SAN DIEGO
Robert Garant proudly showed off a collection of chain saws he’s used to maintain the nearly 2 acres he and his wife, Gladys, have lived on for 47 years in San Diego County’s bucolic mountain hamlet of Julian.
The retired school bus driver said pruning the oak trees and dense shrubbery around their home isn’t just an aesthetic endeavor. Maintaining what’s commonly known as defensible space, he explained, can be a matter of life and death.
“We actually saved our house by clearing that whole perimeter,” said Garant, recalling the ferocious Cedar fire in 2003 that burned down over 2,800 buildings but spared their home. “The only thing I lost was a hose.”
Distinguished Young Women of California contest features three local teens
Vivian Chung, 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of California first alternate
(Courtesy photo)
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Del Norte High senior Vivian Chung was recently named first alternate in the Distinguished Young Women of California program for the Class of 2021.
“I was really surprised,” Chung said. “I was watching the program online and (the other contestants) were so good. I was in awe of the other young ladies from around the state and was definitely shocked.”
Her accomplishments at the county and state competitions earned her a combined $6,350 in prizes. As the DYW of Greater San Diego County she received $1,000 plus $250 for the Hicks Family Self Expression Award. At the state competition she won $5,100, which consisted of $4,000 as first alternate, the $700 Interview Award and $400 Self-Expression Award.