Forde Shorts

Wow – Forde Files had a hard time recognizing the man in black (with a cheery Irish shamrock tie) at the March 11 school board meeting. By now, Tompkins Elementary School Principal Shirden Prince is accustomed to the quizzical looks, as he has lost 160 pounds since undergoing duodenal switch surgery less than a year ago. Prince weighed in at 367 pounds at the time of the surgery, performed June 24, 2013, by Dr. Ara Keshishian at the Delano Regional Medical Center. Prince, 43, has exceeded his target weight of 215 and now weighs 207. He lost 60 pounds in the first month – which he concedes "is a little drastic" – and subsequently has lost a steady 10 to 15 pounds a month since then. "I have lots of energy," he said. "I have started biking and am hoping to swim." He no longer has high blood pressure and his cholesterol is good, he said. Now lacking half his stomach and part of his intestine, his system can absorb half the calories and nutrients as before. "I will be on a steady vitamin regimen for the rest of my life," he said. His wife Kriston had the same surgery in November and has lost 50 pounds. "I'm glad she talked me into it," Prince said. "We're extremely happy." The students at Tompkins have been supportive. "'Mr. Prince, you lost a lot of pounds,'" he quoted one student.

Another observed, "'You look extremely healthy.'"

Orphan event? – The 2014 Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District annual Easter Egg Hunt that attracts hundreds of children is in jeopardy. The district is prepared to provide a park and facilities but not staff, and is seeking other community organizations and churches to take over the planning, which includes organizing a crafts fair and age-group activities. District staff and resources will be deployed at its Fishing Derby on April 19, the same day the Easter Egg Hunt is on the calendar. The district was minimally involved in the 2013 Breakfast with Santa, another free event that the district traditionally has provided.