Cover girl Martha Stewart proves it’s never too late

• June 18, 2023

So incredibly motivating to see Martha Stewart at 81 make the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

I, too, was contacted to do a two-page spread. However, it was just one photo of me in a bikini, but it took two pages.

I refused.

I have nothing against Martha. She looks fantastic. It is not even jealousy, as you may think.

I, too, grow my own coconuts, making my daily pina coladas at the bar I built by hand, decorated with tiles created and designed in my own kiln.

But she eats healthy meals, cutting out bread and pasta. I’d rather cut out my heart than to eliminate those staples.

Thus, so that you are not disappointed, do not look for me to be a cover girl except in the police gazette if I decide to rob a bank. (It is so tempting with all the leftover masks I own.)

True, inside me lives a skinny gal trying to get out. Usually I shut her up with a bowl of spaghetti or a chunk of pumpernickel. Sometimes I don’t eat it but stuff my ears instead because my inner hungry child sure makes a lot of noise.

Let’s face it: I have never, ever met a bowl of pasta I did not like. And I am very friendly to many other foods. It is my nature to be accommodating.

But I must declare I overdo it on holidays – starting at Thanksgiving and ending at Easter/Passover /Ramadan, as I am an “equal eat on any holiday” activist. Plus special occasions, sporadically, are doing me in.

On Earth Day, I celebrated many international delicacies found on Earth and delivered by Amazon Fresh, Instacart and Uber Eats.

Everyone I know is anxious to mingle since the pandemic lockdown is over. I have to pay the consequences. Enough! Five parties, four restaurants, and a wedding. Please, no more food or toasts.

Remember when I thought I heard applause while walking, then learned it was my thighs hitting together?

Now it’s more like a crowd of screaming rock music fans giving a standing ovation to my jiggles and hanging participles.

Though frankly, I read in The New York Times that being overweight is not bad. They claim the Body Mass Index (BMI) may not be an accurate measure of health. Whew!

As long as I still fit into my earring from high school I’m OK.

Hmm. Can Martha do that?

Humor columnist and Laguna Woods Village resident Jan Marshall is the author of humor books for grownups, including “Dancin Schmancin With the Scars.” She also has written aspirational books for children – “The Toothbrush Who Tried to Run Away,” and “The Littlest Hero” and her latest, “Give the Kid a Hand.”  She’s the founder of the International Humor and Healing Institute in 1986. She’s a clinical hypnotherapist, a TV host and media humorist, and – above all – a proud great-grandmother. Contact her at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Servite football coach Chris Reinert hires coordinators

• June 17, 2023

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First-year Servite football coach Chris Reinert turned to the college ranks to find his offensive and defensive coordinators.

The Friars have hired former Saginaw Valley State assistant coach Cheyne Lacanaria as offensive coordinator and former University of Chicago assistant Jon Davidson as defensive coordinator, Reinert said.

Reinert, a graduate of Servite, arrived from the college ranks in December to replace Troy Thomas. Reinert had served as the special teams coach at the University of Colorado.

Reinert’s staff also includes the return of Frank Kalil as an assistant. Kalil will team with former Los Alamitos, UCLA and NFL lineman Alex Redmond to coach the offensive line.

Kalil’s sons Matt and Ryan Kalil were standout linemen at Servite who went on to play at USC and in the NFL.

Former Golden West College assistant Savea Harrington will coach the defensive line.

Denny Flanagan (Edison) will coach Servite’s freshman team.

The Friars are coming off a 1-9 season, the worst in school history.

Thomas and Servite “parted ways” after the campaign, ending his second tenure at the school after five seasons. In 2021, the Friars finished as the CIF-SS Division 1 runner-up to Mater Dei.

Servite opens the upcoming season by playing host to Silverado on Aug. 18 at Cerritos College.

Please send football news to Dan Albano at [email protected] or @ocvarsityguy

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​ Orange County Register 

Angels’ Jared Walsh still searching for swing after late start to his season

• June 17, 2023

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jared Walsh fought a battle to just get back onto the field, and now he’s fighting to stay.

The Angels first baseman missed two months dealing with neurological issues and insomnia that impacted his quality of life to the point that he sought help from a special clinic in Utah.

Those issues have improved enough for him to play, but still aren’t 100% behind him.

“It seems to be coming along,” Walsh said. “Trying to stay patient.”

In the meantime, the time spent away from the game has clearly had an impact on his performance. Walsh is hitting .111 with a .418 OPS in 24 games since he’s been back. He has struck out in 24 of his 74 plate appearances. His 11 walks represent the only bright spot in his numbers.

“I think taking two months off, without doing a ton of baseball stuff, and trying to hit these guys on a nightly basis has been tough,” Walsh said on Saturday, drenched in sweat from a session in the batting cage. “Don’t really have many pretty stats to look at up on the scoreboard. It feels like kind of starting over.”

Walsh said it’s been difficult to remain confident, but he’s trying to be as upbeat as possible, especially while the team has been winning.

“In terms of the controllables, I think I’ve done a good job,” Walsh said. “I’m still working hard. I think I’m being a good teammate. Bringing a good attitude. But there’s no question when your batting average is .110, looking at the scoreboard is difficult. I just try to be real conscious of what information I take in. I understand I haven’t lived up to my potential and there’s expectations and I haven’t met those yet. But it is what it is. I’ve just got to go about my business the right way and hope things turn soon.”

Manager Phil Nevin said the Angels will continue to give Walsh opportunities to get righted. They no longer play him against all right-handers, as was the plan initially. He was not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against a right-hander.

“He’s scuffling,” Nevin said. “There are some timing issues. When you take that much time away from the game at this point in the season, it gets tough, but he’s gonna get a chance. We still think highly of him. To get him going would be great for this group.”

The Angels have no easy solutions with Walsh at this point.

He is the best defensive first baseman on the team. His absence was felt throughout the infield early in the season. Gio Urshela is probably the second best first baseman, but now he’s out for an extended period with a broken pelvis.

If the Angels send Walsh to Triple-A, they’ll have to rely on Brandon Drury at first base, and that’s not his best position.

This weekend the Angels began trying Hunter Renfroe and Taylor Ward at first in pregame workouts, although they view Renfroe as a much more viable alternative there. That would also help alleviate the outfield logjam created by Mickey Moniak’s emergence.

Trey Cabbage, who is naturally an outfielder, has been playing some first base at Triple-A, and he’s hitting .293 with a .969 OPS. The Angels have concerns about Cabbage’s defense at first, as well as his ability to hit major league fastballs.

RENDON UPDATE

Anthony Rendon’s “day to day” wrist injury is going to last at least four days, with the injured list still a possibility if he can’t play on Tuesday.

Rendon was hit in the left wrist by a pitch on Thursday. Although X-rays showed no break, the joint is still swollen.

Nevin said they had hoped Rendon could play by Sunday, but he acknowledged on Saturday that “that might be a stretch.” The Angels are off on Monday, and then have two games against the Dodgers, followed by another off day.

“Tuesday is not out of the realm,” Nevin said. “If we get past that point, (the injured list) is probably something we have to discuss.”

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 3-1, 5.80) vs. Royals (RHP Zack Greinke, 1-6, 4.65), Saturday, 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Bally Sports West,  830 AM.

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​ Orange County Register 

Goldendoodle mix Philly is full of happiness

• June 17, 2023

Breed: Goldendoodle mix

Age: 9 months

Sex: Neutered male

Size: 40-45 pounds

Philly’s story: Pups and Pals was told that Philly’s parents were both goldendoodles, but he looks more like a hunting breed, maybe a setter or Brittany spaniel. Whatever he is, he’s sure cute. He’s thin at 41 pounds so probably will be about 50 or 60 pounds when he’s grown. He’s good with kids and other dogs, but he’s so happy he bounces, which might not be the best match for little ones. He is crate- and house-trained and has so much joy to bring to a home. He’d do best in an active home with a yard where he can run and other activities to keep him in shape. He knows some basic cues but, being a baby, gets distracted easily. He is not appropriate for homes with someone allergic to dogs.

Adoption fee: $400

Adoption procedure: Visit Pups and Pals’ website for full adoption procedures and an application, which must be received before meeting Philly. If you have questions about Philly not answered on the website, please call 562-713-5103. Pups and Pals has other dogs if Philly is not your perfect match.

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​ Orange County Register 

Lab mix Jackson is fun, loving and ready to play

• June 17, 2023

Breed: Labrador retriever mix

Age: 18 months

Sex: Neutered male

Size: 65 pounds

Jackson’s story: Meet Promise 4 Paws’ class clown. Jackson is a typical Lab puppy who loves zoomies, walks and playing with other dogs. But he also loves to cuddle and chill on the lounger in his foster’s garden. He’s got a kind, affectionate demeanor. Like so many black dogs, Jackson languished in a high-kill shelter. After two months of going unnoticed by potential adopters, he was brought to the rescue’s attention by the shelter, where he was a staff and volunteer favorite. Rescue volunteers jumped in and saved him. Although he walks nicely on leash and knows some basic cues, he will benefit from some ongoing training.

Adoption fee: $450

Adoption procedure: To meet Jackson, contact Promise 4 Paws at 949-600-1964 or [email protected]. Find more information on the rescue’s website, Instagram and Facebook.

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​ Orange County Register 

Californians should be skeptical of creating a ‘right to housing’ in the state constitution

• June 17, 2023

California voters may soon have to decide whether to enshrine a “right to housing” in the state constitution.

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10 provides, in its entirety:

“The state hereby recognizes the fundamental human right to adequate housing for everyone in California. It is the shared obligation of state and local jurisdictions to respect, protect, and fulfill this right, on a non-discriminatory and equitable basis, with a view to progressively achieve the full realization of the right, by all appropriate means, including the adoption and amendment of legislative measures, to the maximum of available resources.”

If you’re wondering what this proposed constitutional right would actually accomplish, you’re not alone. Previous “right to housing” proposals have either failed to pass or been vetoed by Governor Newsom for lack of specificity.

At its most superficial level, if the law merely states that everyone should have a roof over their head, there’s little debate over that self-evident proposition. But the real question is whether this somehow creates an enforceable obligation for government to provide housing to all who want it. In other words, would this amendment create a “private right of action,” a question which lawyers frequently confront when interpreting statutes or constitutional amendments.

The short analysis of ACA 10 prepared by the Legislative Counsel merely observes that “the California Constitution [already] enumerates various personal rights, including the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.” But is this “right to housing” the same as the historical rights with which we are so familiar?

More fundamentally, what is a “right?”

Americans are most likely to be familiar with the Bill of Rights, comprised of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Even a cursory reading of these amendments reveals that they are specific prohibitions on governmental power.  For example, the First Amendment prohibits Congress from making laws establishing religion or abridging freedom of speech. The Second Amendment prohibits Congress from abridging the right to bear arms, and the Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens’ right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in their homes through the requirement of a warrant.

Thus, the Bill of Rights reflects the fundamental nature of true rights which are limitations on government.

What is not included in our historical understanding of “rights” are “rights” to goods or services provided by others. For example, progressives like to claim that everyone has a “right” to health care. But this would necessarily entail that some other person either pay for the medical services – through taxes – or be required to provide the service without payment.

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Let’s be clear here. By suggesting we should hesitate to declare a “right” to health care or, for that matter, to housing, does not mean that, in a well-ordered civil society, we shouldn’t provide an adequate safety net to those less fortunate. California can create the most robust welfare state imaginable – if it hasn’t already – without declaring all the benefit therefrom as “rights.”

The danger in creating a society where everything is a “right” is that it becomes difficult if not impossible to know when to stop.

For guidance, perhaps we should return to First Principles – the rights as understood by the Founders of the Republic. That is, that true “rights,” also known as natural rights, are prohibitions against government interference in our lives so that we may live as freely as possible in our pursuit of happiness.

If rights include those things that can only be paid for by the forced redistribution of wealth by our government, doesn’t that necessarily violate the rights of those whose property is taken?

California needs to tread carefully in declaring rights to public services. Taken to its logical conclusion, we’ll be left with no rights at all.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

​ Orange County Register 

John Eastman should lose his law license

• June 17, 2023

Free societies understandably have a difficult time dealing with those who threaten their institutions and seek to destroy their democracies. Such societies allow broad latitude for political speech and require due process, which is why it’s taken so long for federal courts to mete out sentences in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. This is how it should be.

While it’s one thing to sort through video footage and prosecute charges against hooligans who breached the Capitol, it’s another matter to hold accountable politicians who riled them up and lawyers who plotted antidemocratic strategies. That brings us to a local figure – former Chapman University law professor John Eastman, who help devise Trump’s effort to overturn the election and cling undemocratically to power.

Eastman didn’t storm the Capitol, attack police or defecate in Capitol hallways – at least not literally. But, as Politico explained, he “spent the final weeks of the Trump administration stoking false claims of election fraud in order to put pressure on GOP-led state legislatures to appoint alternate slates of presidential electors.” He authored an infamous memo gaming out scenarios to keep Trump in power.

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We would oppose any prosecution of him given that dark plotting doesn’t amount to law-breaking, but we appreciate the State Bar of California’s effort to strip him of his law license. Whatever the results, the hearing, which includes several witnesses, should expose Eastman’s shame-worthy behavior.

Last year, the congressional committee investigating January 6 sought Eastman’s emails, but he resisted by invoking attorney-client privilege. In a scathing rebuke, Orange County federal Judge David O. Carter ruled that the emails were not deserving of protection from release. And Carter made it clear why, however difficult, it’s necessary to hold democracy’s enemies accountable.

“If Dr. Eastman and President Trump’s plan had worked, it would have permanently ended the peaceful transition of power, undermining American democracy and the Constitution,” Carter explained in his ruling. “If the country does not commit to investigating and pursuing accountability for those responsible, the Court fears January 6 will repeat itself.”

Let the disbarment proceedings begin.

​ Orange County Register 

Anaheim to buy land near Angel Stadium for new park

• June 17, 2023

Anaheim will pay $200,000 to buy land along the Santa Ana River and turn it into a new park near Angel Stadium.

The City Council recently approved purchasing the property to create the 3-acre park with trails, a children’s play area and a butterfly garden. The trails will have enough room for horses.

“This is an opportunity where we identified an underutilized space,” city spokesperson Erin Ryan said. “This is just an example of finding and adding new park space to our portfolio.”

The Orange County Flood Control District owned the property and sold it for less than the average market value of land in the area, officials said. Money from Platinum Triangle development fees and a Land and Water Conservation Fund will pay for the new $4.5 million park. The city already maintains 57 parks.

Residents will be able to access the park from the Santa Ana Regional Bike Trail and Orangewood Avenue, Ryan said. It is expected to be open by 2026.

The stretch that will become a park had been where unhoused people created a tent encampment until the city cleared it in 2018.

Eventually, the park could become a part of a major river walk project Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken recently spoke about in her State of the City address.

That OC River Walk project would have new trails, pedestrian and bicycle bridges and add inflatable dams to recharge the Santa Ana River.

There’s no set date for when the river walk project could become a reality; the city has created the website, ocriverwalk.com with more on the vision.

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​ Orange County Register