Lance Lynn looking forward to ‘clean slate’ with Dodgers

• July 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES –The trade to the Dodgers this week has given Lance Lynn a clean slate. But he realizes nothing can entirely wipe away a 6.47 ERA.

“It’s a clean slate because you’re on a new team, but you don’t forget the last four months, either,” said Lynn who officially joined the Dodgers Sunday. “There’s a lot of positives that you can take and the negatives that I’ve had this year, I need to figure out how to make sure those don’t come back up.”

Lynn’s negatives have been obvious. He has allowed more runs (94) and home runs (28) than any pitcher in baseball and more hits (130) than anyone in the American League where he spent the first four months with the Chicago White Sox.

But Lynn looks at other things – like a career-high strikeout rate (10.8 per nine innings) – and knows he must be doing something right.

“I’ve had some ups and downs this year, for sure,” he said. “When you look at ERA and wins and losses, it’s the worst I’ve had in my career. And then you look at strikeouts per nine and stuff like that, they’re the best I’ve ever had.

“It’s been a weird year, but hopefully we can make sure that the ERA and wins take care of themselves and we keep the other things going in a positive direction and maybe a change of scenery will help that.”

The Dodgers are also likely to have some suggestions for Lynn on pitch usage and sequencing. But Lynn said Sunday morning that he hadn’t had that conversation with pitching coaches Mark Prior and Connor McGuiness yet.

“I just got here today. So I’m just kind of putting names with faces right now,” said Lynn who rode to the stadium with fellow White Sox evacuee and friend Joe Kelly. “I’m going to throw a bullpen and we’ll get a chance to talk after that. Right now I’m just trying to stay ready for when my turn is going to be and go from there.

“I physically feel good. So when you feel good, you know that you can go out there and be capable of a lot of things.”

The plan is for Lynn to start Tuesday against the Oakland A’s, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, giving him five days’ rest since his last start with the White Sox. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will start Wednesday while left-hander Julio Urias gets pushed back to Thursday, That will give Urias eight days off between starts to let a cracked nail resolve itself, Roberts said.

BETTS STATUS

Mookie Betts was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Sunday due to a sore right ankle. Betts injured his ankle while avoiding a pitch during Friday’s game but Roberts said the swelling has gone down and he expects Betts to be back in the lineup after the off day Monday.

“Could he play (Sunday)? Certainly. With an off day tomorrow, is it more beneficial to potentially give him three days off? Absolutely,” Roberts said. “I thought it was a no-brainer to give him that extra day.”

Roberts said the ankle will not limit Betts to right field or second base and he will be “available for anything” when he returns.

ROSARIO WORK

Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians this week, Amed Rosario has been almost exclusively a shortstop during his career. But the Dodgers plan to use Rosario at second base and in the outfield.

Rosario was on the field before Sunday’s game working with coaches Dino Ebel and Chris Woodward at second base. Rosario has never played there before but Roberts said he would be comfortable playing Rosario there immediately.

ALSO

In order to add Lynn to the active roster, the Dodgers optioned right-hander Tyson Miller back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. It is Miller’s fifth option this season (between the Dodgers and Brewers) so if he is promoted again he cannot be returned to the minors without clearing waivers first.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Monday.

Athletics (TBD) at Dodgers (RHP Lance Lynn, 6-9, 6.47  ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM

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​ Orange County Register 

Laguna Woods City Council approves cannabis dispensary ordinance

• July 30, 2023

Laguna Woods is closer to a possible legal marijuana dispensary opening within its borders.

The City Council on July 19 approved the first reading of an ordinance on business regulations for cannabis storefront retailers in the city. Voting for the ordinance were Mayor Cynthia Conners and councilmembers Shari Horne and Annie McCary, and voting against were councilmembers Carol Moore and Noel Hatch.

The ordinance now goes to a second reading, scheduled for the council’s regular meeting in August.

Before the vote, the council noted that cannabis remains illegal under federal law, being classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. However, marijuana was legalized under state law once California voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016.

The council also noted that the cities of Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Stanton allow cannabis storefront retailers, but the Orange County Sheriff’s Department remains opposed to such businesses.

Also brought up was the 10% tax that the city would impose on cannabis sales (on top of a 15% state excise tax). The city’s tax was set due to potentially increased law enforcement costs, the council said.

Councilmembers heard from nearly 20 people at their meeting, around half of them Laguna Woods Village residents and the rest cannabis consultants and advocates and representatives of marijuana dispensaries outside Laguna Woods.

Village residents opposed to a cannabis dispensary in the city expressed concerns about the potential for increased traffic, security issues and general disturbance to the peace of a retirement community.

They noted that Village cannabis users have other options: the dispensaries in the three other cities, including a free shuttle service to a dispensary in Santa Ana, along with delivery services.

“I voiced my concerns for the safety of our residents with what I see will cause increased traffic and unknown entities coming to our retirement village from all parts of the county, as well as concern for our villagers driving under the influence,” Village resident Pat Micone said in an email after the meeting.

She added that she hopes the City Council will delay a decision to allow all Village residents to weigh in on the matter.

Kathryn Freshley said she believes a dispensary in Laguna Woods would be “providing convenience for the few with the risk of security for the many.”

She said she has been observing the comings and goings at a dispensary that has been operating in Laguna Woods without city approval for about a month.

“I have watched that shop for several evenings and afternoons over the past month,” she said, noting that mostly men ages 20 to 40 seem to be visiting. “I have never seen a senior go into the shop.”

Freshley added, “Do we want to be the only legal outlet in South Orange County? Why aren’t Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo and Dana Point authorizing legal marijuana outlets in their cities? They have the younger generation who are the most users.”

Village residents in favor of a cannabis dispensary in Laguna Woods emphasized that, for many, marijuana is a medicinal aid that helps alleviate pain. Some said their chronic pain makes the long drive to Santa Ana, or even sitting on a bus for the ride to the city, unbearable. Delivery is not an option, they said, because there are too many unknowns.

“Many residents are intimidated by the drive (to other dispensaries), being in a strange place and dealing with young people who don’t understand the needs and mindset of seniors,” Virginia Rettig said in an email. “The whole process can be exhausting, mentally and physically.”

A Laguna Woods dispensary “hopefully would have bud tenders that would be older and experienced in geriatric needs and medical conditions,” she added.

Residents “should not have to travel to a Santa Ana dispensary to buy what they need and want,” said Jonathan Adler. Instead, he said, residents should be able to buy cannabis products “conveniently and safely, near home, in our city.”

Councilmembers Horne and Moore weighed in on their reasons for voting the way they did.

“It is something our residents want and have voted for repeatedly,” Horne said. “They get great benefit from it for lots of issues: relaxation, nausea, better appetite and pain control.”

Moore said that although she is OK with people using cannabis, she noted in an email “two very troubling aspects”: She believes the 10% tax is too high and the draft ordinance gives preferential treatment to one outfit that hopes to set up shop in Laguna Woods.

​ Orange County Register 

Angels salvage final game in Toronto with 10-inning victory

• July 30, 2023

TORONTO — The Angels’ drought with runners in scoring position was ended by a player who has struggled all year in that spot.

Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

Before Renfroe pulled a ball inside the left field pole, driving in automatic runner Mike Moustakas, the Angels had been 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position in the game, and 0 for 27 in the three-game series.

Renfroe, who had driven in the other run with a sacrifice fly, was hitting .163 with runners in scoring position for the season.

Closer Carlos Estévez, who had pitched a perfect ninth to get to the game to extra innings, then worked the 10th. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to drive in the automatic runner and then Matt Chapman walked.

Estévez then struck out George Springer and Cavan Biggio and he got Danny Jansen on a flyout, as the Angels salvaged one game out of the series.

The Angels came into Toronto trailing the Blue Jays by three games in the race for a wild card spot, and they leave town down by four games.

Renfroe, who also had two hits, was one of only two players in the Angels lineup who was in the Opening Day lineup, along with Shohei Ohtani.

Otherwise, injuries have shredded the Angels lineup. For much of the past month, they’ve managed solid production from the replacements, but not this weekend in Toronto.

Despite the lack of offense, they stayed close on Sunday because of strong performances by their pitchers.

Left-hander Tyler Anderson, who is seemingly now the Angels’ No. 6 starter, gave up one run in 6-1/3 innings.

After a rough start to the season, Anderson has settled in and produced more like the pitcher the Angels expected based on his career track record. He has a 3.53 ERA in seven starts since June 18.

Matt Moore picked up five outs before Estévez recorded the final six.

More to come on this story.

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​ Orange County Register 

1 killed on 22-5 freeway transition road in Orange

• July 30, 2023

One person was killed Sunday morning in a crash involving two vehicles on a freeway transition road in Orange, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 10:20 a.m. on a road linking the eastbound 22 Freeway to the northbound 5 Freeway, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The accident involved a pickup truck and a small sedan, the CHP said.

A representative from the Orange County coroner’s office was called to the location at 10:36 a.m.

A Sigalert was issued at 11:24 a.m. closing the transition road for an unknown duration.

There was no other immediate information.

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​ Orange County Register 

A big birthday, big achievements get a Bravo!

• July 30, 2023

Local teens inspire kids to get interested in science

Audrey Zhang and Lyn Huang are looking to make science cool and exciting for kids. The students at Orange County School of the Arts co-founded EpiSTEMic, a nonprofit summer science camp for children in fifth through eighth grade in Santa Ana and Orange communities.

With the help of funding from organizations such as the Dragon Kim Foundation and Google Fiber dedicated to supporting the visions of American youth, EpiSTEMic has been able to provide two weeks of free creative learning for students in Orange County.

Zhang and Huang started the project hoping that through the camp, students would gain new interest in and passion for science that they can remember and carry with them.

It all started with a question: Do you remember what was taught in your middle school science class? After asking around, the response the two got from most students was “No, not really,” and their idea was born.

From building roller coasters to learning how to perform CPR, and then a final day field trip to Santa Ana’s Discovery Cube, camp participants got the opportunity to experience applied science and gain new perspectives and interests in real-world STEM topics.

Big birthday wishes

Dorethea Tierheimer recently celebrated her 103rd birthday.

The birthday girl has lived in Garden Grove since 1967, having moved to town with her husband from Lynwood.

She retired from Northrop Grumman after 25 years and in the years since has enjoyed being a member of the Buena Park Emblem Club — including the organized bus trips to casinos with her friends, her daughter said.

For her 90th Tierheimer arrived in style to her birthday party on the back of a Harley Davidson, her daughter said.

Chapman gives high schoolers hands-on pharmacy experience

High school students recently conducted pharmaceutical lab tests, made medical gels, and discussed the workload and community impact of future pharmacists in the dynamic and unique Pharmacy Summer Research Program at Chapman University’s School of Pharmacy.

Nearly 50 young scientists, more than double the number since its first year, participated in the two-week program.

Witnessing the increasing enthusiasm for pharmacy education among high school students, Chapman faculty members designed the program to shed light on the multifaceted role of pharmacists and delve into the realm of pharmaceutical sciences, said associate professor Hamid Montazeri, director of the program.

Through hands-on experience and expert mentorship, young minds harness the power of scientific literature to craft and showcase their own research projects.

“It has exceeded our wildest dreams,” Montazeri said.

Chapman’s program immerses the young science-minded students into its lab environments with the latest technologies and techniques used in pharmaceutical sciences, he said.

The high school students performed lab tests to observe processes like blood clotting, made a pharmaceutical gel in the compounding lab, asked current students questions about everything from study habits to juggling extracurricular activities, and got advice from the School of Pharmacy’s career specialist.

The students were paired with a Chapman University faculty member to study their specialties. Erica Kim, an incoming senior at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton said, “Learning about Montazeri’s research into delivery systems targeting cancer cells was interesting because a lot of things he’s talking about I’m learning, especially in bio or chem, but he goes into more depth.”

The high school summer research program supports Chapman’s strategic plan goal to strengthen and expand graduate health science programs, advancing health care to meet community needs.

– Submitted by Chapman University

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.

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Barbie collector turned hobby into a 25-year design career at Mattel

• July 30, 2023

Everyone has a Barbie story to tell.

Bill Greening, principal designer for Barbie Signature at Mattel Toys and Barbie Brand Historian, always loves hearing other people’s stories. Greening, a 52-year-old Long Beach resident with roots in Orange County, began as a Barbie collector himself and the hobby led him to work at the company for 25 years.

“Some of the Barbie collectors have known me since I was 16, so I think they’re happy to see that there’s a collector that is in the Dreamhouse, somebody in their community has made it to Mattel,” Greening said. “So now, I’m a collector designing for other collectors. That feels rewarding, giving back to my doll community.”

Greening has collaborated with celebrities as well as the community and has helped create memories for the millions of kids and adults who get their hands on the infamous Barbie dolls.

As summer sizzles, “Barbie” is burning hotter than ever in the international consumer psyche. Greta Gerwig’s critically praised new comedy, starring Margot Robbie, took in a massive $93 million in North America in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday — a week after a $162 million opening.  The film reaped another $122.2 million internationally over the weekend. Its global tally has topped $775 million, numbers that many experts are hailing as a post-pandemic milestone. The iconic doll, in big-screen form, is wooing folks back into theaters, in tandem with Christopher Nolan’s widely praised historical epic “Oppenheimer.”

As principal designer, Greening is responsible for getting the first prototype done before a new Barbie goes into production. He works with a large team which include sample makers, seamstresses, sculptors, hair stylists and face painters at Mattel to bring designs to fruition.

“Once we get the design figured out and management approves it, then there’s a whole other team that takes over,” he said, “and I work with them to kind of make sure as it goes through the development lifecycle, as we get closer to production and the dolls getting a box, that the doll remains true to my vision.”

It takes between a year to 18 months from idea to Barbie showing up in her retail box, Greening said. Designers and teams can be living in 2023 but they are already looking at dolls that will be coming out in 2024 and then are starting to ideate dolls for 2025.

Greening’s admiration and fascination for Barbie began at a young age.

Greening grew up in the City of Orange in northern Orange County. At 3 years old, Greening would take his Malibu Barbie, Skipper and PJ outside to play in their toy pool and, eventually, into his family’s own — real — swimming pool.

“I played Barbie a lot with my cousin, Cindy, she had a lot of Barbies growing up,” he said. “And the thing I liked about playing Barbies with her is that it really triggered our imagination and I think that’s what kids really like about Barbie today, it’s like a tool for storytelling and using your imagination.”

In 1988, at 16, Greening decided to start collecting Barbie as a hobby. His introduction to the collecting world was introduced at Adventure City in Anaheim (formally called Hobby City) which had a doll museum at the time – including a wall of Barbie dolls. There he learned about collector books and doll shows.

Greening’s personal collection has exponentially grown, with more than 500 Barbies, including his personal favorite, the No. 1 Barbie – the first-ever version of the doll, released in 1959 with her golden hair, black-and-white bathing suit and striking blue eyeshadow.

“I think I would say almost every Barbie collector wants to own the original,” he said, “the first of what became this legend – I think is exciting.”

The 35-year collector said that part of the hobby is being very organized. Greening’s pink “Barbie room” in Long Beach has dolls lined up in glass cabinets, all showcasing their looks for the time. In separate drawers, different clothes, shoes and other accessories were neatly tucked away.

Although the Barbie collector community can be very competitive, Greening said that is it also very friendly and collectors will help each other find the rare dolls that they are searching for. While he mainly focuses on collecting dolls, Greening also collects the cases that Barbies have come in over the years.

“I love the graphics on it so much like that art has always inspired me, that’s what I would practice drawing with,” he said. “The art from the Barbie cases is what kind of got me drawing and became a passion.”

Greening started attending Fullerton Junior College as an art major and at some point, he said that a light bulb came on. “I thought if I switch to fashion design from art, maybe someday I could land a job for Mattel,” he said.

He switched to the fashion program, eventually transferred to Cal State Long Beach and graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design.

Long Beach then became a permanent home for Greening, and the community he had made as a local Barbie collector helped him land a job in the “Dreamhouse” – at Mattel. He started as an assistant designer in the spring of 1999, which was a dream come true, he said.

The first doll that Greening designed was “Cool Clips Barbie,” which was released in 2000. “It was a very surreal moment seeing your first doll, I don’t know it kind of feels like your first baby,” Greening said with a big smile. “Because there was this idea you had in your brain and now it’s in a box and now it’s on a shelf.”

The same year, Greening met the creator herself – Ruth Handler – at a doll signing and showed Handler his first design. Greening said Handler was “really gracious” and signed the box.

“I was there with my mom, Lorane, we waited an hour in line to meet Ruth,” he said. “It was a very kind of full-circle moment.”

Since then, Greening has gone on to design an array of dolls and collections. Last year, he designed Tina Turner’s Barbie, which sold out almost immediately. Other celebrities that he has helped be turned into dolls include Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Cyndi Lauper, and most recently Sasha Kali, who plays the new Super Girl in the “Flash” movie.

“(Kali) was just so excited not only to be the first Latina Super Girl but just to have a doll made in her likeness was such a big honor for her,” said Greening. “It’s fun when it touches somebody like that.”

He has also gone on to collaborate with other fashion designers such as acclaimed designer Bob Mackie, as well as designers Tim Gunn, Trina Turk, and New York-based design duo David and Philip Blond also known as “The Blonds.”

Greening said that he finds inspiration for designs everywhere, especially being in Southern California.

“I think there’s a California sensibility, especially living in Long Beach and being so close to the water, and being a California native myself,” he said, “I think it somehow works its way into the designs subconsciously.”

The Barbie collector community is another source of inspiration, Greening said. Attending events like the annual Barbie Convention make him feel among his peer group, all speaking the same Barbie slang and getting their Barbie fix.

As a brand today, Barbie is more inclusive than ever, he said.

The toy industry giant recognizes the importance of representation and is “committed to doing the work to inspire the next generation,” according to the Mattel website. Barbie dolls — including Kens — now range in different body types, skin tones, hair textures, come in a variety of face sculpts, in wheelchairs, with prosthetics, hearing aids, and vitiligo. The first Barbie representing a person with Down Syndrome debuted this year as well.

“Everybody’s welcome to the table,” the principal designer said. “I think that’s the message that is exciting.”

From being a collector to designing “Cool Clips Barbie” and numerous popular designs of the fashionable doll – Greening continues having a strong passion for all things Barbie, especially those who love her just as much as he does.

“I think just interacting with other people that are passionate about Barbie is also inspiring because it might spark an idea,” he said. “Ideas come from everywhere.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Knott’s Scary Farm announces spooky 50th anniversary preview on Aug. 24

• July 30, 2023

After waiting in long lines, thousands of horror and Halloween fans squeezed into the Grand Ballroom of the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, July 29 at Midsummer Scream just to get a sneak peek at Knott’s Berry Farm’s 50th anniversary Knott’s Scary Farm event.

Although the crowd had been told that there’d be no spoilers during the presentation, the team behind Knott’s beloved scare-a-thon made several big announcements. One of those included that there will be a special preview of the 50th anniversary event for diehard fans at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24. Tickets will be available starting at $20 on Monday, July 31 at Knotts.com.

The Buena Park theme park recently announced that Knott’s Scary Farm will take place on select evenings from Sept. 21-Oct. 31 and include 10 mazes, five scare zones and four live shows.

During a panel discussion, Ted Dougherty, Knott’s Scary Farm historian, author and producer and director for seasonal events, revealed Knott’s will be publishing an updated version of his book, “Knott’s Halloween Haunt: A Picture History,” this year. This version, which updates the one he wrote for the 40th anniversary, will explore technological advances over the past decade that have elevated the live attraction and haunt experience. He’ll be on-site throughout the event, signing books and doing meet and greets inside the new Legacy Haunt Store & Museum.

That new space will be located just outside the front gates of Knott’s and will be open to the general public to explore during the day and closed to all but Scary Farm ticketholders only during the event evenings. There will be several throwback photo ops and exclusive anniversary merchandise, and much like inside the park, the set designers are going to go all out with the decor that will nod to previous mazes, scare zones and live shows.

There will also be several interactive elements incorporated into the haunt experience this year. The theme park will be selling specialty lanterns that guests can carry throughout the park that will unlock certain creepy moments even within the mazes. They didn’t share too much more about the lanterns, other than guests will be provided with maps that show where the lanterns can be used and that they can expect to be able to see vintage event monsters with them and to beware of the swamp spiders.

Karl Busche, Knott’s animated and outspoken product development manager, also shared some of the merchandise that will be available this year including 21 new shirt designs, several of which harken back to past popular mazes. He created 50 different seasonal pins that he’s expecting will sell out quickly, so “If you see that pin, you want that pin, you buy that pin,” he strongly suggests. He also helped create Scare Farm-opoly, a Monopoly-style game that is themed after the park’s spooky live shows and attractions.

“Is Elvira on it? Damn straight she is,” he said as the crowd cheered.

As far as shows, the panel spent time explaining the history of “The Hanging,” which was “retired” in 2019. However, Ken Parks, corporate director of creative development for Cedar Fair, teased that with everyone feeling so nostalgic with the 50th anniversary “who knows” if “The Hanging” could make a grand return.

By the way, he said this with a wink and the crowd went insane.

Though they didn’t dive too far into the 2023 mazes, it was revealed that there will be an attraction dedicated to the man who started it all at Knott’s Scary Farm: Sinister Seymour, a character created by TV host and horror enthusiast Larry Vincent. Seymour was the reason Knott’s launched its spooky event back in 1973, which was only a two-day affair and cost $4 to attend. Seymour is the inspiration for Knott’s latest Scary Farm character, The Keeper, who dons Seymour’s famous garb, but looks like he’s just risen from the dead.

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​ Orange County Register 

The people who help schools run, support others are recognized … Bravo!

• July 30, 2023

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society announces local top fundraisers

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Orange County Inland Empire chapter recently announced its top fundraisers in the Visionary of the Year philanthropic competition.

The competition brings together thousands of volunteers across the country who are driven to help LLS fight blood cancer, a disease that is diagnosed every 180 seconds in the U.S. and has no means of prevention.

Fullerton resident Maria Elena Jones was named Visionary of the Year Runner-Up. Jones was diagnosed with leukemia and breast cancer on the same day in 2020. She had to fight two types of cancer, all during a global pandemic.

Jones’ love and faith, her husband, Rod, and family and friends helped her through her grueling treatment, and she came out the other side a warrior. Her brother served as a stem cell donor. Today, she is in remission.

Jones signed up to be a Visionary of the Year candidate because of the support and treatment breakthroughs she has seen from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She looks forward to continuing her legacy with LLS.

Staci Conely of Riverside, who raises funds in the name of her late daughter, Addi, was named Visionary of the Year.

– Submitted by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Orange County school recognized for community partnership to support homeless youths

Stratford School Mission Viejo received the Youth for Hope Award from Project Hope Alliance, an organization working to end the cycle of homelessness by supporting homeless youths, in honor of their three-year partnership.

Over the past three years, the partnership grew into a schoolwide mission to serve youths experiencing homelessness.

Among the projects students worked on was filling Boxes of Love for Valentine’s Day, with supplies that children would need to participate in classroom Valentine’s Day exchanges.

Another project involved a schoolwide fundraiser, Stockings for Hope, in which students filled stockings with donated toys, $25 gift cards and small gifts for children of various ages. In 2022, they filled 163 stockings with more than $4,075 in gift cards.

In addition to the school’s partnership with the Project Hope Alliance, students also work with other local and global charities, such as Operation Rescue, Community Table and efforts supporting families in Ukraine.

Orange County school employees recognized by state superintendent

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored nine outstanding classified school employees toward the end of the last school year, including two from Orange County, for their dedication to California’s public school students.

This year’s recipients were chosen from 151 nominations statewide, and local honorees were:

Clerical and Administrative Services: Adriana Ponce, office manager, Jordan Elementary School, Lowell Joint School District, Orange County (eight years of service)

Ponce sees no limitations, only endless possibilities, when it comes to serving the families, students and staff of Jordan Elementary and the Lowell Joint School District. She came to Jordan in December 2014 and brought her extensive technical knowledge of what is required to keep a campus running efficiently from her previous experience serving a large district in Texas.

Ponce looks for creative ways to solve problems and, during distance learning and the return to hybrid instruction, she organized tasks and delegated responsibilities to classified staff members who were not able to perform their typical duties. In doing so, she took care to be sensitive to personal schedules and various levels of comfort when it came to interacting with others.

Food and Nutrition Services: Jaime Carranza, senior warehouseman, Anaheim Union High School District, Orange County (five years of service)

As the senior warehouseman for food services, Carranza’s responsibilities include ensuring school sites receive their deliveries, providing technical guidance to all drivers, monitoring and maintaining warehouse inventory, receiving and storing deliveries of food and supplies, and maintaining warehouse equipment and fleet trucks.

Carranza goes above his responsibilities on a daily basis. He is dependable and is always ready and willing to assist in all areas. He is approachable and friendly and consistently provides excellent customer service by maintaining open channels of communication.

When challenges arise, Carranza is quick to address them and offer solutions. Because of his knowledge and experience and his willingness to assist others, employees never hesitate to call Carranza for assistance.

– Submitted by California Department of Education

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.

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​ Orange County Register