Candidate for
Board Member; Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District

I am a working mom of two beautiful teenage daughters. I have been fortunate to be able to have a wonderful career in the Home furnishings industry that has allowed me to be home for my girls and allowed me to be involved in community activities. Currently, I work as a Regional Account Manager for a major shutter manufacturer.

As a family, we have always been involved in our community and helping others as this is what I feel we are called to do. I have a heart and love for children especially children that have been abused or neglected. My daughters and I were fortunate to be a part of a program called Confident Kids for a number of years. I was a group leader and facilitator then the assistant director and my daughters volunteered with the younger children.

Currently, I am working with Tesoro high school, the Sheriff dept. and the School district in identifying struggles our teens are facing today while helping to find solutions for those problems for the students and their families.

I have always had a love for the canyons. I grew up in Tustin and ever since I was young, I was never one to sit still for very long. As soon as I could drive I began heading for the great outdoors. For years I drove through Modjeska and Silverado canyons and up to Saddleback peak. I always found the canyons a place of beauty, solace and refuge.

About 5 years ago, my 2 daughters and I moved from Rancho Santa Margarita into a little cottage on the creek in Modjeska Canyon. Remarkably, my 2 daughters fell in love with canyon life just as much as I did. I remember my oldest coming home from school one day saying, "you know mom, when you come down the Grade road, you just breathe a sign of relief that your home." I too felt that same feeling.

Months after we moved, we noticed that a lot of people met at the park later in the afternoon with their dogs. So, not to miss anything, we went to the dog rescue, picked out our dog and went to the park. The moment walking in was so awkward and uncomfortable. We didn't know anyone so we went to the far end of the park. I'll never forget, Roger an older bearded hippie looking guy, (who looked completely different than anyone we knew in RSM) came over and asked us to join them down at the other end of the park. Canyon kindness at its best.

From this meeting place of neighbors and dogs at the park each evening is how Modjeska Nights began. There were a handful of dog owners talking each night about how really cool it would be to create summer events that were completely free, family friendly and would allow everyone to have fun. My friend and neighbor, Greg Killingsworth, always said, "it was like having our own Hollywood bowl right here." Modjeska Nights became more than just movies. We had themed events like Las Vegas night, the Sock hop, Western Night, 60's nights, Heroes night, Dance parties, Car shows, The Hootennany and Fundraisers for our local charity Modjeska Ranch Rescue, and of course Blockbuster movies. For some events we were fortunate to have our local businesses involved like Saddleback Mountain Propane and the Silverado Diner providing food and Giracci Vineyard providing the wine for Modjeska Ranch Rescue Art and Wine fundraiser. This was a great way to bring our communities together.

In addition to Modjeska Nights I was so pleased to be able to put together our local Art and Craft faires, thanks to the great idea by Bonnie Smith. These were particularly fun as we all got to know and see the talent of our very own local artists. I have also been involved in our local Neighborhood Watch program and have worked closely with our local sheriff on ways to educate our neighbors, disseminate information and aid in helping to prevent crime. Most recently, I have become involved with our Fire Safe Council and was fortunate to work with Debbie Kelly in Trabuco Canyon on our first Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Our first event was a very large yard clean up for an elderly, disabled woman whose yard was in danger of getting cited for not being Fire Safe. She had over 2 years of leaves and various debris in her yard. With the help of the Trabuco Canyon Community Church, we were able to get her yard cleaned and Fire Safe.

With the help of Tyler Humphries we started our first Canyon Growers Society and with the additional help of Dennis McHale we have had 2 local Farmers Markets. And of course, we can't forget the Grand finale of them all, our first ever White Trash Bash.

I decided to run for a seat on the SMRPD to make a positive difference. I noticed that only a few people attended the SMRPD meetings and they were always the same faces. I also noticed there was a large need to promote awareness, growth and more community involvement in the SMRPD. In addition, The current board seemed so bogged down fighting canyon political issues and past lawsuits that the very reason our Special district was created was falling to the wayside. I felt the SMRPD was a natural fit with what I was already doing in our canyons. I enjoy creating and organizing events that allow our canyon neighbors and friends to reconnect while have a great time.

I love our community and feel blessed to live here. I am creative, a leader, organized and very hard working. Being able to see a need and creating a solution for that need is what I do best.