claremont courier's spring bride 2013

7/29/2019 Claremont Courier's Spring Bride 2013

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Planning for luxuryPremier Bridal Shows to host bridal event at Ontario Airport Hotel.

Down to the detailsOrganizing your wedding locally. Photos by Peter Weinberger.

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Planning your wedding day shouldbe as luxurious and enjoyable anactivity as your wedding day itself.Pamper yourself pre-wedding byindulging in some food, fashion andfun at Ontario Airport Hotel &Conference Centers Premier Bridalshow on Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m.

Featuring southern Californias topwedding professionals, this bridalshow offers you the chance to relaxand unwind as you discover greatdeals, receive some expert advice andmaybe walk away with an excitinggiveaway to help you plan your per-fect day.

With access to wedding planners,DJs, photographers, videographers,

florists and travel agents, brides-to-becan begin thinking about everythingfrom invitations to honeymoon plans.Moreover, compare prices while

browsing through hundreds of cre-ative and unique ideas for a wedding,from fabulous fashion finds rightdown to the details, all while enjoyinggreat music and gourmet cuisine. All

brides also receive a complementaryswag bag filled with samples, mag-azines and many more wedding ideasto take home. Bring friends, family oryour entire bridal party to make yourdream day inspiration a reality.

Register online for $5, or pay $10at the door. Visit www.premierbridalshows.com/HiltonOntario2013.htmto sign up!

Get a jump on planning your

special day at bridal expo

COURIER photo/Peter WeinbergerPearl broach accents and Swarovski crystals adorn the bodice of a weddingdress for a distinctive classic look. Local wedding gown boutique, Debroah'sBridal, offers an array of dresses, including the one pictured here.

Dress to impress, finding the right gown


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There are few thoughts as mechan-ical and spontaneous as thosethat emerge in the mind of a bride

regarding her wedding dress after she isgiven the ring.Deborah Armbruster, owner of Deborahs Bridal inUpland, teaches the COURIER how to channel thesefrantic thoughts into constrictive actions and bring thebride closer to the perfect dress.Before venturing into the overwhelming world ofwedding dresses, it is important for a bride to equipherself with the right tools.

Start at a full service salon, recommends Ms.Armbruster, who stresses upon the necessity of visit-ing a salon that will take care of you in a healthywayin other words, not offer false informationabout style, fit and price. She also advises to try on asmany dresses as it takes to zero in on a style thatmakes you feel beautiful.

Keep an open mind, Ms. Armbruster warns, asshe shares the countless times she has heard bridesexclaim, Oh my goodness! I never thought I wouldlove this.

Bridal Stylist Clare Miranda reiterates Ms.Armbrusters suggestions. Ms. Miranda is a stylist atAlfred Angelo in West Covina, where she works withbrides everyday to make their dream dresses a reality.As explained by Ms. Miranda, it is essential for a

Dress dilemmas, and how to avoid them

THEDRESScontinues on the next page

COURIER photos/Peter WeinbergerDebroah's Bridal wedding stylist Susana Ramos makes sure bride-to-be Joann Valencia's vail is displayed properly.


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bride to find the balance between knowing what shewants and being open to the suggestions of her stylist.It is equally important to walk into the process with

self-awareness, as it is all about finding what the indi-vidual feels comfortable in.

Be flexible, Ms. Miranda recommends. And tryto think outside the box.

However, being fully equipped with all the righttools does not guarantee a smooth ride. Like mostimportant excursions, this one comes with its ownset of challenges. Disapproving family members oran opinionated bridal party can definitely prove tobe an obstacle when choosing the right dress. Fallingin love with a dress outside of a preset budget is arisk all brides take. Purchasing a dress and realizingits not the one can be the greatest heartbreak ofthem all.

Moreover, creating a realistic and functionaltimetable can also cause much trouble for a young

bride and her family. Bride-to-be Joann Valenciashares her experience as she continues her search forthe perfect dress at Deborahs Bridal. She states herfear is not getting her dress in time for her big day,which is only 3 months away. Her mother, VilmaValencia, echoes her daughters fear.

I thought everything would be easy, but now shehas to wait months to receive her dress and we did notknow that, she said.

Of utmost significance is to set aside enough timeto find a dress, wait for its arrival and make last-minute alterations to guarantee the right fit and theright style.

When it comes to style, there are many choicesavailable and many directions to pursue. Ms.Armbruster offers her fashion insight by identifyingsome eternal and current trends in bridal wear.

Classic designs are always in fashion, and are agreat way to be in style while staying traditional at thesame time. A-line skirts, ball gowns, long trains andstrapless are all elements that can elevate a gown to atimeless piece. Opting for a tulle veil instead of aheadpiece can also help a bride achieve a more clas-sic and traditional look. Add a little beading and somesleeves (long or cap) and a dress will assume a vin-tage persona. For those who want a more modernlook, Ms. Armbruster recommends a mermaid silhou-ette or something form-fitting to extenuates curves.

One of the biggest trends of the year is lace, whichcan make your dress look more romantic. As affirmedby Ms. Armbruster, Lace is the word.

For brides embarking on a journey to find theirdream dress, and to avoid disappointment orheartache, the wedding day experts agree on the fol-lowing:

Do some soul searchingfigure out what you wantand how you want to look on your wedding day.

Look at your budget and be realistic when it comesto trying on dresses.

Be wary of timemake a functional timetable thatwill guarantee dress delivery and fit perfection.

Bring only the most important people to your

appointmentlarger parties means more opinions(and ones you may not necessarily care for).

Work with your stylist and come with an openmind. Do not be afraid to experiment.

Do not get rushed into making a decision, but com-mit to the decision you make.

Anam Sethi

THEDRESScontinued from the previous page

FARLEFT: Once customers enter Deborah's Bridal inUpland, they cannot help but notice the latest style inwedding dresses displayed in the windows.

ABOVE: Fascinators, made popular during the royalwedding of Prince William and Kate, are made mostlyof feathers and have gained the interest of the fashion-able bride.

LEFT: Mother and daughter go dress shopping. A spe-cial day for Vilma Valencia, left, and bride to be JoannValencia.


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Friday, March 29, 2013

83-year-old marathon runner

never loses spring in step

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Nutrition takes the cake

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Looking back, moving forward

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Baseball spring fever gets heated

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Catch us onthe flip side!Turn over the Rites of

Spring special for ourSpring Bride special!

COURIER photos/Steven FelschundneffIronman Alan Carlisle, 83, shares a joke with Dave Ruby as they prepare to work-out at the Claremont Club. Mr. Carlisle is the oldest person to have run in all 28 LA Marathons.

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Finding strength by Rachel McDonnellWhat a difference a year makes.

Full of life by Beth HartnettNothing can stop this local Ironman.

Blue or red by Chris OakleyDodgers and Angels fans go head-to-head.

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Stroke of fate by Sarah TorribioPersonal experience inspires a renewed commitment for Rick Cota.


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Alan Carlisle may havegiven up the Ironmantriathlons, but as far

as running goes, hes only get-ting more seasoned with age.

With his latest adventure at the 27thannual Los Angeles Marathon, Mr.Carlisle holds on to his title as the old-

est runner to have competed in everysingle LA Marathon since its inceptionin 1986. Pleased to have finished givensome recent back problems, Mr.Carlisle did more than just that.

He finished in 7 hours and 39 min-utes, and did better than last year. I just

cant believe it, said his wife CherieCarlisle in a post-race phone conversa-tion. He is back in the saddle.

This latest competition marked Mr.Carlisles 91st marathon, and the Mt.San Antonio Gardens resident doesntplan on stopping his track record any-time soon if he can help it. The rewardis about more than just the bells andwhistles that the employees of Heroes

and Legends ring for him when hecomes in for his staple post-race meal.It keeps me alive, he said of the

rush of the race.Mr. Carlisle admittedly likes the

attention, and the way eyes skirt rightpast him in Heroes when diners lookaround for the marathon runner forwhom the bell tolls. In 2005, theCarlisles stayed in a hotel in Singaporebefore finishing their journey toAustralia for an Ironman qualifyingrace. People were stunned when theyfound out the large box the Carlisleswere traveling with contained a bike,and that Mr. Carlisle would be ridingthat bike in a triathlon.

When he came back with a medal,they went crazy, his wiferecalled. They begged us to have theirpictures taken with us. We took a picturewith just about everyone in that hotel.

He gets a kick out of that kind ofamazement, but the truth is, Mr.Carlisle has always displayed anuncharacteristic amount of energy forhis age. To date, he continues to reli-giously meet up with his running part-

ner of 20 years, 80-year-old BobbiPollock (also a triathlete), while main-taining a law practice long after manyof his friends have retired. At age 50,Mr. Carlisle returned to law schoolafter retiring as the general superin-tendent at Kaiser Steel.

He is so full of life, Ms. Pollocksaid. Its an amazing journey to [run]with Alan because he is full of stories,full of jokes, and the miles just fly by.Hes just a great deal of fun.

His larger-than-life attitude is whatsets him apart from his competitors,says fellow LA Marathon runner andMr. Carlisles running coach GaryMcMurtrey.

He is just such a dynamic and posi-tive person. At age 83, he is still settinggoals for himself and still has things hewants to achieve, Mr. McMurtreynoted. He is a great mentor and a greatmotivator for everyone who meets him.I wish everyone could have the chance to

walk a mile of that marathon with Alan.A running startMr. Carlisle inherited his enthusiasm

for an active lifestyle from his motherand aunt, both Olympic-grade swim-mers. Just as torrential downpoursdont get in the way for the marathonernow, the weather did not play a factorin the winter of 1932 in New York

COURIER photos/Steven FelschundneffAlan Carlisle, 83, started his life as an athlete as a high school swimmer. Since then, he has competed in 8 Ironman triathlons and 91 marathons, including the 28th LAMarathon earlier this month.

Full of life:At 83 years old, Claremonter proves hes a real ironman

IRONMANcontinues on the next page


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when Mr. Carlisles family first taught him to swim.They cut the end out of the pillow case, put it over

the clothes rod in the closet, stuck me in the pillowcase and taught me my strokes at 3 years old, herecalled.

It was the start of a long history of Mr. Carlislesathleticism. He went on to win 3 state swimmingchampionships in high school and continued tocompete at the college level and throughout hisadult life. It wasnt until much later in life that hecombined his swim prowess with running and bik-ing in a competitive setting. He was inspired by therunning craze of the 1970s, sparked by Americanrunner Frank Shorters 1972 Olympic win. Mr.Carlisle followed suit.

He combined his athletic interestsswimming,biking and runningby entering his first triathlons inNewport Beach in 1979, and he caught the bug. To

date, Mr. Carlisle has competed in triathlon in localesthroughout the world including Amsterdam,Australia, England, Hawaii, Italy and New Zealand.In 2006, he commemorated the 100th anniversary ofthe birth of the marathon by taking part in a marathonin the events birthplace in Athens.

A competitor at heart, the decision to take part inIronman triathlon races was the ultimate endurancetest for Mr. Carlisles represented ambitious spir-it. With a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a grueling 112-mile bike ride and capped off by a full marathon ofrunning to be completed in 17 hours, the Ironman isthe big daddy of marathons, Mr. Carlisle has joked.The most terrifying part is not the difficulty of therace itself, but the danger of exceeding the time limitand not finishing the race, according to Mr. Carlisle.

It would be awful to go 17 hours, missing break-fast lunch and dinner, and miss the finish, said Mr.Carlisle, who completed his first Ironman in about 13hours and 30 minutes and has finished all 8 of his IronMan races with time to spare.

Though Mr. Carlisle refuses to give up his running,he has reluctantly given up some of his battles. Mr.

Carlisle competed in his last Ironman competition in2005 at the age of 75. His wife Sheri said she beggedhim to give it up, for fear of injury, and eventually Mr.Carlisle conceded.

I just cannot go out for 16 hours anymore, Mr.Carlisle admitted. That means you start at 7 in themorning and run through breakfast, lunch, dinner,dessert, and its 11 oclock at night before you stop.Its just too much now.

Its hasnt always been easy being the partner on thesidelines, Ms. Carlisle admits. Especially as her hus-band gets older, she has found herself fretting aboutthe what ifs. At a popular triathlon in Malibu,where the participants numbered over a thousand,Ms. Carlisle remembers her panic when the athletescame out of the water in the first leg of the race.

I went up to the lifeguard and said, Theres only2 people left and neither one of them is my hus-band, she recalled.

The lifeguard checked to see if Mr. Carlisles bike

was still at the second leg of the race. It was missing.

The lifeguard assured Ms. Carlisle he had just slippedpassed her notice.

The next day, I signed Alan up for shark bite insur-ance, Ms. Carlisle said.

Mr. Carlisle adopted his trademark pink runninguniform to make it easier for his cheerleader to spothim among the crowds.

We read an article that said from a distance, pinkis the color you can see the best, Mr. Carlisleexplained. And who else would wear pink?

Finishing his 91st marathon clad in his trademarkpink jersey, Mr. Carlisle said the LA Marathon hasntlost any of its usual magic. He hasnt lost his compet-itive spirit and loves accruing new medals to add tohis collection. But Mr. Carlisle maintains his favoritepart of racing is something entirely different.

Seeing Cherie at the finish line, thats what Ireally look forward to, Mr. Carlisle said. Its justfabulous.

Beth Hartnett

[email protected]

Ironman Alan Carlisle, 83, trains for the LA Marathonrecently on Claremont Boulevard in Claremont. Mr.Carlisle is the oldest person to have run in all of the 28LA Marathons.

IRONMANcontinued from the previous page


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The tarps have been

removed from ball-parks everywhere, as

Major League Baseballteams play their final presea-son games before the seasonopener on March 31.

Families all over the country will againhave the chance to enjoy Americas pas-time, to cheer on their teams as theybegin another hopeful campaign. Insouthern California, a rivalry betweenthe 2 Los Angeles teams continues toheat up. The Dodgers and the Angels willplay each other 4 times this regular sea-son to renew the freeway series, and itseems fans in Claremont are split evenlyin their team allegiances.

Claremonts biggest Dodgers fansquares off against our most vocalAngels supporter, as old acquaintancesRyan Solis and Brent Esposito show uswhy their team should take the cake.

Lifelong baseball fanRyan Solis is a CHS graduate and third-

year student at Azusa Pacific University,and has been a true-blue Dodger fan sincehe was 5 years old. Thats when he firstpicked up a bat and glove and played fora little league Dodgers team.

Mr. Solis has an in-house rival whenhe watches games on television.

My stepdad is a huge Giants fan, so

when they play each other we watch the

games together. It was tough seeing ourbiggest rivals win the World Series lastyear; San Fran just blew them out. TheDodgers had made a comeback at theend of the regular season and SF beatthem. At least we lost to the best team.

Mr. Solis played baseball each yearup until high school, when his crosscountry and track coaches made himpromise to focus on running. He canstill get his baseball fix, even though hedoesnt play anymore.

I go to around 3-5 games a year. Lastyear, my stepdad and I got really goodtickets right behind the nets around homeplate, so I was on TV the whole game. Itried to call my mom to tell her to turn onthe TV at home, and started waving. Butthe security guard came over and told methere was no waving. I guess everyoneelse was doing it in a more subtle way,and I was the guy who got caught. Atleast I didnt get kicked out.

Being so close to the field has otheradvantages: You can see the playersand hear them talking when you areonly a couple of rows back. When youare watching on TV the players looknormal-sized, but when you are thatclose you realize what big people theyare. Dodgers stadium has that old-school feel to it. You are there to see thetradition and to have a good time, and

thats all you need.

Mr. Solis thinks with Cy Young

Award-winner lefty Clayton Kershaw,new pitchers Zack Greinke and RyuHyun-jin to add depth to the rotation,the Dodgers have a strong chance ofwinning it all. Paying homage to thepast, he said, Jackie Robinson has gotto be my all-time favorite player for thefranchise. But the Dodgers better notmove back to Brooklyn anytime soon.

Every fan has a favorite Dodgersmoment. Most would say that it waswhen Kirk Gibson hit a home run towin the Dodgers a World Series in1988, but Mr. Solis had a more recentgame in mind.

A couple of years back, the Dodgerswere playing the Giants and trying toget into the playoffs. They had SteveFinley up to bat. The bases were loadedwith one out, and I was playing throughall possible scenarios in my head, hop-ing Finley wouldnt ground into a dou-ble play to end the game, thinkingmaybe he should try a suicide squeeze.But no, he cranks a grand slam to sendLA into the playoffs.

Mr. Solis fondly remembers being inBrent Espositos El Roble math class.He said the first day if you bring anyAngels memorabilia you get extra cred-it, but if you wear Dodgers stuff Illtake points away. I used to wear aDodgers hat almost every day.

Fortunately, I was pretty good at math

so he didnt fail me. I even became his

Teachers Assistant after that year.California living as an Angel fanBrent Esposito has been teaching

algebra at El Roble for 12 years and hasbeen an Angels fan since 1976, whenhis family moved to California.

My father moved us out here fromIndiana and we just started going toAngel games, so I tagged onto that whenI was old enough to really know whatwas going on. We used to sit up in therafters. The stadium is beautiful now. Itsclean, friendly, safe, family orientedagreat place to watch a baseball game. Iam so excited every time I go; I love theatmosphere and the fans I have met overthe years. I make sure to walk all the wayaround the park whenever I go.

The Angels won the World Series in2002, and he remembers it as if it wereyesterday: The team set all kinds ofrecords that year. My favorite Angelsmoment of all time would have to bewhen Scott Spiezio hit that home run inGame 6. We looked like we were downand out. When he hit it, you could justfeel it. We were going to come back andwin the game, and then win Game 7.Garrett Anderson hit the base-clearingdouble to pretty much seal the title.

Mr. Esposito commented on theAngels chances this year.

Dodgers and Angels fans have bad case of spring fever

BASEBALL

continues on the next page


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Arte Moreno is a great owner; heputs money into the stadium and theteam, he said. The team looks awe-some on paper this year, but we needmore starting pitching. We got somenew pitching in Joel Blanton and JasonVargas, and still have our main 2 guys,Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson.

We cant rely on outscoring every-one, especially in the playoffs, Mr.Esposito continued. But we have hit-ters like Mike Trout and Albert Pujolswho will give us runs. It would be greatto even see a Dodgers vs. Angels WorldSeries. It would be great for baseballand our fan bases, and it would be espe-cially great to beat the Dodgers.

One of the more impressive collec-

tions of Angels memorabilia exists inhis home, and each piece has special sig-nificance. Im more of the type to col-lect cool stuff that you wouldnt see,knickknack type of things to add to mycollection. Of course, I have the rallymonkey, and I pretty much wear anAngels shirt every day to class. Myprized possession is my black Angelsjersey. Ive never seen another one, andeverywhere I go people ask me where Igot it. My parents found it somehow andbought it for me for Christmas. I shouldadd that I named my dog Angel.

Mr. Esposito described a number ofplayers who exemplify all he loves

about baseball. My favorite player ofall time has to be a toss-up. I loveBobby Grichs whole demeanor outthere, the fact he was a team player; hewas a tough 2ndbaseman who playedthe game right, he said.

Darin Erstad was one of those guys:a spectacular ballplayer, he signifiedwhat Angels baseball was all about, andhe and Grich still give back to the com-munity all the time, Mr. Espositonoted. I met Torii Hunter at a restau-rant and he could not have been a nicer

guy. He took the time to come over toour table and talk for a few minutes.

It is obvious both men are quite anxiousfor the season to start next week. Baseballgives us sports lovers a chance to relaxand watch games each night on the TV,buy team paraphernalia, collect statisticsand learn new names, or enjoy a game inperson. Whichever method you prefer,Americas pastime will captivate fansthroughout the summer. But only onewinner can be crowned come October.

Chris Oakley

[email protected]

BASEBALLcontinued from the previous page

COURIER photos/Steven FelschundneffABOVE: Claremont resident Ryan Solis issuch a huge fan of the Dodgers he paintedhis bedroom Dodger blue and decorated itwith his growing collection of memorabilia.

LEFT: El Roble math teacher Brent Espositohas been a fan of the Angels since his familymoved to southern California in the 1970s.His goal is to attend 20 games a year, and hegets excited every time he enters the stadi-um. His dream for this season is to meet andbeat the Dodgers in the World Series.


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Over a year has passedsince I began to tack-le multiple sclerosis

head-on as a 42-year-old withmore than 12 years of pro-gressive MS under my belt.

This was when I started train-ing with Asghar Ghorbani atthe Fitness Loft in theClaremont Packing House.

I began the journey looking at mybody as a limiting factor and lettingmyself be defined by those limitations.After 12 years, I had the strong sensethat the future didnt look too rosy forme. I was on the decline.

The fact that I was at a fitness centerand talking about challenging the dis-ease was almost surreal. I never wouldhave guessed I would engage so deeply

in the world of exercise, and I certainlydidnt feel like Id be a poster girl forsuccess.

After meeting Mr. Ghorbani, I beganto challenge those low expectations anddemand more from my body andmyself. Progress and improvement areheady drugs, and the sense of physical

accomplishment is intoxicating forsomeone who has logged so manyhours in a wheelchair. I can celebratephysical achievements now with a yearof small victories to be proud of.

The accoutrements of success are allaround me: my closet has workoutclothes and gym shoes; small dumb-bells and exercise equipment are scat-tered throughout the house. My diet isgreener and lighter. I have the tools forimprovement and I know how to usethem. I have a giant to fight, but I feel

My year of fitness to

fight the progressionof multiple sclerosis

COURIER photos/Steven FelschundneffFitness Loft owner Ashgar Ghorbani helps Rachel McDonnell, who has multiple scle-rosis, walk the corridor outside his studio on Monday at the Packing House. Ms.McDonnells disease confined her to a wheelchair for years but since she beganworking out with Mr. Ghorbani, she can now walk and even go up stairs.

FITNESScontinues on the next page

by Rachel McDonnell


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empowered now and have proof I am winning.

Every step I take, every stretch, is a move towardbetter health.As in any big undertaking, there have been a few

setbacks along with the successes. What I can say isthat through physical training, setbacks are muchmore transient and temporary, while my successescontinue to stack up and become regular customersin my day-to-day existence.

I can now do things I once considered impossible. Iclimb stairs, roll over onto my stomach, lift weightsand enjoy better muscle tone and endurance. While Istill need a walker or crutches to get around, and I stilluse a wheelchair if I am going any distance, I feelmore solid and centered when I walk. The feeling ofgetting out of my chair is liberating and I relish therenewed ability to stretch and move.

Any chronic disease requires patience and I find

myself wishing the process could be faster andmore dramatic. But slowly and surely the chains ofdisease can fall away. The pain, stiffness and mobil-ity issues of a year ago have improved and I lookforward to another year of successes. I know I amon the right track!

I never would have guessedI would engage so deeply in

the world of exercise, and I

certainly didnt feel like Id be

a poster girl for success.Rachel McDonnell

On fighting multiple sclerosis

During the year that Rachel McDonnell has beenworking with personal trainer Ashgar Ghorbani, shehas made remarkable progress overcoming the lossof mobility that had resulted from her multiple sclero-sis. Mr. Ghorbani says that Ms. McDonnell showsmore determination than anyone he has previouslyworked with over a 36-year career.

FITNESScontinued from the previous page


15/16


A

s director of nutrition services,

Rick Cota has spent the last 4years making sure students inthe Claremont Unified School Districtare as healthy as possible.

He has revolutionized CUSD cafeterias, eliminating70 percent of processed foods in a district that oncerelied completely on pre-packaged products. He hasintroduced local produce, instituted Meatless Mondaysand Fresh Food Fridays, and forged partnerships withneighboring restaurants that prepare fresh-made tacos,hamburgers and pizza for Claremont schools.

By blending good taste with good sense, Mr. Cotahas doubled the amount of lunches served inClaremont schools each year, an expansion from300,000 to 600,000, that allows more money to beused for healthier ingredients.

Suffice it to say, he has been taking care of business.In the midst of the shuffle, however, he forgot to takecare of one thing: himself.

Until recently, Mr. Cota, who is also director ofCUSDs Service Center and an active coach of youthsports, was running himself ragged. He was constant-ly on the go, and was eating at all hours, sometimesas late as 11 oclock at night.

I became a slave to my lifestyle, he admitted.

Stroke of fate: Health scare gives Nutrition Services director new lease on life

STROKE OF FATEcontinues on the next page

COURIER photo/Steven FelschundneffCUSD Director of Nutrition Services Rick Cota has been gradually improving the nutritional quality of the food served to stu-dents across the city. The importance of proper diet became personal for Mr. Cota earlier this year when he suffered a stroke.The incident is not expected to negatively affect him and has instead spurred a renewed commitment to quality food.


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Mr. Cota began taking a small dose of blood pressuremedicine several years ago. Unbeknownst to him, his

blood pressure was rising steadily, but his dosage was-nt adjusted. Mr. Cota had been experiencingheadaches, but he chalked them up to job stress.Because he has a high tolerance for pain, he would justtake a couple extra-strength Tylenols and brush it off.

All that changed on the evening of November 19when Mr. Cota, 45, had a stroke, losing all function inhis right side as well as the ability to speak.

Ill always remember the date, he said. It wasdefinitely a life-changing event.

Mr. Cota was able to call for his girlfriend, whorushed him to the hospital with a speed that proved cru-cial in his recovery. It was shocking for his 3 daughters,who range in age from a 7th grader to a college fresh-man, to see their father in a hospital bed.

I made it very clear through my limited communi-cation that we were going to get through this and

count our blessings, Mr. Cota said.Chief among these is the fact that the stroke left no

lasting damage. Mr. Cota bounced back surprisinglyquickly, which his doctors have attributed to hisactive lifestyle, which includes longtime membershipin adult softball and basketball organizations.

Mr. Cota is a glass-half-full kind of person, whobelieves that having positive thoughts and being sur-rounded by positive people is as powerful as anymedicine. So rather than bemoaning his situation, hechose to view his health crisis as a second chance.

He changed his diet immediately, cutting back onred meat and redoubling his efforts to avoidprocessed foods. Mr. Cota also made an uncharacter-istic decision to slow down by prioritizing his activi-ties, delegating more and taking time to unwind. He

finds it ironic that after having the stroke, he is health-ier than he has been in 20 years.It was a wake-up call for me to make sure I have

balance in my lifethat I dont sleep, eat and breathework 24 hours a day, Mr. Cota said.

Mr. Cotas girlfriend, Casey Giacomazzi, is delight-ed at the changes he has made in recent weeks andmonths. He is still the same man she fell in love with,who wants to do a little bit of everything, especiallywhen it comes to helping young people.

But now, hes going to be able to do it longer, shesaid. He has so much more awareness of health andhe makes better choices. I call it the stroke thatchanged his life.

Mr. Cota wants the community to know that hisrecovery and ongoing path to greater health haventhappened in a vacuum. He has received invaluable

health and nutrition advice from his girlfriend, Ms.Giacomazzi, who is a physical education teacher aswell as a coach with a girls softball league.

He has also had the support of administrators likeLisa Shoemaker, assistant superintendent of businessservices, and Kevin Ward, assistant superintendent ofhuman resources.

They made it very clear that they were a supportsystemthat they were 100 percent behind me, Mr.Cota said.

He has also learned to rely more on his team mem-bers in the Nutrition Center and the Service Center.Christine De Stefano, a clerical assistant in theNutrition Services department, said she and her co-workers were devastated when they learned Mr. Cotahad suffered a stroke.

We took it really personally. Were kind of like ourown family around here, she said. Everyone lovesRick to death.

She has noticed that Mr. Cota, who she says isdoing wonderfully, paces himself a bit more.Nonetheless, he is always there when she and theNutrition Services crew need direction or advice.

He makes things enthusiastic, he makes things easy,she said. When he gives us stuff to do, we always knowthat when we call with questions, he will pick up.

As a longtime CUSD employee, Ms. De Stefano

remembers a time when the food at ClaremontSchools was nothing to write home about. Since Mr.Cota has been at the helm, theres been a 180-degreeturnaround, she said.

We just had fish sticks, she said. We eat what-ever the kids eatwe love it just as much.This year, health-conscious parents have even more

reason to love what their CUSD students are eating,because of new, more stringent federal guidelinesaimed at fighting the obesity epidemic. TheDepartment of Agriculture has redone the makeup ofschool food, requiring that each meal contain a serv-ing of whole grains plus twice the amount of fruitand vegetables previously required.

The challenge is not only getting them to eat anapple, but to eat an apple-and-a-half, Mr. Cota said.

School districts are also being asked to significantlydecrease the sodium served in their cafeterias, anotherchallenge considering that Americans are wedded to

salt as a flavor. Now, the Nutrition Services depart-ment must brainstorm for fresh condiments and sea-sonings that can replace the kick once provided by salt.

The staff of Claremont Nutrition Services has its work

cut out for them, but CUSD is further along in pumpingup the nutrition factor than most districts, Mr. Cota said.The good news is that we were ahead of the

game, he emphasized.Striving comes naturally for Mr. Cota, who dreams of

a time when a million lunches per year are served in thedistrict, comprised entirely of fresh, non-processed food.

Alive and healthy on the other side of a health scare,however, he knows when to stop and take a rest.

I hate to say Im another person who had to havean event to really stop and put things in perspective,he said. But when you lose the ability to walk andtalk, you dont take anything for granted.

Sarah Torribio

[email protected]

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