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AFTERT H E N O R T H S T A T EFIVE M A G A Z I N E JULY 2021 / 34th Year / No. 9 THE NEWS, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MONTHLY

ON THE COVER MEDAL OF HONOR ‘Remarkable’ is the term Jessica Casas uses AMBITIOUS RUN often when talking about her grandfather, Axiom Repertory Theatre is back as they Joe Chew, whose recent death at age 99 reopen from Covid with 65 performances closed the final chapter in a history of Gold in 88 days. Pictured above is the ensemble Rush-era Chinese-American pioneers cast of ‘Woody Guthrie’s American Song,’ who first settled in Red Bluff in 1852. An one of 9 slated productions. See page 5 Army veteran, Chew is probably best remembered for his many years working at two Red Bluff restaurants and is to FUN DAYS RETURN be posthumously honored July 5 in San Saturdays in Weaverville and Dunsmuir Francisco with a Congressional Medal (right photo) are becoming synonymous of honor awarded through the recently with art, live music, fun and a return to enacted Chinese-American World War II life relatively free of Covid restrictions. Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act. See page 2 See page 14 First Saturdays are swinging in Weaverville, while Dunsmuir claims Second Saturdays By Jon Lewis

Saturdays in Weaverville and Dunsmuir are becoming synonymous with art, live music, fun, and most importantly, a return to life relatively free of Covid restrictions. In Weaverville, it’s First Saturday, a cooperative project between the Trinity County Arts Council and downtown galleries and merchants to revive the former monthly Art Cruise and increase awareness and appreciation of the arts. A reggae band livened up First Saturday in June and plans are in place for even more entertainment on July 3rd. Jill Richards, executive director of the Trinity County Arts Council, said July’s First Saturday will pack an extra punch AFTER FIVE PHOTO / Ron Harrington PHOTO / Jill Richards since it matches up with Weaverville’s Above left, Cedarville artist Nick Karrasch discusses his paintings with a prospective buyer at the Mossbrae Fourth of July festivities. First Saturday Hotel during Dunsmuir’s Second Saturday in June. Above right, Eric Nanson with his sculptures at the organizers are leaving the fireworks to Highland Art Center during First Saturday in Weaverville. Below, artist Chuck Prudhomme helping a young the Lions Club but they have plenty of prospective artist in Weaverville during First Saturday. attractions of their own. New flags will be on display, featuring Olson and Mike Hopko) and the Highland a walking theme illustrated by Julia Art Center. Norman, a recent Weaverville High Attendees can visit all the attractions School graduate more known for her in comfort aboard an air-conditioned bus athletic exploits, including four years of the arts council hired from the Golden pitching and playing left field on the boys Age Center, Richards added. varsity baseball team. Susan Marie, the gallery director at the “It’s an entirely new look and logo,” Highland Art Center who participated on Richards said about First Saturday. the committee to rebrand Weaverville’s On July 3, Hayfork-based Merit Art Cruise, said the idea is to get more of Parcel will be performing from 5:15 to the community involved and give visitors 7 p.m. on the deck at Angela’s Bead more options, whether it’s dining, hands- Art near the downtown bandstand while on crafts or anything else. another full band, Rebel Tree, will be “The idea is something for everybody playing at the Water Bar on the east end (with an) emphasis on building the of Main Street. Railberto’s will be serving evening,” she said. street tacos to add a street fair vibe. As First Saturday continues, Other musical offerings include Mary Marie said the monthly event will Jo Fiermonte at the EarthDance Art include concerts at the Lee Fong Park Studios & Gallery and Stormy Weather amphitheater to take advantage of the at the Weaverville Hotel and Emporium. mild evening weather. Art galleries hosting receptions include Visit trinitycountyarts.org for monthly the Main Street Gallery (Debee Holland- lineups and gallery info. PHOTO / Jill Richards Dunsmuir’s with specials and events.” Second Saturday Marc Rowley, the Mossbrae Hotel The second Saturday of the month proprietor and another event organizer, has been claimed by Dunsmuir in said he has hosted well-attended art neighboring Siskiyou County. Second shows and receptions at his business Saturday events had actually started and “now that it appears we’re coming before the Covid shutdown but now it’s out of Covid, we’re getting back to it.” back and bigger than ever. Suzanne Scull, a Mossbrae Hotel The Siskiyou Arts Museum has employee, has been busy enlisting long hosted receptions on the second businesses to participate in Second Saturday of the month and would Saturday and signing up musicians, routinely draw a nice crowd, “so we vendors and artisans. thought we would build around that,” “We’re trying to create more than an said Carole Schrum, the owner of Magic average walk up and down the street,” Mountain Wellness and one of the event Rowley said. organizers. With supportive city leaders and Actually, Second Saturday is starting ample outdoor dining, Dunsmuir fared its third summer “but we really just pretty well during the Covid shutdown, AFTER FIVE PHOTO / Ron Harrington Above, Tim Schrum performs wanted to invite more people to come Matthews said. some acoustic music in front of and do stuff downtown in the historic “We still had a good summer (in his and his wife Carole’s store, district,” Schrum said. 2020) with lots of tourists frustrated with Magic Mountain Massage and “A small group of us started to meet the Bay Area,” she said. “Now that the Wellness, during June’s Second semi-regularly and talk about how weather is warming up and things are Saturday in Dunsmuir. Right, reg- to make Second Saturday more of a opening up, we’re thrilled to welcome gae band Seed N Soil performs at significant thing,” said Yeshe Matthews, people back to Dunsmuir.” owner of the Sacred Well. “Pretty soon, Visit dunsmuirsecondsaturday.com Lee Fong Park for the inaugural many local businesses were signing on for more information. First Saturday in Weaverville. PHOTO / Jill Richards Page 2 / July 2021 / After Five After Five / July 2021 / Page 3 Drive thru our “National Drive-Thru” event! Each child will be treated to a llama stuffed animal and a book per family. Use the main library entrance on West Center Street.

AFTER FIVE The North State Magazine After Five is published monthly for the communities in the north state and southern Oregon. Founded October 28, 1986. Advertising policies: The subject matter, form, size, wording, illustrations and typography are subject to the approval of After Five. Because a product is advertised in After Five does not necessarily mean we endorse its use. Display advertising rates and more detailed explanation of our ad policies are available on request. The entire contents of After Five are copyright 2021 by After Five. Mailed subscriptions are $50 per year. Editorial portions of the magazine may be reprinted by non-profit organizations. All other reproductions require the express written consent of the publisher. After Five welcomes editorial contributions, suggestions and story ideas from its readers. After Five is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Manuscripts or materials unaccompained by a stamped, self-addressed envelope will not be returned. Space is offered for short announcements and calendar events on a regular basis. Readers should submit calendar items between the 1st and the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. No phone call submissions; email or regular mail only. AFTER FIVE General Manager/Editor: Ron Harrington Publisher: Craig Harrington P.O. Box 492905, Redding, California 96049 Telephone (530) 275-1716 • FAX (530) 303-1528 ON THE WEB northstate.news Advertising (530) 275-1716 • FAX 303-1528 email: [email protected] Editorial (530) 275-1716 • FAX (530) 303-1528 email: [email protected] [email protected]

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California Newspaper TO PROMOTE AND DEFEND Publishers Association THE PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Page 4 / July 2021 / After Five Axiom Repertory Theatre returns, embarking on ambitious run of nine productions, 65 performances and 4 bands in 88 days Axiom Repertory Theatre in Redding The following weekend, Tom is back, and in a big way, as they reopen Kirschman appears as the inimitable and from Covid with their ambitious 2021 beloved George Burns in the Broadway Summer Repertory season featuring hit, “Say Goodnight, Gracie,” written nine productions, 65 performances and by Rupert Holmes. four bands, all within 88 days. Directed by Don Potter, “Say Running from July 1 through Sept. Goodnight, Gracie” presents an intimate 26, Axiom Repertory will present main- evening with Burns as he regales the stage productions at their Bechelli Lane audience with tales, photographs, location of “Woody Guthrie’s American sound clips and video recordings of Song,” “The Vagina Monologues,” his illustrious career, including meeting “May 4th Voices,” “Confessions of a and falling in love with Gracie Allen, his Nightingale,” “I Was Sick Then I Got friendship with Jack Benny, and many Better,” “Say Goodnight Gracie,” “Love more stories as well. Letters,” “Seussical Jr.,” and “White Lauren Stanfield makes her Rabbit Red Rabbit,” along with four directorial debut with the North State different bands performing on stage premiere of “May 4th Voices.” Using in Axiom’s newly redesigned Looking the actual testimony and eye-witness Glass Lounge. accounts from hundreds of onlookers Shows will alternate between of the harrowing events that transpired different dates and times with 7:30 AXIOM PHOTOS INCLUDING COVER PHOTO / Tim Nascimento on Kent State University on that evening performances on Thursdays, Erin Sullivan, above, both directs and appears in Eve Ensler’s “The ignominious day just over 50 years ago, Fridays and Saturdays, along with 2 p.m. Vagina Monologues,” beginning July 2. the ensemble cast will weave together a matinee performances on Saturday and show she promises “will not be easily, if Sunday afternoons, and additional 5 The director, Erin Sullivan, is ever, forgotten.” p.m. Sunday evening performances of particularly proud of her cast, he said, “White Rabbit Red Rabbit” is the avant-garde play, “White Rabbit Red remarking that the ensemble of women perhaps the most avant-garde play Rabbit.” Show dates, times and ticket are both fierce, compassionate, and currently being produced around the information is available online at www. passionate about themselves, one world, Hill said. As the production notes axreptheatre.com another, and women the world over. relate: No rehearsal. No director. A “The idea of presenting shows in ‘true The Saturday matinee program different actor every night. repertory fashion’ has long been a goal opens at 2 p.m. on July 3 with a special For each performance a different for Axiom,” Axiom Artistic Director Ken double feature: Tennessee William’s tell- actor receives the script for the first time Hill said in a news release. all biographical show, “Confessions of on stage in full view of the audience, Hill said they had been closely a Nightingale,” starring Mat McDonald and then things go from there. And the monitoring when the State was going to and directed by Tim Nascimento. That playwright, who lives in and is prevented fully open back up. will be followed by Jenny Allen’s “I Got from leaving Iran, encourages the “We calculated early to mid-summer, Sick Then I Got Better,” with the role audience to keep their cell phones and identified an opportunity to gather of Jenny Allen performed by two different on and both take pictures during the local directors, actors, and artisans in actors (Tammy Jones and Brandon performance and text him during creating this multi-show approach to Nascimento) at different performances. the actual show so he may have the reopening,” he said. “I love visiting other It’s directed by Cassie McEachen. opportunity to interact with them. places and seeing several different plays Opening weekend continues with Axiom also presents their annual over a single weekend; I often base my “Woody Guthrie’s American Song.” summer children’s theatre festival with personal vacation plans around the idea. The ensemble cast performs the music this year’s production of “Seussical, We came to the conclusion that others live on stage as they present over two Jr.,” over the final weekend of July. may be looking for a similar theatrical Mat McDonald appears as dozen of Guthrie’s most famous and Directed by Lizzie Stoxen, this full stage experience in a getaway destination Tennessee Williams in Axiom’s well-loved compositions. production features the acting, singing, location, and Redding is perfectly situated production of “Confessions of a Director Nancy Hill remarks that and dancing talents of 60 young people to provide that unique opportunity.” Nightingale.” some may be surprised to learn that ages 7 to 13. Hill said that Axiom’s mentors to the Woody Guthrie actually lived in Redding Axiom Repertory Theatre is located at north, the Oregon Cabaret and Oregon Standard Reserved, used for the for a brief time while looking for work 2613 Bechelli Lane, Redding. For more Shakespeare Festival, are situated in the Summer Children’s Festival production during the building of Shasta Dam. information, visit www.axreptheatre.com small artisan town of Ashland, Oregon, of “Seussical, Jr.,” will also feature “yet they annually draw between 350,000 reserved seating for up to 247 patrons. to 400,000 visitors. Our venue, situated Hill said their final configuration, directly adjacent to the I-5 corridor, sees Festival Standard, will allow even more over 60,000 unique vehicles a day pass people into the main-stage area to enjoy by.” touring bands that may draw 300 or 400 Hill believes hundreds of thousands fans. of people travel through Redding “In the meantime, we have the newly looking for that special getaway or redesigned Looking Glass Lounge for vacation experience complimented by our live music acts,” he said. professionally-oriented theatre. The fully-equipped lounge seats over “We want everyone to recognize 100 people in a cabaret setting. Redding as an arts destination worthy of Axiom’s inaugural summer repertory consideration,” he said. season opens July 1 with A.R. Gurney’s Hill said they have three distinct play, “Love Letters,” performed by main-stage seating configurations. John Truitt and Tammy Jones. Other “Summer Repertory features a performers include Russ Piette and Cabaret Reserved layout with linen- Pamela Carney, Bill and Lisa Collins and draped accented tables along with Linda Ragan. new mezzanine and balcony seating,” Eve Ensler’s show, “The Vagina he said. “We can accommodate 165 Monologues,” makes its debut on July Isaac Hines, Wylie Earnst, Keith Rose and Alondra Aguilar are among patrons in an intimate, and yet spatially- 2. Hill said the cast features both familiar the ensemble cast of “May 4th Voices” about the Kent State shootings distanced setting.” and new performers to Axiom’s stage. that took place in 1970.

After Five / July 2021 / Page 5 THE POSTSCRIPT Time to Spare By CARRIE CLASSON “Do you have time for this?” my husband, Peter, asked. Peter almost never questions what I’m doing unless I’m doing something particularly stupid. Yesterday, I had a meeting on Zoom. I figured I could finish my work, take my walk early, then run downtown and get my errands done all in time for my meeting. “Sure!” I assured him. Peter looked skeptical. “Maybe I’ll skip the stop at the hardware store,” I added, to pacify him. But the hardware store was right on the way, as I went from the library to the grocery store, so I dashed in, got my paint roller and potting soil, and dashed back out. “Plenty of time!” I assured myself as I hit the grocery store, chose two graduation cards in record time, and grabbed wrapping paper, ribbon and a bunch of flowers. It wasn’t until then that I noticed there were people standing in the aisles. “Why are people standing in the aisles?” I wondered. But I continued my high-speed chase and picked out two bags of grapes and six Honeycrisp apples. Only when I had gathered everything from the four corners of the store did it dawn on me what those people were doing, standing in the aisles. They were waiting to check out. “What?!” I said aloud, outraged. “It’s always like this at 4:30,” a smiling fellow, standing in the seemingly endless line, said to me when he saw my face. “Half an hour earlier, there’s no one in the store.” Apparently, I had never been in the store at exactly 4:30 before. “But ... I don’t have time for this!” I said to no one who cared—or could do anything about it. I raced to return my items to the four corners of the store, zipped out to my car, and made it to my Zoom meeting in the nick of time. The meeting was about the benefits of meditation; the speaker started out by talking about how meditation could alleviate stress. The irony was not wasted on me. I used to judge how well I had spent my time by how many items I had checked off my “to-do” list. If I arrived somewhere five minutes early, I figured there was something I could have done with those five minutes and then arrived on time—or maybe just a minute or two late, since everyone else would be late anyway. I felt gratified when I beat the clock, skidded in at the last possible moment, got more done than seemed possible. I used to think that when I was bathed in adrenaline, I was the most alive. Now I think it’s OK to have time to spare. Because I’ve realized that it’s only in those times when I don’t need to hurry that I notice what is going on around me. Unexpected ideas occur. I see funny things. I have time to talk to people I meet. I take the time to stop and listen. I learn things. None of this happens if I am racing across the store in an effort to set the world record for the speediest purchase of a greeting card. Manufactured emergencies are not the real thing. If the need arises to run from a predator, I’m pretty sure I’ll still be able to do it. Purchasing wrapping paper should not rely on survival instincts. “The store was crazy!” I told Peter. But really, it was me who was crazy. Today I will go back to get my apples. I will make my selection carefully. I will have time to spare. Page 6 / July 2021 / After Five CANNABIS MARKET NEED WEED? HOME DELIVERY ONLINE ORDER EXPRESS PICK UP CURBSIDE IN-STORE SHOPPING

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After Five / July 2021 / Page 7 What to do with all those knew what had been going on; 17-year cicadas blanketing Miller met them at the airport, the eastern half of the coun- and the two women aban- try? doned Adam, whom both had Sarah Dwyer of Chouquette met on the dating app Hinge. Chocolates in Bethesda, Bishop had changed all the Maryland, is coating them in reservations in his name to chocolate and selling them as Miller’s. exotic treats, Reuters report- “His jaw dropped when he ed. She calls them delicious. saw (Sophie),” Bishop said. “When you combine the “We became friends quite chocolate, the cinnamon and quickly after we met up,” Bish- the nuttiness of the bugs, it op said of herself and Miller. really gives you that holiday “We really bonded over the feeling of when you’re walking eight-day trip, and it’s by far around a big city and they’re the happiest thing out of this roasting nuts on the sidewalk, unfortunate situation, that I that cinnamon smell, it’s re- found a great friend.” ally what it tastes like,” Dwyer n n n n n n n said. The Dutch owners of a She and her employees 61-year-old Noah’s Ark rep- gather the bugs from trees lica and the British Maritime behind the business and put and Coastguard Agency are them in paper bags, which locked in an “impossible stale- they place in the freezer. Then mate” over the huge vessel, the cicadas are boiled and which has been docked at Ip- crisped in an air fryer. swich, England, since Novem- “I did go to pastry school in ber 2019. Paris to learn my dipping tech- The MCA declared the nique,” Dwyer said. “I’m pretty 230-foot-long ark not to be sure no one thought I’d be us- seaworthy, so it cannot sail, ing it on cicadas.” the Ipswich Star reported, and n n n n n n n the owners have been fined An entrepreneurial real es- 500 pounds each day. tate buyer got more than he For their part, the owners bargained for in Brooksville, say the boat, home to a biblical Florida, when he bought a mu- museum, was always catego- nicipal building for $55,000. rized as a “non-certified float- The building sits under- ing object.” British Transport neath the town’s water tower, Secretary Grant Shapps has and when Bobby Read went to been called in to intervene. the county to get an address n n n n n n n for his new building, he dis- Long-shot candidate for covered he had also bought U.S. Congress William Brad- the large structure. dock perhaps overshared on The Associated Press re- a 30-minute phone call with a ported that the community- conservative activist before he minded Read transferred became a candidate, Politico the tower back to Brooksville reported. through a warranty deed. City A Volvo manufacturing plant in western Virginia got a surprise visitor on June 4: A Braddock, vying to repre- Manager Mark Kutney said a young bear had somehow climbed up into the rafters of the building, 20 feet high sent the Tampa Bay, Florida, bad legal description of the and far from stairs or a ladder, and had become stuck. The state’s Department of area, told Erin Olszewski that property was to blame for the fellow candidate Anna Pau- snafu: “We’re human. Some- Wildlife Resources was called in, Fox News reported, and workers immobilized the lina Luna wouldn’t be a prob- times we make a mistake.” bear with a chemical dart, then removed it from the ceiling using a forklift. “Given the lem because he would send n n n n n n n location of the bear, odds were low that it would soon safely leave on its own,” said “a Russian and Ukrainian hit Aron Jermaine Major, 47, of DWR officials. Workers were directed to stay in the business’s cafeteria during the squad” to make her “disap- Atlanta is accused of 17 counts extraction. The bear was safely taken to a “suitable site for release.” pear.” of burglary after a crime spree “I really don’t want to have that gave him the moniker “the to end anybody’s life for the crawling burglar,” The Atlanta good of the people of the Unit- Journal-Constitution reported. jail without bond. Ontario, Canada, is a painting Kristen Bishop, 33, and So- ed States of America,” Brad- Starting last September, n n n n n n n that was purchased in a South phie Miller, 26, were strangers dock said, adding “... if the Major slithered through win- When an unnamed 18-year- River thrift store for $4.09 by from Texas until late March, poll says Luna’s gonna win, dows at metro Atlanta res- old found herself locked out of an unnamed buyer. when Miller called Bishop to she’s gonna be gone. For the taurants and across the floor, her home in Henderson, Ne- After buying the painting, reveal that both women were good of our country, we have avoiding motion detectors, to vada, she followed the exam- NPR reported, the purchaser dating the same man, “Adam.” to sacrifice the few.” Braddock rob the businesses of cash ple of a certain right jolly old noticed the artist’s signature At first, Bishop didn’t be- described his hit squad as “No and liquor. elf and tried to enter the home on the back, with a date of lieve Miller’s tale, but soon the snipers. Up close and per- He was finally apprehended through the chimney, United 1997. facts came to light, and the sonal. So they know that the in a traffic stop, where his sig- Press International reported. Canadian auction house two women cooked up a plot target is gone.” nature clothing – a “black jack- Henderson firefighters Cowley Abbott has identified for revenge. Olszewski turned the re- et with a distinct, gray, angular posted on Facebook that the the painting as “DHead XLVI” The Scottish Sun reported cordings over to police, say- pattern on both shoulders and woman became stuck “just by rock superstar David Bow- that Bishop and Adam had ing, “Normal people don’t say sleeves,” according to police – above the flue,” and they used ie, who died in 2016. It’s part planned a vacation to Turkey those things.” and the tag number on his car a rope system to pull her to of a series of 47 pieces of art for early April, which was just n n n n n n n gave him away. safety. She was uninjured (ex- Bowie made between 1995 a few days after the revealing New York State police ar- Major has several burglary cept maybe for her pride). and 1997. As of press time, phone call. rested Austin O. Weismore, convictions on his record; he n n n n n n n bids were up to $38,100. When they landed in Istan- 25, of Blossvale, New York, Up for auction in Toronto, n n n n n n n bul, Bishop told him that she was held in the Cobb County –Please See Page 17 Page 8 / July 2021 / After Five DINE-IN, TAKEOUT and DELIVERY Dining Guide Map on page 12. Check restaurant websites and social media for latest information on hours and services.

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Page 12 / July 2021 / After Five After Five / July 2021 / Page 13 Red Bluff’s Chinatown history fades with the passing of Joe Chew By Jon Lewis

Remarkable is the term Jessica Casas uses often when talking about her grandfather, Joe Chew, whose recent death at age 99 closed the final chapter in a history of Gold Rush-era Chinese- American pioneers who first settled in Red Bluff in 1888. “He was the friendliest guy,” Casas said by phone from the Chew family home she now occupies with her husband. “Everybody remembers him fondly. He was just a very nice person. It would always take a long time anytime I would take him to a store because everybody would want to talk to him. He was very well regarded. “Before he passed away, I would tell him he’s the most historic Chew because Above, Joe Chew in 2020 with a he lived the longest. He would say that’s proclamation from Sacramento remarkable and that’s how I think of him, County Supervisor Sue Frost noting as remarkable.” his Congressional Medal of honor, Chew is probably best remembered which was awarded through the for his many years working at the recently enacted Chinese-American California Café (1921-1949), the family World War II Veteran Congressional restaurant, and then at Ming Terrace Gold Medal Act. Right, Joe Chew (1949-1973), the restaurant his family and his wife Helen in the 1960s purchased in 1947 and opened on when they owned the Ming Terrace Main Street in 1949 in what was part restaurant in Red Bluff. Below right, of Red Bluff’s historic Chinatown. Ming Chew, kneeling right, when he was Terrace became the Peking Restaurant on the Chico State University tennis in 1973 and is now Guadalajara Mexican team. Below, Chew on the left and Restaurant. his family in Red Bluff in the 1950s. The youngest and longest-living PHOTOS / Courtesy Jessica Casas child of Chew You and Ng Shee, Chew attended public schools in Red Bluff and began helping in the family restaurant at age 9. Family members would work long hours and then move upstairs to the living quarters. After graduating from Red Bluff High School in 1941, Chew enrolled at the University of California in Berkeley with an engineering major. He lived in student housing at Shattuck Avenue and Channing Way, the same quarters his granddaughter Jessica would occupy some 73 years later. On weekends he would take the train to Red Bluff to help at the California Café. His UC experience was cut short when he was drafted into the Army and stationed at Camp Beale. Originally serving as a typist clerk, Chew’s busi- ness and accounting experience at the restaurant was put to use in the Army’s where she worked until her retirement in That generosity can be traced back to the last act of caring) and a red blanket finance department. Chew was one of 1995. The couple had a daughter, Diana, Chew’s early years at the California Café (indicating the happiness of his life). seven young men from Chinese Ameri- Jessica’s mother, with whom Chew lived when the family would offer meals on At a “going away party” at Chew’s can families in Red Bluff who enlisted or in Sacramento during his final years. the honor system to hungry customers home his life will be celebrated with a were drafted to serve their country. Throughout his life, Chew never lost during the Depression. meal featuring lo han jai (“Buddha’s After the war, Chew enrolled at Chico his fondness and enthusiasm for Red Chew is to be posthumously honored Delight”), a vegetarian dish that was State University to be closer to Red Bluff. Bluff. July 3 in San Francisco with a Congres- Chew’s favorite. Firecrackers and loud He also realized he was not really cut out “For grandpa’s 99th birthday, we sional Medal of honor awarded through music will ward off any evil spirits. for science, physics and engineering so celebrated in Red Bluff and we drove the recently enacted Chinese-American Casas said guests will be presented with he switched majors and graduated in around the streets and he showed us World War II Veteran Congressional red envelopes containing a lucky coin 1951 with a bachelor’s in accounting. He where he was born, where the first Gold Medal Act. Casas said she will ac- and a piece of candy. The candy adds was subsequently licensed as a certified restaurant was and he showed us where cept the award in his honor. sweetness to a bitter occasion and the public accountant. Chinatown was,” Casas said. Chew will be laid to rest on July 31 coin must be spent before returning Chew married Helen Mable Yee in Chew continued to prepare his own at Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff in a home to ward off bad spirits and pass 1965. A state worker in Sacramento, tax returns well into his 90s, Casas said, traditional ceremony marked with the good fortune onto others. she transferred to the Department of and even on his final return he listed burning of incense, bowing and the To learn more about the Chew family, Water Resources office in Red Bluff donations to 17 nonprofit organizations. presentation of a white blanket (signifying visit www.redbluffchew.org/chewhistory

Page 14 / July 2021 / After Five After Five / July 2021 / Page 15 Political emails reach new low By Peter Funt With Joe Biden’s presidency nearing the six-month mark, the Republican National Committee sent out a “Biden Report Card”—a poll in which Biden’s performance is graded from A to F. The RNC email begins, “Friend, Let’s be clear. Joe Biden is a FAILURE.” It goes on: “Biden is out of touch and out of control, which is why we’re turning to YOU to get your unfiltered opinion on Biden’s performance by completing the Official Biden Report Card.” I have no idea what the “results” were, but the set-up seemed certain to create a real nail-biter. The next day the Democratic Governors Association sent an email with a banner that flashed in bright red and white, URGENT POLL. The message read, “Tell us before midnight: Do you approve of Biden and Harris?” The voting options were “yes” and “no”—and, just to make it more scientific, the word yes was on a red button while no was on pale gray. Nonstop campaigning isn’t new, it’s a sad fact of politics. What’s changing is intensity and relentless messaging. Modern media, both professional and social, were supposed to create a better informed electorate and a rich diversity of political opinion. Instead, our tools are used to build barriers. Email is worst. At least when campaigning via regular mail or with paid ads in print and on television, out- of-pocket costs force some limits. Political emails are ridiculously rigid: Even 42 months before the next presidential election there is no middle ground, no semblance of open-mindedness. As an experiment, I submitted contrary votes in both “polls,” giving President Biden an “A” in the RNC survey and a “No” in the Democratic poll. It didn’t matter. Both of my votes opened pages that pushed toward the same pre-determined conclusions. “Are you concerned that Donald Trump will run for president again?” was the follow-up query in the Democrats’ Biden poll. “Will you invest $100 to help Democratic governors stop Trump’s hateful agenda?” The Republican survey wasted little time getting to its point: “Please contribute any amount right now to directly fund our efforts to defeat Biden!” (Remember, I had just voted to give Joe Biden the highest possible grade.) The suggested donations were $45 to $2,900. A simple course for those of us who hate this email nonsense would be to “unsubscribe.” But concerned voters understandably want to hear what their party has to say. I don’t want to cut off my nose just to stop the stink of foolish emails. Both parties shamelessly use whatever hook they can find to ask for personal information and money. “You may not know me yet,” began an email from Marie Boyd, “but you do know my husband, DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, which is why I have a special request for you. Jamie is so fired up about this grassroots team and the future of the Democratic Party—so I want to surprise him with a card signed by incredible supporters like you this Father’s Day.” I discovered that the digital card for Harrison could not be submitted without my cell number. Really? And, of course, the message contained a request for money—with $2,000 among the suggested sums. Just a few days earlier, a GOP email solicited signatures on “President Trump’s ONLY surprise birthday card.” This pitch also asked for a phone number, as well as an email address and, of course, a donation of up to $2,900. Political emails are giving spam a bad name. And relentless off-season badgering for cash undoubtedly leaves many civic-minded citizens with headaches. The Democrats’ email containing the Biden approval poll said its purpose was to help “heal our democracy.” Reading bogus surveys and email blather from both parties, I have to say healing is not what comes to mind.

Copyright 2021 Peter Funt distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Peter Funt’s new memoir, “Self- Amused,” is now available at CandidCamera.com. Page 16 / July 2021 / After Five trancelike state. haven’t gone so well lately. Rob Pilley, a zoologist who worked When Williams returned home from as a producer on the series, said the work, Smith wouldn’t talk to him and -From Page 8 to relieve herself. dolphins “began acting most pecu- was walking in circles. Williams had after he allegedly stole a U-Haul van. This spring, Sajitha left the home liarly, hanging around with their noses told her a couple of weeks before that Weismore drove the van from Flor- and Rahman followed shortly after; at the surface as if fascinated by their he was thinking of getting a divorce, ida to New York, WKTV reported, but his family reported him missing, but own reflection. It was the most extraor- Yahoo! News reported. dinary thing to see.” Later that evening, he went to bed he never returned the rental. Instead, Basheer soon “spotted Rahman by n n n n n n n he used black spray paint to try to dis- chance” in another village, where he and awoke with the back of his head guise the signature color palette and and his beloved have set up their new Small businesses have had to be on fire, he told police. logo. home. creative in the wake of the COVID-19 Williams grabbed his infant daugh- Police found the van while investi- n n n n n n n pandemic, as demonstrated by Club ter and ran to his parents’ adjacent gating a burglary and noted that the U- Crocs went on sale less than 20 Pro Adult Entertainment in Toronto, home, where they called 911. Haul logo was still visible on the front years ago, but they’re already experi- Ontario. When police arrived, Smith admit- windshield. Weismore also removed encing a “renaissance,” according to The Toronto Sun reported that shut- ted to setting Williams’ head on fire; the catalytic converter; he was charged The Independent. downs nearly destroyed the strip club she told them that that morning, she with felony grand larceny, among other And for the Spring 2022 season, – until owner Teresa Marciano and her had “started eating chicken wings and crimes. Crocs are getting a crossover boost staff came up with another idea. thought Henry poisoned them.” n n n n n n n from luxury fashion house Balenciaga: “Since we couldn’t operate as a res- Smith was charged with arson of A nature camera disguised as a New models feature a stiletto heel taurant, the only thing we wanted to do a building, domestic abuse and other piece of bark in the Nizhne-Svirsky (which looks more like a Lego piece) was something outdoors,” Marciano crimes and was ordered to undergo a said. “Most of our staff and managers competency evaluation. Nature Reserve in Russia fell victim to under the traditional green or black n n n n n n n a persistent woodpecker, United Press perforated upper. love golf, so we tried to marry both in- International reported. The new model may cost as much dustries together.” What is art? For Italian artist Sal- A black woodpecker named Zhelna, as $1,000, but social media isn’t on The new venture, Stiff Shafts, turns vatore Garau, it’s ... nothing. The looking for insects in the wood, pecked board. One tweet called them “an actu- the former club’s parking lot into a driv- 67-year-old sculptor recently sold at the camera for several days until al nightmare,” and another commenter ing range where golfers can aim their his “immaterial” sculpture, “I am,” for it broke, reserve workers posted on said she is “irrationally angry.” shots at caricatures of prominent politi- $18,300, Newsweek reported. Facebook. The device has been re- n n n n n n n cians. The buyer got a certificate of own- moved for repairs. If the high-heeled Crocs aren’t outre Bartenders and waitstaff will return ership. Garau says his work is a “vac- n n n n n n n enough for you, look into this acces- to provide food and drink to customers, uum.” “The vacuum is nothing more and the dancers will be caddies. than a space full of energy, and even News of the Weird reported on sory: the Mundstuck, made by MYL n n n n n n n March 12 that Alexandr Kudlay, 33, and Berlin. if we empty it and there is nothing left, Viktoria Pustovitova, 28, from Kharkiv, “Mundstuck” means “mouthpiece”; Two West Jordan, Utah, sisters, 9 according to the Heisenberg uncer- Ukraine, had handcuffed themselves this high-style one fits over the bottom and 4 years old, set out before dawn tainty principle, that ‘nothing’ has a together for three months to test their lip and decorates the chin, Oddity Cen- with California beaches in their sights, weight,” Garau explained. fraught relationship. tral reported. Fox News reported. The artist demands that the work be On June 18, Reuters reported that MYL Berlin calls it “structured, chic Unfortunately, the 9-year-old displayed in a private home free of any the experiment was a failure. and daring. ... It nestles perfectly on was driving, and things didn’t go as obstruction, in a 5-by-5-foot area, but Kudlay and Pustovitova had their your lip without applying pressure or planned. Just several miles away from he has no requirements for lighting or home, the little driver veered into on- climate control. shackles cut off on national television, hindering your mobility.” n n n n n n n with Kudlay admitting that “We are not The stainless steel Mundstuck coming traffic, slamming into a semi- on the same wavelength, we are totally comes in black, gold or silver and in truck. William Amos, 46, a member of the different.” three different designs. Prices range Both girls were wearing seatbelts, Canadian House of Commons, can’t Pustovitova tearfully admitted, “I from $75 to $140. and no one was hurt. Their parents seem to get a handle on the technol- think it will be a good lesson for us, for n n n n n n n were unaware of the joyride until police ogy he uses for virtual meetings. other Ukrainian couples and couples In Victoria, British Columbia, pho- called them after the accident. In April, Amos appeared completely abroad not to repeat what we have tographer Tony Austin was out for a “I guess they were intending to start naked on camera during a House of done.” nature walk when he ran across an their summer vacation a little early,” re- Commons proceeding, explaining later n n n n n n n inexplicable sight: A murder of crows marked West Valley police spokesper- that he was changing in his office after A woman known only as Sajitha had landed close by, and one was sort son Roxeanne Vainuku. going for a run and was sure that he from Kerala, India, disappeared in of flopping around in the dirt. Lt. Sean McCarthy added, “I don’t had disabled his camera. 2010, when she was just 18 years old, “It would sort of ... hop into the air know that we’ll tell them they were go- On May 26, Amos had to apologize ing the wrong way” to reach California. again – this time for urinating “without reported Newsweek. and ... then hop back onto the gravel,” n n n n n n n But about three months ago, the Austin said. realizing I was on camera.” “I am deep- mystery of her disappearance began As Austin grew nearer, he saw that A man caught for two days in a ly embarrassed by my actions and the to come to light. the bird was covered with ants. He was sticky situation had a clever, if false, distress they may have caused any- Sajitha had left her home 11 years concerned for the bird’s welfare, but explanation. In Santa Rosa, California, body who witnessed them,” he wrote ago and walked just 1,600 feet to the when he posted a picture on a Face- a man was discovered trapped in the on Twitter, according to the National home of her neighbor, Alinchuvattil book page for bird enthusiasts, he was shaft of a vineyard fan. Post. Rahman, who at the time was 24 years relieved, NPR reported. He told police that he likes to take His statement also said he would old. The crow was “anting” – spreading pictures of engines used in old farm “seek assistance,” although it was Reportedly, the couple believed ants on its feathers and wings. Experts equipment, but there was more to his unclear what type of assistance that story, NBC Bay Area reported. would be. their romantic relationship was threat- aren’t clear about why birds do this; n n n n n n n ened by their differing religions, so it may be related to cleanliness or to The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Of- Rahman settled her in a locked spare share the ants’ defensive secretions of fice commented, “After a thorough in- The Tail Company, based in the bedroom in his parents’ home, where fungicides, miticides and insecticides. vestigation, which revealed the farm United Kingdom, is starting produc- she spent the next decade watching a n n n n n n n equipment wasn’t antique and the man tion of its newest offering, miTail – a small TV using headphones. The Independent reported that a had far more methamphetamine than Bluetooth-enabled animatronic tail that Rahman’s brother, Basheer, said new BBC documentary has revealed camera equipment, the motivation to wearers can control with a phone app, Rahman was intensely secretive about that dolphins chew on and pass around climb into the fan shaft remains a total Nerdist reported. the room and kept it locked at all times; puffer fish in an apparent effort to get mystery.” For example, a wearer might want his bad temper discouraged his family “high.” The “photographer” did require to express emotions such as “frustrat- from asking about what was going on. Puffer fish release a nerve toxin medical attention but wasn’t seriously ed and tense” or “calm and relaxed.” “During the day, as everyone was at when provoked; large doses of it can injured. Sheriff’s officers will recom- Other moves include the Short Wag, mend several charges. the Happy Wag and the Erect Tremble. work, Rahman and Sajitha would have be deadly, but small amounts can pro- n n n n n n n the house to themselves,” Basheer duce a narcotic effect. The company plans to start delivering said. The room had no bathroom; Sa- Dolphins, having partaken of just Henry Williams and Tuhonsty Ma- the Kickstarter-supported products in jitha would crawl out a window at night the right amount, appear to enter a rie Smith of Milwaukee have been in a August. relationship for eight years, but things n n n n n n n After Five / July 2021 / Page 17 Some college counselors fight back against pandemic-induced enrollment decline

Thousands of California high application and select classes at Riverside Oakland Unified dropped 11% with around school graduates didn’t go to col- City College. “The effect has been that 46% of its 2020 grads headed to college, lege last year due to the pandemic. “I don’t know where I even have to this pandemic has been ex- while San Francisco Unified reported a 6% The drop, which mostly affected begin,” he said. “I’ve been talking to people decline. from (colleges) and they haven’t really posing and widening existing The decline in college going rates community colleges, might be tem- been very clear on what I actually have to inequities in our society.” has significant implications for students, porary, but it showed the need to do to get into the school and choose the colleges and California. Following provide more support for students Doug Shapiro classes. I mean I tried it, but I really couldn’t executive research director national trends, California has made going from high school to college. do it myself.” significant progress over the last several A new counseling program in Riv- College Comeback has been a boon at the Clearinghouse years in improving college going rates, erside County aims to do just that. to students like Cruz, but time will tell how especially for groups that are historically many students the program will be able to around 11% with around 16,000 of the underrepresented in higher education, so By Charlotte West and Angel Fabre reach. Outreach to students last summer county’s 26,500 graduates headed to the recent declines are troubling, said Hans CalMatters.org showed how challenging it can be to get college in 2020. The drop was even more Johnson, director of the Higher Education In early June, 19-year-old Brian Cruz large numbers of students to reengage in “catastrophic” for some groups: 17% for Center at the Public Policy Institute of was on a break from his warehouse job higher education, but also how effective low income students, 24% for Native California. at Amazon, listening to music. He scrolled one-on-one counseling can be for individual American students and 33% for English “We know that going to college is one of through the messages on his phone and students. language learners, according to Shannon the most important ways that we continue saw an email from the college and career Coulter, director of research and evaluation to achieve economic mobility in our state,” center at his old high school in Hemet, a How it works at San Diego County Office of Education. he said. high desert town in Southern California. After they graduate, students lose the While experts hoped students who Johnson said the question is how Even though Cruz graduated from support they’d normally get from their high disappeared in the fall would return in the many high school graduates who didn’t go Tahquitz High School last year, the email school counselors. College Comeback is spring, so far that’s not the case. Recent to college because of the pandemic will invited him to make an appointment with the first program of its kind in California, spring enrollment data from the Clearing- eventually go back. “Anytime a student a school counselor. Last spring, Cruz specifically targeting recent graduates who house show similar declines in enrollment stops out, for whatever reason, they’re less decided to put off college and work while want to go to college but don’t know how. between this year and last spring. likely to ever return [to college], even if they he waited out the pandemic. Students who graduated from Riverside “The effect has been that this pandemic have good intentions,” he said. But a year of packing boxes at Amazon County high schools last year can sign onto has been exposing and widening existing and a lifetime of seeing family members a booking website to make different types inequities in our society, even to the extent Struggling and juggling work manual labor made him anxious to go of appointments to explore postsecondary of reversing the progress that we’ve made Students and counselors cite a number back to school as soon as possible. “I was options, fill out a FAFSA or California Dream in recent years around closing the equity of reasons for the decline. Many, like Cruz, happy to get that email, because I really Act form for undocumented students, fill gaps in terms of access to college,” wanted to avoid online learning or didn’t didn’t know what to do,” he said. out a college application and learn about Shapiro said. have reliable Internet access, while others Cruz is one of the first students to career and technical programs or military That has borne out in Riverside County, became primary wage earners in their participate in College Comeback, a service. which had one of the worst college-going households, or took on care responsibilities. counseling program launched by the The county has paid counselors rates in California back in 2013 at around Some students who tried to enroll in the fall Riverside County Office of Education at the like Nava a stipend to take on the extra 54% percent, according to Cifuentes, the ended up dropping their classes because end of May. A team of six spends 25 hours workload via money previously allocated Riverside County counseling director. they struggled with online classes. a week reaching out to the high school to things like travel. Whereas high Through concerted efforts aimed at Colleges have also reported increases in class of 2020 after data revealed that 2,300 school counseling often involves group improving college going, including students who are only attending part time. fewer students — a decline of around 8% workshops, the alumni program focuses professional development for counselors Some members of the class of 2020 — went to college in fall 2020 compared to on individual appointments, said Catalina and a huge push for FAFSA completion, are taking the more traditional “gap year,” the year before. Cifuentes, director of college and career the county had been able to boost college where they’ve been admitted and defer a The numbers from Riverside County counseling for Riverside County. enrollment rates to more than 60% as of year. At Stanford, for example, 378 first- mirror trends in other parts of the state and Because counselors are also trained 2019. But between 2020 and 2019, the year students — or around 20 percent of the country. Nationally, college going rates mental health professionals, they also enrollment rate dropped almost back down the incoming class — opted to wait until fall for students straight out of high school were provide social and emotional support for to the 2013 levels. Cifuentes said the 2021. down 13% overall and 22% at community students who might be facing challenges pandemic “erased all of the progress we’ve One of them was Langston colleges in fall 2020, according to the that impact their educational choices, Nava made in the last seven years.” Buddenhagen, a 2020 grad from Oakland National Student Clearinghouse Research said. Shapiro said that colleges need to Tech High School. He wasn’t thrilled at Center, a non-profit that tracks enrollment College Comeback also collaborates figure out how to reach not only current the prospect of spending his first year of data. Experts attribute the enrollment with colleges and universities and stays in high school seniors but also those who college sitting in front of his computer. “The decline to the COVID-19 pandemic and touch until the student has registered for graduated last year. “They’re disconnected main goal [of my gap year was] to avoid the aren’t sure how soon — or whether — classes. “We don’t want the students to get now from education,” he said. “These are Covid disruptions and try and wait out as those numbers will bounce back. a run around,” Cifuentes said. students that if they don’t make it back, much of it as I could,” he said. “That’s one in five freshmen who would The program got off to a slow start they’ll be disadvantaged in terms of their He started his own business tutoring have been expected to go to a community because district leaders were worried skills, their employability, their earning younger students and volunteered with a college this fall that simply didn’t show up,” about diverting attention from the current potential. Not just themselves, but their task force in Oakland working on police said Doug Shapiro, executive research class of seniors, but currently has approval families, their communities, and our whole reform in the wake of the George Floyd director at the Clearinghouse, during a to continue for the foreseeable future, country… will suffer from that.” murder. He also interned with the San presentation for the Education Writers according to Cifuentes. Education experts Francisco district attorney’s office. Association in May. say there’s ongoing need for postsecondary Troubling declines Nineteen-year-old Andres Martin, support for all graduates that will persist While statewide data isn’t available, the a graduate of Skyline High School in Coming back beyond the pandemic. number of California high school graduates Oakland, had applied and been accepted A few days after getting the email from Statewide, almost 22,000 fewer from the class of 2020 who went to college to several out-of-state colleges and other the school counselor, Cruz logged onto seniors from the class of 2021 have filled dropped in several of the state’s most institutions in Southern California. But a Zoom appointment with counselor Yuri out the FAFSA compared to this time last populous districts compared to the year when the pandemic hit, his flight attendant Nava. He told her he’d been accepted to year. This summer, Riverside counselors before, according to Clearinghouse data mother was unable to work and his dad, an University of California Riverside last year, will also be working with 2021 graduates provided to CalMatters. All eight districts electrician, had a hard time finding jobs. but didn’t enroll after he found out classes to make sure they complete all the steps and four counties for which CalMatters As a result, Martin had to reconsider would be online. necessary to go to college this fall. viewed data saw a decline in graduates where, and whether, he wanted to go to Nava informed him he’d missed the going directly to college, ranging from 2.5% college. He got into UC Riverside, but Nov. 30 deadline for the upcoming school A big problem in San Mateo Unified to 13.1% in Fresno decided it would be too expensive to move year, so he’d have to wait until fall 2022 Clearinghouse’s Shapiro said the Unified. Districts with a higher share of so far away from home. “It didn’t seem like to start at UC Riverside. No one had told college-going data is alarming. low-income students or students enrolling I had much of a choice of where I could Cruz that he had the option to defer his “It continues to get worse when you at community college saw bigger drops. go,” he said. admission a year, he said. drill down into some of the demographics That translates into thousands of California Like many students, Martin also Nava then walked Cruz through his within that,” he said of the national data. students who didn’t go to college last year. worried about his ability to be academically options, encouraging him to think about “For Black students, Latinx and Indigenous In Los Angeles Unified, the largest successful with remote learning. “I knew community college. She worked with Cruz students, in particular, the declines were school district in California, college-going that I would keep struggling since in on filling out his financial aid application, almost twice as steep.” rates decreased from 68% to 59% between the pandemic, it was really hard to stay also known as the FAFSA, and booked San Diego County, for example, 2019 to 2020, a drop of more than 2,600 motivated, stay focused, stay on task, just another appointment to complete his saw a drop in college-going seniors by students, according to Clearinghouse data. not being in a classroom situation,” he said. Page 18 / July 2021 / After Five How to select the best place to retire Dear Savvy Senior, compare tool at Medicare.gov/care- My husband and I will both be retiring compare. Also see Healthgrades.com, in a few years and are interested in which provides detailed information on relocating to a warmer climate but could U.S. hospitals and doctors. use some help. 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Numbeo.com and BestPlaces.net offers tool BestPlaces.net/climate. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Media resources like U.S. News & tools to compare the cost of living from Healthcare Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK World Report, Kiplinger’s, Forbes and your current location to where you would Does the area you want to relocate 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Money Magazine also publish “best like to move. They compare housing have easy access to good healthcare? Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today places to retire” lists on their websites costs, food, utilities, transportation and To locate and research doctors and show and author of “The Savvy Senior” each year. And be sure you check out more. hospitals in a new area, use Medicare’s book. Enrollment decline Martin considered community college, relatively well so far, but the decline in The voice on the other end of the system and higher education. but realized he’d have to study there for community college enrollment could have line was counselor Yuri Nava, who told Her dream would be to have a two years and transfer. He decided to knock-on effects a few years down the Jennings she could help her. Nava designated counselor in each district who instead focus on community service and a road. explained Jennings’ financial aid award works with graduates. Alumni counselors fellowship program where he learned how “If those students aren’t coming in as a and told her it wasn’t too late to go to UC are not a new concept; it’s a common to code in order to strengthen his college front end, then we’re not going to see them Riverside after all. position in private schools and some public applications. He applied again for fall 2021 in that transfer pool either,” Johnson said. Jennings was one of around 1,100 charter schools like the Knowledge Is with support from College Track, a non- recent high school graduates from Power Program, or KIPP, network. profit he’d worked with throughout high Proof of concept Riverside County who had been admitted “If I can show the impact of how many school that helps students apply to and Educators in Riverside County realized to UC Riverside last year but had not students we served, [the program] pays for transition to college. the need for the College Comeback accepted their offer or enrolled at another itself” in terms of return for the community, Now, he’s planning to study computer program last summer after working with UC. County counselors and college she said. science next fall at UC Santa Cruz. “I’m students like Ariel Jennings, who had just admissions officers split the list and started Since May, around 30 students have pretty excited to be able to get back on graduated from La Quinta High School reaching out in early July. Around 20 of had appointments, but several others campus,” he said. near Palm Desert. The 19-year-old had those students who were contacted by the have gotten assistance via text and email. been admitted to UC Riverside, but didn’t county ended up enrolling at UC Riverside, Cifeuntes expects the number to pick up as Impact on colleges accept the school’s offer because she was with several more getting help to go to more alumni hear about the program. For fall 2020, overall enrollment unsure of how much financial aid she was community college. As for Cruz, he’s said he’s excited across the University of California’s nine getting. “I missed the deadline, like, twice,” With the pandemic in full swing, last to start at Riverside City College this undergraduate campuses remained she said. “And I didn’t understand financial year’s admission season was confusing fall. He wants to study entrepreneurship relatively flat, but the system also enrolled aid or the paperwork or anything like that.” for colleges, students, and parents, and accounting so he can start his own a record number of in-state residents. The Jennings didn’t know where to turn. “At said UC Riverside Associate Director of business in the future. California State University system also had that point, we weren’t in school anymore Undergraduate Admissions Alex Ruiz. His mom, Rossy Elizabeth Diaz, is its largest-ever student body for the fall so I couldn’t go to a high school counselor He said the university worked with the equally excited. She’s been encouraging 2020 term, collectively enrolling 485,549 for help either,” she said. “My parents and I county to increase outreach for what he Cruz to go back to school, and is looking students. just felt really alone in the process.” characterized as an anomalous year, and forward to Cruz’ 16-year-old sister heading But Covid-19 ravaged California’s She tried to contact UC Riverside that this year should be a return to relative to college in a few years. community colleges in California — which herself, but “it’s really frustrating sending normalcy. Diaz appreciates the support Cruz got vastly outnumber UC and CSU campuses emails and then getting a reply two weeks Last week, Jennings just finished her through College Comeback. “I feel really — to the tune of an 11% drop in students, later, and no one actually talking to you,” first year at UC Riverside as a political proud, really happy because I had my first according to system data. she said. science major. “I’m a first generation kid when I was 17, so I didn’t have the This has been especially problematic The responses Jennings did get [student], so the process was kind of hard, chance to go to school,” she said. But “I in regions where most students go to were vague, telling her to email other and I really needed the extra help that I had the chance to help them break that community college. Santa Cruz County, departments on campus. So she decided got,” she said. chain, for them to do something different on the central coast, had a drop of 7% in to enroll at College of the Desert, “since from…their parents.” college going and Shasta County reported classes were going to be online anyway.” Breaking the chain a decline of 8%. In Shasta, all of that drop And then later in the summer, Jennings In Riverside, Cifuentes hopes that CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, was at a single place, Shasta College. got a phone call. “I thought it was just one College Comeback will show the need for nonpartisan media organization Johnson of PPIC said it’s good news of those spam calls or something,” she ongoing postsecondary counseling that explaining California policies and that the UC and CSU systems have fared said. “But I answered anyway.” helps bridge the gap between the K-12 politics. Read more at calmatters.org. After Five / July 2021 / Page 19 Tweet

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