CSU System Taking Regional Approach
By Marina Gaytan
Due to the number of CSU campuses impacted, the Cal State system has taken a regional admissions approach for first time freshmen as well as upper-division transfer students.
“This bill gives the authority to California State Universities to accept students on a regional basis,” said Bill Scroggins, superintendent and president for College of the Sequoias. He said the regional approach could shut out COS students from attending “out of area” colleges like Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo or San Diego State University.
However, planned to ease the burden of transferring, State Senate Bill 1440, if signed into law by the governor, would simplify the transfer process between California Community College students and all California State Universities (CSU), saving students the headache from taking unnecessary additional units before transferring. The bill was passed by the Legislature and is on the governor's desk awaiting approval.
While SB 1440 will give community colleges long-needed ability to identify which COS courses meet CSU lower division major requirements, the bill also puts in statute the practice that CSU has increasingly used to limit freshman admission and community college transfers to a restricted geographic region around each campus, reported Scroggins.
Although the SB 1440 bill will make it easier for junior college (JC) students transferring to a CSU school by standardizing the course requirements, it will give non-local students second consideration.
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, which was authored by state Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), would also increase efficiency and generate approximately $160 million annually in cost savings, according to Paige Marlatt Dorr, director of communications for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.
The smooth transition will only come as soon as students complete an associate's degree under specified requirements by the agreement. At that point, students will also be guaranteed admission to a California State University campus as junior status.
“It's all driven by budget cuts,” said Eric Forbes, director of enrollment management with the CSU Chancellor's Office.
Currently, due to the uncertainty of the state budget, some CSU campuses are holding off approving admission applications, including Fresno, Bakersfield and Stanislaus.
According to the Fresno State website, the university is closed to applications from: first-time freshmen, new or returning lower division transfers, second baccalaureate, and post baccalaureate unclassified students, but is open to returning upper division students, upper division transfers and graduate or credential program students. The spring 2011 admission cycle is based upon anticipated funding to accommodate enrollment growth for 2010-11. Therefore, admission of students will be made on a space available basis.
Even though the campus is at capacity for the number of JC transfers, it will give local JC transfers first priority. Local transfers are those students coming from College of the Sequoias, Fresno City College, Merced Community College, Modesto Community College, Reedley College, West Hills Community College and West Hills College-Lemoore.
Transfer applicants from other colleges or universities will be considered on a space available basis if they have a minimum 2.70 GPA or higher.
Of the 23 CSU campuses, Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Humboldt, Monterey Bay, Northridge and Stanislaus are open to anyone in the state. For the students who want to apply to other CSU campuses, they can still do so, however, priority becomes restricted to service districts, said Kevin McCusker, public information assistant for COS.
Furthermore, if students do not get accepted to the college of their first choice, the good news is that with the SB 1440 bill they will be qualified to attend all CSUs without having to take additional classes to transfer. If a student chooses to go to a college outside of the local area, however, they will receive second priority to those other colleges. For example; someone who might want to attend San Jose State or Cal Poly is given second consideration because they are outside the local area.
If a student achieves a higher GPA or exceeds a higher index level, they will have a better chance of getting into a school outside the local area, but are not guaranteed a spot, Forbes added.
Currently, the transfer requirements vary between the different CSU campuses. This causes students at the community college level to take more classes than another student planning on going to a different CSU. This fluctuation in classes causes some students to stay longer at community colleges in order to finish the minimum requirements, therefore taking up well needed room for others, Dorr added.
“This bill will allow students to take the minimum 60 units at the community college and transfer faster,” Dorr said.
A new study by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office finds roughly 50,000 community college students transfer annually to the California State University system. Students do so with an average of 80 semester units when only 60 semester units are required. Additionally when students arrive at a CSU, they take excess units to make up for courses that did not transfer from their community college. The goal of this bill is to eliminate that issue.
Another bill, known as AB 2302 (Fong) which compliments SB 1440, would create a similar agreement with the University of California [UC] system. This bill is also waiting to be signed by the governor, according to Forbes.
When Funds Fall Short, Taxpayers Pick Up the Tab
By Rick Elkins
In cities like Visalia and Porterville, Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment Districts have been formed to maintain the extensive landscaping. In the newer districts, there is an inflation factor built in to cover not only rising costs to maintain the landscaping, but replacement costs for trees or shrubs that die or fences that become damaged.
However, in some of the older districts in town, there was no inflation factor built in and since Proposition 218, the 1996 Right to Vote on Taxes Act that requires government entities to seek voter approval before raising taxes or fees – some neighborhoods have voted down increases to their assessments. Only a simple majority of the votes cast is needed to increase an assessment, but that can be difficult, especially in smaller districts. A vote is only required if the city needs to increase an assessment in districts with a deficit cash balance.
Of the city of Visalia's approximately 200 landscape districts, city Administrative Services Director Eric Frost said only about 10 are “problematic.”
An example of the problem came to light in June when the city conducted a vote in several districts. One district was $10,000 in the red, another more than $17,000.
A couple of times in the past year residents of some of the districts have failed to pass increases to their assessments. In those instances, the city picks up the tab, but is now looking at “options” on how to manage those districts.
Frost, and Porterville City Manager John Lollis, agree the money their respective cities is having to come up with is not a large amount, but in these tough economic times, it is money out of the general fund that could go to public safety or parks and recreation.
“It's a balancing act to try to have the right amount of money,” said Frost of the district. He estimated the city is subsidizing landscape districts by somewhere around $100,000 right now.
He explained that it is often that the city fronts districts money, then adjusts the assessment and pays the general fund back the money borrowed. However, in those districts without the built-in inflator, the city has no way to increase the assessment without the property owners' approval.
Frost said the assessments vary, with the average around $100 a year per parcel. That can be higher if pocket parks – small parks within a subdivision – are included. The assessment is placed on the property owner's property tax bill.
New assessment districts have an up to 5 percent annual increase built in if needed, but the city must justify any increase.
“It's a problem in that the environment has changed in the last 10-15 years,” said Lollis, who estimated the total annual cost to the city of Porterville is around $10,000 a year. He said that city has approximately 60 districts, with only about a dozen where residents have not approved an increase in their assessment.
Lollis said they are working on a formula to include maintenance and replacement costs, but if residents oppose an increase, “one of the options is to dis-establish the district and then that community can take care of it.”
Frost said Visalia is looking at several options and dis-establishing a district is difficult because questions over ownership of the land. Lollis said in Porterville the city does not own the land and therefore is not responsible for maintaining the landscaping.
Frost said Visalia is looking at ways to reduce landscaping costs. “Our main strategy is what to do to reduce the cost and still maintain the area. One option is to reduce grass and shrubs – landscaping that requires a lot of maintenance and water.
“Biggest thing is you don't have to mow it and don't have to water it. Water is a third of the cost,” said Frost.
“We're working on it. It's one we've made progress on,” said Frost, and then added, “Some just are harder.”
Except in only a few cases, supervisors have increased monthly rates 10 percent, the maximum allowed. The hikes average around $1 to $4 per month but the increases still don't cover the costs of providing the service. Unlike larger communities or cities where the costs of the services are spread among hundreds or even thousands of users, revenues simply can't stretch far enough.
In order to cover the cost of providing services to the eight county service areas not covered by revenues, Tulare County uses general fund monies in a revolving fund which, over the years, has totaled more than $730,000. The county administers eight sewer systems and three water systems.
In recent years, Tulare County, like other counties, has found itself facing yet another hurdle to clear in finding solutions to end or at least curb subsidizing sewer, water and refuse services. Provisions of Proposition 218, the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, include allowing property owners or tenants of parcels receiving water and sewer services to vote on any increases.
County Supervisors annually face decisions on setting the rates for the county's service districts but the limited 10 percent hikes don't meet costs resulting in once again taking money from the revolving fund. Despite some protests, the rates have been approved. However, in some service area residents have begun filing written protests of the hikes and in the case of Tooleville, near Lindsay, have successfully blocked the rate hike. In August, 55 valid protest letters were received, 11 more than required for a 50 percent plus one vote halting the increase. It was the second straight year Tooleville residents escaped a rate hike, adding more than $4,100 to the estimated $59,700 shortfall.
Tulare County Resource Management Agency, which administers service districts, recommended eliminating all but essential maintinance and operational expenses in an attempt to cut deficit spending. It hopes the delayed operational expenses will cut into the $63,800 but admit it is only a stop-gap measure.
Supervisor Chairman Steve Worthley laments the fact that some of the county's poorest residents face some of the highest water and sewer rates because there so few customers to pay the operational costs.
When supervisors chose to freeze the rates for six of the service areas this year as part of the delayed maintenance and repair program, Worthley called it “good news in troubled times''
But unless there are major changes in growth or other factors in the rural service areas, the good news isn't likely to continue.
There is growing concern throughout the state that as residents in unincorporated communities come to realize they can block rate hikes, a trend will emerge and counties and other tax-supported entities will be forced to further subsidize more and more service district costs.
Attempts to have community service district fees ruled service charges and not taxes have been rejected so far but county officials continue to seek solutions.
Overriding Proposition 218 would require a vote which officials say is far from a likely reality.
Tulare County has joined with other counties attempting to somehow find a resolution to the issue.
Although there is no pending legislation on the matter, county legal staffs are working the problem. Madera County Counsel David Prentice is one of those leading the charge.
“In the face of a majority protest of rate increases for the provision of water, sewer or refuse collection, the public agency is put into a difficult situation. If the funds for these services are not adequate, the agency will have to use general fund dollars to subsidize the district.
“This is a reverse 218 violation as the general fund tax dollars are used for a special benefit which is not conferred on the tax payers,” Prentice said.
Unless the Legislature enacts a fix, Prentice said, “The public agency will have to subsidize in violation of 218 or enact the rate increases over the protest and draw a lawsuit and defend on grounds of necessity.”
Prentice said one potential solution would be legislation providing for a neutral fact finder to override the protests when warranted for health and safety or immunity for the agency beyond the level of service authorized by the voters.”
After the four hour meeting ended, however, planners agreed to continue the hearing and make their decision on Nov. 8.
Paul Scheibel, city planner, advised the commissioners when the meeting began that the city had received several written documents that day that needed to be reviewed. He recommended the hearing, which was held in the Convention Center to accommodate the large crowd, be continued to allow for more testimony and for the staff to evaluate the new documents.
Thomason Development is seeking approval of a Conditional Use Permit to construct the 15.5 acre shopping center that is proposed to include a 72,000 square foot grocery story, a retail pharmacy, a fast food restaurant and several small shops. Also in the plan is a second gas station.
The center, which has been zoned as a Neighborhood Commercial site since 1999, would have nearly 128,000 s.f. of retail space and about 600 parking spaces.
However, residents of the Stonebridge neighborhood immediately to the west of the proposed shopping center, have organized strong opposition, saying the center does not fit well into their neighborhood. Most of the people in the audience wore stickers that read “Not Compatible.”
Those opposed to the project told the commission they filed new documents late Monday, explaining they did so in response to the staff report that was not available to them until Friday.
Michael Thomason of Thomason Development defended his project and said that not only does the project meet all of the city's zoning laws and codes, it is very similar to a project in the northwest portion of the city that the planners did recently approve.
He said he met with many of the neighbors last week and thought the meeting went well, but nodding towards the crowd, added, “I guess it didn't.”
Neighbors have many concerns with the project, but focused a lot on the size of the grocery store. They said the 72,000 square foot store would be one of the largest in the city and would bring traffic, air pollution and other problems to the area.
Pamela Gomez, a member
of the Stonebridge Neighborhood Steering Committee, pointed
out the center would be the second largest in the city and
would put a lot more pressure on an already “dangerous”
intersection of Walnut and Lover's Lane.
Others opposed the city's finding that the project does
require a full environmental review.
Public testimony did not begin until two hours into the meeting as planners had many questions for staff and from the developer. It did not end until just before 11 p.m.
When it was suggested they continue the hearing, Commission member Roland Soltesz protested, saying to applause that people had turned out Monday night to hear a decision. He was critical of the project as well.
Saying the city is always looking for something different, he added, “this is not different.” He suggested the developer look at ways to incorporate Packwood Creek and the riparian area into the plan.
Thomason said the market would not bear something less than a large grocery store and accompanying shops.
Tom Anderson of Commercial Retail Associates that markets shopping centers, said the grocery industry is “all over the board” and that right now large stores are what is preferred. He said Thomason was only asking for “a little flexibility” in his plan. He also noted that over the years the site has been looked at by a number of grocery chains, so some day something will be built there.
Opponents also presented the commission with a petition containing more than 400 names opposed to the shopping center.
Thomason said he was willing to compromise on several aspects of the plan, especially cutting out extending Princeton Avenue through the middle of the center and into the neighborhood to the west. He said eliminating that opening to the west would be better to cut down on noise and lighting issues.
He also offered to landscape and maintain the area to the west of the center – along Packwood Creek - leaving two to three rows of walnut trees in place as another buffer between the center and the neighborhood.
Neighbors said they are not against the property being developed, but feel the proposed project it is too large for the area.
Thomason said he does not have agreements with any grocery chain and that he was seeking approval to move ahead with the project. He noted it could be several months before the economy improves enough for tenants to sign up.
If approved, he would have two years to begin construction, or could seek a one-year extension, giving him three years.
Rick Dreo, owner of Superior Soil, is one of several Tulare County shippers who say their level of freight rail service by San Joaquin Valley Railroad has been cut.
Dreo, whose company ships about 250 rail carloads of landscaping bark into his Ivanhoe site annually, cites problems with cuts of rail service days, reliability and scheduling of shipments, communication, car deliveries and property damage.
Chuck Littlefield, chief operating officer for Richard Best Transfer, says statements from RailAmerica and SJVR referring to “ a menu of optional services to meet customer needs” are not options.
“RBT INC has seen their SJVR assessorial fees increase from $10,698 in 2009 to over $200,000 year-to-date which is a 1,935 percent increase for the same volume of cars,” wrote Littlefield.
“The customer does not have a realistic choice in the matter. You either accept it or don't use rail service. We have seen our service cut and we do not get full service to all of our tracks which create a huge hardship for us.”
He said he was told by SJVR that he needs to put in more tracks “but they don't give full service to the ones that we do have. These outrageous charges have cost us our second largest customer and are about to cost us our single largest customer.”
Littlefield added, “It is tough to make it in this economy as it is without unplanned and unforeseen charges like these. This is the complaint of so many SJVR rail customers. The difference with most companies that have a choice with their transportation service carrier is they can always get a new carrier with more reasonable rates. Unfortunately, when your carrier is a railroad, you don't have that choice because there is no competition and therefore, a monopoly exists. You just have to suck it up, pass it on to your customers, a combination of the two, or just go out-of-business.”
The issue of diminished service and increased rates has become a key point in efforts by Tulare County, shippers and economic development officials to keep freight rail service alive. Although they already have lost the fight to retain a 30-mile segment from Strathmore to Jovista which is being ripped out, the shippers and potential shippers claim freight service is being discouraged by SJVR so it doesn't have to maintain its rail line.
Dreo's letter is one of several being forwarded to the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB), according to Tom Sparks, chairman of the Tulare County Rail Commission and member of the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG).
Two weeks ago, TCAG received a draft East Side Business Plan focused on freight rail service. The $90,000 report, funded from federal transportation monies, found the line connecting the north and south through Tulare County has sufficient traffic to support a profitable operation “as long as service is reliable…”
RailAmerica, the parent company of SJVR, claims that maintaining the entire line is too expensive citing depressed economic situations and operational costs.
But TCAG and others, including the Central California Shippers and Receivers Association, say the rail companies are on a mission to drive “businesses out of business” according to a letter sent to Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare). The letter states, “RailAmerica/SJVR is on a mission to drive businesses out of business just so they do not have to maintain their rail line. Their primary focus is to drive stock prices at all cost regardless of what it does to California rail customers, economy, environment and communities.”
The letter also cites issues at Tulare Frozen Foods in Lindsay which employs 120 people and has plans for a $15 million expansion but reportedly is hampered by RailAmerica's plans to abandon service to the company. Also mentioned is Port Ivory near Dinuba which is working on a plan to bring an estimated 5,000 carloads of rail business to that site, but Rail America is, according to the shipper's association letter “trying to kill that deal.”
As all this continues to unfold, TCAG and other officials currently are considering several options to not only keep existing rail system from further decline but to enhance it.
Although no formal action has been initiated, TCAG, shippers and others are seeking STB review of actions by SJVR and its level of service.
The STB has broad authority to regulate rail service.
The draft business report makes several references to involvement by the STB in the Valley rail battle. The report states, “There is a strict protocol for filing abandonment applications with the Surface Transportation Board that allows any affected customers to voice concerns and challenge the abandonment and for other parties interested in continuing rail service, including the shippers, to purchase the lines at net liquidation value (NLV) and operate the line for the shippers.”
TCAG meets next week to discuss the rail business plan and sources say they expect action to be taken to seek SBT intervention.
The draft business plan says current freight service in Tulare County is potentially profitable with a third party to operate what is termed a “feeder line.” A 15 percent profit is estimated, the report states. It also states additional potential traffic can be realized very soon with better service and marketing and the “profits could jump to 39.4 percent.”
As they deal with the STB and the service of SJVR, TCAG and the county's rail commission officials are also focusing on finding funding for a third party operator and funds to update the existing rail system.
Without improved service, the business plan draft states, getting a third party on board is highly unlikely.
“The service on the line is currently so bad that traffic continues to be diverted from rail to truck. It is hoped that the project can move forward fast enough to retain as much of the traffic and good will of the shippers as possible. This will be important for maintaining the favorable economics noted in this report.”
The report also cites the importance of having interchanges directly with Union Pacific (UP) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF).
“SVJR has already proven that it is not interested in the traffic or these lines for anything other than scrap value. The new operator cannot be held captive to SJVR service by depending on them for interchange. This may require service all the way into Fresno and or all the way south to Bakersfield.”
The commissioned business plan lists several “next steps” including:
-Shippers need to get more involved in supporting filings, possibly contributing financially to the line if needed.
-Work closely with Fresno County because of the impact of having lines extend all the way to Fresno.
-Develop an action plan “for all parities, including partner counties, shippers, potential operators, funding and regulatory agencies and other stakeholders, setting deadlines and responsibilities for closing the acquisition transactions by a specific date.
In his letter Dreo cites specific examples how his company has been impacted by the service reduction.
“When Superior Soil Supplements began operations in Ivanhoe, we received service five days per week. Now we receive two service two days a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Further, we have been told that loaded cars will be dropped on one day per week, and empty cars pulled on the other service day.
“Limited service days impact the efficiency of my operation, as cars 'pile up' at the Fresno interchange. This can result in demurrage costs when we cannot receive all the cars that have accumulated over several days into our spur at one time.”
Dreo also notes that SJVR “arbitrarily decided that my spur could lonely accommodate four cars. Previously, I had routinely received as many as six cars at a time with no problems. I have been charged demurrage when there were five cars to be delivered and the SJVR chose to deliver only four cars.”
SECOND FRONT PAGE
What's New
Visalia Fire Chief Mark Nelson is narrowing down his search for a site for the northwest fire station the city council approved earlier this year. One such property at the corner of Roeben and Tulare was up for closed door discussion Monday night, but Nelson said he is looking at about eight properties in all.
Vote by Mail ballots will be going out soon as the first day to Vote by Mail is Oct. 4 in the Nov. 2 state election, the Tulare County Election's Office reports. The last day to register to vote for the election is Oct. 18.
COS's TipNow system that allows for anonymous tips to be sent via text, email or voicemail, led to the arrest of man and the seizure of a handgun that was in the man's backpack. The man was a student enrolled at COS.
Tulare County is getting $2,845,529 to help it deal with the blight of abandoned foreclosed homes. The money is part of $1 billion being funneled through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The money can be used to purchase, refurbish and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties.
The Visalia City Council upheld the elimination of private golf cart privileges effective Oct. 31 at the Valley Oaks Golf Course – a process that has been in the works for a decade but extended twice. The council was again asked to extend allowing private golf carts on the course, but decided to stick with the planned Oct. 31 date of eliminating them. There are only four golfers who still use their own carts at the city-owned course.
Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville has been given BETA Healthcare Group Award of Excellence for the second consecutive year. The goal of the initiative is assist hospitals in attaining the best possible outcome for maternity patients by implementing high impact, evidenced-based, cost-effective risk management strategies. The award is given to hospitals that demonstrate 100% compliance with all elements of the OB initiative outlined below. More than 35 hospitals were eligible to participate and seven, to date, have received the Award of Excellence. SVDH is one of five BETA members that have received the award for two consecutive years.
The Bakersfield Business Conference, Oct. 9 this year, again has an impressive lineup of speakers, including Sarah Palin, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Goldie Hahn and Laura Bush.
The annual inflow of unauthorized immigrants to the U.S. was nearly two-thirds smaller in the March 2007 to March 2009 period than it had been from March 2000 to March 2005, according to new estimates by the Pew Hispanic Center. This decline contributed to an overall 8% reduction in the unauthorized immigrant population, which fell to 11.1 million in 2009 from 12 million in 2007. By region of origin, the population of unauthorized immigrants from Latin American countries other than Mexico has declined most markedly.
The City of Porterville has loaned the Porterville Fair Board $2 million to complete construction of the new fairgrounds by the city's municipal airport. The fairgrounds in town is being vacated to make room for a new South County Justice Center and last month the Fair Board requested the loan to complete construction on the new grounds. The loan is for 10 years and comes with 3 percent interest. Councilman Greg Shelton opposed the loan, but City Manager John Lollis said it is not uncommon for the city to make such loans. A similar loan was made to bring Kohl's to that city. Kohl's will open next month.
By Marina Gaytan
Visalia - Looking at an ad he tore out of the Wall Street Journal magazine in seventh grade that said “Pursue your dreams” made Dale Darling think twice about his life-long goals. He placed the ad on his wall and from then on he believed one thing; if you don't ever pursue your dreams, they will die.
“You have to turn your dreams into a reality to achieve your results” he said. “But you have to dream first,” he told members of the Visalia Rotary Club recently.
Darling grew up in Michigan on a dairy farm and moved to Visalia after graduating college. He worked for World Wide Sires as an area sales manager and lived in Visalia for 11 years. During his vacations Darling would climb one mountain every year.
After reading the book, Seven Summits by Dick Bass and Frank Wells and overcoming the thought of death, Darling sparked an eight-year journey to explore the seven summits, which are the highest mountain peaks of each of the seven continents.
Although Darling knew he was mentally ready for the challenge, he still needed to go through extensive training.
Cardiovascular training was very important because he had to build up his lung capacity. He also ran seven miles a week and did swimming workouts to help with his breathing. He worked on the StairMaster at the gym where he started out slow but continued to build with a backpack holding around 50 pounds for an hour, three times a week. Pull ups, sit ups, dips and wall climbing were also done weekly to help strengthen his muscles.
“It becomes a part of your life,” he said.
Once Darling climbed his first few mountains he set his goals high in order to climb Mount Everest; the tallest mountain in the world. Mount Everest is located in Asia at 29,035 feet.
Twenty people including Darling traveled with a hiking team that at the time had no casualties and no fatalities. The death rate for this hike is five percent with 218 dead (2004).
Throughout the hike, Darling and his team would stop at various camps. Camp number three is at 7,900 meters, with the death zone beginning around 8,000 meters. This is where the body begins to break down, he said.
Darling was able to make it to camp number four without oxygen which was at 27,500 feet.
Many times Darling found himself hiking alone during his two month climb.
“It's very monotonous,” he said.
Some of the scariest moments on the climb were during times when wind speeds were elevated, and the possibility of being blown over was high.
One of the smallest ledges on the climb was an eight inch ledge next to a 12,000 foot drop.
Darling luckily made it to the top of the mountain where he was able to stay and rest for 15 minutes. Soon after that he had to begin to make his way down. Darling said that 80 percent of deaths happen while traveling down the mountain.
Six people died the day before Darling and his team began the summit, and three of them were on his trail that morning. Fourteen people from his team made it to the top. That morning while heading down he saw two dead bodies. One was on the trail, the other, hanging from a rope.
“Any time you pursue different types of goals, challenges, there are always risks and you have to understand what those risks are,” he said.
Darling lost 22 pounds during his hike on Everest, half of that was lost the last week.
The other six summits that Darling climbed included Mount Kilimanjaro, which is located in Africa and is 19,344 feet in height. This high alpine hike, which usually takes approximately five to seven days, took Darling three and a half days to complete. It's approximately 20,000 feet above sea level, where the base of the plateau is at 5,000 feet. The start of the hike began in a tropical rainforest where Darling hiked through wet moss and slick clay, he said. The final day he reached a glacier.
Mount Elbrus is located in Europe and is 18,498 feet high.
Darling Hiked through a rural area of southern Russia that took him three days to complete.
Mount Aconcagua is located in South America and is 22,841feet high.
After hiking for 10 days, Darling and his team were finally able to see their first view of the mountain. It took them approximately three weeks to climb. Out of his team of 15, only four made it to the top.
Mount McKinley (Denali) is located in North America and is 20,320 feet high.
This particular mountain, which took him two times to hike, was where he learned perseverance and patients, he said.
Darling's first experience on the mountain, took him three weeks to hike. With a group of thirteen people he found himself stuck at the high camp for a week at 17,000 feet with weather conditions at -20 degrees. Darling experienced his second hike with two good friends, which only took him eight days to hike.
Mount Vinson is located in Antarctica and is 16,067 feet high.
The single plane ride for this particular hike cost him $20,000, which was the most expensive plane ride he had ever taken. Luckily for him, he had help from various corporate sponsors throughout all of his climbs.
“I could never do this on my own,” he said.
Mount Kosciuszko was his final hike which is located in Australia and is 7,310 feet in height.
After completing the two hour hike up the mountain, Darling enjoyed champagne at the top. It took him a total of four hours to complete this hike.
“Of all the seven summits, McKinley has been one of my most favorites,” he said. “It's challenging physically.”
Darling was just 25 years-old when he started hiking. A few years later, in his early thirties, his passion to climb higher mountains began. Darling is now 42 years-old and is a manger for Summit Almonds. After achieving his climb in Antarctica, Darling achieved another goal in life, marriage. Darling's new adventures now include chasing around his three and half-year-old son and going on cycling trips.
Darling's ultimate drive to test and challenge his self is what truly kept him going throughout his hikes.
Although he had to push himself mentally and physically in order to achieve his goals, his message was clear.
“We each have our own goals. We just need to set them and do them. Rather than watching someone else do it, go out there and do it yourself,” he said.
To date, approximately180 people in the world have successfully climbed all seven summits. Darling completed his journey in November 2006 and is listed as the 115th person on EverestNews.com as having completed all Seven Summits.
Unique Event Planned for Sept. 25 by Area Senior Living Facilities
By Marina Gaytan
Visalia - Senior citizens and their families from all over the Valley will have the opportunity to visit five different senior living facilities in Visalia during the first ever Senior Community Cruise.
Participants and their family members will have the option to board a free shuttle or drive themselves to tour the independent, assisted living communities as well as a skilled nursing facility.
“This is the first time five facilities have worked together,” said Sandy Hagar, community relations director for Quail Park Retirement Village.
Hagar also added that many seniors don't know the differences between independent senior living facilities, assisted living and skilled nursing, and that the goal is to educate in a non-threatening way.
All of the facilities offer a different level of care, some even with the option of having help 24 hours a day.
The Senior Care Organization Services, which is an advisory and advocacy service that provides for the senior population, decided to host this event to help better educate the public on different living options.
“It's about providing a fun filled activity for seniors and their families to explore a variety of living options as well as services for seniors in the Visalia area,” said James Waterman, co-founder and chief financial officer for Senior Care Organizational Services.
The five communities participating in this event will each have different food, decorations and activities directly relating to a theme.
Vendors will be at each location showcasing its services and products as well.
The facilities participating are; Quail Park Retirement Village located at 4520 W. Cypress Avenue which will have a Mexico theme; Walnut Park Retirement located at 4119 W. Walnut will have an Italian theme; Prestige Assisted Living located 3120 W. Caldwell will have a Hawaiian theme; Glory Days Assisted Living located at 1303 S. Pinkham Street will have a Texas theme and Redwood Springs Healthcare Center located at1925 E. Houston Avenue, will have a Jamaican theme.
Door prizes will also be awarded at each facility with a grand prize travel voucher.
The free event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 25, will begin with tours at any of the five locations.
For additional information, call 579-1700.
By Marina Gaytan
Tulare County - Research done by
the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, a division at
California State University, Fresno, found that the Nutrition
on the Go (NoGo) program helped people realize that eating
healthy is possible.
“We love the results,” said Sandy Beals, executive
director of FoodLink.
Nutrition on the Go is a program through FoodLink that provides fresh produce and valuable nutrition education to 3,500 families, currently to 19 sites in Tulare and Kings counties, with the intent of improving the eating habits and health of low income families.
The purpose of the project was to evaluate the impact of NoGo in 21 program sites on participants and volunteer's lifestyle and dietary habits.
The research team surveyed 400 participants over a one-year period finding out information about the number of people using the program to the number of volunteers and even recipient's eating habits.
The most helpful information from the evaluation found that 46 percent of participants were able to try new fruits and vegetables that they were not exposed to before.
FoodLink received a two-year grant to enhance NoGo from 2008-2010 from Vitamin Settlement Cases Cypress fund.
Although the $613,000 the Vitamin Settlement funded for NoGo has ended, the program will continue until the end of 2010 because of generous grants from Bank of America Foundation, Visalia Rotary Foundation and ongoing support from United Way
“We want people to stay healthy, out of the emergency room and in school and the workplace. Nutrition on the Go will help do that,” Beals added.
It costs FoodLink approximately $400,000 a year to fully fund the program but hopes that additional sources of funding in any amount will allow the program to continue into 2011.
For further information regarding the evaluation or funding contact Beals at 651-3663.
The above stories are the property of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.
September 16, 2010
