Bob Walter: Comic strip illustrates heroic act

No cartoon hero: I never made it to Boy Scout status, but I remember Boys' Life from my Cub Scout and Webelos days, back when the Earth was cooling.

Boys' Life is the flagship publication of Boy Scouts of America. And the latest issue has an overdue but pretty cool tribute to Eagle Scout Trevor Robinson of Fair Oaks.

It's a seven-panel "Scouts in Action" cartoon – and a podcast on the magazine's Web site – about the day three years ago when Trevor pushed two friends out of the way of a careening car in the parking lot at Rio Americano High School.

Trevor couldn't save himself, however, and wound up with a broken nose and collarbone and other injuries that temporarily derailed a promising future as a 200- and 400-meter track star.

But it gave his friends a future. And it earned Trevor (Troop 215 of Fair Oaks) one of Scouting's highest tributes – the rarely awarded Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, which goes to Scouts who risk their lives while showing extraordinary heroism.

Now a 20-year-old business-finance student at American River College, planning to transfer to Sacramento State in the fall, Trevor said last week that he has not completely recovered.

"I still haven't returned to the same speed I had in high school," he said. But he is fast enough to run in track meets across the country and to coach an elite track club in Rocklin. He also coaches a member of the national and Olympic track team from Belize. And last month, he ran a leg with the Olympic torch.

Trevor got a kick out of the cartoon.

"They did a pretty good job, " he said with a laugh. "But I really don't look like a guy from the '80s with a crew cut." Some things, like Boys' Life, never really change.

For the podcast, visit www.boyslife.org/links/trevor. The cartoon can be seen only in the magazine, which is available at Barnes & Noble and www.booksamillion.com.

Cheers. …

Big show: Looking for a different way to celebrate Mother's Day eve? How about Bella Vista High School's 15th annual Java and Jazz concert, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the school, 8301 Madison Ave.?

Band parent and booster David Bitnoff promises great entertainment by BV's marching band – the only one left in San Juan Unified – as well as the jazz band, color guard and drill team.

He also promises unlimited beverages, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, along with a great drawing for prizes and auction. Tickets are $15 in advance – better hurry – and $20 at the door. For tickets or more info, call David at (916) 962-3558. …

Younger heroes: They didn't save any lives, but a group of Orangevale kids spent part of Earth Day weekend helping to save part of the planet.

Proud dad John Schuessler said son Ben was inspired by lessons on global warming, CO2 footprints and alternative energies. So he recruited sister Brianna and pals who included Emma Lewis, Dani Lewis, Mason Stuteville and Emilio Bullivant.

They hooked up with some 100 other volunteers at Negro Bar State Park and spent most of a day cleaning up the American River Parkway bike trail and environs. Nobody did a cartoon on Ben's troop, but they earned a barbecue lunch, courtesy of the park rangers.

Cheers again.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Bob Walter, (916) 608-7448. Back columns, www.sacbee.com/walter.