May 2009 Archives
News Release:
By Lori Valdepena
valdepena@yucaipa.org
June Craft Classes
The craft class on June 11th, at 9:00 a.m. will be instructed by Kathy Antill. She will be teaching how to make American Flag door hangers for the 4th of July. The craft class on June 25, at 9:00 a.m. will be instructed by Diann Bratton, and she will show how to create a beautiful card. The craft classes are free and all supplies will be furnished. Call the Senior Center to sign up.
News Release:
By Ken Corona, President
Yucaipa Little Theatre
(909) 790-1884 (theatre phone)
YUCAIPA - The Tony-Award winning Broadway musical Camelot, the story of a young king, his beautiful wife, and a love-struck knight, is currently showing at Yucaipa Little Theatre through June 14.
A favorite of late President John F. Kennedy and an indisputable hit on stage, Camelot is the timeless story about the rise and fall of a great kingdom. Arthur, King of England (played by Kevin Kahn), has gathered the best knights in the world at his famed round table. He finds a kind and loving wife, Queen Guenevere (Natalie Tavarez), and a best friend in Lancelot (Daren Prescott), his treasured knight.
When romance blossoms between Lancelot and Guenevere, the kingdom begins to crumble with a little help from the young, villainous Mordred (Cedric Wright), and Arthur finds his dreams shattered.
Yucaipa Little Theatre staged Camelot nearly a decade ago. According to the director, Ken Corona, "There has been a lot of interest from members and supporters to see it again, and we're excited to have this opportunity to finally bring it back."
Courtesy Photo
By Lynn Clemente
YUCAIPA - The Scorpions U10 soccer team played their final game in the Yucaipa Spring Soccer League. The team played great and enjoyed a fun season thanks to coaches John, Colin and Kelly.
The coaches succeed every year in making sure that their soccer teams not only improve their play but also have a "lot" of fun! The final game of spring season ( a 3-3 draw) was played Saturday, May 30 at the Jerry Lewis Regional Soccer Complex on Oak Glen Road.
"June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which 'we will accept nothing less than full victory.' More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high - more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded - but more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler."
By Diana Sholley / Staff Writer
CALIMESA - On June 6,1944, thousands of young men crammed into the bellies of ships and planes and waited to meet their destiny on the beaches of Normandy.
Among exploding bombs, machine-gun fire and torpedo blasts, many brave men pushed on through a sea turned red with the blood of soldiers while others parachuted into Normandy.
Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Sharing his story from that day is Albert R. Gonzales, 85, from Calimesa.
On a barge on the waters off Omaha Beach, 400 soldiers, including Pfc. Albert R. Gonzales, received their D-Day instructions from the ship's captain.
"He said, 'When that door opens, go out running,'" Gonzales recalled. "We jumped out and into the water that was up to here," he said, motioning to his chest. "We held our guns over our heads and went for the beach."
Huntington Beach Oilers' Sean Guite tries to escape the tag of Yucaipa's Matt Davidson during a run down between third base and home.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Check out the photos of the Yucaipa Thunderbirds and Huntington Beach Oilers CIF playoff baseball game on Friday.
HUNTINGTON BEACH - The 2009 Thunderbirds baseball team shattered school records, won the Citrus Belt League Championship, won the prestigious Millington, Tennessee and Chino tournament championships, and attained lofty state and national rankings.
But the one prize they had their eyes firmly fixed on all season long - a California Interscholastic Federation Championship - will forever remain an unrequited dream. The Huntington Beach Oilers made sure of that by defeating the Thunderbirds, 10-2, on Friday in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs.
Yucaipa simply did not play its "A" game by committing five errors that helped pave the way to victory for the 18-12 Oilers, who finished third in the Sea View League with an 8-7 record and entered the playoffs as a wild card team.
Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds, one of the finest teams in coach Jeff Stout's 33 years, finish 27-3 and as the Citrus Belt League Champions with a 13-1 record.
"We were ready, but for whatever reason we didn't make the plays," Stout said. "Five errors aren't going to win you too many ball games. Errors have been kind of a nemesis with us all year long, but we've been able to make up for it with our bats."
Photo By Doug Earnest / www.inlandsportsphotography.com
YUCAIPA - Doug Earnest's shot was right on the nose during Yucaipa's 15-7 win over Cresenta Valley in the second round of CIF SS Div. 2 Playoffs. But CV's third baseman paid a price by taking a shot to his nose as Thunderbirds' Matt Davidson slides in to the bag.
YUCAIPA - Recover and nurture your creativity through this 12 week workshop based on Julia Cameron's million selling book, "The Artist's Way."
Led by children's book writer, Diane Adams, author of Zoom!, and I Can Do It Myself!, and illustrator of A Home for Salty, this course will nurture your creativity and help you regain a sense of hope and excitement about your writing .
Vista Murrieta's Taylor Edwards slides in to third base as Yucaipa third baseman Courtney Brown gets ready to receive the throw.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - The Vista Murrieta Broncos defeated the Lady Thunderbirds, 6-2, in the quarter finals of the CIF Southern Section Division II Softball Playoffs on Thursday.
J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/29/2009 12:17:25 AM PDT
YUCAIPA - The best season for softball that anyone seems to remember at Yucaipa High could have been over after one at-bat Thursday.
Vista Murrieta's leadoff batter, Alexis Villamor, wasted no time introducing herself to Thunderbirds pitcher Jessica English by sending a pitch over the right-field fence.
Unfazed, English settled down and kept her team in the game until the end - longer than expected, but not long enough - in an error-plagued 6-2 loss to the Broncos.
"I know my team can score runs," English said. "I thought we were going to come back and score five runs in the seventh inning."
YUCAIPA - It took 12 years of gathering reports, planning, and procuring funding, and another 20 months of construction work to build the I-10 Freeway / Live Oak Canyon Interchange bridge. But on Thursday the $20 million bridge was officially declared open and marked with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.
"The concept of this improved interchange project began in 1995," said Yucaipa Mayor, Dick Riddell. "This project has been a long time coming and we are happy this day has finally arrived."
Construction on the project began September 2007. The project widened and realigned the I-10 Freeway with Live Oak Canyon Road. It also widened and lengthened the on and off ramps and added signals. From two lanes the bridge has been expanded to five lanes with turning lanes. Sidewalks and fencing were added, with landscaping planned for the near future.
The City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), and Caltrans worked closely together on the project that cost $20 million of which $9.7 million came from the Transportation Congestion Relief Program, and $10.3 million from the City of Yucaipa and Measure I. The city has an agreement with SANBAG to be reimbursed as Measure I funds become available in future years, Riddle said.
Third District Supervisor Neil Derry said that the bridge provides a welcome relief for Yucaipa residents.
"For those people that frequently travel here and who have had to exit and enter on this interchange through the years, I don't think I have to point out to them the congestion relief and safety enhancements this bridge has to offer."
Lou Amendola uses either the Yucaipa Boulevard Bridge or the Live Oak Canyon Bridge on and off ramps to leave or return to his Yucaipa home. He envisions commuters having a much easier time with two travel options now available.
"To get on the freeway at 7:30 in the morning is a nightmare," Amendola said. "This is awesome because it will even out the flow of traffic between the Live Oak Canyon and Yucaipa Boulevard bridges."
Senior, Jessica English pitched one of her finest games of the softball season in holding Upland to three hits, along with nine strikeouts, and no walks in the Thunderbirds 2-0 victory, Tuesday, at Upland. The win raises English's record to 12-5.
File Photo / Bob Otto
By Clay Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2009 11:38:41 PM PDT
UPLAND - Despite the box score semantics, Yucaipa High School's softball team earned a trip to the CIF-SS Division II quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon.
Two unearned runs in the top of the first inning represented the only scoring in the Thunderbirds' 2-0 second-round victory over Upland that propelled Yucaipa to a quarterfinal meeting with the winner of No. 1 seed Vista Murrieta and Moreno Valley Valley View.
Yucaipa (23-8), the second-place team in the Citrus Belt League, took advantage of Upland fielding errors on the second and fourth batters of the game. Pitcher Jessica English took it from there.
The senior scattered five hits over seven shutout innings, squashing threats in the fifth and sixth innings to knock out an Upland team that finished second in the Baseline League to No. 2 seed Etiwanda.
"It's a bad way to lose," Upland coach Bubba DeJournett said. "But we can't say much because we didn't score either."
Contact: Cristina DaValle
Marketing Specialist
(951) 675-5816
cdavalle@gssgc.org.
REDLANDS, CALIF.; - Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council invites all girls in grades two through six to attend artistic camps in Idyllwild, California this summer.
Camp A.T. offers various styles of artistic camps, including ARTrageous and Gourmet Chef.
ARTrageous Campers will try painting, sculpting, jewelry making, fashion design, photography, cultural arts and crafts and/or drama. Whatever your interest or talent may be, you'll find it at Camp A.T. ARTrageous participants will also put on an art show for fellow campers!
News Release:
YUCAIPA, CA - The I-10 Fwy/Live Oak Canyon Road Interchange bridge will be officially dedicated on Thursday, May 28, at 10 am. The interchange is located in Yucaipa, just east of the Yucaipa Blvd. Interchange.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will take place at the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) field office parking lot on the south side of the freeway by the Live Oak Canyon bridge.
Plans for the project originated in 1995, followed by a project study report, environmental and design studies, and funding plans. Progress was put on hold when the State Transportation Congestion Relief Program funds were suspended from 2002 to 2005.
News Release:
By Cheryl Oliver
Community Services Supervisor
City of Yucaipa
coliver@yucaipa.org
YUCAIPA - For a refreshing swim join us at the City of Yucaipa 7th Street Pool located at 12385 7th Street. The pool will be open to the public June 13 through August 16th Pool hours are Sat. and Sun. 1-6 p.m., Mon. through Thurs. 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. and Fridays 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Fees for open swim are 17 years and under $2.00, 18-54 years $2.50 and 55 years plus $2.00. For additional information please call 790-7460 ext. 24 or you may call the swimming pool at 797-3280 beginning June 13th
Swimming Lessons
The City of Yucaipa offers a "Learn to Swim Program" throughout the summer months at the 7th Street Pool. Each swim session offers (8) lessons Mon. through Thurs. for 30 minutes each day. Morning and afternoon classes are available. Cost per session is $40.00 per participant.
- Session dates are as follows:
- Session I, June 15 - June 25.
- Session II, June 29 - July 9.
- Session III, July13 - July 23.
- Session IV, July 27 - August 6.
- Session V, August 10 - August 14 (1) week mini course $20.
NEWS RELEASE:
By Cheryl Oliver
Community Services Supervisor
City of Yucaipa
coliver@yucaipa.org
YUCAIPA - Two summer camps presented by the City of Yucaipa Community Services Department will be available during the summer months. The Community Center camp is located at 34900 Oak Glen Road and the 7th Street Camp is located at 33994 Avenue "E".
Both camps are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The camps are designed for children in kindergarten through the sixth grade. Camp will open on Thursday, June 11th and run through August 14th. Full day and half-day programs are available.
Swimming will be available at both the Community Center and h7t Street campsites, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor sports programs, movies, field trips and more will be offered.
Camp fees are $18.00 per day for full day service and $12.00 per day for Half-day service (6) hours or less. All camps require pre-registration and pre-payment. Space is limited.
To register now visit the Community Center between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. To register after June 10th register at the camp you choose to attend.
For additional information call 790-7460 ext. 24.
Photo: CHC Classified of the Year -- The Crafton Hills College (CHC) 2008-2009 Classified Employees of the Year are, left to right, Custodian Minerva Carrillo, Reading Instructional Assessment Technician Janet Burnham, and Student Life Secretary Michelle Cole. Classified staff is the support staff for faculty and administrators. Each year, classified employees are recognized for outstanding service to the college. CHC's classified staff selected Carrillo for her award, and CHC's faculty selected Burnham and Cole for their awards.
Patrick Fite,
Public Information
(909) 389-3333
The Crafton Hills College (CHC) 2008-2009 Classified Employees of the Year are Custodian Minerva Carrillo, Reading Instructional Assessment Technician Janet Burnham, and Student Life Secretary Michelle Cole.
Classified staff is the support staff for faculty and administrators. Each year, classified employees are recognized for outstanding service to the college. CHC's classified staff selected Carrillo for her award, and CHC's faculty selected Burnham and Cole for their awards.
Carrillo, who has been working for the college for more than a year, was deeply appreciative that her peers recognized her for the Classified of the Year award.
"I share this award with everyone," she said. "This is a nice campus. The teachers, staff, and students are always nice, and they really like what I do."
Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - See the Yucaipa Thunderbirds and Cypress Centurions baseball teams in action during the second round of CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs, Tuesday, at Thompson Field in Yucaipa.
YUCAIPA - For most Thunderbirds games, Yucaipa Head Coach Jeff Stout keeps Matt Davidson patrolling third base. But if the pitching falters, Stout points his big 6-foot-4 right hander toward the mound.
And that scenario played out on Tuesday in the Thunderbirds, 10-4, victory over the visiting Cypress Centurions (19-10) in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs at Thompson Field.
Davidson made the trek from third to the pitchers mound in the top of the fourth inning in relief of starter Pedro Cota with no outs and runners on first and second. And Yucaipa clinging to a 3-2 lead. Davidson pitched out of the jam yielding but one run, and went on to finish the game allowing 1 earned run, 4 hits, 1 walk, along with 2 strikeouts.
And not to forget his bat in the #3 spot, Davidson (2-for-2) hit a monster three-run home run deep over the left-center field fence in the sixth inning to give the Thunderbirds their final three runs.
So how did Davidson who was a starting pitcher since his freshman year in 2004-'05 (10-1, 0.76 ERA, 60 strikeouts in 64.2 innings), and the Citrus Belt League's Most Valuable Player, become the team's closer in his senior season?
By simply being asked.
Fallen heroes absent but not forgotten on this sacred day for veterans
YUCAIPA - Thomas Arredondo stood back soaking in the scene before him. He watched as people strolled among the hundreds of graves adorned with small American flags marking the permanent resting place of Calimesa and Yucaipa veterans who fought and died in service to their country.
The former Infantryman of the Army's First Infantry Division served in Vietnam from February 1967 to February 1968. He was one of the fortunate ones to come home alive, he said.
On Monday Arredondo paid his respects to those who didn't come home alive. He was one of about 500 who attended the Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Calimesa.
"I come every year to remember and honor the men who died and didn't come home," said Arredondo of Mentone. "I had an uncle who was killed in Korea. He was only 18. I lost four or five of my friends and my bunker buddy was killed by either shrapnel or a bullet. I never want to forget them."
CALIMESA - Isaac Kim stood on the fertile ground of the 4.7 acres of land on south Avenue L that the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church owns. The land lies unused, but in the near future, he envisions this patch of yellow stubble being transformed into a flourishing vegetable and herb garden in which the entire community can partake of its bounty.
As the Acting Senior Pastor of the church, Kim says that the church is pleased to offer part of the land for a useful and much-needed community project in Calimesa - a community garden.
"We are excited about this," Kim said. "This is all part of neighbors wanting to be good neighbors. This is what a church should be doing in a community. This is a wonderful bonding and sharing with our neighbors."
News Release
By Lori Valdepena
Yucaipa Senior Center
Cup O Joe Coffee Club
Monica Crow, with InterValley Health Plan will be at the Cup O Joe Coffee Club meeting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, May 29th. She will be giving important tips on driver safety and mobility for older adults. Sign up at the Senior Center office.
Loma Linda University East Campus Hospital Presents a Community Education Series at the Yucaipa Senior Center
David Swope, MD, will speak about movement disorders, diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical treatment options at the meeting on Thursday, May 28th, from 10:30 - 11:30 am. Refreshments will be served.
Call the Senior Center to sign up. Future meetings will feature Memory Disorders, Joint Replacement, and Acute Stroke. Dates and times will be announced.
Free Movies on Fridays
Free movies on Fridays are back in swing thanks to the addition of a new flat-screen TV at Yucaipa Senior Center. Join us at 1:00 pm. for the movie and free popcorn!
Contact: Margo Martin
Phone: 797-1177
Yucaipa Senior Center Events
12202 First St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
News Release
By Courtney Taylor
Image Up Advertising
(909) 797-3647
Email Address: imageup1@verizon.net
Website URL: yucaipalittletheatre.com
YUCAIPA - Auditions for the beloved musical, "Oliver!", the stage version of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, will be held June 1 and 2, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Yucaipa Little Theater, 12135 California Street, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
Oliver! is the timeless story of a plucky young orphan and his quest for love and happiness in a world populated by rascals, rogues and thieves. Some well-known songs featured include "Consider Yourself," "Where is Love?" and "I'd Do Anything."
Parts for the show range from young actors 7 years of age and older, as well as several male and female adult roles. Please come to the audition prepared to sing a cappella musical selection of your choice.
Oliver! will run on the Yucaipa Little Theatre stage from July 23 to August 9.
For more information, contact director Emmanuel Suarez by calling the theatre at (909)790-1884. The theatre's website is www.yucaipalittletheatre.com.
Click Here For Yucaipa Little Theater Website
Yucaipa Little Theater
12135 California St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399.
PHONE: (909) 790-1884
FAX: 909-797-3645
Set Free Church to host annual Car & Bike show on June 20th
YUCAIPA - From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music, raffles, plenty of vendors and food at Set Free Church. This event is free to the public. All Bikes, Hot Rods, Classic Cars and Custom rides are invited to show off there stuff.
Trophies will be presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, and also there will be trophy's for Pastor's pick & more. Registration is just $25.00 at the door or you can register online for only $20.00 at www.setfreerocks.com.
By Diane Mierzwik
Director
The Writers' Gallery
YUCAIPA - Make your book dreams a reality. On Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., award winning author Catherine Feher-Elston, of Penguin Books, will explain how to put pen to paper, how to research books and book markets, how to find an agent, how to negotiate contracts and how to promote books.
Included in the seminar are comparisions of self publishing and traditional publishing, and the importance of market research. An introduction to intellectual property rights and publishing law is included.
News Release
By Anne Dorsey
YVAA Publicist
YUCAIPA - The Yucaipa Valley Art Association will meet on Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at Scherer Community Center, 12202 First Street.
Lisa Stroud will be the guest demonstrator. She plans to present different art supplies from the shop at her university.
Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the refreshments,vote for the monthly show winners and participate in the opportunity drawing.
Also, the art assoc. is holding a big yard Sale, Friday, June 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vision Quest, 35136 Ave. A, at California Street. Please plan to attend.
If anyone has any questions re the art association please call Bob Norris at (909)790-7109.
Gunnery Sergeant, Robert L. Sproul, a Marine's Marine
YUCAIPA - Every so often I reach up to the top shelf of my bookcase and pull out my graduation book. There were 72 of us in Platoon 1061 of the First Battalion. The pages are filled with pictures of smoothed faced men - boys really, ages 18, 19, 20 some as old as 23.
The pages show pictures of us climbing ropes, jumping across water ponds suspended in midair with our M16 rifles thrust out in front of us, on the parade deck marching to the deep-throated commands of a drill instructor, standing at attention during inspection, and on Sunday afternoon's off, writing letters home to our moms.
Platoon 1061 was all gung ho in boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in the summer of 1967. We felt destined to go to "Nam" and win the war against communism.
And we wanted Gunnery Sergeant Robert L. Sproul to lead us.
Veterans hope public will take time to pay respects
By Diana Sholley, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 05:59:30 PM PDT
(An excerpt from Diana Sholley's terrific feature story, "Day to remember," that appeared in the SUN's Perspectives section today.)
YUCAIPA - As Gary Martin prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, he wonders how many of his fellow Americans will also take the time to honor the holiday. Will they host a backyard barbecue? Enjoy a day at the beach? Water ski on the river or take a long weekend getaway?
All great ways to spend free time. In the midst of sun, surf and summertime snacks, Martin hopes everyone who enjoys the freedom to celebrate however they choose can find some time to pay respects to the men and woman who provided all those possibilities.
"People seem to have lost focus on what Memorial Day is all about," said Martin, commander of the Yucaipa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7347. "I have strong feelings about veterans, especially those who have paid the ultimate price. With all our country's trials and tribulations, there's no one in the world that enjoys the freedoms we do."
Giving people an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, the Yucaipa VFW Post 7347 has joined with the Yucaipa American Legion Post 426 to host an hour-long ceremony at Desert Lawn Cemetery.
Today volunteers will be out at Desert Lawn adorning the graves with American flags.
The event will include speakers, a rifle salute, flyover, taps and a roll call of all the Yucaipa and Calimesa residents who gave their lives after answering the call. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Attendance by Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell and Calimesa Mayor Jim Hyatt, along with one of the guest speakers, Calimesa Councilmember, Ray Quinto, are also expected.
For the past few years the Yucaipa's VFW and American Legion have joined for combined celebrations on Veterans and Memorial Day. Martin was saddened by last year's Veterans Day turnout at Yucaipa Regional Park.
"We probably had less than 150 people there," said Martin, 64, who served 10 years in the Marines and 10 years in the Army. "Within 100 yards or so of our celebration there were three pavilions filled with people having huge barbecues."
Through extensive planning and getting the word out, Martin hopes to revitalize the holiday, its true meaning and a sense of gratitude.
"Have a barbecue, go to a picnic; most Memorial Day events only last about an hour," he said. "Is it too much to ask to spend one hour a year to pay homage to a veteran that gave his life for your freedom?"
Monday's Memorial Day Commemoration at Desert Lawn will start at 10 a.m. and last for about an hour.
Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, CA 92323
(909) 795-2451
www.caringfuneralservice.com
Take time to read Diana's entire story by clicking on this link: Day To Remember
CALIMESA - They came because they care. They came because they are grateful. They came in reverence for those who served, fought, and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
About 50 volunteers carrying armfuls of small American flags searched among the hundreds of grave markers on the vast green lawn of Desert Lawn Funeral Cemetery on Sunday.
These patriotic volunteers - veterans from the Yucaipa American Legion Post 426 and VFW Post 7347, Highland Boy Scouts Troop 19, and the Yucaipa Cub Scouts Pack 4 - searched for a very revered group of Americans resting for all eternity at Desert Lawn:
Americans who had served, fought, and died for their country - the United States military men and women of the Air Force, the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Marine Corps.
When a flag bearer found a grave marker with the name of veteran on it, a flag was placed in the ground next to the marker. And when the final flag was placed, the cemetery was filled with over 300 flags waving softly in a silent breeze.
For 12-year-old Christian Lucas of Troop 19, this was his first time paying such an honor to America's veterans. "We need to recognize everyone who served and died for our country," Christian said.
The flag placing ceremony precedes the Memorial Day Commemoration, which will be held at Desert Lawn on Monday. Sherrie Hyman of Yucaipa wore her black POW MIA T-shirt inscribed on the back with, "You Are Not Forgotten."
Her arms were filled with flags as she stepped gingerly and respectfully among the hundreds of grave markers in search of those inscribed with the names of veterans.
Hyman, along with her fiance Howard Parkin a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, adorned grave sites with flags for about an hour - at one small grave marker after another - such as that of Lester L. Lundorf. His marker read, Y2 US Navy, World War II, 1915 - 2005. Or that of Artys Ruth Brown, 2nd Lt. US Army, Korea, Nov. 9, 1919 - July 2, 2007.
"My dad John Hyman was in the Navy and served in World War II," Hyman said. "It means a lot for me to be here today to honor my dad and all of the veterans. Because of them we live in peace and in a free country."
Memorial Day Commemoration will begin at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day at Desert Lawn. There is plenty of seating and parking and the event will last for about an hour.
Desert Lawn Funeral and Cemetery
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, CA 92320
(909) 795-2451
www.caringfuneralservice.com.
YUCAIPA - We can rest easy. The protest filed by Crescenta Valley coach Frank Torres claiming that Yucaipa catcher Cody Meservey didn't leave the premises promptly after having been ejected in the top of the second inning has been rejected by the CIF Southern Section.
Read SUN sports reporter TJ Berka's entire story about the incident that had Yucaipa baseball fans fearful that the Thunderbirds would be disqualified from the Div. II playoffs...
Click here to read TJ Berka's blog about Yucaipa's continuation in the Playoffs
YUCAIPA - 12-year-old Addie Miller's eyes widened in dread of the thought. If she had lived in the Renaissance Period from about 1450 to 1600, in another year or too she'd be someone's wife.
"I wouldn't want to get married that young, that wouldn't be any fun," said Addie. "I know I wouldn't have liked living back then."
Back then people were fortunate to live into their 40s, which meant that married life had to begin much sooner - at about age 13 and 14, and sometimes as young as 12.
But the Renaissance Period was also, "an age of enlightenment when art, music and drama, and science flourished," said 22-year dance and physical education teacher, Gayle Timilione. "It was a wonderful period of time."
By J.P. Hoornstra / Staff Writer
YUCAIPA - They made even a CIF-SS playoff game look like batting practice - as they always do - by scoring 15 runs on 16 hits and nearly blowing Crescenta Valley out of the Inland Empire.
But the Yucaipa baseball team might be derailed by something that didn't make the box score in its 15-7 win Thursday. Catcher Cody Meservey was ejected in the second inning but didn't immediately leave Thompson field. That drew a protest from Falcons coach Phil Torres that will be reviewed by the Southern Section.
If the protest is upheld, the Thunderbirds would have to forfeit the game and any hopes of winning a division title.
"We're the fourth-ranked team in the country, No. 1 in the state, we've never had problems before," Yucaipa coach Jeff Stout said. "I hope CIF shows compassion toward us."
YUCAIPA - The rising cost of gas and the dismal economy have many people in a thrifty frame of mind. And those two factors could keep holiday travelers closer to home this Memorial Day weekend.
As a result, Yucaipa Regional Park expects to be a busy recreational destination for thousands of people Friday through Monday of the opening weekend of the park and its popular swim area and waterslide.
"I believe the park will be busy because we are seeing a lot more people staying local because of the economy," said Park Superintendent Bert Angeli. But Angeli says he and his crew are ready for the onslaught.
YUCAIPA - Slower pitchers tend to give the Lady Thunderbird hitters trouble. And for five innings, right-hander Katherine Flores of the El Rancho Dons of Pico Rivera (13-13) had Yucaipa out in front of her slow drop and change up, but in the sixth the slow stuff didn't fool Yucaipa anymore and they erupted for four runs to defeat the Dons, 6-3, in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs at home on Thursday.
"The off speed slower pitches kill us," said Yucaipa Head Coach, Dave Kivett. "They have a hard time sitting back and waiting for the ball to get in their zone, but they made the adjustment and stayed within themselves and then we started hitting the ball."
Yucaipa (22-8) held a slim, 2-1, lead heading into the sixth - on the strength of shortstop Megan Allen's bat. The #4 four hitter in the lineup gave Yucaipa a 1-0 lead in the first inning by lacing a single to center-field to score Shelby Vanderwall, who led off the inning with a double. And then in the fifth her rocket into the shortstop-third base hole chased home Vanderwall again with the second run.
Yucaipa held on to that slim 2-1 advantage thanks to the solid pitching of Jessica English. The senior right-hander with an explosive rise ball came on in the third to relieve starter Tracy Hampton with two outs and El Rancho threatening with runners on first and third.
But English blew away Kristina Hernandez with a letter-high inside riser to escape the inning.
"Their pitcher (English) did a great job and had us swinging under her rise ball," said El Rancho Head Coach, Stephanie Senteno-Tapia. "Our biggest problem was we left too many on base when we had the chance to take the lead. "
Contact: Patrick Fite,
Public Information
(909) 389-3333
YUCAIPA - It was a proud night for 164 Crafton Hills College (CHC) students, who were recently recognized for outstanding achievement during CHC's Honors Celebration, the college's annual event for distributing scholarships and recognizing community service.
Family, friends, faculty, and fellow students attended the event to watch and support the college's top students as they received their respective honors.
In addition to being awarded scholarships, students were recognized for such achievements as earning high grade point averages, serving as student leaders in the Associated Student Government (ASG), participating in the CHC community service oriented club Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS), being recognized in "Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges," earning high grade point averages (Honors) and earning Medals of Distinction for extraordinary service to the college and for academic distinction.
CHC President Gloria Macias Harrison congratulated the students and told them that their accomplishments were a reflection of their success up to this point in their lives.
"Honorees, we congratulate you on your perseverance and accomplishments," Harrison said. "We are proud of the many students who have attended this fine institution and who have gone on to become successful in their chosen careers."
Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District Reporter
msturman@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
(951) 845-7441
Check out the Beaumont Unified School District Website
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
BEAUMONT, CA - San Gorgonio Middle School has scheduled its Second Annual San Gorgonio Fine Arts Festival for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 29 on the campus at 1591 Cherry Ave. in Beaumont.
The free event will have a Hawaiian theme and will feature music by the San Gorgonio Middle School band and others, dancers and student artwork. Traditional Hawaiian foods will be available, including shish kabobs, rice, fruit salad and deserts, which will be on sale for $5 and under.
Last year, several hundred people brought blankets and beach chairs to enjoy the festivities on the school's lawn.
For more information call San Gorgonio Middle School, 769-4391.
Dr. Barry Kayrell, Superintendent
(951) 845-1631 (Ext. 309)
bkayrell@beaumontusd.k.12.ca.us
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us/home.htm
Story and photos by Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District
BEAUMONT - Aurora Perry, Principal of Three Rings Ranch Elementary School in Beaumont, took two pies in the face to reward Kindergarten students for raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
The school raised $2,000. Students in Mrs. Robin Loufek's and Anna Hughes' classes collected the most pennies. Selected to pie the principal were Vincent Vogen and Amy Pierce, who agreed that covering Perry's face with whipped cream was "fun."
Dr. Barry Kayrell, Superintendent
(951) 845-1631 (Ext. 309)
bkayrell@beaumontusd.k.12.ca.us
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us/home.htm
Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann will be the keynote speaker.
Courtesy Photo
YUCAIPA - Crafton Hills College Commencement ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m.
· Total number of graduates 308 (Approximately 200 participating in ceremony)
· Average GPA 3.131
· Average age 25.96
· Oldest graduate 57
· Youngest 18
· 5 Veteran grads
· 123 Males
· 178 Females
· 2 Unknown/Unreported
Keynote speaker will be Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann, who is a graduate of the CHC class of 1977. Bueerman majored in administration of justice and minored in Spanish at CHC.
After CHC, Bueermann's educational accomplishments included completing the
Police Academy at Rio Hondo College in 1979. Next, he completed a duel major in criminal justice and sociology at California State University, San Bernardino, where he earned his Bachelor in Science Degree in 1980.
In 1987, he earned a Master's Degree in Business at the University of Redlands. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1987 and the California Command College in 1998.
CALIMESA / YUCAIPA - The Memorial Day 2009 Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 25 to commemorate the Yucaipa Valley men and women who died while in military service.
The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. until about noon at Desert Lawn Cemetery. Veterans from the American Legion Post 426 will pay tribute along with the VFW Post 7347 firing squad and honor guard. The Yucaipa High School Air Force JROTC Honor Guard will post the Colors. And the Sanctuary Choir, a 30 member group from Yucaipa Baptist Church, the United Methodist Church of Yucaipa, and the Bryant Street Baptist Church will perform.
There will also be a Laying of the Wreath Ceremony, a Fly Over, and local and state dignitaries will speak in honor of our fallen heroes.
Desert Lawn Cemetery is located off the Interstate 10 Freeway east of Calimesa.
Desert Lawn Funeral Home
and Memorial Park
11251 Desert Lawn Drive
Calimesa, California 92320
Main (909)795-2451
BEAUMONT - The Beaumont Cougars and Barstow Aztecs softball teams met in a wild card CIF Southern Section Division V Playoffs game. See the teams in action.
Hannah Ulibarri celebrates the Barstow Aztecs, 5-4, victory over the Beaumont Cougars in a CIF Southern Section Division V Wild Card game at Beaumont on Tuesday.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
BEAUMONT - When they needed her to reach deep and throw her best pitches, Hannah Ulibarri responded like a senior veteran softball pitcher.
Except for one thing - she's not a senior, and she's not a veteran - at least in terms of years of high school pitching experience.
Ulibarri, just a 15-year-old freshman, pitched seven strong innings in leading the Barstow Aztecs to a 5-4 victory over the Beaumont Cougars in the wild card round of the CIF Southern Section Division V Playoffs at Beaumont High School on Tuesday.
With her teammates supporting her with a 4-0 lead, Ulibarri carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and was working on a one-hitter into the sixth, when the Beaumont bats suddenly came to life and erupted for four hits to even the score at 4-4.
Beaumont appeared to seize the momentum, but a fielding error and errant throw allowed Barstow to retake the lead for good in the top of the seventh.
Now the pressure fell on Ulibarri. Could she hold Beaumont - which had gotten to her in the sixth - and get three more outs and nail down the win? Two fly ball outs and a game-ending strikeout answered that question.
"She has been battling like that all year," said Barstow Head Coach, Daron Banks. "In the sixth, she started getting her pitches high and missing a little, but she was able to pull herself up and she battled back in the seventh with good pitches and by hitting her spots."
Ellery Buck, left, and Garrett Barham try and block a shot during Yucaipa's CIF Playoffs game with Montebello on Tuesday.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - See the Yucaipa Thunderbirds in action in their match with the Montebello Oilers in the CIF Southern Section Division IV Playoffs on Tuesday.
YUCAIPA - The Thunderbirds boys volleyball team ran into a couple of big roadblocks, by the names of Rene Anaya and Hasani Gladney, and those two middle blockers for the Montebello Oilers were big factors in the Oilers three-game victory over Yucaipa in CIF Southern Section Division IV Playoffs Tuesday at Yucaipa High School.
Montebello (17-6, 9-1 Almont League, #2 seed) swept Yucaipa 25-15, 25-22, 26-24, to knock the Thunderbirds out of the playoffs and end their season with 15-4 record.
"Hasani (Gladney, 15 kills) is the MVP of our league and he and Anaya (12 kills) played well tonight," said Montebello coach, Greg Ng. "I thought if we kept up our intensity tonight and played defense and played smart that we would win."
Yucaipa Head Coach, Gail Diliberto acknowledged that Montebello has talent, but she added that the Thunderbirds simply did not have a good night.
CALIMESA - The Calimesa Community Garden committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, May 21 at 5:30 at Morgan's Creek Nursery.
To date, the committed has fundraised over $2,000 to pay for a water meter that must be installed at the community garden located on Avenue L between Third and Fourth streets, said Dennis Morgan, who has helped organize the drive for a community garden.
The Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church has generously donated the land for the community garden to use.
However, before the first seeds and plants can enter the ground, the garden committee must raise $8,000 to pay for the cost of the meter assessed by the South Coast Mesa Water Company.
And on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 a.m., the Calimesa Community Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held at the garden located on Avenue L between Third and Fourth streets in Calimesa on the lot directly across from the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church.
For more information, call Dennis Morgan at (909) 795-2049 and also visit the following websites to learn more about the community garden.
Morgan's Creek Nursery
381 W. County Line Rd.
Calimesa, CA 92320
(909) 795-2049
News Release:
By Liz Davila
Set Free Church Yucaipa
Event Resource Director
(909) 446-0033
YUCAIPA - Set Free Church in Yucaipa is presenting its 16th Anniversary Party and Annual Car & Bike Show on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All car and motorcycle clubs, as well individual enthusiasts are welcome to enter their vehicle and bike in the show by registering at the Set Free website. Or on the day of the event. Registration is $20.00 Online and $25 on event day and includes a Commemorative T-shirt and Goodie Bucket.
Five bands will perform, including The Royal Blues, Draweth Nigh, Set Free Berdoo, Set Free Riverside, and Set Free Yucaipa.
The event is free to attend and children will have plenty of fun activities including face painting, balloon animals, a bounce house, and of course plenty of food for everyone provided by several vendors.
There will also be raffle prizes, and a 50/50 drawing. Proceeds to benefit Set Free Women and Children's home.
To be a vendor call Angel at (909) 446-0033 or email suzi@setfreerocks.com no later than June 1, 2009.
Set Free Church
13700 Calimesa Boulevard
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 528-0782
(Off the 10 freeway at County Line Road exit)
For more information and to register on line visit:
Click Here For Set Free Website
Karissa Phillips, a sixth-grader from Mountain View Middle School, plays Grasshopper, one of the Fairies in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Photo by Mark Griffith
By Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District Reporter
msturman@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
(951) 845-7441
BEAUMONT, CA - Drama students from Beaumont High School and Mountain View Middle School will join forces to present Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on May 28 and May 30, 2009, at the Fellowship in the Pass Church, 650 Oak Valley Parkway in Beaumont.
This light-hearted tale of sprites, lovers and some intruders will be performed by 31 students from both schools. The show is being directed by Robin Biggs, drama teacher at Mountain View Middle School.
The May 28 performance is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the May 30 performance for 1 p.m. Tickets are $5. For more information, call (951) 237-7900.
Dr. Barry Kayrell, Superintendent
(951) 845-1631 (Ext. 309)
bkayrell@beaumontusd.k.12.ca.us
http://www.beaumontusd.k12.ca.us/home.htm
YUCAIPA - At the March 11 City Council meeting it was brought up that the State Department of Finance suggested to governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that the state can take from the counties and cities up to 8 percent of the property tax that the two entities collect to help the state with its current budget deficit.
Mayor Dick Riddell said, "Twice within 10 years they can raid the city. They are supposed to pay it back within three years with interest. Our principal source of income is property tax and it would hurt us quite significantly if we lost 8 percent of it."
YUCAIPA - The Thunderbirds boys volleyball team hosts Montebello Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV Playoffs.
Both teams swept aside their first-round opponents by 3-1 scores, and come into the match as the #1 teams from their leagues.
Yucaipa won the Citrus Belt League with a 12-2 record, 15-3 overall, while the Montebello Oilers claimed the Almont League championship with a 9-1 record, 16-6 overall.
Yucaipa met Ganesha in the first round on Friday and the match proved a thriller with Yucaipa prevailing 26-24, 25-19, 24-26, and 26-24.
What: Yucaipa Thunderbirds meet Montebello in the second round of CIF Playoffs.
When: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where: Yucaipa High School.
YUCAIPA - The #1 seed Yucaipa Thunderbirds (25-2 overall, 13-1 Citrus Belt League Champions) representing the Citrus Belt League drew a home game on Thursday in the CIF Southern Section Division II Baseball Playoffs against the winner of the wild card game between Righetti and Crescenta Valley on Tuesday.
Righetti (13-13 overall, 10-8 league) of Santa Maria plays in the Pac-7 league where the Warriors finished in fourth place. Crescenta Valley of La Cresenta competes in the Pacific League where the Falcons placed third with a 9-5 record, 16-9 overall.
Game time is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Thompson Field, Home of the Thunderbirds.
YUCAIPA - The Lady Thunderbirds softball team drew a first round home game on Thursday in the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs against the El Rancho Dons of Pico Rivera, the second place team out of the six-team Del Rio League. The Dons finished 8-2 in league, 13-12 overall.
A look at El Rancho's record reveals the Dons started the season slow with a 1-8 record, but came on strong at the end with an 11-2 record. The Dons are led by freshman pitcher Katherine Flores who has a 9-3 record with a 1.39 ERA.
Yucaipa comes into the playoffs with a 21-3 record overall, 11-3 in the Citrus Belt League where they finished second behind Redlands. The Lady T-Birds are led by senior pitchers Jessica English (10-5 record, 1.88 ERA, 134 strikeouts in 104 innings) and Tracy Hampton (10-3 record, 2.16 ERA, 75 strikeouts in 81 innings).
In the hitting department, Megan Allen was one of the Citrus Belt League's dominant players with a .444 batting average (#3) and 33 RBI's (#1) along with Ali Reykdal at .387 BA, and 20 RBI's; Katie Olinger, .332 BA, and 16 RBI's; and Payton Wood, .346 BA, 13 RBI's.
Game time is 3:15 p.m. at the Yucaipa High School softball field.
Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District Reporter
msturman@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
(951) 845-7441
BEAUMONT, CA - The Beaumont Unified School District Board of Trustees, at its May12, 2009 meeting, considered alternatives to the District's before- and after-school programs for the 2009-2010 school year.
In the interest of cost savings, the District is considering ending its Connections program and instead offering parents the option of using services provided by the City of Beaumont or the Boys and Girls Club of the San Gorgonio Pass.
Courtesy Photo
The faculty at Crafton Hills College (CHC) is proud to announce the selection of English Professor Mark Snowhite and Spanish Associate Professor Jeff Schmidt as full time Professors of the Year, and English Associate Professor Jason Loan as the 2008-2009 part-time Professor of the Year.
By Patrick Fite,
Public Information
(909) 389-3333
YUCAIPA - Crafton Hills College faculty select the Professors of the Year based on their contributions to the college community, effectiveness as instructors, and service to students.
"I feel honored beyond what any words can express," Snowhite said. "My peers are dedicated, thoughtful people who are experts in their disciplines and insightful in their knowledge about education. To be recognized by such a group is truly overwhelming."
Snowhite, who will be retiring this summer after teaching at CHC for more than 28 years and at San Bernardino Valley College for 13 years, is proud to have had a career in education.
"Learning improves people's lives," he said. "It's incredibly gratifying to see students progress in their abilities to master skills and develop an appreciation of learning."
Courtesy Photo
Yucaipa boy scout, Niles Nimmo, 15, received the Boy Scout Honor Medal for rescuing his mother, Lisa Nimmo after a watercraft accident. Left is Scout Master Philip Abbott, and far right is Allan Nimmo, Niles' dad, and Lisa's husband.
YUCAIPA - Niles Hunter Nimmo, 15, was awarded the Boy Scouts' highest medal for saving his mother's life after a boating accident on the Colorado River on June 22, 2008 during a family outing. Niles is a member of the Yucaipa Boy Scouts, Troop Nine.
Lisa Nimmo and Niles were riding their Sea-Doo watercraft doing maneuvers on the river with Lisa riding ahead of Niles, said father and husband Allan Nimmo.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
"Impeached: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacy" by David O. Stewart
"Intent to Kill" By James Grippando
"Cold Light of Mourning" By Elizabeth J. Duncan
"Digital Barbarism: A Writers Manifesto" By Mark Helprin
"Paul Newman: A Life" By Shawn Levy
"40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation" By James Carville
Music
"Still Unforgettable" By Natalie Cole
Summer Reading Program
That time of year is fast approaching. Pre-registration begins on Tuesday June 15th, with our kick off program on Friday June 19th at 3PM. Joins us on that day for a concert and party with Hullabaloo!!!
FACEBOOK
The Calimesa Public Library is now on facebook. Become a fan of our site to follow events and happenings at the Calimesa Public Library. Interact with the Library on a whole new level.
"Par for Paws" is back - join in the fun to support local animal shelter
YUCAIPA - Mark your calendars for Yucaipa Animal Placement's Golf for the Animals to be held on July 24th at the Yucaipa Valley Golf Course. Check in is at 7a.m. with the tee time set for 8a.m.
There will be a putting contest and various prizes given throughout the day for a hole in one and more! Also in the works, an opportunity drawing and a silent auction by Jay Johnston, former Los Angeles Dodger, featuring all types of sport memorabilia.
Steve Shaffer Board Member of YAPS and is also Chairman of the event stated: "This promise's to be the biggest and best ever tournament to support our local shelter."
No Such Thing As A Free Ride
A farmer and his wife went to a fair. The farmer, who had never been on an airplane, was fascinated by a stunt plane and asked the pilot how much a ride would cost.
"$20 for three minutes." the pilot said.
"That's too much." said the farmer.
The pilot thought for a second and then said, "I'll make you a deal. If you and your wife ride for three minutes without uttering a sound, the ride will be free. But if you make any sound at all, you'll have to pay me the $20."
The farmer and his wife agreed and went for a thrilling ride. After they landed, the pilot said to the farmer, "I want to congratulate you for not making a sound. You are a brave man."
"Maybe so," said the farmer, "but I gotta tell ya, I almost screamed when my wife fell out."
YUCAIPA - Casey becomes the 44th person who has commented on the blog I posted on July 21, 2008 entitled, "Almost Mauled By A Pit Bull," and Casey also sent along this link to a Sports Illustrated article about Michael Vick's (former NFL quarterback) fighting ring that featured pit bulls. Thanks for sharing Casey.
A quote from the story: What happened to Michael Vick's dogs ...
"In truth these dogs are among the most people-friendly on the planet. It has to be. In an organized dogfight three or four people are in the ring, and the dogs are often pulled apart to rest before resuming combat. (The fight usually ends when one of the dogs refuses to reengage.) When separating two angry, adrenaline-filled animals, the handlers have to be sure the dogs won't turn on them, so over the years dogfighters have either killed or not bred dogs that showed signs of aggression toward humans. 'Of all dogs,' says Dr. Frank McMillan, the director of well-being studies at Best Friends Animal Society, a 33,000-acre sanctuary in southern Utah, 'pit bulls possess the single greatest ability to bond with people.'"
Photos and Press Release
By Doug Earnest
www.inlandsportsphotography.com/
CHINO - Thousands showed up for the first of the two day Chino Planes of Fame Airshow and braved the 100 degree temperature on the runways. It's a fantastic show with all the World War II planes giving all they got. Also there is a group of guys that have spent a considerable amount of money and time to make the toy action soldiers on display look as real as possible.
This is a must see. Visitors can play with all the old guns from the United States military, and Japanese and German armies. The parking is free. Admission is $20 for adults, kids under age 12 are $5, and under 5 are free.
Chino airport is located south of the 60 freeway on Euclid Avenue
Chino Airport
7000 Merrill Ave
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 597-3910
YUCAIPA - Cathy Kenison and Sherry Ford strolled through aisles of tables filled with vases of flowers and plants. The two Redlands women were on their first visit to the Iris Festival Flower Show at the Yucaipa Community Center on Saturday.
"The artistic quality is exceptional," Kenison said. "Everybody who entered has their way of showing their beauty through their work."
When Kenison's admiring eye caught 12-year-old Grace Robertson's arrangement of mini coke bottles with petals of red and white geraniums blossoming out of the top, she rushed over for a closer look.
"How creative," she said to Grace. The future florist said that the idea of using coke bottles as vases came from the old coke machine her dad keeps in his office in their Yucaipa home."
YUCAIPA - The Yucaipa boys' volleyball teams' jerseys bear the name Thunderbirds, of course, but after Friday night's opening round in the playoffs, it might be appropriate to add, "Comeback Kids."
Yucaipa dashed the hopes of victory of the visiting Ganesha Giants (5-5 Miramonte League, 12-6-1 overall) by staging a dramatic comeback in the first game of a four-game set to defeat the Giants, 26-24, 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, in first-round play of the CIF Southern Section Division IV Playoffs.
Yucaipa (15-3, 12-2 Citrus Belt League champion and #1 seed) fell behind from the get-go with Ganesha jumping out to 6-2, 16-9, and 23-18 leads. But in the final stage of the game the Thunderbirds staged a ferocious comeback fueled by senior outside hitters Garrett Barham (20 kills), Ellery Buck (13 kills), and Casey Garrison (9 kills), along with some game-saving defense.
Barham and Garrison teamed-up to block a Giant's kill attempt and pull the Thunderbirds within, 22-23, then Barham tied the game at 24-24 will a kill, and his block produced the game-winner to pull out an improbable victory.
"Garrett played well tonight, he was really on," said Yucaipa Head Coach, Gail Diliberto. Barham led the way with his 20 kills, 8 ace serves, and 17 digs.
News Release:
By Jim Graves
(949) 719-0588
BANNING - Banning High School raised $1,337 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) School & Youth programs, which includes the Pennies for Patients program and Pasta for Pennies program.
It was one of more than 500 schools in Orange County and the Inland Empire that participated. Other Banning schools that participated include Hemmerling Elementary School, which raised $1,102.
For more information on the School & Youth Programs, or to learn how to register your school, visit www.schoolandyouth.org/ocie, or call (714) 481-5617.
YUCAIPA - Will Wood looks the part and acts the part. He's a living, breathing model of Sir Francis Drake of the Renaissance Period from about 1460 to 1600. The seventh grade students taking part in the Renaissance Faire at Park View Middle School on Thursday were mesmerized by his performance.
"He is great," said seventh grade history teacher Becki Miller, who has coordinated the faire for the past five of the 10 years the school has held the event. "Our next Renaissance unit will be the age of exploration. Sir Francis Drake will be in our unit so when we (study) him they will know about him."
The seventh graders dressed in the attire of kings and queens, princes and princesses, knights and peasants. They moved about to several workshops testing their skill at wheat weaving and face painting. They played a game of Nine Men's Morris and learned about Renaissance weapons and horses.
The 4-H Pass Pioneers American Hoofbeat Drill Team demonstrated jousting as kids watched, wishing they were gallant knights aboard the steeds.
"We're trying to teach them about a knight's life from birth to death, and about Renaissance horses," said Drill Team Leader, Jenny Anderson. "A knight's horse was very expensive and worth about as much as a private jet plane is today."
YUCAIPA - The new Rite Aid and Pharmacy located at 11352 Bryant Street opened at the corner of Bryant Street and Oak Glen Road on Thursday.
The store offers a drive-through pharmacy, food mart, and one hour photo lab with three sit down, self service kiosks to download and order digital prints.
The store's pharmacy also has a personal consultation room and the cash registers have the newest technology, said store manager, Denice Dunson. "Our customers can get in and out faster and more efficiently," she said. "We've had an amazing response and people are happy to have a local store in this area."
Dunson said a grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 from noon to 4 p.m. with free giveaways, raffles, free samples, coffee cups, and magnets. The entertainment will be furnished by the Yucaipa High School jazz band.
The store is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The pharmacy's hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rite Aid and Pharmacy
11352 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-4232
YUCAIPA - The Thunderbirds clinched the 2009 Citrus Belt League Championship with 23-0 victory over the Eisenhower Eagles of Rialto on Thursday at Thompson Field, "Home of the Thunderbirds."
The 2009 title marks the 17th league championship the Thunderbirds have won in Head Coach Jeff Stout's 33 year career at Yucaipa High School. They finished the league season with a 13-1 record, 25-2 overall.
A recap of the Thunderbirds' Citrus Belt League scores:
1. 10-3 victory over Rialto.
2. 9-1 victory over A.B. Miller of Fontana.
3. 10-7 victory over Redlands.
4. 20-1 victory over Fontana.
5. 2-12 loss to Redlands East Valley.
6. 35-1 victory over Eisenhower of Rialto.
7. 13-2 victory over Carter of Rialto.
8. 7-0 victory over Rialto.
9. 9-5 victory over Redlands East Valley.
10. 16-7 victory over Carter.
11. 15-1 victory over A.B. Miller.
12. 16-3 victory over Redlands.
13. 12-1 victory over Fontana.
14. 23-0 victory over Eisenhower.
YUCAIPA - The Iris Festival begins (today) Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m. at Yucaipa Community Park on Oak Glen Road. Activities continue through the weekend.
For more information visit the Iris Festival web site:Click Here For Iris Festival Web Site
News Release:
OAK GLEN - The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri is generously sharing a special gift with the Inland Empire. On May 30th and 31st, Rileys at Los Rios Rancho will host the museum's traveling Laura Ingalls Wilder, Journey of a Pioneer Family exhibit.
Rarely seen outside of Missouri, the exhibit contains photographs and information relating to Mrs. Wilder, her famous Little House books and Americas westward expansion.
The exhibit will be open to the public 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Los Rios Rancho packing shed. Admission and parking is free. Along with the museum exhibit, there will be a pioneer wagon and schoolhouse display, and special horse-drawn wagon rides. Children can try on clothing of the "Little House" period and try their hands at butter churning and other pioneer crafts and games.
The bakery, BBQ, picnic grounds and wildlands trails at Los Rios Rancho will be open both days from 10a.m. - 5 p.m. The bakery will be featuring cider floats and apple hand pies.
For information, call (909) 797-1005 or visit www.losriosrancho.com.
Rose Sanders,
Events and Tours Coordinator
Rileys at Los Rios Rancho
(909) 797-1005
info@losriosrancho.com
YUCAIPA - They took second in 2008, third in '07, another second in '06, and they tied for the league title in 2005. But winning an outright Citrus Belt League baseball championship has been a slippery mountain to climb for the Thunderbirds.
But on Thursday the drought came to an end as Yucaipa overwhelmed the Eisenhower Eagles, 23-0, to claim the undisputed CBL Championship - a championship the Thunderbirds last held in 2003. The win improves Yucaipa's league record to 13-1, 25-2 overall, While Eisenhower finishes its season at 1-13 CBL, 2-19 overall.
"Our goal this year was that we wanted to start off with a league championship," said Jeff Stout, now in his 33rd year as head coach of the Thunderbirds. "We've not won league in the past few years and we've had to play a wildcard round (in CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs), or we've had to play a pretty formidable team early and we've been exiting."
Rummage sale to help support St. Frances X. Cabrini Youth Ministry - donations welcome - public encouraged to attend
News Release:
By Lisa Cox
Coordinator of Community Events
St. Frances X. Cabrini Catholic Church
12687 California St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-2533, ext. 500
lcox@sfxc.org
YUCAIPA - All bargain hunters in the Yucaipa-Calimesa area are invited to a Rummage Sale being held by St. Frances X. Cabrini Church in Yucaipa on the weekend of June 12-14. The sale will take place in Cabrini Hall and hours are 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 12 and 13, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14.
The sale is expected to include such items as clothes, books, electronics, furniture, religious items, toys, tools, and much more.
Anyone in the local community is welcome to donate items for the sale and donations will be accepted at Cabrini Hall beginning June 8 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Proceeds from the Rummage Sale will benefit the activities of the St. Frances X. Cabrini Youth Ministry.
St. Frances X. Cabrini Church and Cabrini Hall are located at 12687 California Street in Yucaipa. For more information, call (909) 797-2533.
Child Safety is one of our community's most important issues, but it is one we tend to take for granted until a tragedy happens.
News Release:
By Tricia Griffith
KlaasKids Media
(801)560-1933
Local Contact:
Carmen Brown
(760)774-0827
YUCAIPA - Yucaipa Valley Christian School District and Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry will host a KlaasKids Print-A-Thon to promote and educate families about child safety and fingerprint and photograph children at no cost.
Each participating child will receive a comprehensive packet of child safety tools. Using state of the art computerized systems that were originally designed for a federal law enforcement agency each child will receive digitized fingerprints, an updated photograph, a DNA Collection Kit developed by the California DNA Laboratory, pro-active child safety tips and a 9-point plan on what to do if your child disappears.
Yucaipa Valley Christian School District, Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and
Marc Klaas (father of Polly Klaas) invite families to a FREE Child Safety Day "Print-A-Thon" Event.
News Release:
YUCAIPA - The City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino Associated Governments, and Caltrans will hold a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony marking the completion of the Interstate 10 / Live Oak Canyon Road Interchange reconstruction project in Yucaipa on Thursday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m.
BANNING - Suicide rates have skyrocketed, divorce among veterans as a result of serving multiple missions in Iraq and Afghanistan has escalated. Vietnam vets are still trying to cope with their war-time horrors, and post-traumatic stress disorder inhibits veterans from re-assimilating back into civilian life.
But there is help for veterans: Vet-FAST (Veterans Fine Art Studies and Training), a program designed to help war veterans cope with combat trauma through fine art studies and training.
The non-profit organization provides an expressive and creative outlet for veterans. Veterans learn to use their right-brain (creative) functions to create works of art that helps them develop more self-confidence and a positive self image.
The program offers:
1. Painting.
2. Sculpting with stone and metal.
3. Mineral mining.
4. Visual arts - documentary film making.
5. Knife making and bladesmithing.
"I haven't forgotten the combat, nor have I been able to keep the memories out of my day-to-day life," said Marty Contreras, who served in the Vietnam War from 1966-'67 with the Army. "But now I deal with them in a positive manner because of Vet-FAST. Don't let our veterans fend for themselves with the trauma of war. If you want to know how severely war changes a young soldier, don't ask the soldier, ask his mother."
For more information call (951) 642-1664.
Vet-FAST
137 San Gorgonio Ave.
Banning, CA 92220
MENTONE - "Autism Awareness...A Musical Benefit" which will be held on June 6th in Mentone. Proceeds will go to the Inland Empire Autism Society.
All of the musical acts involve alumni from Yucaipa High School, residents of Yucaipa and/or individuals with a familial link to an Autistic person. Cheryl Hunter, Kristin Harris and Lauren Harris are the mother and daughter team putting the event together in honor of Cheryl's son Jason who has Autism.
Event: Autism Awarness...A Musical Benefit
What: Several local musical groups with a tie to Yucaipa and Autism will perform along with food, activities, and prize drawings.
Where: Diamond Jim's Opera House (Mill Creek Cattle Company)
1874 Mentone Blvd., Mentone CA
Time: Family events 4pm to 6pm, Music 6pm till closing
Cost: $10 adult $5 children 12 & under (presale) $12 adult $6 under 12 (at the door)
Purpose: Fundraiser for the Inland Empire Autism Society
Contact: Cheryl Hunter autismmusicbenefit@gmail.com
Courtesy Photo
YUCAIPA - Hi there, my name is El Guapo which means beautiful. I am an approximately 1 year old chocolate lab. I love to play in the water; in fact I am convinced that I would make the ultimate swimming companion.
I simply love the outdoors, fetch, walks, it all sounds great to me! An all around fun loving guy, I'm good with people and other dogs. Won't you come and visit me today!
Nicole Laffey
Executive Director
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society
P.O. Box 199
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-1440
BANNING - About a year and a half ago Banning artist Joe Corda had a vision of creating a garden unlike any other in the Pass Area. As a result the Banning Cultural Alliance now has its very own Sculpture and Memorial Garden. Located on the grounds of the Banning Woman's Club, the sculpture garden ties in beautifully with the many artist's shops and galleries nearby in the downtown area.
"There is nothing like the garden in this area," said Carol Kirkwood, Executive Director of the Banning Cultural Alliance, which resides in the Woman's Club. "Joe had the vision for the garden. He suggested that we should have a sculpture garden and the idea grew from there."
On Monday, May 21, the Alliance will host a festive affair entitled, "Wandering Through the Arts," to dedicate the garden.
The garden features sculptures of stone, metal, and fabricated metal - some reaching eight to 10 feet tall and placed on concrete pads. Sculptures not normally found in Southern California, said Corda, a Banning metal and stone artist.
"Back east you see a lot of art like this, of a general on a bronze horse, for example," Corda said. "The East Coast is more European and has gardens displaying large monument work, some 10 feet or taller."
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - The Fontana Steelers defeated the Yucaipa Lady T-Birds, 5-3, in Citrus Belt League play on Tuesday, May 12. See the teams in action.
YUCAIPA - Fontana Steelers softball pitcher Kayla Uphold doesn't have the sharpest breaking rise ball, or the hardest drop ball. And there are high school pitchers who throw harder. But what she lacks in speed and breaking pitches, she more than makes up for with pinpoint control, a great change up, and an abundance of determination.
Uphold's (14-9 record) a fighter and she showed it during the Steelers, 5-3, victory over the Lady T-Birds on Tuesday in a Citrus Belt League game.
Trailing, 5-3, the Lady T-Birds loaded the bases in the sixth with one out and had Uphold on the ropes - or so it seemed. But the senior right-hander reached back to strike out Tracy Hampton on an outside drop ball, and then got pinch hitter Alyssa Herron on an inside rise ball to escape the jam.
"Kayla's a tough kid," said Steelers Head Coach, Brent Tuttle. "At the times we needed her to battle, she battled. A couple of other times they had runners at second and third with one out and she battled out of trouble. In key situations, Kayla is a tough kid, a real tough kid."
YUCAIPA - "Honey, how much does your hair styling cost? And by the way, those new shoes, how much did you pay for them?"
I just might ask my wife those questions after reading, "Shoppers feeling frugal fatigue," in the SUN this morning - an Associated Press story by Anne D'Innocenzio.
The jest of the story is how some shoppers have grown tired of being frugal and have gone back to their old spending habits.
I realize that I'm a bit more tight-fisted (I still have the first nickel I earned, and I drive an old car with 248,829 miles) than most, but a couple of surveys in the story shocked me.
A recent Gallup poll interviewed 1,000 shoppers and asked them how much they spend on discretionary items such as clothing and gadgets on an average day.
The answer practically had me spilling my cup of coffee in my lap: $57 a day. I repeat, "a day." Not a week, not a month, but a day. Let's see, $57 times seven days comes out to $399 a week.
The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming! To host soccer training camps
News Release:
By RuthAnn Harr
YVYSO
YUCAIPA - The number one youth soccer company in the United States, Challenger Sports, is again holding their nationwide British Soccer training camps right here in Yucaipa, CA.
The Yucaipa Valley Youth Soccer Organization have teamed up to host the week long British Soccer camps during the following weeks:
June 22-26 and July 20-24 2009.
Each camp will run Monday through Friday and each child will be coached by a member of challenger's British coaching staff flown to the USA exclusively to work on these programs. This camp is just one of 2,000 that Challenger Sports are running throughout the U.S. and Canada for a record breaking 100,000 boys and girls of all ages.
News Release:
By Bozena Luczak
WHAT: World Vision Experience: AIDS - Step Into Africa is a unique, multimedia, interactive exhibit that allows visitors to step into the lives of actual children affected by HIV and AIDS in the hardest-hit region of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa, where about 25 million people are infected with HIV (2/3 of the world's total).
Visitors walk through a replica of an African village and experience the effects of the pandemic in a real way as they listen to a personal audio track relating the story of one of four real children.
OAK GLEN - The ranches in Oak Glen are best known for growing apples, but of late at one ranch in particular, an old musical tradition is undergoing a revival.
On the third Friday of each month at Los Rios Rancho, the Dennis Riley family hosts Gospel Night.
The sweet, melodic tunes of traditional gospel hymns drift out of the Los Rios Rancho packing shed and carry on mountain breezes across the ranch. Tunes such as, "Victory In Jesus," "At The Cross," "When The Roll Is Called up Yonder," and "Sweet, Sweet Spirits," harks back to a simpler time, of a musical folklore long missed by many.
Gospel night began in January 2008 and has drawn a growing gathering from throughout the Inland Empire and well beyond, said Debbie Holley, who along with Dennis and Shelli Riley, host the event.
"We have had people come to Gospel Night from Europe, France, Victorville, Hemet, and Orange County," Holley said.
News Release:
Courtney Taylor;
Image Up Advertising:
909-797-3647
YUCAIPA - The Tony-Award winning Broadway musical Camelot, the story of a young king, his beautiful wife, and a love-struck knight, is coming to Yucaipa Little Theatre beginning Thursday, May 28 for a three-weekend run.
A favorite of late President John F. Kennedy and an indisputable hit on stage, Camelot is the timeless story about the rise and fall of a great kingdom. Arthur, king of the England (played by Kevin Kahn), has gathered the best knights in the world at his famed round table.
He finds a kind and loving wife, Queen Guenevere (Natalie Tavarez), and a best friend in Lancelot (Daren Prescott), his treasured knight. When romance blossoms between Lancelot and Guenevere, the kingdom begins to crumble with a little help from the young, villainous Mordred (Cedric Wright), and Arthur finds his dreams shattered.
Yucaipa Little Theatre staged Camelot nearly a decade ago, and according to the director, Ken Corona, "There has been a lot of interest from members and supporters to see it again, and we're excited to have this opportunity to finally bring it back."
Yucaipa Valley Youth Soccer, 2009 Fall Soccer - Registration
News Release:
By RuthAnn Harr
YVYSO
WHEN: Iris Festival - Fri through Sun, May 15-17, 2009
WHERE: Yucaipa Community Park
Or register on these dates and times:
WHEN: May 30th, June 13th, & July 11th; 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
WHERE: YVYSO Soccer Complex
And the YVYSO accepts Online Signups at: www.yucaipasoccer.org
WHAT TO BRING: New players must present a copy of Birth Certificate in order to register
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age to play is 4 years old on or before July 31, 2009.
COST: $75 EARLY REGISTRATION FEE PER CHILD until June 12th
$85 NORMAL REGISTRATION FEE PER CHILD until July 12th
$95 LATE REGISTRATION FEE PER CHILD after July 13th
CANDY & BEEF STICK FUNDRAISER OR OPTIONAL $30 BUYOUT DUE AT REGISTRATION
Registration forms will be available at the registration table or online www.calsouth.com
For more information, visit our web site at www.yucaipasoccer.org. For registration questions contact our Registrar, Cindy Daniel 909-567-6812
Tax ID 330147379, YVYSO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
Story and photos by Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District
BEAUMONT, CA - It may not be rocket science, but it was close. The hundreds of students who participated in the Beaumont Unified School District Science Fair worked hard to answer some fairly complex questions.
In one case, it really was rocket science. Mason Schemel and Noah Kelly, both fourth-graders at Palm Elementary School, wanted to see how far 2 liter bottles filled with water and air would travel. So, with parents in tow, the boys fired off the bottle rockets. The bottles flew an average of 122 feet.
Schemel's and Kelly's project took first place in its division at the District level science fair, then went on to compete at the County level, where they placed. "It was fun watching the bottles fly through the air," said Kelly, whose dad helped out. "We got a big workout" from chasing the bottles.
PRESS RELEASE
By Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District
BEAUMONT, CA -- The Beaumont Unified School District Board of Trustees, at its April 28 meeting, proclaimed May 13, 2009 as the Day of the Teacher and May 17-23 as Classified School Employees Week.
In recognizing the teachers, the board affirmed that the District has many talented teachers who strive each day to provide exceptional academic instruction, numerous extra-curricular activities and personal guidance to more than 8,122 students.
We honor them for doing a difficult and demanding job and instilling in our youth a strong desire to learn and achieve to the highest educational values.
News Release
By Anne Dorsey
Publicity Chairperson
YUCAIPA - The Yucaipa Valley Art Association will meet on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Scherer Center, 12202 First St. Yucaipa
Orson Woodstock will demonstrate the use of watercolor pencils. Also, he is a representative for various art suppliers and will have information regarding other art supplies. Everyone is encouraged to come, enjoy the refreshments, vote for the monthly show winners and participate in the opportunity drawing.
For questions about the art association, please call Bob Norris at (909)790-7109, or Anne Dorsey, Publicity.
CALIMESA - Stop by the Calimesa Library to check out the latest adult or children's fiction and non-fiction books, and remember the library has a wide selection of movies available, along with computers to search for job opportunities or to peruse your favorite subjects or hobbies. All it takes is a library card.
News Release:
By Joshua Fox
Library Manager
BOOKS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Maybe you are looking for new authors to read, or perhaps there is an older title by your favorite author you have missed. This is a new section at the Calimesa Library dedicated to highlighting books which may have been overlooked. Come in and discover such titles as:
"The Rapture of Canaand" By Sheri Reynolds
"Gap Creek " By Robert Morgan
"Prospect Street" By Emilie Richards
HOT OFF THE PRESS
"Summer On Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber
FACEBOOK
The Calimesa Public Library is now on facebook. Become a fan of our site to follow events and happenings at the Calimesa Public Library. Interact with the Library on a whole new level.
News Release
By Pat Murkland
Dorothy Ramon Learning Center
BANNING - The Dorothy Ramon Learning Center will host a Dragonfly Lecture scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, May 11 (tonight) at 17 W. Hays, Banning, CA.
Tanya Sorrell will share some of her UC Riverside graduate research, "Inside St. Boniface Indian School."
People are invited to share their family memories of St. Boniface. Read more about the school on our blog.
Humberto Estrada, president Lambda Theta Phi fraternity of Cal State San Bernardino and his fraternity crew, help clean up Yucaipa Regional Park on Saturday.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA REGIONAL PARK - the California State University San Bernardino Greek Community spruced up Yucaipa Regional Park in time for the park's annual Memorial Day weekend opening.
Madison Hadley, 7, right, gives her four-year-old sister, Malia, a big hug and kiss after Malia and her dad, Joe Hadley, finished walking a lap during the Yucaipa Relay For Life. Malia is a Retinoblastoma cancer survivor for two years.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
"This means the world for us to be here and give something back in the fight against this disease," said wife and mother, Michelle Hadley. "This is a healing process that helps others and brings an awareness and gets out the information about this disease."
YUCAIPA - See in photos the sixth annual Yucaipa Relay For Life that was held at Yucaipa Community Park, Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10.
Cal State San Bernardino Greek fraternities and sororities show their bigheartedness to Yucaipa Valley community by sprucing up Yucaipa Regional Park on Saturday
YUCAIPA - Yucaipa Regional Park - especially the one acre swim lagoon - showed its winter wear and needed a clean up in time for the park's annual Memorial Day weekend opening. So about 150 members of the California State University San Bernardino Greek Community united as a volunteer labor force to get the job done on Saturday.
They pulled weeds, painted walls and buildings, racked debris from the swim lagoon's sandy beaches, planted trees, plants, and flowers, picked up trash, and cleaned up the volleyball sand court. And when they had finished their all-day work, the park sparkled like new again.
"This brings all the Greeks together for a good cause in being united to help out our surrounding communities," said Humberto Estrada, president of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity. "That's what the Greek life is all about, giving back."
The MSJ Eagles, the number one hitting junior college team in the state knocks off Cerritos to win three-game series
SAN JACINTO - All season long the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles have exuded supreme confidence in their hitting. But that confidence was put to the test in the third and deciding game of the California Community College Regional Baseball Playoffs at MSJ on Saturday.
The Eagles dug themselves a huge hole and fell behind by seven runs heading into the sixth inning. Leading, 10-3, the game seemed to belong to the Cerritos College Falcons, but the Eagles scored a single run in the sixth and then erupted for eight more in the seventh to pull out a 12-11 victory and clinch the three-game playoff series.
On Friday in the series opener, the Eagles pulled out a 13-7 win, but lost 8-7 in Saturday's first game to force the deciding third game.
"We've come back from that kind of deficit all year so it's nothing new for us," said Eagles Head Coach, Steve Alonzo.
"We are the number one hitting team in the state. We knew that we could hit and that they couldn't get us out; that's how arrogant these (Eagles) guys are at the plate. Hitting is what we do best," added Alonzo.
YUCAIPA - Traci McAughty speaks with determination. She's on a mission - a mission to raise awareness that what happened to her won't happen to others.
For two years, McAughty was medically misdiagnosed. And finally when the correct diagnosis was determined, she heard the dreaded words, "you've got cancer."
Now she smiles proudly and states that she is a three-year breast cancer survivor. On Saturday McAughty joined with other cancer survivors, along with family and friends at the sixth annual Yucaipa Relay For Life at Yucaipa Community Park.
"I was misdiagnosed for two years and finally I got the correct diagnosis when I was 32," McAughty said. "That's why I'm out here today to raise other people's awareness about catching it early."
SAN JACINTO - First they tested his arm. Next, they challenged his bat, and both times Yucaipa's Josh Ray made the Cerritos College Falcons pay.
Ray threw out a runner at home plate from left field in the first inning and hit a home run in the fifth to help the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles to a 13-7 victory over the Falcons in the first of a three-game playoff series in the California Community College Regional Baseball Playoffs, Friday at MSJ.
Ray, who has signed an athletic scholarship to attend the University of North Dakota, just missed a second home run to the base of the right field fence in the seventh, but it his shot still drove in the Eagles' final run.
The victory also becomes the first home baseball playoff victory in the school's long history. But Ray doesn't expect the Eagles to revel too much in one playoff victory.
"We have the talent to go all they way," Ray said. "We've got a lot of good players - a few potential major league draft picks and two division one players in me and Jeff Bunch."
Press Release
From the Office of
Supervisor Neil Derry
County of San Bernardino, Third District
www.sbcounty.gov/derry
For more information, contact
Steve Hauer, Deputy Chief of Staff
(909) 387-4855
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors agreed to enter into an agreement with the City of Yucaipa to design and construct lighting improvements at the Yucaipa Valley Regional Sports Complex.
"A more efficient and permanent lighting system will provide our youth and sports leagues expanded recreational opportunities," stated Supervisor Neil Derry.
The County of San Bernardino will initially fund the project that should not exceed $346,500 and will subsequently be reimbursed via United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant that was awarded to the city.
Community service brings together Cal State Greek Community and San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department
News Release
Joseph Turner
Special Projects Coordinator
Supervisor Neil Derry, Third District
(909) 387-0283
jturner@bos.sbcounty.gov
YUCAIPA - On Saturday, May 9th, the California State University San Bernardino
Greek Community will team up with the San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department to spruce up Yucaipa Regional Park in time for its annual Memorial Day opening.
The all-day event sponsored by Supervisor Neil Derry will begin at 9a.m. It is expected to draw 100-150 students who will plant trees and bushes, paint park structures, abate weeds and assist in other general
maintenance.
"Regional parks are a safe, clean option for residents looking for inexpensive family friendly activities in these tough economic times," Supervisor Neil Derry said.
YUCAIPA - Jeremy Long sent this panoramic view of the wildfire that burned northwest of Yucaipa by Yucaipa Regional Park on Thursday. Nice shot Jeremy, thanks for sharing.
YUCAIPA - When two evenly-matched softball teams meet, the outcome often is determined by who, "blinks or makes a mistake first," said Yucaipa Head Coach, Dave Kivett. And when that happens, "it will extend an inning and allow a couple more good batters to come to the plate," said Redlands Head Coach, Brandon Ford.
Both coaches summed up Thursday's softball game between the first-place Lady Terriers and second place Lady T-Birds pretty accurately.
The Lady Terriers took advantage of a Yucaipa fifth inning error with two outs to score six runs and turn a tense 2-0 ball game into an 8-3 Redlands' victory.
With the win, Redlands (12-0 CBL, 18-7 overall) has now won 28 consecutive games in Citrus Belt League play and clinched at least a share of the Citrus Belt League
championship - the Terriers second-consecutive champhionship. Meanwhile, Yucaipa (10-2 CBL, 20-7 overall) is in second place with two games remaining in league play.
Yucaipa appeared to be out of the fifth inning, but the error opened the floodgates for Redlands as they sent seven batters to the plate in scoring those seven runs.
The inning was highlighted by a two-run double by Jessica Garcia, and a monster home run by Savannah Garcia over the leftfield fence that scored another two runs to make the score, 6-0. And with the Kim Bruins - one of the CBL's top pitchers on the mound - the big lead proved insurmountable.
"We are explosive offensively," Ford said. "If you give us an inch we will take a mile. That was lucky for us that they made that mistake. We've got enough sticks in the line up that you don't want to see them too many times."
YUCAIPA - A wildfire started about 3:50 p.m. on Thursday in the hills north of Oak Glen Road and west of Yucaipa Regional Park. The fire came within 75 yards of homes along Golden Crown Way in the Chapman Heights neighborhood before fire fighters had it under control.
"My mother-in-law opened her front door and yelled, 'fire!'" said Diana Gamache, who lives on Golden Crown Way. "The flames were coming right at our houses."
Fire fighters had the blaze extinguished at about 5:30 p.m.
YUCAIPA - The battle for the Citrus Belt League softball championship has been a two-team race all season long between the Yucaipa Lady T-Birds and The Redlands Lady-Terriers. And today at 3:15 p.m. at Yucaipa High an outright claim or share of the title is most likely on the line.
Should Redlands win, they will take a big step toward clinching their second-consecutive CBL championship with two games left to play. If Yucaipa wins, they will force a tie for the title. The T-Birds also have two games left on their CBL schedule.
As the CBL's second place team, T-Birds come into the game with a 10-1 league record (20-6 overall ) with their lone CBL loss a 5-1 set back to the Terriers on April 14.
Meanwhile the 11-0 league-leading Terriers (17-7 overall) roll into Yucaipa riding an impressive 27 game win streak in league play extending over three seasons.
In their first meeting three factors led to the T-Birds 5-1 blowout (yes, softball fans, giving up five runs in fastpitch softball constitutes a blowout): Three errors, an offense that couldn't get the timely hit with runners aboard, and the pitching of Terriers' Kim Bruins.
Courtesy Photo
By Tina Holm
Yucaipa High Band Program
YUCAIPA - On Saturday, April 18th, 2009, the YHS Band Program hosted a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in the multi purpose room at Yucaipa High School. The dinner featured small ensembles by students as well as the YHS Jazz Band.
"This is the single largest fundraiser for the program and with budget cuts and the slowing economy, fundraisers are even more important to keep programs like this going," said band director Steven Stockman.
Students and parents prepared for this event for over a month gathering items for raffle prizes and donations of food for the dinner. Two of the largest contributors to this event were Chicago Pizza of Yucaipa, who donated all the pasta for the event, and the Yucaipa Elks Club, who donated the sauce and did the cooking.
The Elks are responsible for starting the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Event and have been cooking the dinner for many years. At the start of the event there was a surprise announcement that the Elks Club was donating $500 to the YHS Band Program from their bingo money.
The check was presented by Exalted Ruler Marilyn Grouse and bingo chairwoman Sally Tarwick and was accepted by band director Steven Stockman.
Stockman said of the donation: "These funds will be used to replace worn out equipment and repair broken instruments, this really will do a great deal for the program."
In all, the band raised a few thousand dollars for next year which will help offset costs for bus transportation, competition, and festival fees.
For more information about the Yucaipa High Band program:
Steven Stockman
Band Director
Yucaipa High School
33000 Yucaipa Blvd.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909)797-0106 ex.1302
Yucaipa High School Athletic Director, Mark Anderson, left, Trevor Hoyt, Matt Marnati, Megan Allen, and Yucaipa High Principal, Sherry Smith during awards ceremonies Friday.
YUCAIPA - With dozens of premier scholar / athletes to choose from for top honors at Yucaipa High School, Megan Allen, Matt Marnati, and Trevor Hoyt emerged as the most distinguished for what they have accomplished in their chosen field of athletics, and academically.
Senior, Megan Allen, who excelled in golf, basketball, and softball - and academically - was selected as "Yucaipa High School CIF Female Scholar Athlete," as well as, "Yucaipa High School Female Athlete of the Year."
Senior, Matt Marnati, played football and baseball, achieving high marks in both sports, as well as in the classroom. For his efforts and achievements, he was named, "Yucaipa High School CIF Male Scholar Athlete."
And senior, Trevor Hoyt, who participated in water polo and swimming - breaking records along the way in swimming - was selected as "Yucaipa High School Male Athlete of the Year."
The scholar / athletes were honored during Yucaipa High School's Inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony, Friday, May 1 at the University of Redlands.
John Bohner
Courtesy Photo
Written By Don A Roth,
Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church
CALIMESA - Inland Empire resident John Bohner has been elected president of the Yucaipa Valley Retirees fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
The new leader will be serving his first term starting June 1 and continuing for a year. He has been a resident of this area for the past 13 years. He replaces Jean Zachary of Calimesa.
The chief executive of the organization is a retired denominational auditor who spent 13 years of overseas mission service in Singapore, Guam and Hawaii..
At the time of his recent retirement, Bohner was chief auditor of the churchÂ’s Hawaiian Conference located in Honolulu. He continues working part-time as an auditor of the Southeastern California Conference of Adventists with headquarters in Riverside.
Readers, pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy this inspiring story of one of the United States Marine Corps most heroic and decorated Marines - Bob Otto, Yucaipa Now
Written By Dan A. D'Amelio
Author, educator, journalist, and distinguished poet
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was soon followed by the invasion and control of a large number of strategic territories in the Pacific, including Guam, Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
In May, 1942, there was more grim news for the Allies. The Japanese were building an airstrip on one of the larger islands in the Solomons chain, called Guadacanal. From the airstrip, the Japanese could readily bomb convoys of Allied ships and eventually gain control of the entire South Pacific.
The Allies decided, therefore, that the island had to be taken, and quickly before the Japanese could complete the airfield.
On August 7, 1942, eleven thousand Marines of the 1st Division landed on the beaches of Guadacanal. They soon learned that there were other enemies to contend with on that island besides the Japanese.
There was the drenching rains that kept the ground and undergrowth in perpetual sogginess. There were long stretches of grass taller than a man called kunai that had edges as sharp as a razor. There was the stench of the rotting vegetation and scummy swamps--the swamps home to giant crocodiles.
Advancing further into the jungle, the Marines had to push aside nets of spider webs spun by poisonous spiders the size of a man's fist. On the ground crawled scorpions and centipedes, the centipedes scurrying along human flesh and leaving tracks of inflamed skin.
And there was the mosquito-filled nights--mosquitoes that would bring down many Marines with malaria; and during the day, flies that swarmed on food and in numbers so thick that, despite efforts to swath them away, they became part of the Marines' diet.
By Patrick Fite,
CHD Public Information
(909) 389-3333
YUCAIPA - Thirty graduates received Firefighter I Certifications at the Crafton Hills College (CHC) 70th Basic Firefighter Academy graduation Wednesday night. (A list of graduates and their hometowns is below.)
CHC serves as the regional training center for firefighters in San Bernardino and Riverside. The graduates were required to complete a 12-week course based on requirements established by the state Fire Marshall's' Office. The cadets learned the basics of firefighting, including how to handle the equipment and getting their first hands-on experience extinguishing fires.
CHC Fire Academy Chief Dan Sullivan welcomed the friends and families of the cadets and expressed pride in the cadets' achievements. He recognized the importance of the support the cadets received from those in the audience.
Sullivan proudly introduced 70th Fire Academy cadet and class leader Joy Sanders to speak.
"Today, we put a cap on 12 of the most challenging weeks of our lives," Sanders said. "We commemorate our journey, celebrate an ending, and welcome new beginnings and opportunities.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?'"
Yucaipa's Wyatt Padgett had a huge day at the plate, driving in six runs, with a 4-for-4 performance, including a three-run home run. Here his teammates greet him at home plate after his first inning homer.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - The Thunderbirds defeated the A.B. Miller Rebels of Fontana, 15-1, in a Citrus Belt League game on Tuesday. See the teams in action.
YUCAIPA - One point pitchers agree on unanimously: It's much easier to pitch when your team is scoring runs.
And Thunderbirds Frank Martin agrees wholeheartedly. Not that he needed a lot of runs on Tuesday in a Citrus Belt League game with A.B. Miller of Fontana. The lefthander tossed a one-hitter at the Rebels, while his teammates pounded out 16 hits, as Yucaipa improved its CBL record to 10-1 in a 15-1 romp over the visiting Rebels.
"Our hitting is really coming around," said Martin, who with the win improves to 6-2 with a 1.93 ERA on the year. "We are working a lot on hitting with coach (Lou) Sosa and it's paying off."
Martin allowed his lone hit in the first inning to Mike Dragoon, whose single to left field scored lead off batter, Anthony Michaud, who reached first base on an infield error.
But from that point on Martin was tough by getting ahead of the batters, and mixing a good fastball with his sharp-breaking curve. Martin allowed only three balls to leave the infield - all routine fly ball outs to centerfield. And he struck out 10, walked 2, and hit 1 batter.
"I felt good today," Martin said. "I felt like my fastball was jumping; it hasn't been like that recently, and I felt confident in all my pitches."
By Mike Sturman
Beaumont Unified School District
BEAUMONT, CA - Beaumont Unified School District officials are closely watching the recent outbreak of swine flu, also known as H1N1 and are telling parents not to panic if their child appears to have symptoms of the illness.
Del Grace, the District nurse and a Registered Nurse Practitioner, said that students who show flu-like symptoms need to stay home to take care of themselves and to be sure the symptoms don't spread.
"We are following our infectious-disease protocol," said Grace, who is based at Beaumont High School. "That protocol says that if a student is ill, he or she should stay home."
In an effort to keep the flu out of Beaumont schools, custodians are disinfecting items such as doorknobs, sink faucets and dispensers a couple of times a day, said Vi Peña, Maintenance Department Office Clerk.
"We are being extra cautious, and we're reminding everyone that they need to wash their hands regularly" she said.
News Release:
YUCAIPA - Bear Witness Ministries is excited about the upcoming, coming third annual Praising In The Park event. We are looking forward to another summer of awe inspiring Praise and Worship.
Kerrie Bradshaw of Bear Witness Ministries was quoted as saying, "last summer we had a powerful summer of worship, with all the churches coming together as one body, to lift our voices in praise and worship."
YUCAIPA - When Ginger Palarmeo toured the six homes and gardens on Saturday's Iris Festival Garden Tour, she had no idea her eyes would feast on such a variety of gardening delights.
Her first stop was an English-style country garden; her second a spacious green yard bordered by shrubs, trees, and flowers - reds, yellows, purple, violets, and pinks. But her third stop was totally unexpected.
Who would expect to see train tracks and hear the sounds of "choo-choo," and train whistles on a garden tour?
"This one's a complete surprise," said Palarmeo about Mike and Gail Stewart's backyard. "This makes you feel like a kid again. I go from one home to the next and think it can't get anymore creative, but it does."
YUCAIPA - The accolades poured forth in glowing words, showered upon nine inductees of the Inaugural Yucaipa High School Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the University of Redlands Orton Center on Friday.
Dedication, commitment, pride, and hard work, were often cited as the qualities that all nine possessed.
Their athletic feats were outstanding, but their success didn't stop there, said former YHS basketball coach and teacher, Kent Hayden, himself a Hall of Fame inductee.
"It's not only what they achieved in high school, but what they have achieved in life," he said.
Of the nine inductees, Kimi Welsh, class of 1998, was the only female athlete selected. Her accomplishments in cross-country and track and field still bring wonderment to those who remember her during her high school years.
"In cross-country, she was All-CIF all four years," said her presenter, and YHS Athletic Director, Mark Anderson. "The (girls') team was California state champions all four years. She led her cross-country team to winning the National Championship in her senior season. They had 12 opportunities and they produced 12 championships. How do you top that?"
News Release:
By Diane Mierzwik
Director
The Writers' Gallery
YUCAIPA - Marilyn Cram-Donahue, author of 30 books and over 500 articles and short stories will present a hands-on workshop on creating believable settings. Donahue is currently working on two novels and a memoir called Lines in Time and conducts frequent workshops on the importance of creating believable settings.
"A sense of place," she says, "is essential for a successful story."
Sketching paper will be provided, but participants are asked to bring sharpened pencils and erasers. The workshop is designed for beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers, who can expect to:
- Create settings that are relevant to a work-in-progress.
- Learn how a sense of place relates to a character's actions and reactions.
- Practice techniques that release the voices of characters.
Note: you do not have to be able to draw to successfully complete this workshop.
Call to reserve your spot now!
Diane Mierzwik
Director
Writers' Gallery
writersgallery@yahoo.com
909-953-9493
www.thewritersgallery.net
Yucaipa High Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Taylor.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Good high school coaches tend to stay put. Longevity, planning, attention to detail, and commitment produce winning programs. Jim Taylor followed that game-plan and as a result in his 25 years as Yucaipa High School's head football coach, Taylor strung together an enviable legacy.
Taylor's coaching resume glitters with accomplishments: He's the longest tenured football coach in San Bernardino County history; he's the fifth-winningest coach in county history; his teams have appeared in two CIF championships; his teams have played in 16 CIF Playoffs; he has won seven league championships.
And in 1997, the Los Angeles Times named Taylor the, "Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year."
But his tenure at YHS went beyond coaching. Taylor also served the school as Athletic Director for 33 years. And again that's number one in tenure among all athletic directors in San Bernardino County history.
"My dad instilled qualities of commitment, dedication, and pride in his players," said Bobby Taylor, who quarterbacked for his dad at YHS, and was his presenter at Taylor's Athletic Hall of Fame induction Friday night.
And added Taylor, injecting a little humor, "he told us to never step on the T-Bird (logo) on the training room floor."
Former YHS basketball coach and Hall of Fame inductee, Kent Hayden, right, presented Danny Davidsmeirer, one of his former players with his Hall of Fame award.
YUCAIPA - Kent Hayden began his teaching and coaching career at Beaumont High School in 1956. But in 1958 he left to join the new high school opening up on Sixth Street in Yucaipa. And that proved to be the only move he would make in his 34 years as an educator and coach.
Hayden spent the next 29 years as the T-Birds' head basketball coach and 12 years as an assistant football coach. His basketball teams won 411 games, seven league championships, and made 19 CIF Playoff appearances. And he coached 10 All-CIF players.
In 2000, the Southern California Basketball Association, named Hayden to its "Hall of Fame."
His players remember him as demanding, but fair - accepting nothing but their best efforts - on the court and in the classroom.
"Of all the people in my life, he had the biggest influence," said Chip Chiappone, who teaches at Upland Christian School and captained one of Hayden's basketball teams. "What made him different was that he developed character."
Greg Miller, left, Corky Miller's dad, and Jeff Stout, Miller's YHS baseball coach, both spoke about Miller during his Hall of Fame induction.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Whether on the football field or on the baseball diamond, Corky Miller possessed exceptional athletic skills. But above all else his baseball coach Jeff Stout, and football coach Jim Taylor agree on this: Miller played with a ferocity and determination matched by few athletes in the history of both athletic programs.
"I saw the most awesome hit against Rubidoux as a safety (Miller's defensive position)," Stout said. "He just took this (receiver) out. He was tenacious as a football player, a Ronnie Lott kind of player."
After high school, Miller went on to play two years of baseball at San Bernardino Valley College, and two years at Division I, University of Nevada Reno.
Since graduating from Nevada Reno in 1998, where he was a First and Second-Team All-American, Miller has spent 12 years in professional baseball - 21/2 in the major leagues, and currently plays for the Chicago White Sox.
"No, he's not a starter," Stout said. "But he's a survivor and a fighter."
Those qualities carried Miller on to earn "ALL" kinds of awards in high school baseball: All-state, All-CIF, and All-League honors. As the T-Birds' catcher, he helped lead the team to back-to-back CIF championships in 1993 and 1994. And in 1994, he was selected as the YHS "Athlete of the Year."
Although a college All American, he went un-drafted by major league baseball. But the Cincinatti Reds called offering him a job catching some highly touted high school pitchers, who the Reds had signed to minor league contracts. Miller agreed.
"As they say, 'the rest is history,'" Stout said. "He had no offers from major league baseball, but his blue collar attitude and grind it out persistence got him there."
Miller is married to wife, Jenny and the couple has two children, Caden and Chase. In the off season, the family lives in the Yucaipa Valley.
Miller's Hall of Fame Credentials:
- First-team All State in baseball.
- First-team All-CIF in baseball.
- First-team All-League in baseball.
- CIF baseball champions, 1993 and 1994.
- First-team All-CIF in football.
- First-team All-League in football.
- Football league champions, 1993 and 1994.
- YHS "Male Athlete of the Year," in 1994.
- All Big West Conference team at University of Nevada Reno.
- First and second-team All-American at Nevada Reno.
- Major League Baseball for 12 seasons.
- Currently with the Chicago White Sox.
YHS Baseball Coach, Jeff Stout, left, Jeff Brown, and former YHS Football Coach, and Athletic Director, Jim Taylor. Both Stout and Taylor were presenters during Brown's induction into the Yucaipa High Hall of Fame.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Brown played varsity baseball and football at Yucaipa High School. In football, he was twice named to the All San Andreas League Team, and was the First-Team All-CIF quarterback.
Brown's 26 career touchdown passes remain the second all-time in T-Bird football history. In baseball, he was just as accomplished: Two-time All San Andreas League Player; First-Team All-CIF pitcher; San Bernardino County All-Star game, "Most Valuable Player."
And in 1981, he won the Ken Hubbs Award as the top all-around athlete in San Bernardino County - the only player from YHS to ever win the award.
"In the late 1970s and early '80s, we were still not an established (baseball) program," said YHS Baseball Coach, Jeff Stout. "Jeff was a premiere athlete - big, strong, tall - the guy to take us to the next level. We had professional scouts at every ball game watching him. He had two great years at BYU before signing with the Dodgers."
After high school, Brown starred in baseball at Orange Coast College and BYU, where he batted .406 and won the Cameron Tuckett Memorial Award. But before college, Brown served a LDS Mission in Brazil.
He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and hit .585 at AAA Albuquerque in 1988. After retiring from professional baseball, he went on to establish his own accounting firm. Jeff is married to wife Debra for 21 years and they have six children, Dale, Damaree, Danielle, Jake, Jeremy, and Jaren.
Brown's Hall of Fame credentials include:
- Marty Rouse Award winner at Yucaipa High school.
- 1981 Ken Hubbs Award winner.
- First-Team All-CIF quarterback.
- Second-time All San Andreas League in football.
- Most Valuable Player award in San Bernardino County All-Star game.
- Two-time baseball conference champions at Orange Coast College.
- At BYU, name the Cameron Tuckett Memorial Award winner.
- Led BYU to the Western Athletic Conference Championship.
- Named to All-Star team while with the Bakersfield Dodgers.
- Won the John Carey Award at AA San Antonio of Dodgers organization.
- Batted .585 at AAA Albuquerque.
Alan Taylor, left, with former YHS football coach, Jim Taylor, presenting Alan with his Hall of Fame award.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Taylor played football and track at Yucaipa High School. In 1997, he rushed for more than 2,700 yards and broke the single season rushing record for San Bernardino County. He led his team to back-to-back Sunkist League Championships and a CIF Championship appearance.
He was named, the Los Angeles Times "Player of the Year," in 1997, and twice, "CIF Football Player of the Year." After he graduated in 1998, his number 20 football jersey was retired - the only football player in the history of the school to receive this honor.
Following high school, Taylor received a full scholarship to play football at California State University, Northridge, where he received his degree.
"There was never anyone tougher than Alan," said his former YHS Head Coach, Jim Taylor (no relation). "He was a throwback to the old days. He would have fit in perfectly in 1959 (YHS first year as a high school). He was our quiet leader, the one in front we all lined up behind."
Alan is married to wife Jessie,and the couple have two children, Taylor Grace and Kai, and they are expecting their third child.
Taylor's Hall of Fame credentials:
- Holds the single-season rushing record for San Bernardino County.
- Los Angeles Times, "Football Player of the Year," in 1997.
- CIF Football Player of the Year award.
- First-Team All-CIF in football.
- First-Team All San Andreas League in football.
- Taylor's #20 jersey retired after he graduated from YHS.
- Led football team to CIF Championship appearance.
- All-Time leading rusher in YHS history with 5,639 yards.
- All-Time leading rusher in San Bernardino County history with 2,712 yards.
- Twice rushed for over 300 yards per game.
Kimi Welsh, Yucaipa High School Hall of Fame inductee.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Welsh participated in track and field, and cross country at Yucaipa High School. In her senior season, she led her girls' team to the National Championship. On state and local levels, YHS girls' cross country teams won three consecutive California state championships, along with four consecutive CIF championships.
She was named All-State and All-CIF all four years of her high school career, and in her senior season, she was named the Ken Hubbs Foundation of San Bernardino County, "Female Athlete of the Year."
But there's also Welsh's intellect. Four times she and her team were named, "CIF-Academic Champions."
Following YHS, Welsh attended the University of Arkansas where she earned All-Southeastern Conference honors in cross country and track. She went on to obtain her Masters Degree, married Greg Schumacher, and has a daughter, Callie. Welsh is a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Welsh's Hall of Fame Credentials:
- Cross Country National Champions while at YHS.
- Three-time cross country state champions.
- Four-time cross country CIF Champions and four-time CIF Academic Champions.
- Three-time All-Western United States Cross Country recipient.
- Two-time Cross country National Individual Foot Locker finalist.
- Individual cross country CIF Championship in 1997.
- Named All-State and All-CIF cross country in four consecutive seasons.
- Three-time CIF Southern Section 3200 meter winner in track and field.
- Seven-time track and field league champion.
- San Bernardino County "Female Athlete of the Year," in 1998.
- YHS record holder in both the 1600 and 3200 meter races.
- All-Southeastern Conference in cross country and track, and SEC Freshman of the Year at the University of Arkansas.
Dan Davidsmeirer was inducted into the inaugural Yucaipa High School Hall of Fame along with eight other inductees.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer
YUCAIPA - Davidsmeirer played baseball and basketball at YHS. He scored 55 points against Cajon High School, and received All-American Honorable Mention and First Team All-CIF awards in basketball.
In baseball, he was a First Team, All-League selection, and in 1976 received the "Outstanding Senior Athlete" award at YHS. Following high school he played baseball at San Bernardino Valley College and USC. He was an All PAC-10 shortstop and an All-American First Team selection while at USC, while playing for coach Rod Dedeaux.
Davidsmeirer was drafted in the third-round by the Milwaukee Brewers. He played seven seasons in the organization. Following the Brewers, he went on to play professional baseball in Italy, and coached in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
Davidsmeirer's Hall of Fame resume includes:
- High School All-American Honorable Mention in basketball.
- First Team All-CIF in basketball.
- Outstanding Senior Athlete at YHS in 1976.
- All-American First Team in baseball at USC.
- All PAC-10 shortstop selection.
- USC Team Most Valuable Player.
- Twice named an All-State shortstop at San Bernardino Valley College.
- Selected to Team USA All World Cup Baseball Tournament.
- Third Round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Ten seasons as a professional baseball player.
Dennis Hare, Yucaipa Hall of Fame Inductee.
YUCAIPA - Hare played varsity baseball and basketball at Yucaipa High. He was an Honorable Mention All-American in basketball and was named to the All-CIF First Team. He was also the Desert Valley League's "Player of the Year."
In basketball, Hare once scored 43 points against Palm Springs High School and he also played in the 1964 San Bernardino County All-Star baseball game.
He went on to fame as a world class beach volleyball player after graduating from San Diego State University. In 1974, he led his team to the championship in the inaugural World Indoor Beach Volleyball Championships. And in 1997, Hare was inducted into the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Since then, he has become an acclaimed artist - his paintings sold from the west coast to the east coast, in some of the country's finest art galleries.
Hare's Hall of Fame Credentials:
- Honorable Mention All-American in basketball.
- All-CIF First Team in basketball.
- Desert Valley League's "Player of the Year".
- Played in San Bernardino County All-Star baseball game.
- Won World Indoor Beach Volleyball Championships.
- Inducted into Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame.
- Acclaimed artist.
Al Rezendez, left, served as the presenter during Hall of Fame ceremonies for Dave Caminiti.
Dave Caminiti was inducted into the Inaugural Yucaipa High School Hall of Fame on Friday, along with eight other inductees.
YUCAIPA - During his high school years, Caminiti played basketball and baseball, and in his senior year was All Desert Valley League in basketball. Caminiti was selected as team captain his senior year and helped lead the basketball team to an undefeated season.
His senior class was the very-first graduating class on the old Yucaipa High campus on Sixth Street, which is now the ninth grade campus.
Caminiti went on to play basketball, baseball, golf, and tennis at the University of Redlands.
In his professional career, he taught in Redlands and Yucaipa, and as an Assistant Principal and Principal in Yucaipa. He received an Outstanding Instructor award at the University of Redlands in 1992, along with an award at the University of Riverside for his instruction in Special Education.
His athletic and career achievements:
- Member of YHS first graduating class of 1961.
- Played basketball and baseball at YHS.
- Basketball team captain.
- All-League (Desert Valley League) in basketball.
- Led basketball team to undefeated league championship in 1961.
- Played basketball, baseball, golf, and tennis at University of Redlands.
- Served as an educator in Yucaipa.
YUCAIPA - His former students shook his hand, gave him hugs, thanked him for being their teacher, and told him how nice it was to see him again. 87-year-old Leonard Waitman traveled from Oregon to he on hand for the 50th anniversary celebration of Yucaipa High School - now known as the ninth grade campus.
Waitman joined with about 400 hundred students, teachers, and the Yucaipa community at large on Friday for "A Celebration of the Early Years," when the school opened as Yucaipa's very-first high school in 1959.
Waitman started teaching at the school in the 1959 school year, where he taught history for 23 years.
He remembers the small class sizes and the closeness between teachers and students. "The teachers had a love for their students and students had love and respect for their teachers," Waitman said.
BOOKS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
Maybe you are looking for new authors to read, or perhaps there is an older title by your favorite author you have missed. This is a new section at the Calimesa Library dedicated to highlighting books which may have been overlooked. Come in and discover such titles as:
"Unveiled" By Francine Rivers
"At Risk" By Stella Rimington
"Prospect Street" By Emilie Richards
HOT OFF THE PRESS
"Mr. And Miss Anonymous" By Fern Michaels
PRETEEN STORY TIME ... Wednesdays @ 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Every Wednesday Miss Mary will read several books on specific subjects. The
next Preeteen Program will be on Wednesday May 13, we will be celebrating Dinosaurs.
YUCAIPA - From 3 to 7 p.m. today at the Yucaipa High 9th Grade Campus on Sixth Street, memories of Yucaipa's first high school will be shared by former pupils, teachers, and staff in a "Celebration of the The Early Years."
The event is FREE and the Yucaipa community is encouraged and welcome to attend.
Besides sharing memories, various classrooms and the gymnasium will display memorabilia and the Yucaipa Historical Society is providing pictures of those early years - primarily the 1950s - '60s.
An Autograph Wall has been built for former students to write down their fondest memories, which will then be preserved by the Yucaipa Historical Society.
Where: Yucaipa High School - 9th Grade Campus
12358 Sixth Street,
Yucaipa, CA, 92399
When: Friday, May 1st from 3 - 7 p.m.
What: Yucaipa High School's 50th Anniversary, "A Celebration of the Early Years."
Who Should Attend: Everyone. This is a community event.
Wesley G. Hughes, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2009 07:37:59 PM PDT
YUCAIPA - The mighty presses that roar to life each day and turn blank rolls of newsprint into newspapers are called the iron in the industry.
"And Don Kay was known as the man who knew the iron," Sun Publisher Fred Hamilton said Thursday about the retired vice president of operations who died suddenly that morning.
Describing the day, Hamilton said, "It was really tough giving everyone the news this morning. He was really, really well liked.
"Once you met Don, you felt you'd known him your whole life," Hamilton said, adding that although Kay had worked for him only six months before he retired, he had known him for years and Kay was an industry symbol.
Thunderbirds surge into first in CBL battle with Wildcats
By T.J. Berka / Staff Writer
YUCAIPA - Yucaipa catcher Cody Meservey, a safety on the football team, hardly fits the stereotype of the plodding, slow-footed backstop. Redlands East Valley learned that the hard way Thursday.
With the game tied in the bottom of the sixth, Meservey led off with an infield single and beat out three Redlands East Valley force attempts to score the go-ahead run in a 9-5 Yucaipa victory.
The victory broke a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats for Yucaipa (20-2, 8-1) and put the Thunderbirds a half-game ahead of REV (14-6, 8-2) in the Citrus Belt League standings. Meservey's hustle made it all possible.
"I don't think they had a scouting report on him," Yucaipa coach Jeff Stout said. "If they did, they'd know that Cody is a football player and can fly. He's not a slow catcher."
After Meservey's single, Grady Espinosa laid down a sacrifice bunt toward REV pitcher Griffin Murphy. Instead of taking the routine out at first, Murphy whipped around and tried to throw out Meservey at second unsuccessfully.
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