10 newportbeachindy . com FEBRUARY 17 , 2023
Sage
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“ I just saw how rewarding it was , both for the recipients we worked with and for the students in our class who got to problem solve , work with their hands , have fun with it , learn new skills ( and ) learn new technologies ,” Lerch said . “ That became something that I really wanted to beef up and really flesh out .”
Lerch , who began teaching in New York City where she created one of the first e-NABLE chapters in 2013 , introduced the concept to Sage Hill School . What first started with just one 3D printer has led to eight printers , with more than 50 children and adult recipients that have received prosthetics at no charge .
For only meeting three times a week for 20 minutes , students can develop skills in collaboration , geometry and creativity – no matter their education background .
“ It ’ s such a playing-field equalizer ,” Lerch said . “ I ’ ll have students sign up for the class who are experts in engineering , robotics or math and they have all this background and other
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students who ( had ) Pre-Calculus as their most advanced math class . But all of them are coming from a place where they don ’ t have a ton of experience with this stuff . People really surprised themselves – it gives different students a chance to shine in the math-science fields , where they previously might not have thought that they could .”
The prosthetic recipients have come from as far away a Pakistan and Romania , but a majority of the clients live right here in Orange County .
A memorable moment for students and Lerch was in January , when 10-year-old Blake McGraw got his first 3D-Printed arm through Sage Prosthetics . Lerch told the Newport Beach Independent that the realization of this class affecting real people allows students to recognize their work is making a difference .
“ This is somebody who is waiting on a device that they ’ re very excited about ,” Lerch said . “ So the consequences are a lot heavier than just you might not get the grade you want . It ’ s
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actually a person ’ s emotions and their life . So I hope that ( students ) remember that .”
Despite her love of teaching mathematics , Lerch said that working with students on a hands-on project gives them the skills to continue this work in college and even in their careers .
“ When I would teach algebra two , it would be really rare that you get a student who ’ s like , ‘ This is what I want to do for the rest of my life ,’” Lerch said . “ Most of the time , you ’ re fielding questions , like , ‘ When am I ever going to use this ?’ So these are things that are very tangible to them when the skills are useful , and what they can do with them .”
Chao said that she has also gained an immense sense of empathy with just one semester of the class under her belt . The ability to speak oneon-one with recipients , learn their measurements and color preferences all to create a final product that alters their lifestyle has led to unforgettable memories for both parties involved .
“ Some of the recipients have gone
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through bad situations that caused them to not have their hands or arm and I think that this class ( helps you ) understand that maybe they ’ re not the most excited to receive the prosthetic even though they want it ,” Chao said . “ It can be a little bit hard for them to understand . So I think just having that sense of empathy is so important for this class .”
As for the future of the course , Lerch encourages any student to take part in the Service Learning Project , but hopes to offer an advanced version of the class as well . But until then , Chao said she hopes all those a part of the class and at Sage Hill recognize the impact their work brings to the world – one hand at a time .
“ I think it ’ s such a great opportunity to get a different experience and just help people in the community that need it most ,” Chao said .
For more information on Sage Prosthetics , getting a custom prosthetic hand and how to start an e-NABLE chapter of your own , visit https :// www . sageprosthetics . org .
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Budget
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infrastructure . And thanks to Proposition 13 , the increased valuation has not forced out long-time residents on a fixed income .
Thanks to a strong resurgence in consumer spending coming out of California ’ s lockdowns during the 2020 / 21 pandemic , our sales tax has tracked our local businesses ’ success .
Not surprisingly , Newport Beach ’ s sales tax is largely generated from three main industry categories including autos and transportation , general consumer goods , and restaurants and hotels .
I really cannot emphasize enough the value of shopping local rather than online as often as you can . Newport Beach receives more sales tax when you do , which allows for additional resources to be spent on core essentials like public safety , infrastructure , parks , beaches , etc . Additionally , you ensure that storefronts stay full , community charities have sponsors , and local employment enhances human flourishing .
Our hospitality sector has also come back stronger than expected after the steep drop-off in 2020 . The newlyoverhauled VEA coming on strong and the anticipated opening of the Pendry this year will nicely complement already outstanding local offerings .
Inflationary pressures have increased our labor costs , which account for our budget ’ s largest expenses . As a servicedriven organization , the City recognizes and appreciates the hard work of our employees . We continue to speak with our labor groups about ways to recruit and retain people at the quality levels expected by our residents .
We are also continuing to spend tens of millions of dollars each year to bring down the civic center debt and our unfunded pension liabilities . While Newport Beach continues to be ahead of most cities with our accelerated paydown schedule , the state ’ s investment arm – CalPERS – continues to shift its emphasis toward social frameworks over investment returns .
Where CalPERS needs to reach a 6.8 percent investment return year-overyear , it lost 7.5 percent to end fiscal year 2022 . That net-14.3 percent loss set back cities throughout California , including Newport Beach . That said , our discretionary paydown approach still anticipates fully funding our plan within a decade .
Finally , we remain focused on our core infrastructure projects . We will soon be planning to replace the library and fire station at the end of the Peninsula , designing and constructing an entirely new drainage system on Balboa Island , completing the new Junior Lifeguard Building , and dozens more projects that keep our streets maintained and water clean .
My sincere appreciation goes to my fellow Council Members for entrusting me with the Finance Committee Chair position , our citizen members of the Finance Committee , and our residents . We serve you ; you don ’ t serve us .
And we never forget it .
Hon . Will O ’ Neill served as Newport Beach ’ s Mayor in 2020 , currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem , and is entering his fifth year as Chair of the Newport Beach Finance Committee .
OFF THE MENU
Two of the best culinary events of the year take place in March . One is in Newport Beach , the other features Newport Beach chefs .
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
Two of the best culinary events of the year take place in March . One is in Newport Beach , the other features Newport Beach chefs .
Up first is Table for Ten , a glamorous culinary charity experience on March 5 at the new VEA Newport Beach in Fashion Island / Newport Center .
This event showcases more than three dozen top OC chefs ( including many from Newport Beach ) that create masterful multi-course meals tableside for 10 guests . Each table has extravagant décor themed to the restaurant and menu . Exquisite wines will be paired with the cuisine .
Also included is a cocktail reception plus silent and live auctions , which showcases “ Best of Chefs ” dining experiences , luxury goods , rare wines and trips to exotic locales .
Table for Ten benefits the Pascal Culinary Arts Scholarship Program ( named after legendary OC Chef Pascal Olhats ), which creates life-changing financial grants for culinary arts students in Orange County . Working with Saddleback College Culinary Arts Program and Orange Coast College Culinary Arts Department , the program focuses on making an impact for culinary students that have demonstrated a financial need , are currently enrolled in classes and meet certain
Chef Rich Mead from Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens is participating in the Chef ’ s Table Charity Gala on March 12
GPA criteria .
Chef Pascal has long been dedicated to helping the culinary field by advancing the educational opportunities to students in Orange County .
Among the participating local chefs and restaurants : Elvis Morales ( A Crystal Cove ), Prabeen Prathapan ( Balboa Bay Resort & Club ), Victor Soto ( Cannery Seafood of the Pacific ), Kyung Carrol ( Pelican Hill Resort ), Ron Fougeray ( Splashes , Surf & Sand Resort ), Jose Arrieta ( Suenos Laguna Beach ), Lewis Butler ( The Waterfront Beach Resort ), Riley Huddleston