We got a fourth petition for Rainbow yesterday!

Introducing House Hijinks I'll use it as we fix the house, move, etc.

Also, I'm now going start posting a few articles about my area. Here is the first:

Community heroes

Pair to be honored at fair's Montclair Community Day

By L. Alexis Young, Staff Writer

 

 

A busy Montclair teen and a general manager will receive a hero's welcome at the L.A. County Fair.

This year, Thailin Gavilanes and Butch Jones have been selected as Montclair's community heroes and the two will be the stars of a festive parade at the fair. The heroes said they weren't expecting to receive such an honor.

 

"I was really surprised, I didn't even know it existed," Thailin, 17, said about being named youth hero.

 

Thailin began volunteering at the Montclair Community Clinic three years ago. The Montclair High School senior spends about four hours every week at the clinic filing folders, collecting fees from patients, running errands for the staff, and translating for patients who don't speak English.

 

"I love the bonds I have with the doctors there, as well as the patients," Thailin said. "When I'm not there the patients say, `Where were you? We missed you.' I'm making a difference in these people's lives and it's fun."

 

When she isn't busy at the clinic, Thailin participates in Key Club, AVID and the Scrap Pack Club at her school. For the past three summers, Thailin has attended a scholars program at Pomona College, and she hopes to major in psychology there next year.

 

Michelle Roche, a recreation supervisor for Montclair, nominated Thailin for the award and said the teen volunteer is very deserving.

 

"She volunteers in numerous city programs and she's well known around the Human Services Division," Roche said. "She's a model for other students."

 

Those who work with Thailin in the clinic say she sets a great example for other students.

 

"She's a role model for our youth and she's a go-getter," said Ester Vargas Pipersky, senior recreation specialist. "Giving back to the community is a goal for her. I don't know how Thailin does it because she's so busy. Her bilingual skills are definitely a plus. Patients have gotten to know her and they trust her. She's an asset to our clinic."

 

The adult community hero, Butch Jones, is not a volunteer, but he has devoted 11 years to working with developmentally disabled adults. The general manager and vice president of OPARC Diversified Industries in Montclair, Jones coordinates employment programs for more than 300 developmentally disabled adults.

 

"I think it's because of the dedication I have to developmentally disabled people, it's my passion," Jones said. "There are so many success stories. People come into the program with all kinds of challenges but through our counseling and rehab programs you see the behaviors change, you see their desire to be in the community and have a real job."

 

In addition to work programs, Jones helped start a food service program and opened the Enchanted Forest Cafe at the company last year and he is very proud of its success.

 

"It's my pride and joy," Jones said about the restaurant. "The clients are doing food preparation and bussing tables. We're doing some good catering out of it. We've had chamber mixers here and we've catered those events. It's not a big moneymaker but it helps offset the costs.

 

"Payday Friday is the highlight of my month," Jones said. "They get paid according to how much they are able to produce. When you see a little lady with Down Syndrome open her check, and it's only $16 because that's all she can produce, but she smiles and shows it to everybody. That's rewarding."

 

Montclair residents are encouraged to join the celebration in conjunction with the fair's annual community days honoring 18 cities. The city's parade will feature the fire and police departments, the Montclair Senior Citizen's Club and the Montclair Branch Library.

 

The Human Services Division is giving away two-for-one admission tickets to the fair for Montclair Day, and offering free transportation via the Montclair Golden Express for people ages 18 and older. Call (909) 625-9456 for reservations.

 

L. Alexis Young can be reached at alexis.young@dailybulletin.com, or by phone at (909) 483-9365.

EDIT: We can create gallery albums now?