(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) - Aaron Spears is a winner. He is intelligent, friendly, motivated and was 15 years old in March. My information comes from his grandfather Jeff Serrano. I have met Aaron several times at Lake Murray when he accompanies Jeff and grandmother Cindy while they walk.
Aaron won the Mission Trails Regional Park 1st Place photo award in the Youth Division this year after a five-year respite from the contest. His photo is a beautiful shot of Lake Murray. In 2003, he won 1st place in the youth division for his photo called, Barker Way Trail. In 2004, Aaron won the People's Choice Award and in the Youth Division, 2nd Place, 3rd Place and Honorable Mention. Most of his photos are of Lake Murray. Visit www.mtrp.org to view Aaron's winning photos.
When his report card read that he was 001 in his class, Grandpa Jeff called the school and asked if Aaron was in the one percentile of his class and was told that he was number one in his class. That is number one out of 664 students in his freshman grade. Jeff says that his wife Cindy is credited for encouraging Aaron academically when he was very young. I am sure Jeff's interests have influenced a young Aaron too. Of course, his aptitude had to be present and he challenges himself.
Aaron's interests are diverse and many. He wrote his end of term final on Romeo and Juliet. For a period of time, Aaron and a friend decided that each of them had to come up with a paradox every day. Jeff says that has gone by the wayside as other interests have become more important to him. Aaron has a business repairing computers but realizes that there is a glut in that market and is becoming interested in computer forensics. It is a sure bet that he will be involved in many subjects before he is an adult. It is obvious that he will have always have lots to do as he gets older. He seems to have a head start.
We have another hero at the lake. His name is Steve. I saw Steve for the first time riding his bike a couple of weeks ago. I greeted him and when I got to the fence at the end of the lake road by Del Cerro Hill, he was sitting on the bench. He told me that he was starting to exercise and it was uncomfortable. His foot was severed in an accident years ago. It had been re-attached but it was still painful. Steve said that it was difficult for him to walk for very long and he had gained weight. He is starting to ride his bike regularly with the hope to lose those pounds.
It is hard to imagine what Steve has gone through and yet he is determined to exercise through pain. It is hard enough to lose weight when one hasn't gone through the trauma that he has. If you meet Steve, give him a thumb's up. He and all who are trying to get healthy need the encouragement that friends can give. Which brings me to my next subject…There are apparent losses at the lake. They might not be noticed at first glance but look again.
For a time, they had tummies, butts, and hips. Where did the chub go? Charlie lost 45 lbs. so far, Jeff lost 52 lbs., and Jose Perenda is the big winner with 70 lbs. lost. I asked Jose how he lost the weight and he said, "Walking." He was interested in walking the Rock n Roll Half Marathon but decided to wait until next year when he might walk the whole marathon.
Lauren Cooper runs and rides her bike at the lake with her husband, Dale. They are both helicopter pilots. One son was an Army Ranger and the younger son is now a Ranger. Dale was in a horrific accident and it was not known if he would live. Six months later, he, and Lauren ran the Grand Canyon Marathon. This family is tough. Lauren works at San Diego State University and recently gave her doctorate dissertation on Funding Education. She went to Los Angeles and spoke to the panel, which included President Weber of SDSU. There was no correction made by those who heard her. They also told Lauren that her subject was especially important at this time. That's our girl Lauren.
The I Love A Clean San Diego at Lake Murray will happen on Saturday, September 19, from 9:00am until 12:00pm. That is the day that we get the lake environs really clean. We pick up all of the trash in the surrounding areas, under bushes and pickup fishing line that is left on the shore. We hope children will come out to help; scout groups, school groups, clubs, families, and community groups too. We sign community service slips for hours worked.
It is fun to see the little ones picking up trash. They do not understand why there is debris on the ground and more important, they do not like it. We have heard, "Why don't people pick up their trash?" It is a safe bet that these children will put their McDonalds wrappers in a trashcan. It is always nice to see moms with their offspring (do people still say offspring?) and dads bonding with their kids too. Please put September 19 on your calendar. Sign ups will be online the last part of August and early September. We also meet on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00am at the boat dock to pickup trash and fishing line. Community service slips are available.
The July 16, 2009 Friends meeting will feature Vince Mikulanis. Vince will discuss the importance of urban forests and the role they play terms of providing environmental benefits. These benefits are many. Vince wants to talk about trees interaction with overhead power lines and how proper planning can reduce or eliminate these issues. He will discuss the water needs of trees during drought and proper irrigation methods of your trees.
The Friends of Lake Murray will meet at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church on July 16, at 5:00pm. The church is on the corner of Wandermere Dr. and Park Ridge Blvd. For more information, call Barbara Cleves at (619) 463-9706.
