Friday, January 29, 2010

SPECIAL INTERESTS

SPECIAL INTERESTS

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.”

So begins “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America” on July 4, 1776. King George of Great Britain also had special interest in reducing and eliminating the power and influence of the thirteen colonies. The Supreme Court of the United States has once more granted power to the special interest groups of this nation, which has a direct bearing on the legislation which is passed by Congress, frequently to the detriment of the large majority of the people of the United States. Measures which are passed which grant additional financial power and influence to corporations, other entities and individuals, both foreign and domestic, are largely exclusionary for the public, advance the superiority of the rich and powerful, protect their interests and diminish the liberty, prosperity and happiness of the majority of Americans.

Such is the resolve for domination at any cost by these powerful corporate interests, who have most recently upset the world’s financial state to such a degree that the average global citizen has had his net worth reduced by more than half. We observe how our nation’s highest court seeks to improve the lives of her citizens by granting even more power to the already-powerful, trusting that these entities and individuals will maintain an active interest in the financial well-being and advancement of their fellow citizens. To their discredit, Republican voices in Congress are heard defending this judicial action and disparaging their Democratic counterparts for sounding the alarm.

Most recently, in his State of the Union address, President Obama denounced this judicial action to the chagrin of at least one of the Supreme Court justices and calling attention to a debate which has festered since governments began. Should the rich and powerful be granted special consideration? If so, how much should they be granted, and for how long? Should public policy protect the interests and grant special circumstances which advance the wealth and privilege of the powerful? Should the granting of these special interests and powers be allowed to have an increasingly-detrimental impact on the average citizen and have the effect of reducing their effectiveness, influence and authority? Does society benefit from diminishing the advantages and abilities of her citizens?

We have heard the past ten years described as “the lost decade.” The average citizen has watched his assets erode, his income decline or disappear entirely, and has had his ability to effectively change his circumstances be reduced to the point of extinction. What has risen with the decline of the middle class is a newer version of the culture of the super-rich, whose mentality and influence threatens to submerge the former middle class under a barrage of measures which further limit their abilities to break-free from the economic and social constraints which imprison them. We are not only mired in the quicksand of economic stagnation, but those out-of-control elites who created this nightmare have now been given the blessings of our judicial branch, along with the power to recruit new congressional adherents. What more remains to the average person than to petition Congress for a redress of these actions? If Congress supports the Supreme Court in their action, President Obama has no choice but to veto this pending legislation. If Congress insists on punching this carte blanche ticket for the rich and powerful, ordinary citizens must call for a constitutional convention to ensure that the power of the majority is never usurped by a wealthy and powerful, self-serving and selfish minority again.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Monday, January 25, 2010

MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WALK (7 1/2 Hour Walk)

MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WALK (7 ½ Hour Walk)
Welcome to northwest Upland! This is the longest combination walk that I have completed, taking longer than a complete trip around Upland. That’s good news for those who are not faint-hearted and for those who prefer to stay closer to home. I find it easier to break this walk into three sections. Although this walk is longer than others you will encounter, I hope that you will enjoy it as thoroughly as I do and that you will recommend it to others. We are proud of this area that contributes so much to the health and vitality of its residents. Mountain View Park Neighborhood Walk is a combination walk comprised of the sixteen neighborhoods plus San Antonio Park, which are located in the farthest NW corner of Upland, CA, between 24th St on the N and the 210 freeway on the S, and between Mountain Ave on the E and San Antonio Creek on the W. Beginning from Mountain View Park East and proceeding in a counterclockwise direction through Mallorca, Orchard Park, San Antonio Park, Upland Summit, Mountain View Park West, Ashley Park, Lewis Homes North, Lewis Homes South, Acacia West, Evergreen Drive, Looking Glass and Acacia, and then curving NE on Mildura Ave and proceeding in a clockwise direction through Parc Chateau, Wentworth Way, South Mildura, Chelsea Park, and finishing at Mountain View Park East. All sixteen of these walks have been published, and can be done separately, or together as one unit, which is much shorter, by saving you sixteen separate return trips. This reduces your total walk-time by half. Here are the walk-times for the three sections, in the proper walk-sequence:
Section 1: Mildura, Orchard Park, San Antonio Park, Upland Summit, Mountain View West—2 ½ Hour Walk Time
Section 2: Ashley Park, Lewis Homes North, Lewis Homes South, Acacia West, Evergreen, Looking Glass—2 ¼ Hour Walk Time
Section 3: Acacia, Parc Chateau, Wentworth, South Mildura, Chelsea Park, Mountain View East—2 3/4 Hour Walk Time
For purposes of this particular combination walk, disregard the individual times-per-walk and assume that the combined total for the entire walk is more-or-less accurate. The following complete listing assumes that you are doing the walks in contiguous and consecutive order. Here’s to your health, and I’ll see you around the neighborhood!
MALLORCA NEIGHBORHOOD WALK (30 Minute Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park, cross Mildura Ave to Mallorca on Cadiz Ave and TR on Mallorca St. Go E on Mallorca to the cul-de-sac, return W on Mallorca, go past the park and tennis courts on the R and continue W to the cul-de-sac. Return E to Alicante Ave and TL. Follow Alicante N to Granada St and TR. Go E on Granada to the cul-de-sac and then return W, passing Alicante to Naples Ave. TR and go N on Naples past the park, basketball court, picnic area and pool, and don’t miss the beautiful view of the mountains straight ahead. Go to where the street turns L on St Tropez St. Go W on St. Tropez, TR on Barcelona Ave and go N to Malaga St. TR and go E on Malaga to the cul-de-sac, return W, passing Barcelona, to the W cul-de-sac of Malaga. Return to Barcelona and go S to St. Tropez, turn R and follow St. Tropez W to where Palermo Ave goes S on the W side of the pool. TL and go E on Granada to Alicante and TR. Go S on Alicante to Mallorca and TL. Go E on Mallorca to Cadiz and TR. Go S on Cadiz to Mildura and TL.

ORCHARD PARK NEIGHBORHOOD (30 Minute Walk)
Go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TL. Go N on Mountain to the first and only street before 24th St and TL at the entrance gate to Orchard Park. Pass through the gate and TR on Walnut Ave. Follow Walnut N to the cul-de-sac, return and TR on Chestnut St. TR on Hickory Ave and then TR on Citrus St to the cul-de-sac. Go S on the sidewalk past the pool and TL to Walnut Ave. TR and go S on Walnut to the exit gate. TL and exit to Mountain Ave.


SAN ANTONIO PARK (1 Hour Walk)
Go N on Mountain Ave, cross 24th St and go past San Antonio Park to the perimeter sidewalk on the N side of the park. TL and go W on the sidewalk to where it turns S and follow through the parking lot to 24th St. Then go W on 24th St, cross Deakin Ave, continuing W to the deadend at San Antonio Creek. Return E on 24th to Parkcrest St and TR.

UPLAND SUMMIT NEIGHBORHOOD (1 Hour Walk)
Go S on Parkcrest St. TL on Highpoint St by the pool, go E to the cul-de-sac and return W to Starlight Ave. TL on Starlight, TR on Panorama St to the cul-de-sac and then return E on Panorama and go S past the basketball court and pool to Lookout Ct. TR and go W on Lookout to the cul-de-sac and return E to Crestview. Continue S on Crestview to Forest St. TR on Forest and go W, exploring Woodcrest Way, Ridgemont Way, Fairfield Way, Skyline Way, the basketball courts and Moonridge Court as Forest becomes Meadow Glen Way and goes N. TR on Grandview St to the cul-de-sac and return W to Birkdale St. TR on Birkdale and go N to Highpoint St. TL on Highpoint to the cul-de-sac, return and go E on Highpoint until you see the pool on the RHS. TL and go N on Parkcrest St, TR and go E on 24th St to Deakin Ave. TR and go S on Deakin to Mildura Ave.


MOUNTAIN VIEW WEST (30 Minute Walk)
TR on Mildura Ave to Daylily St. TR and go W on Daylily, past the tennis courts and basketball court. Just before turning L, walk up the hill on the railroad tie steps to Marigold St and TL. Go W on Marigold and turn S on Poppy Ave, pass Ash Ave and TL on Tulip St. Follow Tulip S and TL on Carissa St. TL on Daisy St and follow around the park to Alyssum Ave. Go N on Alyssum, passing the pool, and TR on Wisteria Ave. TR on Daylily St and go E to Mildura Ave.

FIRST BREAK (2 ½ Hours to complete the first 4 neighborhoods+park)

ASHLEY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD (30 Minute Walk)
TR and go S on Mildura Ave on the W side of the street past Carissa St and TR on Amanda Pl, through the gate into Ashley Park. Follow Amanda W, Beverly Way N, Ashley Pl E and Sonya Ave S to the Amanda Pl exit. Exit Ashley Park and TR on Mildura Ave.



LEWIS HOMES NORTH (45 Minute Walk)
Go S on Mildura Ave to Somerset Way and TR. Go W on Somerset and TR on Oakhurst Ct to the cul-de-sac, return to Somerset and continue W to Wetherley Ct. TR on Wetherley to the cul-de-sac, return to Somerset and TR. Follow Somerset to the cul-de-sac and return to Hillcrest St. TR on Hillcrest and follow to the cul-de-sac. Return and TR on Morningside Ave. Continue and TR on Roxbury Ct and Mansfield Ct and follow these streets to their cul-de-sacs. Then return to Morningside and continue S to where the street bends L and becomes 21st St. Follow 21st E to Mildura, TR and follow Mildura S to Elmhurst Way.


LEWIS HOMES SOUTH (1 Hour Walk)
Go W on Elmhurst and TR on Redgrove. Follow Redgrove N, follow W on Oriole Place and then go S on Windemere to the cul-de-sac and return to 20th St. Go W on 20th to Birkdale Ave and TR. Go N on Birkdale to the cul-de-sac and return S on Birkdale to Benson Ave. TL and go NE on the N side of Benson to Muirfield Ave. TL and go N on Muirfield and TR into Windsong Court. Follow it around, return to Muirfield, TR and continue N to Wakefield Ct. Follow it around, return to Muirfield, TR and continue N to Elmhurst Way. Cross the street to Katrina Way. Follow Katrina around, return to Elmhurst and go E to Mildura Ave. TR on Mildura and go S to Benson Ave.


ACACIA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD (45 Minute Walk)
TR and go SW on Benson to Brookdale Dr. TR and go W on Brookdale to Sunny Creek Ct. TL on Sunnycreek and follow to the cul-de-sac and then return and follow Springland Lane E, past the park to Brookdale. TR and follow Brookdale E to Benson. TL and go NE on Benson, cross Mildura Ave. TR and use the crosswalk to cross Benson. TR and follow Benson SW to the 210 Freeway overpass.

EVERGREEN DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD (1 1/2 Hour Walk)
AND
LOOKING GLASS NEIGHBORHOOD (65 Minute Walk)


Turn around and go back NE on Benson to the first opening in the soundwall and go E on Evergreen Drive all the way to the end. Return W on Evergreen and explore all the cul-de-sacs going W, beginning with Cheshire Way, Moonbeam Circle, White Rabbit Trail, then exploring the park, going past the gazebo, pool and tennis court, up the 22 steps of the embankment, then return S to Evergreen and continue W to Briar Path, Shady Brook Way, Looking Glass Way and Ridgemont Court. Then follow Muirfield Ave N to Benson and return S to Evergreen and TR. Follow Evergreen W to Mitzi Court, then continue W to Birkdale Ave. TR on Birkdale and go N to Benson. TR and go NE on Benson to Brookdale Dr.

SECOND BREAK (2 ¼ Hour Walk-Time)

ACACIA NEIGHBORHOOD (1 ¼ Hour Walk)
Follow Brookdale S past the pool to Willowbrook Lane and TR. Explore Clearwater Circle on the R on the way W to the cul-de-sac, then return E to Brookdale and follow it E. TL on Creekwood Lane, go N to Brookside St and follow Brookside E to the cul-de-sac and then return to the W cul-de-sac. Return S on Creekwood to Brookdale. Continue E on Brookdale, exploring Springcreek Circle on the R and then continue E and TR on Clearspring Dr. Go E on Clearspring, go N on Brookside Dr and TL into Creekside Court cul-de-sac. Return E to Brookside, TL and continue N, on the inside of the main gates, following the E perimeter sidewalk between the pool and basketball court to the north side of Acacia and then return S on Stonebrook Lane. TR on Running Creek Drive and go W to Creekwood Lane. TR and go N to Brookhaven Place. TR and follow E and then N on Bridgewood Way and continue W on Cloverbrook Lane to Brookhaven. TL on Brookhaven and then TR on Creekwood and follow S to Running Creek. TR on Running Creek and follow W past the basketball court and pool, TR on Brookdale Drive and TR on Benson. Cross Benson at the crosswalk and continue N on Mildura, passing Mountain View Park and continuing E to Mountain Ave.

PARC CHATEAU NEIGHBORHOOD (1 Hour Walk)
Beginning at Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain, passing 22nd St and TR through the main gate of Parc Chateau on Cannes Ave. TR on Lorraine Dr and go N and then W to Eiffel Circle and then Paris Circle, continue W to the Mildura gate and then return E past Paris Circle to the first sidewalk going S between the houses. Follow it S to the Y and take the RH fork to the gazebo. Take the LH fork S to Charmaine Dr and TR. Go W to Pinot Circle, follow it around and continue W on the S perimeter sidewalk as it traces the W boundary past the tennis courts and heads N. Go past the gate to where the sidewalk heads E to the gazebo and continue E to the Y. Continue E to the park and follow the sidewalk around to the S side of the pool. Continue S to Charmaine Dr and TR to Malati Circle. Follow it around and then return E on Charmaine past the park and bend N to the main entrance. Exit on Cannes and TL on Mountain. Go N on Mountain to Mildura Ave and TL. Go W on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

WENTWORTH WAY (45 Minute Walk)
Go W on Benson to Wentworth Way and TR. Go N on Wentworth and TR on Miller Ct. Follow Miller to the cul-de-sac and return to Wentworth. TR and continue N on Wentworth to Meadow Ct and TR. Go E on Meadow to the cul-de-sac, return to Wentworth and TL. Go S on Wentworth to Benson and TR. Follow Benson to Mildura Ave and TR.

SOUTH MILDURA NEIGHBORHOOOD (45 Minute Walk)
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Upland CA history, Mildura is Upland’s sister-city in South Australia, whose city-planning was also carried out by the Chaffees. It is fitting that the street named after Mildura is an unusually beautiful and well-thought-out centerpiece of several intertwined neighborhoods in this northwestern area of Upland. Go N on Mildura and TR on Havenhurst Way to the cul-de-sac and return to Mildura. TR and follow Mildura N to Northstar Lane. TR and go E on Northstar to the cul-de-sac and then return to Mildura.

CHELSEA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD (1 Hour Walk)
Go N on Mildura to Somerset Way/Sunrise and TR. Enter Chelsea Park using the W entrance and follow Sunrise Circle all the way around the perimeter, walking past all of the homes, and then walk through the beautiful park that bears its name in the center of all the houses. This neighborhood is truly one of the jewels of Upland, and should not be missed! Exit the park through the W exit to Mildura and TR. Go N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

MOUNTAIN VIEW EAST (30 Minute Walk)

Beginning from Mountain View Park, go S on Jasmine Ave past the playground and tennis courts to Dogwood St and TL. Go E on Dogwood to the park and return to Zinnia. TL on Zinnia and W past the pool to the park. TL on Lobelia Ave, go past the park and TL on Fuchsia St. TL on Hibiscus St, go E to the last park and TL on Oleander Ave. Go N on Oleander to Dogwood and TR to Verbena Ave. TL and go N on Verbena to where Oak St goes L and W to Willow Ave. Go N on Willow to Mildura Ave. TL and go W and S on Mildura and TL on Fuchsia St. TL on Lobelia, cross Zinnia, go past the park and TR on Ajuga, continue S on the E side of the park to Zinnia, TL and go E to Jasmine, TL and go N to Mountain View Park.
THIRD BREAK (2 3/4 Hour Total Walk-Time)

Congratulations on your persistence! I hope that you have been rewarded for your efforts with an appreciation of northwest Upland’s beautiful and well-tended homes and landscapes. Return often, bring your friends, and tell others what our area has to offer those who enjoy our Upland walks.


Mark Overt Skilbred

Sunday, January 17, 2010

THE THEOLOGY OF DENIAL

THE THEOLOGY OF DENIAL

I happened to pick up a paperback “theology” book dealing with some of the Old Testament prophets the other day, and I was struck by the degree to which the author depended on his human understanding to gain perspective on the spiritual realities of Biblical prophesy. Certainly God expects us to use our minds to reason with each other regarding matters of faith, but to anchor our theologies on human understanding must necessarily result in abysmal failure. This is so because prophetic reality is spiritually revealed to us as a gift from God. Attempts to understand Scripture from the human perspective relegates the Bible to the realm of historical accounts viewed through the biased human lens of the reader. If one wishes to understand the Bible in the fullness which God intends, he must first abandon his feeble efforts of human analysis and cast himself wholly on God, Who provides the Godly perspective necessary for the basic understanding of the things of God.

I will refrain from divulging the name of the author of the paperback because it really doesn’t matter who he is, what theological school-of-thought he represents, his state of mind while “interpreting” or any other details pertaining to him personally. What does matter is the degree to which God has revealed Himself to the author through the Person of the Holy Spirit, and the degree to which the author faithfully transmits God’s Revealed Truth to his readers. It is quite easy to spot flaws in the author’s “faith and testimony,” because God’s Revelation will never be self-contradictory and insights will never detract from the Message of Scripture. To the degree that the author disagrees with Scripture, to that same degree will his interpretation contain certain and inherent flaws. An example of the arrogance of this particular author is his blatant doubt of the validity of the prophets’ experience with God and the Revealed Truth transmitted through them. His preponderated thought is that the prophets based their assumptions and messages on the culture and the politics of the time period in which they lived rather than on any particular relationship with the Living God.

By beginning the study of Scripture with preconceived ideas about the nature of God and His chosen prophets, we essentially burden our “analysis” with our own biases which result from our education, background and culture. We then make pitiful efforts toward understanding based not on a relationship with the actual Author of Scripture, but based upon our knowledge of history and our own human experience. The Bible addresses this problem specifically when it says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) The reward is faith, and accompanying that faith is the Revealed Truth of God’s Word. Essentially, those who make an attempt to interpret and analyze Scripture before they have received the gift of faith are doomed to an inaccurate and a failed analysis based upon their own flawed human understanding.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Friday, January 15, 2010

FOX RIDGE WAY NEIGHBORHOOD (1 3/4 Hour Walk)

FOX RIDGE WAY NEIGHBORHOOD (1 ¾ Hour Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park in Upland, go E on Mildura, crossing Mountain Ave and continue E on 23rd St, crossing San Antonio , Euclid and Campus. TL and go N on Campus and then TR on Ridge View Ct to cul-de-sac and return to Campus. Continue N on Campus to Valley View Ct. and TR, follow to cul-de-sac and then return to Campus. Go N on Campus to 24th St and TR. Go E on 24th to Fox Ridge Way and TR. Go S on Fox Ridge to the cul-de-sac and then return to 24th. Go E on 24th to the cul-de-sac and then return on 24th going W. Continue W on 24th, crossing Campus and Euclid, and then turn L on San Antonio. Go S on San Antonio to 23rd St and TR. Go W on 23rd, crossing Mountain to Mildura Ave and then go W on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

LOOKING GLASS NEIGHBORHOOD (65 Minute Walk)

LOOKING GLASS NEIGHBORHOOD (65 Minute Walk)

Beginning from Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain, crossing 21st St/Benson Ave and continue S on Mountain past the Acacia fountain to Evergreen Dr, which is the last street on the RHS before the 210 freeway. Enter through the pedestrian gate and go W on Evergreen and TR on all the cul-de-sacs going W , beginning with Cheshire Way, Moonbeam Circle, White Rabbit Trail, exploring the park, and then continuing W to Briar Path, Shady Brook Way, and ending with Looking Glass Way. Continue W on Evergreen, passing Ridgemont Court . TR and go N on Muirfield Ave to Benson Ave. TR and stay on the S side of Benson, walk NE to Mildura Ave, use the crosswalk, cross Benson and go N on Mildura. Follow Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

CHELSEA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD (1 Hour Walk)

CHELSEA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD (1 Hour Walk)

From Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain to 21st St/Benson Ave and TR. Go W on Benson to Mildura and TR. Go N on Mildura to Somerset Way/Sunrise and TR. Enter Chelsea Park using the W entrance and follow Sunrise Circle all the way around the perimeter, walking past all of the homes, and then walk through the beautiful park that bears its name in the center of all the houses. This neighborhood is truly one of the jewels of Upland, and should not be missed! Exit the park through the W exit to Mildura and TR. Go N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Thursday, January 7, 2010

NORTH UPLAND EUCLID WALK (1 1/2 Hour Walk)

NORTH UPLAND EUCLID WALK (1 ½ Hour Walk)

Euclid is a wonderful neighborhood walk at anytime of the year, but it is especially beautiful at Christmastime, when the star is lighted on the hills north of Euclid. There are many houses in this area with exceptional Christmas decorations, and these can be seen from the sidewalks and from the hiking path that runs down the middle of Euclid Ave. Beginning at Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave, cross Mountain Ave and go E on 23rd St, cross San Antonio and continue E to Euclid Ave. TR on Euclid and go S to the 210 freeway and then return N on Euclid to 24th St. Turn L and go W on 24th and TL on San Antonio Ave. Go S on San Antonio and cross 23rd St. TR and cross San Antonio and continue W on 23rd St, crossing Mountain to Mildura Ave and continuing W to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

LEWIS HOMES SOUTH (1 Hour Walk)

LEWIS HOMES SOUTH (1 Hour Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park, go S on the W side of Mildura Ave and TR on Elmhurst Way. Go W on Elmhurst and TR on Redgrove. Follow Redgrove N, follow W on Oriole Place and then go S on Windemere to the cul-de-sac and return to 20th St. Go W on 20th to Birkdale Ave and TR. Go N on Birkdale to the cul-de-sac and return S on Birkdale to Benson Ave. TL and go NE on the N side of Benson to Muirfield Ave. TL and go N on Muirfield and TR into Windsong Court. Follow it around, return to Muirfield, TR and continue N to Wakefield Ct. Follow it around, return to Muirfield, TR and continue N to Elmhurst Way. Cross the street to Katrina Way. Follow Katrina around, return to Elmhurst and go E to Mildura Ave. TL on Mildura and go N to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

SOUTH MILDURA NEIGHBORHOOOD (45 Minute Walk)

SOUTH MILDURA NEIGHBORHOOD (45 Minute Walk)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Upland CA history, Mildura is Upland’s sister-city in South Australia, whose city-planning was also carried out by the Chaffees. It is fitting that the street named after Mildura is an unusually beautiful and well-thought-out centerpiece of several intertwined neighborhoods in this northwestern area of Upland. Beginning at Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain to 21st St/Benson Ave and TR. Go W and then SW on Benson to Mildura and TR. Go N on Mildura and TR on Havenhurst Way to the cul-de-sac and return to Mildura. TR and follow Mildura N to Northstar Lane. TR and go E on Northstar to the cul-de-sac and then return to Mildura. TR and go N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

WENTWORTH WAY (45 Minute Walk)

WENTWORTH WAY (45 Minute Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park in NW Upland, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain to 21st St/Benson Ave and TR. Go W on Benson to Wentworth Way and TR. Go N on Wentworth and TR on Miller Ct. Follow Miller to the cul-de-sac and return to Wentworth. TR and continue N on Wentworth to Meadow Ct and TR. Go E on Meadow to the cul-de-sac and return to Wentworth and TL. Go S on Wentworth to Benson and TR. Follow Benson to Mildura Ave and TR. Go N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

EVERGREEN DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD (1 1/2 Hour Walk)

EVERGREEN DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD (1 ½ Hour Walk)

Beginning from Mountain View Park in NW Upland, go S on Mildura Ave and cross over Benson Ave on the crosswalk. TR and follow Benson SW to the 210 overpass. Turn around and go back NE on Benson to the first opening in the soundwall and go E on Evergreen Drive all the way to the end. Return W on Evergreen and explore all the cul-de-sacs going W, beginning with Cheshire Way, Moonbeam Circle, White Rabbit Trail, then exploring the park and continuing W to Briar Path, Shady Brook Way, Looking Glass Way and Ridgemont Court. Then follow Muirfield Ave N to Benson and return S to Evergreen and TR. Follow Evergreen W to Mitzi Court, then continue W to Birkdale Ave. TR on Birkdale and go N to Benson. TR and go NE on Benson to the Mildura crosswalk. TL and go N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Monday, January 4, 2010

LEWIS HOMES NORTH (45 Minute Walk)

LEWIS HOMES NORTH (45 Minute Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park, go S on the W side of Mildura Ave to Somerset Way and TR. Go W on Somerset and TR on Oakhurst Ct to the cul-de-sac, return to Somerset and continue W to Wetherley Ct. TR on Wetherley to the cul-de-sac, return to Somerset and TR. Follow Somerset to the cul-de-sac and return to Hillcrest St. TR on Hillcrest and follow to the cul-de-sac. Return and TR on Morningside Ave. Continue and TR on Roxbury Ct and Mansfield Ct and follow these streets to their cul-de-sacs. Then return to Morningside and ontinue S to where the street bends L and becomes 21st St. Follow 21st E to Mildura, TL and follow Mildura N to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

ACACIA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD (45 Minute Walk)

ACACIA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD (45-Minute Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park, go S on Mildura Ave and cross over to the W side of the street. Continue S on Mildura to Benson Ave, TR and go SW to Brookdale Dr. TR and go W on Brookdale to Sunny Creek Ct. TL on Sunnycreek and follow to the cul-de-sac and then return and follow Springland Lane E, past the park to Brookdale. TR and follow Brookdale E to Benson. TL and go NE on Benson to Mildura Ave. TL on Mildura and go N to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

ACACIA NEIGHBORHOOD (1 1/4 HOUR WALK)

ACACIA NEIGHBORHOOD (1 ¼ Hour Walk)

Beginning at Mountain View Park, go E on Mildura Ave to Mountain Ave and TR. Go S on Mountain, crossing 21st St/Benson Ave and continue S to Running Creek Drive, the main entrance to Acacia. TR on Running Creek and go through the gate, crossing Stonebrook Lane and Creekwood Lane before turning L by the pool on Brookdale Dr. Follow Brookdale SE to Willowbrook Lane and TR. Explore Clearwater Circle on the R on the way W to the cul-de-sac, then return E to Brookdale. TL on Creekwood Lane and go N to Brookside St and follow E to the cul-de-sac and then return to the W cul-de-sac. Return S on Creekwood to Brookdale. Continue E on Brookdale, exploring Springcreek Circle on the R and then continue E and TR on Clearspring Dr. Go E on Clearspring, go N on Brookside Dr and TL into Creekside Court cul-de-sac. Return E to Brookside, TL and continue N, following the E perimeter sidewalk between the pool and basketball court to the north side of Acacia and then return S on Stonebrook Lane. TR on Running Creek Drive and go W to Creekwood Lane. TR and go N to Brookhaven Place. TR and follow E and then N on Bridgewood Way and continue W on Cloverbrook Lane to Brookhaven and then TR on Creekwood and follow S to Running Creek. TR on Running Creek and follow W past the basketball court and pool, TR on Brookdale Drive and TR on Benson. Cross Benson at the crosswalk and continue N on Mildura to Mountain View Park.

Mark Overt Skilbred

NBA STANDINGS FOR JANUARY 2, 2010

NBA STANDINGS FOR JANUARY 2, 2010

1. Lakers .813
2. Cleveland .771
3. Boston .750
4. Orlando .727
5. Dallas .697
6. Atlanta .656
7. San Antonio .645
8. Denver .636
9. Portland .629
10. Phoenix .618
11. Houston .588
12. Oklahoma City .545
13. Utah .545
14. Miami .516
15. Memphis .500
16. New Orleans .484
17. Toronto .471
18. Chicago .452
19. Clippers .438
20. Sacramento .424
21. Charlotte .419
22. Milwaukee .419
23. New York .394
24. Detroit .344
25. Washington .323
26. Indiana .313
27. Golden State .281
28. Philadelphia .281
29. Minnesota .200
30. New Jersey .091

As 2010 begins, after more than two full months of play, the Los Angeles Lakers still remain on top of the NBA as they continue their march towards their 16th NBA title and coach Phil Jackson’s 11’th championship team. Cleveland has roared to life and is threatening to overtake last year’s champions, while Phoenix and Miami struggle to maintain their positions.

Mark Overt Skilbred

Saturday, January 2, 2010

A PRAYER AS WE BEGIN NEW YEAR 2010

A PRAYER AS WE BEGIN NEW YEAR 2010

Dear Lord,

As we make our lists of new year’s resolutions, help us not to forget our dependence on You for everything that exists and the possibilities for good, which You alone have created: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the land we live in, the families that we have been given to understand, appreciate, love and serve, the world and all of its inhabitants, both great and small, the universe around us with all of its mysteries, wonders and possibilities. We know that You made us and all of these things for Your good pleasure and purposes, and that it has pleased You to share them with us, and for this we are truly grateful. We know that ultimately Your Will is accomplished and that “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” Help us to further Your Kingdom by assisting You in every way possible. And as we look forward to this new year, help us to pursue the good in everything we do, look for ways to help each other and the vast world around us, to be a light of hope for those who are suffering and a beacon of truth for those who have lost their way. Help us to focus on the eternal realities which last when everything else has faded away. Most of all, help us to trust You in all of the small and large ways in which You have provided for all of our needs. Help us to help You in Your Kingdom. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Mark Overt Skilbred