Cronquist’s Blog

As many of you know, Tarah and I live in the beautiful Carpinteria Valley, known for their amazing flower growers and avocados. When I was researching the community prior to taking my first job in the area, I stopped by the Carpinteria Historical Museum. I was very impressed with this charming little museum and as a organizational manager, even more impressed with the volunteer support staffing the center. Here you learn about the communities rich Native American history and how the Chumash Indians used Carpinteria’s natural resources (tar, aka oil) to build and launch their boats into the ocean off of “the world’s safest beach. . .”  (I’m not sure if that was coined by them though.  I didn’t see any references at the museum).
You then wouldn’t be surprised to know that the local high school, Carpinteria High School, is the home of the Warriors, complete with a high relief image of a Native American Indian guarding the entrance to the school’s parking lot (see photo below by Paul Wellman, SB Independent) . Recent action by the local Carpinteria Unified School District resulted in a 3-2 decision to pull all of the school’s Native American imagery, but to keep the name Warriors. This decision was met with a disappointed school body, who responded with a student lead “walk out” that same week.

Being a Warrior myself, I’m left to wonder when our school will be forced to change its mascot imagery too. I’m a graduate of Westmont College, which identifies itself as a warrior of a different sort. With the image of the “typical Spartan” (is that politically correct?), I wonder if there is any potential of descendants of Sparta marching on Westmont to try and get the Spartan imagery eliminated? Or has too much time passed that they can’t defend themselves from such defamation?

As an alumni of Shelton High School, home of the High Climber, when should we expect the local loggers union to rise up and take the Shelton Schools Board to task for “characterizing” their good name. Would anybody listen to them? Should they? What if a loggers son were to take the issue before the board, would that make a difference? Or is this history and heritage too recent that they wouldn’t be allowed to reasonably make a case for themselves against such defamation?

Curious to be sure.

Sadly, the ensuing debate here in Carpinteria and the School Board’s decision to rip the imagery away from the school’s present, past and future is going to be costly. During a time where the State of California is facing its largest budget deficit and cuts expected across all areas of government funding, this school stands to lose more than its fair share.

I’m just not sure I’m able to wrap my mind around the merits of this issue that seems to continue on, but has most recently landed here in our little Carpinteria. Is my Warrior/High Climber upbringing keeping me from seeing the light on this issue or should the use of such cultural representations be eliminated? Give me your thoughts fellow Warriors. . .High Climbers. . .Yellow Jackets. . .Light Brown Apple Moths. . .San Louis Obispo Salamanders (doesn’t exist. . .yet)

Chillin’

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

Tarah really wanted me to post this picture of the little guy
relaxin. You can really see some great definition with this image.

baby_19

Vote results: 7 boys, 5 girls. . .and the boys have it!

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

We’re having a boy!

The picture is better than a thousand words and I threw in a highlight for those novice ultrasound viewers, like me, that appreciate the help.  Not that he needed my help, the nurse said, “well he must really want you to know he is a boy!” as we looked at this spread eagle image of a clearly identified . . . I think Kelsey called it a “peter.”  All of the Dr.’s observations indicated that our 11 oz little guy is very healthy and on track for the September 13th due date.
Well thank you for all of  your calls.  Tarah and I were both very excited yesterday knowing that we were expecting a little man in our life soon.  Its a pretty cool feeling and certainly feels more real now than before.  We’re off to do a little house hunting, we’re addicted to the idea of being able to buy down here right now.  I just can’t believe we have so much going on and so much to be thankful for.

Well we find out Friday!

I am really looking forward to knowing if it is a boy or girl. I know many of you have been able to wait until the day of and must enjoy the building anticipation, but I want to know now. Tarah’s pregnancy has been fairly uneventful (thankfully) and we really haven’t had to change our lifestyle or activity level much, so I think knowing if this is a boy or girl will really help us wrap our minds around what’s coming. Tarah just told her work that she is pregnant and I’m sure they were surprised to know that she is 4.5 months along, considering how great she looks. We both agreed this morning that she is really starting to show, but the picture here is of two weeks ago. I need to take another one this weekend.

We had a busy and fun weekend this past weekend with Tarah’s parents in town. Bob and Raylene flew in Friday and stayed through Sunday and were able to see our place here in Carpinteria. Of course the trip was focused around the baby to be and included a day of “baby shopping.” Grammy and Poppy to be generously gifted Tarah and I with a beautiful new rocking chair. . . or is a gliding chair? Either way, this chair is a fantastic gift and i’m already enjoying the comfort it brings to any sporting event on TV. I KNOW, its not for that. . .otherwise it would have had a built in cup holder. Seriously though, this chair is going to be great and we are very thankful for it. Now we’re onto to the stroller. . .yikes.

Well I wanted to to be even more regular with these posts, but this is pretty good I think. . .right Kelsey?

So for fun, leave your comment on if you think its a boy or a girl and we’ll announce the winner Friday!

Nothin like baseball

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

Enjoying a beautiful night in our Nation’s capitol.