Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/76811
4B Daily News– Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Face the Facts CASH ISN'T HELPING JOHNNY READ – OR ADD FACT: The federal government has spent more than $293 million since 2001 to improve student perfor- mance under the Ele- mentary and Secondary Education Act, but reading and math profi- ciency levels haven't budged in a decade: A quarter of high school seniors don't meet basic reading standards and a third fall below basic math proficiency. This period of time covers President Bush's No Child Left Behind and President Obama's Race to the Top. The company that manages the Daily News, Digital First Media, has partnered with the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs for a non-partisan initiative called Face the Facts USA — www.facethefactsusa.org. Each day leading up to Election Day, Face the Facts will release one interesting fact affecting our nation. Castration clinic scheduled One slick opponent Those of you who follow my column know that I fought last month, and you may have even watched it on HD NET. So, it comes as no surprise to you that I lost, in the first round. For that, I apologize. I hate represent- ing my home town like that. It took me a long time to get over my bitterness, so I could write this month's col- umn. I didn't want to come off sounding too hateful or angry. Obviously, it wasn't my best work, but let me explain what led up to that losing moment: I was training, hard, like be there in a heartbeat. I did- n't tell her that I'd have a whole other game plan- punches in bunches and slamming kicks to her legs. When I got home, I had a Courtesy photo Shipwrecked Farms Relief Efforts is holding a cas- tration clinic for horses Aug. 28.There are still avail- able spots to take in stallions or colts for castraiting. This clinic is for those who otherwise might not be able to afford the procedure during hard economic times. Difficult procedures such as cryptorchid will have a slightly higher cost of $100 compared to the $75 for regular castrations. Organizers are looking for a place to hold the clinic in the Red Bluff area that has electricity, shade and small pens or corrals to hold some horses in during the procedure.For more information, reserving a slot for castraiton or if you have a place to hold the clinic, call 526-0011 or send an email to shipwreckedfarms@ymail.com. I always do. I was running every day, sparring, grap- pling, the whole she-bang. Three weeks prior to my fight, while I was grappling with one of my favorite partners, I twisted during an escape and this wrenching pain coursed through my torso. I stopped. I figured I popped a rib out. I could hardly breathe without feeling like someone was stabbing me. I vis- ited my trusty massage therapist, and she did her best to put me back together again. I was at least able to breathe with mini- mal pain after the session. For the remain- der of my training, I ran as much as I could tolerate, hit the bags and did some drills. I was scared to spar or grapple for fear that it would cause fur- ther damage. I didn't let on to my coaches or husband that I was even injured too much. I didn't want to lose the chance to fight on live tv, and I didn't want to be the punk that pulls out of the fight at the last minute. So, fast forward to the arrive fight. We Nashville. I get interviewed prior to the fight by a panel in of people- one of whom was, to my delight, leg- endary fighter/trainer, Pat Miletich (Matt Hughes is from his camp). He asked me questions and even shook my hand. I was a lit- tle bit star struck. The best thing was, he was very nice, down to earth. I kick myself for not getting a picture with him. Avery Vilche Fitness Buff The night of weigh-ins, my opponent and I both make weight and were very amica- ble to each other. The night of our fight, we even chatted about our mutual enemy the girl I fought twice and she was on a reality show with. In the cage, I had a game plan. I was going to tie up with her and work for submis- sions. There was no way I was going to take a knee to my messed up ribs. We touched gloves and came out fight- ing. We tied up, she tried to get me with knee strikes, but I was thankfully able to block them. I caught her with some good foot stomps against the cage. Soon, we were on the ground, me on my back. I grabbed her arm in an armbar attempt and slipped right off her. It was like grabbing a greased pole. I won't say that she pre-greased (fighter's can do this by taking an oil bath the night before- towel some off- once you start sweating, it's slicker than snot), but she had to be the sweatiest person I've ever fought. We rolled around a bit. She got my back and slipped her slick little arm under my chin for a rear naked choke. I never get caught in this; I've got a good chin tuck and can pry an arm off. But, for the life of me, I could not stop that sweaty arm from slipping in. Out of pride, I almost just let her choke me out, but I didn't want to freak my husband out. Her hand was raised in victory, and I was fit to be tied. I thought, there goes any chance I had at fighting my hero, Tara LaRosa. I was embarrassed that I lost so quickly on national tv, in front of Pat Miletich. I buried my bruised ego in a plate of the hottest chicken in Nashville (Prince's Chicken- if you ever go there). My mouth was so full of fire and grease, I almost forgot my shame. To add insult to injury, the promoter flew my oppo- nent and I out of Nashville on the same flight. In fact, I was right behind her. She was a nice girl, though. And we chatted for much of the flight. I told her if she ever has another opponent back out on her and needs a replacement (which is what I was for her) that I would new game plan. I would cut back down to a horrible 115 and fight smaller girls and get a few wins under my belt. Then, I'd bulk back up to 125 to get a shot at Tara. My doctor said I had a cou- ple of muscle tears, and I should be able to fight by September. I was ok with that, and gently started training again. If I could offer any advice, it would be this: do not compete in anything if you have an injury that impacts your ability to pre- form. It's not worth it. I was lucky I didn't get injured any worse (except for my ego- it is bruised beyond repair). I was contacted by my "enemy's" girlfriend. She needed an opponent to fight her in St. Louis at 125 pounds. I was more than game, despite my manager and husband's protests. I asked my man- ager to look into the pay. She told him it was 9 to show and 9 to win. I was all excited- I told him I would fight anyone for $9000 and $9000 and was weighing around 129 right now (curse you, Prince's Chicken!). He found out it was for $900 and $900. I'm back on my diet. So not worth it. Hopefully, something better will come around for me in September. Meanwhile, I will be training like my life depends on it. Just this week, though, Avery Vilche is a professional MMA fighter and fitness instructor who owns Psycho Fitness & MMA, 1450 Schwab St. in Red Bluff. You can reach her at 200-0526 or by e- mail at vilcheavery@yahoo.com. Every picture tells a story. http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter Visit redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter throughout the day. News • Sports • Entertainment • Best Images of the Day See photojournalism at its best. Bookmark redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter today. http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter If every picture is worth a thousand words, the redbluffdailynews.com Media Center will take your breath away. Filled with images from across America and the globe, our Media Center is constantly updated to showcase the best in photojournalism. Bookmark redbluffdailynews.com/mediacenter today and see the world in a whole new way. DAILYNEWS redbluffdailynews.com RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY http://www.redbluffdailynews.com