittman, who is a deadeye from about the 18-feet range. "I've been playing with these guys for about five years, and we're all friends."
By Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District Reporter
msturman@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
(951) 845-7441
Beaumont Unified School District Website
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
BEAUMONT, CA -- The Beaumont Unified School District Board of Trustees, at its Dec. 9 meeting, elected Board Member Susie Lara as Board President. It also named David Sanchez as Vice President and Gill Greenwood as Clerk.
In addition, Steve Hovey, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services, swore in Greenwood, who was re-elected to the Board, and Mark Orozco, who defeated former Board Member Matthew Pistilli. Superintendent Dr. Barry Kayrell was named Board Secretary.
The Board also:
- Recognized a number of community members who helped win the passage of Prop. Z, the $125 million bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot.
- Heard a number of holiday songs by the Mountain View Middle School Chorus, led by teacher Jennifer Wright.
- Authorized proceedings to finance the District's proposed Administrative Center.
- Heard a report from Emmanuelle Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent of Facilities.
Operations concerning a number of small projects:
- At Beaumont High School, the long jump and shot put project is in progress.
- At Sundance Elementary School, the District will add fencing fabric to the softball field's backstop for added safety.
- At Mountain View Middle School, a safety railing around the outdoor gym and a steel gate to secure the outdoor storage area will be installed.
- Reynolds also told the Board that progress is being made on deciding which major projects will be undertaken with money of the passage of Measure Z. Among the projects is the completion of the theater at Beaumont High School.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2009 in the Board room at the District Office, 500 Grace Ave. in Beaumont. The meeting officially begins at 5 p.m. The Board then goes into closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters, then reconvenes in public session for the main portion of the meeting at 7 p.m.
Dr. Barry Kayrell, Superintendent
(951) 845-1631 (Ext. 309)
bkayrell@beaumontusd.k.12.ca.us
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us/home.htm
YUCAIPA - Santa Claus had a busy Saturday night making his rounds during "Operation Santa Claus" to Dunlap Elementary School, the Von's parking lot, Stater Bros. Market on Bryant Street, Sail Drug Store, and the 99-Cent Store on County Line Road.
Children were treated to candy canes and a chat with Santa at each stop. Santa was escorted by Yucaipa fire and police personnel and sirens could be heard announcing his arrival and departure at each place he visited.
YUCAIPA - Some eagerly climbed on to his lap without a shred of fear. While others clung to their mothers with an ironclad grip not wanting anything to do with the fat guy with the thick white beard and glasses sitting on a chair near a Christmas tree.
The Yucaipa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7347 opened their doors to youngsters to have their pictures taken with Santa on Saturday after the Yucaipa Christmas Parade.
The VFW also treated the kids to cookies and cupcakes while parents feasted on a Tri-Tip dinner.
But the afternoon was meant for the kids. While they sat on his lap and asked for presents, parents and grandparents snapped keepsake pictures.
What did the kids ask for? Here's a sampling. Chrissy Speak, 6, wants a new bike. But perhaps the most unusual and controversial request came from eight-year-old Sara Cords.
"I asked him for a (cell) phone," she said. But in the wee hours of Christmas, will Santa fill Chrissy's stocking with her hopeful request?
The look Faith Cord gave his way, said maybe Santa had better think twice about honoring her daughter's wishes.
"Santa does what Santa wants to do," Faith said with a chuckle. "But I hope not. She is too young."
For all his hard work fulfilling children's gift wishes, Santa received his reward when Kiddi Karr and Joanne Wilkinson sat on each of his knees, hung Mistletoe over his Santa's hat, and gave him big kisses on each side of his check.
Since the job has such wonderful rewards, some of the dad's standing nearby said maybe they would apply for Santa's job next year.
Alix Burton the Post's do-everything organizer, arranged for Santa's visit. "Every year we do this for the kids," said Burton. "It's doing our part for children to have a fun experience with Santa."
Santa waves to children as they shout out his name during the Yucaipa Christmas Parade.
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - The Yucaipa Valley Lions Club 54th Annual Christmas Parade drew about 5,000 spectators despite cold, damp weather on Saturday, Dec. 13.Click Here To See Parade Photos
YUCAIPA - Neither gray clouds nor an intermittent drizzle, or temperatures in the 40s could dampen the spirits of parade lovers as about 5,000 lined both sides of Yucaipa Boulevard for the 54th annual Yucaipa Valley Lions Club Christmas Parade, Saturday.
Instead, as with Maria Souto, she dressed her children in winter clothes, topped them off with Santa's hats, and they huddled together under a warm blanket near the start of the parade.
"We just put on extra clothes," she said. "Rain or shine we are here every year."
YUCAIPA / CALIMESA - At the Dec. 9 Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District Board of Education meeting, newly elected board members, Chuck Christie, Jane Smith, and Jim Taylor were administered the oath of office by Board President, Dr. Sue Brown.
Retiring board members, Joyella Beuler, Jim Hoyt, and Jim Oederkerk - along with Dr. Brown for her past year's service as president - were recognized for their outstanding service to the school district and the community.
The new board consists of Christie, Smith, Taylor, Dr. Brown, and Patricia Ingram.
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