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.

Los Alamitos High’s girls water polo team got three wins and two losses and won the 7th place game at the Villa Park Tournament over the weekend. It was a productive weekend of competition and Head Coach Rob Grayeli was pleased with the progress his team made.

Los Alamitos won their first two matches, 14-3 over Santa Monica and 14-8 over Augora. But the Griffins ran into a Long Beach Wilson team that had won its first two matches by a combined 35-4, and the Griffins suffered a 17-10 loss to the Bruins.
Los Alamitos would also fall to fall to Harvard Westlake in a close 9-8 match, before finishing with a 14-8 win over Clairemont in the seventh place game. Hailey Rippeon led the Griffins with seven goals in the closing match, while Saydee Ravelo chipped in five goals. Aubrey Cardoza and Amanda Leung each added a goal.

The Griffins are currently a little undermanned due to some injuries and illness including the team’s only senior, Bella Perez, and No. 1 goalie Madison Ly, who were both unavailable for the tournament. Grayeli added some depth with junior varsity players, but that left the JV team shorthanded at the Downey Tournament as well.

“Typically we do have, like four or five subs, but it’s good, it’s early in the season we’re getting in shape, you know, it’s mental toughness, it’s everyone playing right now,” Grayeli said.

Grayeli said he told the team that he’s more concerned with finding a rhythm in mid to late January and playing their best at that time. The Griffins don’t have a traditional power player at the two-meter position, but Perez will be tasked with filling that key role in front of the net. But Grayeli said they do have some speed and when they are moving the ball well, they can create problems for defenses, he said.

“We’re a movement team so we’re always moving, as soon as you drop off us we’ll move in and take some shots off of that drive,” Grayeli said.

The Griffins played host to Newport Harbor on Tuesday (past press time) and will be at the Chino Hills Tournament on Friday and Saturday, before taking a break from matches until after Christmas. They will have big test on Dec. 27, when they play at Foothill High at 11 a.m.

Foothill is ranked No. 6 in this week’s CIF-SS power rankings. Los Alamitos is currently ranked No. 31. But Grayeli sees a lot of potential.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids, we’re really, really young, and so the future is bright for us,” Grayeli said.

In her last business meeting of the Cypress City Council, embattled Council member Frances Marquez, Ph.D. got a rare win, at least in that the Council said no to what she termed yet another apparent attempt to humiliate her.

Marquez, who will term out this month, has been marginalized by a series of steps approved by the Council after she began her term speaking out for items not necessarily embraced by the the ruling three vote majority on earlier Council memberships.

Grant last week attempted to push a measure through the Council, based on the Marquez example, that would force Council members seeking outside representation to provide additional documentation to the city manager’s office.

Though simplified for this news story, Marquez became a thorn in the Council’s side when it approved a $100 million contract for Valley Vista, then spoke in favor of districting, then called out various actions for a lack of transparency.

The Council dealt with Marquez by initially taking away her monthly stipend, forcing her to get city manager approval for most every move she tried to make, and according to Marquez, did not afford her the information and other opportunities offered to other Council members.
For this meeting, however, the city manager’s proposal would die for the lack of a second.

According to the city attorney Fred Galante, City Manager Peter Grant directed him to draw up a proposal that would force City Council members who face legal problems to run certain parts of the paperwork through the city manager so that they could, in turn, seek City Council approval for the official to acquire outside counsel at the city’s expense.

At issue, again, is the Marquez situation, in which she has faced an unrelenting series of legal challenges, depositions, and other obstacles presented by an unrelenting lawsuit filed by an unnamed client, represented by Fortis, LLC, an OC law firm.

Marquez’s retention of outside counsel came in the face of significant pressure from the city manager and presumably a conflict of interest with the city’s existing law firm. She said the Council city had already declared its opposition to districting so she suggested, and said other lawyers advised her to retain her own counsel.Mayor Scott Minikus introduced the item saying it was “to approve a resolution adopting procedural requirements as prerequisites for any council member wishing to retain separate legal counsel on city related matters.”

First of all, Council members David Burke and Marquez said the matter should not have been placed on the agenda at all, citing the existing practice of placing items on the Council’s agenda that were not followed.
That aside, Galante laid forth the process involved in this proposed process. Galante, who said his firm has represented Cypress “for decades and decades,” denied there was any legally recognized conflict of interest in the matter.

“If there is some divergence of interest because there’s an allegation that the particular name defendant acted outside the scope of employment there’s some control and the ability for the city. The policy before you establish those steps and gives the City Council that authorization to make those decisions,” said Galante.

Grant alleged or suggested the lack of control had already cost the city.

“We did not conduct research as to whether or not processes like this exist in other cities,” said Grant,

“I think it’s important to remember that what we’re describing here is a process that leads to the city council making a well-informed decision,” he said.

“We’ve had two instances that this would have applied to in the last four years that have cost the city, just in sheer dollar terms, well over $200,000,” said Grant, “and well over that if you fold in the associated aggravation and staff work.”

“I just want to make a point about the $200,000 is false,” said Marquez, “I paid my own legal bills.” She suggested that if the city truly care about saving money on legal bills, they could have settled the case like she advocated for $30,000 instead of playing politics and ending up spending more than $1.5 million in legal fees on the redistricting issue.

The city paid Kevin Shenkman’s firm, the Malibu firm that alleged the city was in violation of the state’s Voting Rights Act, almost $1 million alone.
Galante stopped her, saying that part was not appropriate for public discussion at this time.
Marquez continued.

“I was thinking of the residents and protecting taxpayer dollars with my decision,” she said. “I want to say this item was brought to the agenda as one last way to embarrass myself and I wanted to say this is related to the CRVA lawsuit, which I did not support.”

“My colleagues decided to fight (districting) and put me through a lot for my stance on the issue,” said Marquez, noting the harassment began in early 2022.

Marquez said she hired her attorney to go into depositions given the known attitude of the city manager towards her and she claimed the city’s legal advisor never advised her of state law that already has a process that applies to such situations.

Galante said he sent more than one email to Marquez’s attorney advising him he had no legal right to bill the Council. The city attorney said there was no legal conflict that would have prevented his firm from representing Marquez.

Burke, an attorney, had concerns specifically about the new policy violating attorney-client privilege.
First, he too disagreed with the City Manager’s statement that the lack of such a policy had cost the city $200,000.

“I don’t think the city has paid someone separate legal counsel $200,000 or anything like that so I didn’t I don’t think that’s happened,” he said.

“This is really just about a process for approval,” said Burke, who questioned why should the city of Cypress have a policy controlled by the city manager when state law already makes it clear for elected officials.

Further, he said the way Grant’s policy was drawn up, it would be almost impossible not to violate the elected official’s attorney-client privilege.

“This is not just a reminder, this (policy) adds a lot of new procedural requirements and regarding the law, like the privilege question,” Burke.

“I know Council Member (Anne) Mallari says she didn’t notice privilege concerns, but paragraph E says that the council member has to provide all their legal invoices to the city manager. I believe that in some capacity, or in some cases have held that legal bills are under some circumstances privileged so how can the council members share their legal bills highlighting privilege,” he asked.

“What if the city attorney doesn’t agree with the outside counsel’s legal strategy then the council member can appeal to the City Council to assess it? Well, how can they share their legal strategy without breaching the attorney-client privilege,” wondered Burke, said the proposed policy was flawed.
“We need to take time to think this stuff through,” said.

Mallari said the policy was similar to a purchasing policy, where the city manager’s role was simply to ensure all of the components were in place.

She moved the item for approval.

Instead of seconding the motion, Mayor Pro-Tem Bonnie Peat revealed that, after listening to the discussion, she had a different understanding of the issue.

“We asked the question over and over again, saying how can this happen, this shouldn’t happen, so I like it thank you for putting the process together,” she began.

I’m inclined to put it to a point where you have a state law, and you have maybe a specific set of steps that a person must do (to hire outside counsel).

“And then we have to apply it and I don’t think we can fight it and just say no. We can follow the process,” she said, suggesting that instead of putting this policy in place the staff inform all council members during orientation of what the policy is for obtaining outside council.

“So my thing is supposed to be proactive, so let’s get it down up front with everyone and I’m hoping we never have to use it,” she said, “but how council members understand what it is, what happens, and how it happens which is inevitably the point.”

“Tonight’s discussion kind of led me to a slightly broader understanding for me so I’m OK with having no second (to Mallari’s motion).

With that, Galante said the motion dies for the lack of a second and instead, incoming council members will get a better understanding of state law.

Marquez, who will term out in December, has since all of this began filed her own Civil Rights lawsuit in federal court, suggesting the city manager nor the council had the legal right to restrict her ability to represent citizens, among other specific claims.

“Why,” asked Cypress resident Paul Kokkinos during oral communications?

He questioned how the city manager and city council could not know who was behind the Fortis, LLC legal treatment of Marquez. “It may be that you already know but we don’t know and don’t you think it would be in the public’s best interest to know and share.”

“This whole thing creates more questions than it answers. Why now,” he asked?
“Maybe based on election results, the historic voting bloc that I’ve called a cabal is probably no more,” he said.

The November 21, 2024, Genal Meeting for the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women was held at the auditorium of the ABCUSD Adult School at 20122 Cabrillo Lane in Cerritos.

At 7:01 p.m. the Branch Administrator Harriet Moses called the meeting to order and asked Program Facilitator Esther Aronson to introduce Guest Speaker Hadar Dohn. Hadar is the Managing Director of JQinternational. Ms. Dohn came prepared with a slide presentation on the topic of LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training 101. JQinternational is a Jewish non-profit organization that provides inclusive support and resources to the LGBTQ+ community. The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, and “+” stands for identities such as intersex and asexual and many more. Ms. Dohn provided a two-page glossary with sixteen other terms that are used to describe different identities.

Ms. Dohn showed different slides that listed statistics about mental and physical health disparities that exist among the LGBTQ+ community due to the stress of being marginalized. She showed a slide that said 41% of LGBTQ+ considered attempting suicide this year. Another slide showed that less than 40% (38%) of LGBTQ+ young people found their homes to be affirming of their identity.

Another slide listed JQ’s Mission is to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies by transforming Jewish communities and ensuring inclusion through community building, educational programs, and support and wellness services. JQ’s Vision is to have a world where LGBTQ+ Jews and allies are supported by communities, embrace their identities, and celebrate their unique gifts.

Ms.Dohn also discussed how we can be more inclusive in how we speak and how we can become an “ally..” At a meeting, instead of saying “ladies” use the word “everyone.”
She listed her pronoun as She/Her showing that she is straight. LGBTQ+ may use the pronouns “they” or “them.” She said that she hopes people would become “allies,” meaning people who support and respect members of the LGBTQ+ community. If people actually take action, then they would be called an “active ally.”

For more information about JQinternational, contact Hadar Dohn at hdohn@JQinternational.org or www.JQinternational.org.

At 8:05 p.m. Administrator Harriet began the business meeting. She spoke about the recent passing Jackie Shahzadi on November 13, 2024, after a long illness. She invited members who knew her to share information about her. Members spoke about her intelligence, her boundless energy, her knowledge about a variety of topics, her total dedication, to promoting international issues related to women. Members shared about her world travels with them, her positive outlook on life, and how brave she was as she fought her last illness. Besides being a Board member for the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Branch for many years, she was a board member of Women First International (formerly VGIF), and was also active in Women Graduates-USA. Members who spoke all said that Jackie is already greatly missed and have already started to make donations to the AAUW Fund or the Academic Achievement Award in her memory.

Members are asked to send donations to our Branch treasurer Marilyn Forsstrom16721 Hampton Court, Cerritos CA 90703.

Harriet continued the business meeting with the approval of minutes by three members, and the acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report. She then received the reports of members. Members are asked to read the complete detailed reports in the secretary’s minutes for November 21, 2024, in the La Palma-Cerritos Branch Website at http://lapalma-cerritos-ca.aauw.net. The following is a shortened list of the reports and activities that were part of the meeting.

Holiday Party: On Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the home of Cathy and Charles Niederman, 7:00 p.m. Guests to bring appetizer or desert and own alcoholic beverage.
Bring donations for Falcon’s Nest.

January Program: On Wednesday, January 15, 2024, 6:30 Social Time, Guest Speaker Jodi Balma on Issues after the Election of 2024, at ABCUSD Adult School Auditorium.
February Fund Luncheon: Time and Place To BE Determined.

December 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., Zoom Program on AAUW Priorities after Election, hosted by AAUW Silicon Valley, contact Tobi Balma for more information.
AAUW Fund Awarded Two Fund recipients for 2024-2025: SaRanda Murphy, Career Development Grant, and Beth Gibbs, Gloria Scanlan Named Grant.

Academic Achievement Awards for Cerritos College Women Students: Selection
Committee will begin work in February, 2025. Fundraising is needed for scholarships in January. Collection continues for donations of food, hygiene products, and gently used clothing for Falcon’s Nest at Cerritos College.

December 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Cover to Cover Book Discussion Group: Dinner from Rascals. Contact Thea Sigel for more information.

After special announcements regarding donations received by the branch, a reminder was made of the next meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
For more information about future programs of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, contact Administrator Harriet Moses at 714-994-1487.

With a 38-18 victory over Brea, the Los Alamitos girls junior varsity basketball team won the third place trophy last week in the top Gold Division of the El Toro Thanksgiving Classic tournament.
In the Saturday, November 30 game, the Griffins fell behind early and finished the low-scoring first quarter trailing Brea 4-6. However, Los Alamitos broke out of its scoring doldrums in the second quarter, netting 17 points behind the scoring of sophomores Madi Real and Danira Jones, who each scored 5 points in that quarter, and freshmen Maryah Collier and Cloey Chau, who each scored 3 points.

Active and efficient team defense held Brea to only 4 points, and the Griffins entered the half-time break up 21-10.

For the entire game, Chau led the scoring with 8 points, including two three-pointers. Jones, who was selected for the All-Tournament Team, chipped in 7 points with 5 rebounds and 6 steals. In addition to her 5 points, Real also grabbed 9 rebounds, and freshman point guard Mio Emi added 5 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Griffins (3-3) qualified for the contest for third place by earlier defeating Sunny Hills 36-29 on Tuesday, November 26. In that game, Real led the scoring with 9 points on 3 three-pointers. Jones scored 6 points with 9 rebounds, and freshman center Issabella Toney also scored 6 points. Chau and sophomore guard Ashley Matsumoto each added 5 points, and junior forward Morgan Oropeza grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Griffins finished the tournament with a 2-2 record.

“This top-tier Gold Division provided very tough competition,” commented Coach Patrick Kennedy. “Playing top teams will better prepare us for league competition in January, and I’m happy for the girls that their hard work resulted in a final game victory and a trophy. They earned it.”