The holidays are officially underway as Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce members and members of the public enjoyed an exhilarating performance Friday at their annual holiday breakfast networking meeting.
It has become a tradition of the Chamber to forgo much of its regular business and dedicate its December meeting to an uplifting performance by the Los Alamitos High School internationally recognized show choir.
Co-Chairs Meryl Cohn and Kristin DiMiceli welcomed the group to Rush Park Community Center in Rossmoor where the event has been held the past few years.
“Thank you so much for having us,” said Cohn, the Chamber Co-Chair who served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. She introduced Michael Maynard, President of the Rossmoor Community Services District Board.
“Let’s all have a little fun,” said Maynard, who welcomed the crowd to Rossmoor on behalf of the board.
Cohn, also introduced special guests in the audience, including local elected officials along with regional and national officials.
Led by Los Al High’s David Moellencamp, Director of Choral Activities, members of the famed Show Choir dived into a 20-minute rendition of musical theater that was especially created for the event.
This impressive group has won no fewer than 16 national titles, the Los Al Show Choir, with its SoundFX and Soundtrax divisions recently took top honors at the Heart of America National Show Choir competition in New York.
In addition to winning overall honors, the group took home other recognition, including Best Design, Visuals, etc.
The group’s show included song, dance and group participation drawing to a close with yet another standing ovation.
“We are so proud of them,” said Los Al High School Principal Christiana Krauss, who attended the event.
Following the presentation, Lt. Col. Dan Fox, Commander of the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, explained that the base was hosting two upcoming graduation ceremonies from base centric groups, including its Job Challenge program and its Sunburst Academy.
In addition, Fox said he has made progress in its efforts to become more interwoven with the communities that surround the base.
“We’re always looking for events to increase our relations with the external community,” said Fox.
City Recreation Director Emeline Noda said the city’s recreation department now, along with its strategic partners, sponsors more than 20 events per year, with more than 45,000 people annually participating in these events.
Robert Acosta, Outreach Director of the Los Alamitos Police Department, announced a Citizens Academy program for the Police Department that will ordinary citizens a peek under the hood for modern policing.
He said the first academy class will be limited to 10 to 12 people, with only two remaining open spots and the weekly meetings will feature guest speakers and programs that give citizens a chance to put themselves into situations faced by working officers.
“Sometimes you have “half a second to react,” said Acosta, “so we’re very proud of the way this program is coming together.”
In addition, the group heard from several local businesses, including Hilda Sramek, President of Carla’s Movie Restaurant.
“We bring art from artists of all abilities to the community,” she said, “and we bring the community to the artists.”
The Chamber again honored Judy Klabouch, the owner of Green Street Interiors, now celebrating 48 years in business in Los Alamitos. In that time, Klabouch has been a major influence on the Chamber, including the inspiration for the Chamber’s ever popular “Heroes Appreciation Luncheon”
Cohn also mentioned Art Garcia, the owner of Maderas in Los Al, and mentioned his annual Christmas Day pilgrimage to the Veterans Hospital to feed steak dinners to veterans of the spinal cord injury unit.
Garcia accepts sponsor contributions of $25 to pay for each meal, which includes a prime filet mignon, cheesecake in the shape of a heart and all the holiday trimmings. “It’s really a special moment,” said Cohn, “to bring holiday joy to a very difficult situation.”
“We are so grateful for the work he does,” she said.
The Chamber, along with assembly level elected officials, honored Joe Mendoza, the retiring General Manager of the Rossmoor Community Services District for his outstanding service to the District and for his contributions to the Chamber.
Cohn also announced the new board and installation will be held January 17 at Maderas.
“Also, we (Cohn and DiMiceli) want to say a special thank you before we let you start networking, we’d like to thank our sponsor, Homesmiles.com. Kristin and I would like to say thank you for a great year and for all the love and support,” she said.