Santiago Canyon College’s new animal training program opens the door to careers

• July 30, 2024

For those who have a passion for the furry friends in our community, Santiago Canyon College is offering a new Companion Animal Training program beginning this fall that will serve as a pathway to earning an associate’s degree in the field.

The genesis behind the idea came from SCC professor of psychology Cari Cannon. A lifelong dog lover, Cannon had a dog about a decade ago that was a challenge to train, and her background in experimental psychology and animal learning prompted her to take a deeper dive into applied animal behavior to help her pet.

Now a doctoral-level animal behaviorist who has been privately consulting pet owners for years, Cannon decided to bring her knowledge in this area to the SCC classroom and offer an affordable way for students to learn effective techniques in animal behavior and training.

“There’s just so many myths about dogs and people misunderstanding dogs and misreading them,” Cannon said. “I thought, I’m in the perfect position to create a cost-effective way for people to learn the scientifically valid and ethical approach to working with animals.”

The major coursework for SCC’s associate degree in companion animal training is based in psychology, but students can customize the degree path to suit their career goals. For those looking to pursue a veterinary medicine path, biology electives can be paired with the degree plan. Public speaking or business-focused classes can be added for those students with an interest in opening their own training facility.

“SCC’s new Companion Animal Training Program embodies our commitment to providing innovative and relevant education,” said SCC Dean, Division of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Michelle Samura. “This program is an excellent example of how we’re preparing our graduates to meet industry demands and make a tangible impact in their chosen fields.”

Cannon will be teaching the four major core classes, one per semester. As the only pathway of its kind in the state, all four classes will be offered online to make the program accessible to as many California residents as possible.

Cari Cannon’s animal behavior program can be applied to career paths or to family pets. (Photo courtesy of Cari Cannon)

Students will begin the pathway with a companion animal psychology class where they will learn about animal behavior, with an emphasis specifically on dogs. Cannon feels the class is structured for anyone interested in improving their relationship with their pet.

“Even if somebody only wanted to take that class, they would learn so much about dog behavior that it would be transformative in their relationship with their dog,” Cannon said.

The second core class focuses on animal learning, the subject of Cannon’s doctorate, where students will study how animals think and learn, along with the underlying principles behind how animal behavior can be changed by experience.

The applied version of the animal learning course is the behavior modification course, the third class in the CAT Program degree path, where students will learn the science behind positive reinforcement and discipline techniques. This class also pairs well for students who are interested in working with those with developmental disabilities or who are looking to pursue clinical psychology.

The fourth course focuses on dog training and is similar to a practicum, where students will apply actual skills training on dogs, either their own pets or dogs that belong to friends or family. The hands-on class will provide students the opportunity to teach dogs basic training skills.

When it comes to training dogs, Cannon feels that many of the more popular programs currently in use include outdated techniques that are punitive in approach. She is excited to be using her extensive background as an animal behaviorist to introduce a pure positive or force-free approach to SCC students that shows the science behind the effectiveness of these techniques.

“The single best way to get a well-behaved companion is to prevent problems, and I dream of a world where this knowledge that I have about dog behavior and the best way to interact with dogs is common knowledge for everyone,” Cannon said. “I’m looking forward to bringing something new to people who’ve never had an opportunity to learn about this topic.”

The hope is that in establishing this program, SCC will be able to provide future offerings in veterinary science, including a possible focus on equine studies.

“The CAT Program addresses a critical gap in California’s community college offerings and in our local communities,” Samura said. “By launching this unique program, we are opening doors to exciting career opportunities for our students while addressing a growing demand in our region for skilled professionals in animal behavior. We are making vital education in companion animal training more accessible and affordable, and we are proud to be at the forefront of offering this specialized training.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Student loan forgiveness is vote-buying 

• July 30, 2024

Lost in all the noise following the assassination attempt against former President Donald was confirmation of what many sensible Americans already understood: President Joe Biden’s student loan debt relief schemes have been purely political.

On July 15, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona sent an official letter to student loan borrowers lamenting recent court rulings blocking the Biden administration’s policies on student loans.

“Let me be clear: President Biden and I are determined to lower costs for student loan borrowers, to make repaying student debt affordable and realistic, and to build on our separate efforts that have already provided relief to 4.75 million Americans — no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us,” Cardona wrote in the bluntly partisan letter.

Cardona continued, “While we disagree with the Republican elected officials’ efforts here to side with special interests and block borrowers from getting breathing room on their student loans, President Biden and our Administration will not stop fighting to make sure Americans have affordable access to the lifechanging opportunities a higher education can provide.”

The message is a peculiar one. Beyond the partisanship, the notion that “special interests” are behind the successful legal challenges to the Biden administration’s overreaching efforts to forgive student loan debt is a strange one.

As Frederick Hess and Michael Brickman of the American Enterprise Institute put well: “Those ‘special interests’ that Republicans are ‘siding with’? They’re the 90 percent of Americans who don’t owe student debt but whom Cardona is hoping to stick with the tab. Those awful court rulings? They were issued by judges who were appointed by President Obama, back when Joe Biden was Vice President.”

To the latter point, two Obama-nominated judges — one in Kansas and one in Missouri — indeed blocked one of Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. Upholding the law, after all, shouldn’t be a partisan exercise.

It would be one thing if this letter from Cardona was a typical, overwrought campaign message. But, no, this was the official messaging from a Cabinet official tasked with overseeing and implementing federal policy.

For that reason, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach are among those accusing Cardona of violating the federal Hatch Act, which requires that “federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.”

Setting aside whether Cardona is in fact guilty of violating the law by engaging in naked partisan messaging under the guise of his official capacity, the incident is a reminder that, yes, the Biden administration sees student loan relief through a strictly political lens.

That approach to federal policymaking lends itself to sloppy decision-making. If the goal is to provide sweeping relief to the millions of Americans with student loan debts, that should be done through Congress.

Unfortunately, President Biden — and he is still the president — has consistently chosen to sidestep the appropriate channels on this issue.

Whoever is the next president of the United States should brush up on the Constitution and learn how to do things correctly.

​ Orange County Register 

Best pool filter

• July 30, 2024

Which pool filter is best?

There’s no greater pleasure during a summer heat wave than relaxing in the cool waters of your own pool. That is unless algae growth has your pool looking more like the Swamp Thing’s studio apartment than a suburban oasis. If your pool is being overtaken by green slime, then a new pool filter is probably in order. A good pool filter is essential to keeping your water crystal clear. If you’re in the market for a new one, there’s no better place to start than right here.

What to know before you buy a pool filter

The three main types of pool filters are sand filters, cartridge filters, and D.E. filters.

Sand filters use #20 silica sand to filter out pollutants. The water enters from above and seeps through the sand, which traps particles as the water exits below the sand. Sand filters are inexpensive and simple to maintain; the sand is cleaned off the particulate by “backwashing.” They last for approximately five years. They are, however, the least energy-efficient of any pump.
With cartridge filters, water passes through a thick tube containing a pleated material (similar to a car oil filter), which traps the unwanted particles inside. Cartridge filters work well at lower motor speeds and don’t require backwashing, unlike sand filters. They do require more work than sand filters, but they last approximately three years.
D.E. filters clean water using diatomaceous earth, which is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are found in the ocean and soil. D.E. filters incorporate some of the principles of both sand and cartridge-type filters. They do the best job cleaning water, as they filter the smallest particles of all the filter types. However, they are the most labor-intensive type of filter.

Regardless of the filter type you opt for, a pool filter requires a pump to function. The pump is what draws the water through the filter and pushes it back out into the pool. To determine what size pump you’ll need, you will need to determine the flow rate and resistance number for your pool. Flow rate refers to the gallons per minute your pump needs to move in order to clean all of the pool water within an eight-hour period. Resistance is a calculation based on the distance between the pump and the skimmers and drains, as well as the number of skimmers and drains.

You will also need to determine the type of mount you want and whether you want a 110-volt or 220-volt pump. Once you’ve determined these items, you’ll know what type of pump you’ll need to accompany your filter.

How much you can expect to spend on a pool filter

Most pool filters cost somewhere between $60 and $1500. The difference in price is based mostly on the filter’s total square-foot cleaning capacity.

Pool filter FAQ

Are chlorine pools better than saltwater pools?

A. Neither is necessarily better than the other. In a chlorine pool, however, chlorine is added to the water directly, whereas saltwater pools create their own chlorine by turning the salt into chlorine via electrolysis.

How high should the water level be in my pool?

A. As a general rule, you should try to keep the water level of your pool approximately halfway up the opening of your skimmer basket. This will guarantee that both the skimmer and the pump will work their best.

What are the best pool filters to buy?

Top pool filter

Hayward W3DE3620 ProGrid Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter

What you need to know: This filter will keep your pool “hotel clean.”

What you’ll love: It’s a workhorse in every sense of the word, with the perfect combination of power, sturdy build and first-rate results.

What you should consider: The instructions can be somewhat difficult to follow.

Top pool filter for the money

Blue Wave Sand Filter System for Aboveground Pools

What you need to know: This is a filter that will get the job done on a budget.

What you’ll love: It’s easy to clean and has good water flow.

What you should consider: It malfunctions occasionally.

Worth checking out

Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump

What you need to know: It’s an inexpensive choice, but you’ll have to add peripherals.

What you’ll love: It’s quick and easy to install, and the double-insulated walls are a nice benefit for this cost-effective pick. Not much maintenance is needed.

What you should consider: The motor is not as powerful as some of the other options. Hoses and adapters must be purchased separately.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Niles: The made-up betting guide to Disney’s D23 reveals

• July 30, 2024

It’s almost time for the return of D23 to Anaheim. For Disney fans, that should mean a long-awaited list of announcements about new attractions coming to Disneyland and other Disney theme parks around the world.

To prepare for Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro’s Aug. 10 show at the Honda Center, here is my completely unauthorized and totally made up odds on what he might announce. Remember, all that is at stake here are imaginary internet points, so place your pretend wagers accordingly.

Concept art of the Avatar themed land proposed for the Disneyland resort. (Courtesy of Disney)

Avatar (Off the board): Disney already has announced that it will bring an Avatar-themed attraction to Disneyland, so this is not a fair bet. But with the approval of the DisneylandForward proposal, fans are hoping to hear more details about the ride and its setting.

Visitors ride the Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs roller coaster ride after opening ceremony of the World of Frozen themed area at Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. (Photo by Louise Delmotte, The Associated Press)

World of Frozen (-800): Next to Avatar, a new installation of Disney’s World of Frozen land in the DisneylandForward expansion is the closest thing to a sure bet we have here. The big question is whether Disneyland will get the Wandering Oaken kiddie coaster in addition to the Frozen Ever After boat ride.

More from Robert Niles

What’s in a name at Disneyland?
What’s the hot button issue dividing Disneyland and employees?
The new Six Flags does not need to go cheap to succeed
Knott’s, Universal offer different takes on kids’ lands
Disney needs to look indoors for its theme park future

Encanto musical at the Hyperion Theater (-200): Disney has posted a casting notice for a live-action Encanto show, so expect this one sooner rather than later. But will this be a Broadway-style production in the Hyperion or something smaller on another stage in the park? The bet here is the big house.

Casa Madrigal dark ride (+200): At the Destination D23 event in Orlando last fall, D’Amaro teased an Encanto-themed attraction for a Tropical Americas revamp of Dinoland USA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The concept art showed what looked like a Casa Madrigal façade for what could be a new dark ride experience. A duplicate of that could be a good bet for inclusion in the DisneylandForward expansion.

A Maleficent costume and Maleficent dragon head from Fantasmic in 1992 are displayed at the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2015. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A big Maleficent dragon returns to Fantasmic! (+100): Here’s an even-money bet — that Disneyland will find some way to return a plus-sized Maleficent dragon to Fantasmic! for the park’s 70th anniversary next summer.

The Paint the Night parade rolls down Main Street as part of Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2015. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The return of Paint the Night (+400): Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I know that the return of the Paint the Night parade for the 70th anniversary celebration would make countless Disneyland fans very happy.

A new Zootopia themed land opened recently at Shanghai Disneyland. (Courtesy of Disney)

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Zootopia (+900): Along with World of Frozen, this was the other new land that Disney opened in its Asia parks last year. But its main attraction shares much of its ride design with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Disneyland does not need a dupe of that, so I would be surprised to see a copy of Zootopia here.

Retheming “Disney Genie” to “Disney Anxiety” (minus infinity): It’ll never happen, but with Disney dropping the Genie+ brand in favor of “Lightning Lane Multi Pass,” why not change the name of the free Disney Genie automated day-planning feature to promote the breakout star of “Inside Out 2,” which is now Disney’s biggest animated hit? “Disney Anxiety” is what that feature is supposed to address, anyway, so why not be clear about it?

​ Orange County Register 

Overzealous regulation won’t help AI policy keep pace with innovation

• July 30, 2024

When was the last time you used facial recognition to unlock your phone? How about a digital assistant like Siri or Alexa to streamline tasks with simple voice commands? Or a meeting transcription service that freed you from taking notes during calls? Or an online shopping platform that automatically identified the best deals among thousands of listings?

Everyday tools powered by artificial intelligence have saved you time, money and hassle. They’re also equipping small business owners that stand up the backbone of our economy to thrive in crowded digital marketplaces. So why is California poised to adopt overzealous regulations at odds with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023 executive order committed to shaping “the future of ethical, transparent and trustworthy AI, while remaining the world’s AI leader”?

Despite a once-promising trajectory for AI innovation in California, the state’s current process threatens to do more harm than good, with murky proposals from both its legislature and ever-growing web of government agencies. While state legislators consider approximately 50 AI-related bills, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) – an agency governed by appointees rather than elected representatives – is moving to formalize its own AI regulations. Many conflict with proposed legislation, as well as Newsom’s executive order directing the state to guide, as opposed to control, the continued rollout of AI technologies.

The more complicated the legal roadmap, the more time and resources it takes to follow its directions. Larger companies may have the resources to navigate these twists and turns, while small business owners are disproportionately left behind. It is only fair that laws are clearly written and not overly burdensome to comply with. It is only fair that laws are associated with reasonable penalties for noncompliance. Unfortunately, the suite of AI proposals before California lawmakers are neither fair nor logical.

Assembly Bill 2930, introduced by Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, which covers “automated decision tools,” would fine businesses $10,000 per violation, while allowing the state attorney general’s office to bring additional civil penalties of as much as $25,000 per violation. The governor, Legislature and regulatory bodies should be on the same page before laws are enacted. It makes no sense for elected leaders and an appointed board to pursue competing points of view about a subject as complicated and consequential as AI.

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The issue with the CPPA is its attempt to regulate the use of AI across all industry sectors, although the agency’s purview is data privacy, specifically. The agency’s jurisdiction is hard to define because the technology it seeks to regulate – like automated decision-making (or ADM), where a computer computes a decision, as opposed to a human deciding one – is already a key part of so many everyday functions: automated bill payments and direct deposits, voice assistants, social media algorithms, automated email sorting and filtering, colleges’ admissions decisions and more. Any regulations on ADM end up applying to almost every industry.

This regulatory overreach threatens to stifle innovation and diminish the vibrant digital economy that is a hallmark of our state. We ask legislators to step up and rein in the power of the CPPA with sensible checks and oversight before it adopts misguided rules that trample ingenuity. We urge leaders of this regulatory agency to work collaboratively with Newsom and the Legislature, in consultation with academics and issue experts, on crafting AI guardrails that position California to be the world’s AI leader.

Let’s protect businesses, employees and taxpayers from the well-documented dangers of technology gone rogue while continuing to support tools that save people time, money and hassle.

Tracy Hernandez is Founding CEO of the Los Angeles County Business Federation,

​ Orange County Register 

San Juan Hills girls basketball coach Paul Edwards resigns after six seasons

• July 30, 2024

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San Juan Hills girls basketball coach Paul Edwards has resigned after six seasons for family reasons, he confirmed Monday.

Edwards led the Stallions to five league league championships and six playoff appearances. He will remain with the Stallions as an assistant coach but plans to spend time watching his daughter Amanda play for Weber State.

“It’s time,” the coach said. “It’s time to be around.”

San Juan Hills has named assistant Jay Williams as Edwards’ replacement. Williams joined Edwards’ varsity staff last season and has a daughter in the program.

In six seasons, Edwards helped San Juan Hills become one of the strongest public school teams in Orange County. The Stallions won at least 20 games four times and finished 118-51 under Edwards.

The team finished 19-11 this past season and shared the South Coast League crown with San Clemente. The Stallions lost in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1playoffs to Santiago Corona.

In 2022-23, Edwards guided San Juan Hills (27-7) to the semifinals in CIF-SS Division 2-AA and Division II of the the SoCal regional.

The Stallions have won at least a share of the past three South Coast League titles.

San Juan Hills posted consecutive 8-17 seasons before Edwards took the helm.

“The girls have responded to our coaching,” he said. “They did it.”

San Juan Hills is set to return three starters this season, including county standout Anne Shreeve. The Stallions have added transfer 5-foot-11 post Piper Gentry from New York, Edwards said.

Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at [email protected] or @ocvarsity on X and Instagram 

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​ Orange County Register 

Newport Beach man found slain in residence, suspect arrested

• July 30, 2024

A 48-year-old man was found dead inside a Newport Beach apartment last week and police arrested a suspect — believed to be an acquaintance of the victim —  on suspicion of murder Monday, July 29, officials said.

On Friday, July 26, officers responded to a residence on the 1200 block of Park Newport for a wellness check. Police found the victim, Reginald Hidalgo Fils from Newport Beach, dead inside the apartment with physical signs of trauma, police said.

The investigation led to the arrest of 35-year-old Brandon Christian Chanman from Chino Hills, the Newport Beach Police Department said in a statement.

Police said Fils and Chanman were acquaintances. Additional details on their relationship and the death of Fils were not released.

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​ Orange County Register 

Rams notebook: Defense shines in first day of padded practice

• July 30, 2024

LOS ANGELES  – With the pads coming on for the first time on Monday, the Rams defense had a chance to make an opening statement for what it might look like now, without Aaron Donald, with Chris Shula guiding the ship.

The defense made that statement a good one, particularly in the run game. The defensive line and linebackers got into the backfield regularly, meeting running backs behind the line of scrimmage and generally disrupting any rhythm the Rams offense was trying to build.

“I feel like we had a really good day today,” safety Kamren Curl said. “I feel like this is a good foundation to build off of and we just gotta keep going forward.”

With Kobie Turner (groin) limited to individual drills, rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske was at the center of that disruption. The second-round pick did a good job of getting off of blocks against the Rams’ first-team offensive line.

“I thought the energy from the defense was outstanding,” head coach Sean McVay said. “I really felt Braden Fiske today. He showed up in a big way. I think we had some things in that were in alignment that fit his skillset to allow him to really thrive and he took advantage of it.”

The defense had its moments in the passing game, too, with safety Russ Yeast diving in front of a pass to nearly intercept Stetson Bennett IV. The offense found a bit more rhythm during the red-zone portion of the practice, with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing the ball up to a leaping Hunter Long for a touchdown.

Still, the defense walked away encouraged, with an eye toward how the energy carried over to Tuesday.

“Usually, the second day of pads is when you learn something,” Curl said. “First day of pads, everybody’s geeked up, ready to go. So second day is really when you see who really wants to be physical, who wants to do it again.”

Eyes on Johnson

The Rams have a handful of players vying for the sixth receiver job on the active roster. Second-year undrafted free agent Xavier Smith and five-year veteran Tyler Johnson have each had moments in which they’ve made their cases for the job.

Johnson put together a strong day on Monday with several contested catches along the sideline during team drills.

“I think he’s been one of the bright spots as far as the overall improvement,” McVay said. “He’s got great aggressive hands at the contact point.”

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Day off

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was given a veteran rest day on Monday as part of the Rams’ plan to manage his throwing program.

“I think we have a much better grasp of just where he’s at in this part in his career,” McVay said. “You don’t ever want to have any of those elbow issues creep up again. He’s done a phenomenal job of really taking care of it but there is a certain amount of work we want to get in a time.”

Injury report

Left tackle Alaric Jackson was not present for the team portion of Monday’s practice. The veteran lineman tweaked his ankle in the early part of practice, McVay said, adding that the expectation is it won’t be a long-term issue for the starter.

​ Orange County Register