Stroke Victim Returns to Crystal Cove State Park to Thank Lifeguards Who Helped Save Her Life
Story and video from: Michelle Figueroa, Orange Coast District
 Lisa Peterson, second from left, with daughter Haylee, left, Lifeguard II Carlo Silvestre (second from right) and Lifeguard I Neil Smith (right) at Crystal Cove State Park.
Visiting El Moro Beach in Crystal Cove State Park (SP) on July 10, 2023, Lisa Peterson, 41, accompanied by her then 14-year-old daughter Haylee and family friends, navigated her way around the beachgoers on the sand. They parked their beach chairs near lifeguard tower 3, except there was one problem—Lisa could not move her arm.
Her friend Jaclyn Parsley noticed Lisa’s face drooping and urged her to drink some water. Lisa took a sip and coughed it up. “I thought I was just hot, dehydrated,” Peterson would recall. Realizing the severity of the situation, Parsley told their other friend, Julie Stewart, to get help. Every minute that passed now was crucial.
In tower 3, Lifeguard I Neil Smith, 19 at the time, was monitoring the water. Having worked three summers at the Cove, he could tell the difference between a normal beachgoer and one who was in distress. As Stewart ran toward him, he knew something was wrong.
Smith immediately grabbed his buoy, presuming an ocean rescue was needed. “No, I think [my friend is] having a stroke,” Stewart said, frantic. Smith called dispatch, explaining the situation before rushing to Peterson's side. “He was the last face I saw,” she recalled. Smith recognized typical stroke symptoms in Lisa--slurred speech, facial drooping, loss of mobility and vision. Moments later, Lifeguard II Carlo Silvestre arrived in a rescue truck, rushing her to the awaiting ambulance.
Peterson was sent to Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital, where doctors would remove two blood clots from her brain. From the time Smith raced to her aid to the clots being removed, only 72 minutes had passed. Thanks to the quick work of her friends, lifeguards Smith and Silvestre, first responders, and medical staff, Lisa would make a full recovery. Her MRI showed no indication of brain damage. “A lot of people don’t survive that,” said Peterson. Almost a year later, on May 15, 2024, Peterson and her daughter found themselves once again by tower 3 at El Moro. Peterson remembered how fast lifeguards Smith and Silverstre responded, saving minutes that could have meant the difference between life and death for her. "I just wanted to thank him,” she said. As the lifeguard truck approached, she shed tears. Smith and Silvestre emerged greeting her with a warm embrace.
“I was just hoping for the best for you,” Smith said to her. Though lifeguards respond to medical calls regularly, little is known about the visitors they send off in ambulances. In Peterson’s case, Smith and Silvestre were elated to know that she was alive and doing well. “You don’t always hear back… [but] it’s always really good to hear when things go well,” Silvestre said. “It confirms we’re doing something out here … having an impact,” Smith concluded.
Lifeguards Are All Hands on Deck for Orange Coast Surf Watch Deckhand Training
Story and photos from: Nicholas Milward, Orange Coast District
 Clockwise from top left: Lifeguards reviewing neighboring agencies' equipment and providing feedback and comparisons. Lifeguards aboard Surf Watch IV making their way from the Long Beach breakwater to Huntington State Beach for water operations. Lifeguards discussing their operations. Orange Coast Surf Watch Boats with Queen Mary in the background.
Orange Coast Surf Watch deckhands and operators participated in a comprehensive training exercise on May 29, designed to sharpen their skills and foster collaboration with partner agencies. As a seasoned Surf Watch operator with 15 years of experience, I planned and coordinated the event.
Next, the focus shifted to Long Beach Lifeguards, where the deckhands had the privilege of touring a state-of-the-art rescue vessel. Familiarizing themselves with the layout and capabilities of this specialized craft will undoubtedly prove beneficial during future joint operations.
The training culminated in a scenario focused on two essential skills: towing and extrication from the water for critical patients. This lifesaving practice ensured the deckhands were well equipped to handle the most demanding situations, where every second counts.
Orange County Surf Watch boats play a critical role in ensuring the safety of beachgoers. Their swift response times and specialized training make them instrumental in performing the most critical rescues along our coastline. Furthermore, their expertise is frequently called upon to assist in various mutual aid calls, highlighting the importance of seamless collaboration between agencies.
This comprehensive training exercise underscores the unwavering commitment of the Orange Coast Surf Watch program to excellence. By continually honing their skills and fostering strong relationships with partner agencies, the Surf Watch team ensures they are prepared to handle any emergency situation that arises on our beautiful beaches.
Capital District’s Inaugural Archive Fellows Present Their Completed Projects
Story and photos from: Ileana Maestas, Capital District
 Mentors Melanie Tran and Emma Silverman, and Fellows Sienna Weldon and Miranda Bellow take questions from the audience during the question and answer part of the symposium.
Capital District staff attended an in-house symposium on Wednesday, May 15, to learn about the projects completed by inaugural Archive/Curatorial Fellows Miranda Bello and Sienna Weldon. The Fellowship Program at the Capital District started last year as an evolution of the internship program designed for early-career professionals. Fellows were hired in as park aides and mentored by California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) Curator III Melanie Tran and Capital District Cultural Resources Manager Emma Silverman. Emma and Melanie developed the Fellows program to fit within the parameters of the State Parks hiring system and district resources. Candidates with previous museum experience were recruited so the program would draw upon their museum skills while giving them opportunities to acquire new skills. The Fellows were hired concurrently and together attended weekly or monthly check-ins with the mentors. The position lasted one year and had deliverables that expanded the accessibility of the Capital District museum collections.
Fellow Miranda Bello assisted in fulfilling CSRM's mission to tell railroad stories by digitizing and updating thousands of records. By digitizing these records, not only does the museum have a better understanding and access to their collection, but names associated with CSRM railroad objects were uncovered and researched. This type of research adds depth and human connections to the collection which affirms the CSRM adage “Our Lives are Made of Railroad Stories.”
Fellow Sienna Weldon conducted and completed a wide-ranging survey of Capital District archival materials. Content included historical documentation, ephemera, photographs, audio and visual materials, art originals, and unit history. This survey was a long-term project designed to give State Parks staff a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of current archival holdings to better implement the material for interpretive purposes and establish formal methods of conservation and care. The survey included the archives of the State Indian Museum, the Leland Stanford Mansion, the Governor's Mansion, the State Capitol Museum, the B.F. Hastings Building, the Statewide Museum Collections Center, and Sutter's Fort State Historic Park.
The program ended with an afternoon symposium where Sienna and Miranda reported their findings to the district and their family members; the California State Railroad Museum Foundation provided catered refreshments. The district is extremely proud of Miranda and Sienna who set a high bar for the next set of Fellows, who begin their program in July 2024.
 Left: Mentors Melani Tran and Emma Silverman introduce the Fellows and their program. Top and bottom right: Fellows Miranda Bellow (top) and Sienna Weldon (bottom) introduce their projects to the Capital District.
California State Indian Museum to Celebrate 45th Annual Honored Elders Day on June 1
Story from: Marion Millin, Capital District
 The 45th annual Honored Elders Day at the California State Indian Museum is this Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a community day of traditional dance, Native artisans, and selected speakers.
We honor California's Native elders who keep traditions, languages, and stories alive for future generations. The event is free and open to the public, and it will include food available for purchase as well as informational booths and vendors of Native jewelry, crafts, and artwork. Call the museum for details at (916) 324-0971.
Office of Community Involvement's FamCamp Program Comes to Santa Cruz
Story from: Sam Bell, Office of Community Involvement
 Deputy Director of Community Engagement Sedrick Mitchell, left, and Superintendent Joe Walters stand in front of the new FamCamp trailer at Sunset State Beach.
The Office of Community Involvement (OCI) is happy to announce the Santa Cruz District as the newest member of the FamCamp family. The FamCamp sites will now include Sunset State Beach (SB) and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (SP).
The FamCamp program increases access to parks by providing community-based organizations an opportunity to experience camping at these beautiful and majestic parks. Organizations are required to complete the Outdoor Recreation Leadership (ORL) training facilitated by OCI staff to receive a two-year certification granting access to the FamCamp Program.
FamCamp currently has 13 trailer locations throughout the state including Richardson Grove SP, Calaveras Big Trees SP, Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (SRA), San Luis Reservoir SRA, Millerton Lake SRA, Hearst San Simeon SP, Castaic Lake SRA, Leo Carrillo SP, Malibu Creek SP, Cuyamaca Rancho SP, Anza-Borrego Desert SP, and now Sunset SB and Henry Cowell Redwoods SP.
If your district is interested in starting a FamCamp program, please contact the Office of Community Involvement at FamCampRequest@parks.ca.gov.
Ocotillo Wells District Offers Programs for Imperial County Probation Department’s Project ASPIRE
Story from: Taylour Unzicker, Ocotillo Wells District
 Imperial County Probation Department's Project ASPIRE students visiting Salton Sea State Recreation Area. Photo from Cassandra Van Dyne, Ocotillo Wells District.
Ocotillo Wells District had the pleasure of working with Imperial County Probation Department’s Project ASPIRE program this season. Seeking to reach underserved youth and keep young people from entering the juvenile justice system, Imperial County Probation Department developed Project ASPIRE. The program offers youth recreational opportunities, homework assistance, and arts and culture activities.
Throughout the school year, Ocotillo Wells District was able to enhance Project ASPIRE’s offerings. State Park Interpreter I Cassandra Van Dyne has visited ASPIRE afterschool sites in Heber, Niland, and Westmorland. She delivered educational programming about local flora and fauna, area history, and recreational safety. In addition, the ASPIRE afterschool sites were able to visit Heber Dunes State Vehicular Area (SVRA), Ocotillo Wells SVRA, and Salton Sea State Recreation Area to experience their local state parks and put some of their new training to the test.
Ocotillo Wells District is looking forward to continuing work with this exciting program.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park Program Raises Microtrash Awareness
Story from: Teddie Jackson, Central Valley District
 Senior Park Aide Teddie Jackson holding up the posters on microtrash from Junior Rangers at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Photo from Abby Davis, Central Valley District.
Central Valley District State Park Peace Officer Antheney Alegre implemented a bimonthly park staff meeting last year and it resulted in greater communication across all program areas at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. In one of these meetings, the natural resource representatives brought up the topic of microtrash.
As a result, I developed a Junior Ranger program and campfire activity about microtrash that premiered on Memorial Day weekend. At the Junior Ranger program, we discussed the harm that microtrash can have on the environment and animals.
Junior Rangers then collected pieces of microtrash in the park and used them to make posters that could be posted at the visitor center and other places throughout the park. On Sunday evening, the campfire activity on the topic of microtrash was met with enthusiasm, and we invited the Junior Rangers to bring in their posters and share.
 Posters on microtrash made by Junior Rangers. Photos from Abby Davis, Central Valley District.
 PARTNER NEWS
'Art About' Interprets Renewal at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Story from: Geoff Kish, Parks California
 The 2023 Art About participants in Big Basin Redwoods SP.
A new chapter of Big Basin Redwoods State Park’s (SP’s) reimagining began last summer with the launch of Art About, a six-month process of engaging artists from across California to interpret the park and its renewal following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Created and hosted by State Parks staff and sponsored by Parks California and Mountain Parks Foundation, Art About brought 18 artists to the park for a weekend of exploration and learning.
Over the course of two days of hiking and camping, these artists immersed themselves in the park's natural wonders and delved into its rich cultural history. By experiencing the park firsthand, they gained valuable insights to inform their creative contributions and participate in the park's reimagining.
The art pieces will be displayed for the first time in Big Basin on June 15, 2024, in celebration of California State Parks Week. This Arts in California Parks program will also allow participants of all ages to create their own art, enjoy a guided nature journaling hike, and watch members of the Central Coast Plein Air Painters work their magic on site. Learn more about the artists' camping trip here, and RSVP for the event here.
To ensure access please take the Santa Cruz Metro Route 35B bus to the park. Parking for bus riders is free at the Scotts Valley Transit Center.
Here's a list of other Arts in California Parks events in June:
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June 2024 – Pond Farm Pottery at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Meet Artist in Residence, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhrán, a writer and multimedia artist whose diverse work spans painting, printmaking, photography, video/audio, ceramics, and community-focused art.
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June 6, 2024 – Poetry In Parks at Tahoe State Recreation Area: Enjoy a poetry pop-up overlooking the beautiful Truckee River in Tahoe City, part of the Tahoe City Summer Solstice Festival and the kickoff of the Tahoe Literary Festival 2024!
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June 7, 2024 – Sylvan Sounds at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Visit Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve for June Jazz featuring the Youth Jazz Ensemble of the Santa Rosa Symphony at Armstrong Redwoods Forest Theater! Experience their playful virtuosity on June 7, 2024, at 5 PM. Click here to learn more.
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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