He’s been rescued, he’s rescued others, now an OC therapy horse is off to retirement

• July 7, 2023

Retiring at 22 may seem too young, but for county firefighters and employees and clients of The Shea Center, Friday’s retirement party was a deserved, yet bittersweet, send-off for the therapy horse Choco.

Choco made headlines in July 2021 when he had to be rescued from a ravine by firefighters with the Orange County Fire Authority’s Truck 56. His rescue sparked a collaboration between the OCFA and The Shea Center, one of the largest therapeutic equestrian centers in the world, to rekindle a training program on how to rescue large animals.

Choco has spent the last five years at The Shea Center helping adults and youth through equine-centered mental and physical therapy. Due to his age and a cataracts diagnosis, Choco is retiring to a farm in Fallbrook.

“The coolest thing about the whole deal is, with our job, more often than not, we come into chaotic scenes, whether it’s a medical aid or a car accident, we send the individual to the hospital and we don’t ever get the closure or end up seeing what happens,” OCFA Capt. Danny Goodwin said.

But with Choco, the rescuers have been able to keep up with horse and now even celebrate his retirement, Goodwin said. “It’s just cool to have that closure and see him and know we made a small impact that helped him live a long life.”

Two years ago, Sarah Booth, The Shea Center’s communications director, was taking Choco on a routine fitness ride when a bird flew into the horse, spooking him. Choco fell 10 feet down into a ravine behind the center. Booth found Choco lying on his back, with concrete and rebar jutting into his flanks.

She feared the worst.

“When I was in that rock pit with him down the ravine, he was so scared, but he stayed calm for me. He listened to me, he let me stroke him,” Booth said. “And he could have killed me with his legs flailing, but he didn’t. He just trusted me to be able to know that I was going to help him, and that was a really powerful memory for me.”

Veterinarians had to sedate Choco so OCFA firefighters, led by Goodwin, could dig the horse out. With a makeshift harness of netting, he was lifted and flown out of the ravine by helicopter.

Booth called the rescue “nothing short of miraculous.” Goodwin called it a once-in-a-lifetime call.

Goodwin said the rescue was a wake-up call. Although the OCFA had once had a program to teach firefighters how to deal with large animals, the trainers had retired. Already that year, the department had rescued one horse before Choco, and everyone realized the training needed to resume, Goodwin said.

So Goodwin partnered with Booth and The Shea Center to create an equine urban search and rescue training program.

Goodwin said it was important for the OCFA to attend Choco’s retirement to show support for The Shea Center and its surrounding San Juan Capistrano community and their investment in the program.

“The Shea Center, and Choco especially, have done so much for our program and have given so much back to us that we need to show that we still care,” he said.

About a hundred firefighters from Anaheim, Orange, Huntington Beach and the county have taken part in the training over the last two years. It started as a three-day session to introduce firefighters to horses and get them used to working with large animals. As lessons have been learned for other rescues, the training has evolved.

Booth said the nonprofit organization’s horses are very well-trained for situations that would normally spook a horse, making them ideal for firefighters to train with.

Choco has participated in training firefighters, but he primarily worked in The Shea Center’s adaptive riding program and helped combat veterans with PTSD, Booth said. She described Choco as sensitive, a trait that benefited his work with the center’s mental healthcare program.

Liam Jepsen, a 15-year-old high school student from Laguna Niguel, said he formed an affectionate connection with Choco after riding with him frequently and attributed the horse with helping manage his ADHD.

“That showed me that if I stayed calm around the horse, they would stay calm around me, and that’s how my ADHD fell low and I was able to control it, all thanks to Mr. Choco,” Jepsen said.

Related links

FaceTime with horses: Shea Center uses telehealth to serve clients during coronavirus pandemic
Decorated Marine veteran overcomes trauma of war through the power of horses
Camp sparks big cowboy dreams on a small scale in San Juan Capistrano
Shea Center horseback therapy changes lives

Choco will retire to the Rock Hills Ranch in Fallbrook, which is 45 minutes away from The Shea Center.

Two other horses from the center have retired there, too, Booth said. Choco will spend his days grazing in pastures with other horses and receive care from the people who run the property.

“I, personally, and some of us that are close to him, are just so sad to see him leave,” Booth said, “but know he’s earned it.”

​ Orange County Register 

UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski says he’s better after losing

• July 7, 2023

LAS VEGAS — Alexander Volkanovski is coming off a fight in which he lost – and was congratulated for it.

He wasn’t all that comfortable at first about hearing the kudos for moving up a weight class to come close in a fight that Volkanovski said even many close to him didn’t think he had much of a chance to win.

Now he’s back in his more familiar featherweight division, where he won five title fights, to take on interim champion Yair Rodriguez (16-3) on Saturday for the belt in UFC 290.

Having gone up in weight and come back down, Volkanovski (25-2) said the experience of trying to add more bulk should serve him well.

“It feels good to be at featherweight again and being as sharp as ever,” the 145-pound champion said. “Definitely, that bulk made me stronger. Rising to that challenge, to that occasion, put my skills on a whole other level.”

He moved up to lightweight to face Islam Makhachev on Feb. 11 for the championship. The 155-pound title fight went five rounds, with Makhachev winning by unanimous decision. That loss, before a pro-Volkanovski crowd in his home country of Australia, ended his 22-match winning streak.

Even in losing, the 34-year-old Volkanovski took a big step in solidifying his reputation as one of the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighters, trading blows and coming close on the scorecards at 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 despite facing an opponent 4 inches taller and 15 pounds heavier.

“So many people thought I’d get manhandled and didn’t think I stood a chance, and there are probably people close to me that thought that,” said Volkanovski, second in the official pound-for-pound rankings to Jon Jones. “The loss did help me.”

He is a substantial favorite at minus-400, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, against Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Mexico. A convincing victory will help cement the claim that Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight in UFC history.

Rodriguez said he can’t add much to the superlatives that have already been attached to Volkanovski.

“He can kind of keep the same pace for five rounds, which is really important in this game,” Rodriguez said. “He’s able to figure out his opponents, the style or the little mistakes they (make) and takes advantage of those situations.”

That said, Rodriguez isn’t entering the fight to be just fodder for Volkanovski to make a triumphant return.

“I just think it’s going to be really difficult for him to beat me,” Rodriguez said. “He probably thinks it’s going to be easier. My style is completely different to what many people think. Being in front of me in the cage is difficult. It’s hard for anybody.”

Their bout headlines the International Fight Week card that also includes a second title matchup when Mexico’s Brandon Moreno (21-6-2) puts his flyweight championship on the line against Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja (25-5).

Moreno, 29, is a minus-205 favorite, but the 33-year-old Pantoja has beaten him twice.

“I can feel he’s motivated, like ‘I can do it again.’ I can see it in his face and his body language,” Moreno said. “I’m just changed. I’m just different. I just want to show that to the world this Saturday. I don’t want to talk that much about it, but man, I’m ready. I’m ready to shine this Saturday.”

Pantoja said he isn’t relying just on history in trying to win for the third time. The last one was five years ago, and Pantoja acknowledged that Moreno is a different fighter.

But …

“Maybe he’s keeping that in his head,” Pantoja said of the prior losses.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Kings sign Tobias Bjornfot, Samuel Fagemo and Tyler Madden

• July 7, 2023

The Kings agreed to contract extensions with three players Friday, each with an annual average value of the NHL league minimum of $775,000.

Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot signed a pact with a two-year term, while forwards Samuel Fagemo and Tyler Madden inked one-year deals. Bjornfot’s is a one-way contract, whereas Fagemo and Madden will continue to be two-way players with greater flexibility to pass between the NHL and American Hockey League.

Bjornfot, 22, has the strongest chance to start the upcoming season with a firm slot in the Kings’ lineup, not only due to the commitment shown by the organization but because he is at once the most experienced and most needed player among the group. Though Jacob Moverare and newly signed Andreas Englund also give coach Todd McLellan left-shooting options for the third defensive pairing, and prospect Brandt Clarke has experience on the left side as a right shot, Bjornfot may well have the inside track.

A 2019 first-round pick, Bjornfot has logged 116 NHL games, including 10 last season. The departure of veteran Alex Edler, as well as a slew of trades that sent away Sean Durzi, Sean Walker and Helge Grans, have opened up opportunities on the blue line.

Up front, Fagemo, a sniping winger, and Madden, a versatile skater capable of playing center or wing, could also challenge for time and will likely be counted upon by the big club at some point during the season. They are both 23 years old.

Madden, a former third-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks and the son of former New Jersey Devils forward John Madden, has yet to make his NHL debut. He has become an AHL regular since leaving Northeastern University in 2020.

Fagemo has three points in 13 NHL games, having enjoyed a cup of coffee with the parent club in each of the past two seasons. He was beat out for a roster spot in training camp last year by Gabe Vilardi, who was the centerpiece of the package that brought center Pierre-Luc Dubois from Winnipeg. Fagemo has piled up 50 goals over the past two seasons in the minors and should figure into a robust competition for the spots flanking center Blake Lizotte on the fourth line.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Summer has arrived: South swells, warm weather linger

• July 7, 2023

It’s finally starting to feel like summer.

The south swells are pumping and the all-day overcast skies at the coast have finally disappeared, but be warned if you’re headed to the beach – the ocean is still pretty chilly, with temps lingering in the mid-60s.

National Weather Service meteorologist Casey Oswant said the latest south swell brought waves Friday, July 7, in the 3- to 6-foot range across Orange County’s coast.

The surf was even bigger at the Wedge in Newport Beach, where beefy barrels brought out crowds in the water.

But the swell also brings a higher risk of strong rip currents, Oswant warned. Beachgoers should always talk to a lifeguard before getting in the water, she said.

“We are expecting that elevated surf continuing into (Saturday) before it starts to diminish over the weekend,” she said.

Weather-wise, this weekend is expected be in the low 70s along the coast and closer to 80 inland.

“Warm and pleasant, nothing too out of the ordinary,” Oswant said, noting there could be morning and evening clouds, but daytime hours should be clear.

Related Articles

Next week, however, will be a different story. Temps will hit a scorching 110 to 115 degrees in the high desert and Coachella Valley region. The Inland Empire will see highs in the low 100s.

“The coast will warm up during that time, but not quite as significantly,” Oswant said. “Luckily, we will keep that marine influence.”

Temps along the coast later next week will be in the upper 70s, though may reach into the low 90s further inland, she said.

​ Orange County Register 

2023 Top Workplaces nomination period extended

• July 7, 2023

The nomination period for the Register’s 16th annual Top Workplace program has been extended to Aug. 11.

Any organization with 35 or more employees in Orange County is eligible to participate and includes public, private, nonprofits and government agencies.

Participation is free.

Workplaces are evaluated by their employees using a 24-question survey.

Qualifying companies then will be surveyed by Energage, the research partner for the project, from June through August.

The list of winners will be announced in late 2023

To nominate online, go to ocregister.com/nominate or call 714-442-2768.

SEE MORE: See all 169 Orange County company winners in 2022

​ Orange County Register 

McDonald’s puts jalapeños on Quarter Pounders

• July 7, 2023

Just in time for an expected heat wave, McDonald’s will be turning up the heat on one of its signature menu items, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

On Monday, July 10, the fast food giant will officially begin serving a Cheesy Jalapeño Bacon QPC for a limited time.

The sandwiches will feature one or two beef patties, bacon, jalapeño slices and both two slices of American cheese and cheddar cheese sauce.

The sandwich is a follow-up to another limited time offer that became a viral sensation. The Grimace Shake was introduced June 12 to celebrate the birthday of a character featured in 1970s McDonald’s commercials. The purple beverage became a fad in TikTok videos. Most restaurants have likely sold out their supplies by now.

Also this summer, McDonald’s is serving frozen beverages such as the Frozen Coca-Cola Classic and Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry for a limited time.

Information: mcdonalds.com

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Punk in the Park with Pennywise, Descendents announces single-day lineups

• July 7, 2023

Promoters of the third annual Punk in the Park Festival have announced single-day lineups for the festival’s return to Oak Canyon Park in Silverado on Nov. 4-5.

The festival has also added several new acts since its original announcement back in May including GBH, Death By Stereo, Drain, The Casualties, Teenage Bottlerocket, Strike Anywhere and there are still a few more “announcing soon” spots blacked out on the official lineup poster.

Saturday, Nov. 4 will be headlined by Pennywise with support from Circle Jerks, GBH, The Suicide Machines, Drain, Scowl, The Dickies, Rotting Out, Strike Anywhere, A Wilhelm Scream, Death By Stereo, Narcoleptic Youth, Deviates, NIIS, Poli Van Dam, Good Guys in Black, The Gringoz, Greg Antista & The Lonely Streets and more.

Sunday, Nov. 5 will be led by Descendents with Goldfinger, The Lawrence Arms, The Casualties, The Dwarves, The Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket, Naked Aggression, We Are the Union, Elvis Cortez, The Side Eyes, Speed of Light, Dissension, Rundown Kreeps, Fishing for Chips and more.

Related Articles

Weekend passes are $120-$160 and includes unlimited craft beer tastings for those 21 and older. Weekend VIP passes are $300-$370 and includes the craft beer tastings, a dedicated entry lane, VIP laminate, private restrooms, a VIP viewing area and exclusive food and beverage options.

Single-day passes are $64-$94 and include craft beer tastings for those 21 and older; Single-day all-ages general admission passes without the craft beer tasting are $57-$77. Single-day VIP passes are $159-$209. All passes are now on sale at punkinthepark.com.

The event has expanded to included three stages this year and, for the first time, will include a Vans Vert Ramp with demos by pro skaters. This is also a craft beer event that will include unlimited tastings for those 21 and older from noon to 3 p.m. with dozens of local and regional breweries offering samples of more than 100 craft beverages.

​ Orange County Register 

SJC celebrates holiday with summer carvinal

• July 7, 2023

San Juan Capistrano’s celebration of American Independence went on for days.

The city’s summer carnival at the San Juan Sports Park featured four days of food, fun, entertainment and community celebration of the Fourth of July.

​ Orange County Register