Home Blog

Bookstrap Ball will bolster the work of Casa Youth Shelter

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Bookstrap Ball will bolster the work of Casa Youth Shelter

Celebrating the resilience, courage, and strength of Casa Kids who continue to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, Casa Youth Shelter’s annual Bootstrap Ball welcomed a sold-out crowd to the scenic Old Ranch Country Club on October 17. The evening raised more than $400,000 in support of Casa Youth Shelter’s mission and the belief that every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported.

The festivities of this Cowboy Chic-themed fundraiser included an outdoor cocktail reception, a sumptuous three-course dinner, an extensive silent and live auction, a Wine & Spirits Pull, a custom cowboy hat bar where guests purchased and designed their own hats, and live country music.

Once inside for the program and dinner, Casa Youth Shelter recognized Sandy McElroy, a long-time committed Board Member and Program & Services Committee Chair from Huntington Beach, as the 2026 Legacy Honoree. For more than two decades, McElroy has given her heart to Casa Youth Shelter, including 19 years of dedicated service on the Board of Directors.

Photos by Fernanda Ruiz Above, (L to R) Casa Youth Shelter Board Member Karen Sullivan (Long Beach), Founding CYS Board Member Judy Klabouch (Los Alamitos), Amanda Jessen.
Photos by Fernanda Ruiz
Above, (L to R) Casa Youth Shelter Board Member Karen Sullivan (Long Beach), Founding CYS Board Member Judy Klabouch (Los Alamitos), Amanda Jessen.

A quiet and thoughtful leader, Sandy never seeks the spotlight. She simply shows up. Whether making sure staff feel appreciated, cooking breakfast for the kids on Christmas morning, or thoughtfully guiding decisions that open doors to education, McElroy leads with extraordinary generosity and care. Her impact can be felt in nearly every corner of Casa Youth Shelter.

The 2026 Community Honoree was Pauline Grimshaw and the Los Alamitos High School Interact Club, who have shown up for Casa Youth Shelter with generosity and heart for nearly two decades. For twelve of those years, Grimshaw has led the club, inspiring generations of students to turn leadership into service.

Through holiday donation drives and generous financial support, Grimshaw and her students have brought joy, tradition, and a little childhood magic to Casa kids and families during difficult seasons, reminding them their community is thinking of them. The Los Alamitos High School Interact Club has been honored to show Casa Kids, year after year, what it means to have a community that shows up.

(L to R) CYS Executive Director Lupita Gutierrez (Placentia), Los Alamitos Mayor Tanya Doby.
Courtesy photo

The Bootstrap Ball directly powers the Casa Youth Shelter mission. Every dollar raised helps keep the Shelter’s doors open around the clock, with every service offered free of charge from emergency shelter and counseling to aftercare and family support. Last year alone, Casa Youth Shelter served more than 4,000 kids and parents, provided over 4,500 counseling hours, connected 95% of Casa kids to a safe, reliable place to call home, and awarded nearly $50,000 in education grants to former Casa residents.

Through generous contributions of time and talent from donors and volunteers, Casa Youth Shelter, based in Los Alamitos, has served youth in need for nearly 50 years across Orange and Los Angeles Counties. An invaluable destination for youth who have faced immense challenges from abuse, homelessness, and trauma, Casa Youth Shelter provides a safe haven for youth where they can access resources, support, and guidance that help them step by step into the futures they deserve.

The generosity of donors is vital to fueling their journey so Casa Youth Shelter can give youth in crisis more than a fighting chance—a future where they are equipped and inspired.

Casa Youth Shelter gratefully recognizes the following underwriters and sponsors who made the Bootstrap Ball possible: Howard Kittle & Company, CPAs, LLC; ConservaTrust Fiduciary Services, Inc.; Halbert Hargrove; Compressed Gas Systems; The DelRe Foundation, Inc.; UCI Health; Green Street Interiors; Sandy McElroy; The Perry Family; The Aldana Family; The Lee Kim Family; among others.

Lupita Gutierrez, Executive Director at Casa Youth Shelter, states, “For nearly 50 years, Casa Youth Shelter has been a place where kids and families can turn when they need us most. That kind of commitment doesn’t happen without an extraordinary community standing behind it. As the needs of the families we serve continue to evolve, so does our work, but our commitment to being there for them remains the same.

The Bootstrap Ball is one of my favorite opportunities to bring together the people who make this possible, celebrate how far we’ve come, and share our excitement for what’s ahead. We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity, trust, and continued support of a community that believes, as we do, that every child deserves a safe place to land and a brighter future.”

Established in 1978, Casa Youth Shelter is a nonprofit organization located in Los Alamitos dedicated to providing a safe place for kids and families to turn to during times of crisis. For nearly five decades, Casa Youth Shelter has provided free, accessible services designed to strengthen families, promote emotional well-being, and help kids build brighter futures.

What began as a 12-bed emergency shelter in Los Alamitos has grown into a comprehensive network of services, including individual and family counseling, crisis intervention, prevention and early-intervention programs, parenting education, youth leadership, aftercare, and community outreach. Today, Casa Youth Shelter serves more than 4,000 kids and parents annually, primarily throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties, while welcoming children and families in need regardless of where they live.

As the needs of the community continue to evolve, so does Casa Youth Shelter’s approach to meeting them. Through early intervention, compassionate care, and a commitment to meeting families where they are, Casa Youth Shelter works to ensure that no child or family has to navigate a crisis alone.

To learn more, visit www.casayouthshelter.org. Casa Youth Shelter is located at 10911 Reagan Street, Los Alamitos, CA 90720.

Nobles Family Halloween still bringing out the goblins

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Nobles Family Halloween still bringing out the goblins

By Chris MacDonald

With Halloween approaching, lots of little ghosts and goblins will be out patrolling the streets this weekend, while others have already celebrated the haunted holiday with thematic costume parties like the big one in Sunset Beach.

“Superheroes” was the theme for this year’s Halloween celebration at The Nobles Family Community Center in Sunset Beach. “Updated with many, new animatronics and more games for kids to play, we put a lot of effort into making this year’s event better than ever,” said Tony Nobles, President of The Sunset Beach Community Association. The craft area was bustling, and the photo opportunities were extremely popular, as well, he said.

However, the most popular attractions were the giant comic book and Spiderman upside down room, according to the inventor, professor and kid-at-heart, he said.

The Nobles family continues its long Halloween tradition. Courtesy photo

Due to ongoing construction along the greenbelt, the pumpkin patch and the bounce house were relocated to the restaurant parking lot next door, thanks to property owners Eric and Elaine Bakker.

“It was awesome to see so many kids and adults enjoying the games, eating pizza and enjoying the bounce house during the entire event,” Nobles said. “Our Real-life superheroes, the fire and police were on hand giving free candy.

“I especially enjoyed seeing the majority of kids dressed in Superhero costumes, including a little boy, Chad Weiss, who spent a long time talking to Spiderman inside the scene area,” he said.

Nobles said annual production wouldn’t have been possible without his wife, Rhonda Nobles (President of Las Damas), who put in months of work planning, and the volunteers from Las Damas, the Weiss family (from Fountain Valley), and Cameron Helfman who all worked tirelessly to set up everything and to be there serving pizza, manning the bounce house and being the actors in the scenes.

Youth Center wins national workplace award

David N. Young
-
0
Youth Center wins national workplace award

For the first time in its 74-year history, The Youth Center has earned national recognition as a 2026 Top Workplaces Industry Award winner, an honor that celebrates organizations that put their people first and create exceptional workplace cultures.

The award, presented by Energage, recognizes organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to employee engagement, workplace culture, and leadership. This national distinction marks an exciting milestone for The Youth Center, a nonprofit organization that has served children and families throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties since 1952.

For more than seven decades, The Youth Center has helped young people discover their passions, develop their potential, and build brighter futures. Today, the organization serves thousands of children annually through programs that include after-school enrichment, summer camps, STEM education, music, leadership development, and college and career readiness.

Behind every program, every opportunity, and every young life changed is a team of dedicated people who believe in the mission. This award recognizes the people behind the purpose. “For 74 years, The Youth Center has been changing lives in our community. Today, we are celebrating something equally important: the people who make that impact possible,” said Lina Lumme, CEO of The Youth Center.

“This is our first national Top Workplaces Industry Award, and it means so much because it reflects the voices of our own employees. We ask our team to bring their hearts, creativity, and energy to helping children thrive,” she said.

“We believe they deserve a workplace where they feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work, too. When we invest in our people, they can invest even more in our kids. This recognition belongs to our incredible team, past and present, who have helped make The Youth Center what it is today,” said Lumme.

The Top Workplaces program has a 19-year history of recognizing people-first organizations across the country and in more than 60 regional markets. Winners are determined through a research-backed employee engagement survey that measures key aspects of workplace culture, including employee experience, leadership, and organizational alignment.

Unlike awards based solely on applications or nominations, Top Workplaces recognition is rooted in employee feedback, making this achievement a meaningful reflection of the people who bring The Youth Center’s mission to life every day.

“At The Youth Center, we know that creating a positive environment for children starts with creating a positive environment for the people who serve them,” Lumme added. “As we approach our 75th anniversary in 2027, this recognition reminds us that our legacy is not just about how long we have served our community. It is about the people, relationships, and shared commitment that will carry our mission into the next generation.”

The national recognition comes as The Youth Center prepares to celebrate 75 years of service in 2027, marking a remarkable journey that began in 1952 and continues to create opportunities for the next generation.
About The Youth Center

Founded in 1952, Los Alamitos Youth Center, Inc., doing business as The Youth Center, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids find their passion and purpose in life.

For 74 years, The Youth Center has provided children and teens with opportunities to learn, explore their interests, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover their potential. Serving families across Orange and Los Angeles counties, the organization offers a wide range of programs, including after-school enrichment, summer camps, STEM education, music, leadership development, and college and career readiness.

As it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2027, The Youth Center remains committed to strengthening its community by investing in the potential of every child.

Learn more about The Youth Center through its official website and social media channels.

About Energage
Energage is a purpose-driven organization that helps employers build and strengthen workplace cultures through employee feedback, actionable insights, and credible employer recognition. Its Top Workplaces program celebrates organizations that prioritize employee engagement and create environments where people can thrive. Drawing on decades of workplace culture research and millions of employee survey responses, Energage helps organizations understand their strengths and build better workplaces.

“The Outsiders,” now on stage at Segerstrom, reminds us our world needs love

David N. Young
-
0
“The Outsiders,” now on stage at Segerstrom, reminds us our world needs love

The world was a much different place when Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders” opened in theatres on March 25, 1983, or was it?

Adapted from S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical takes you to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1967, where Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs.

“The Outsiders” navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. The show opened at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Oct. 20 and will end its run on Nov. 1.

With a dynamic original score, The Outsiders tells a story of friendship, family, and belonging that leads to the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”

The condensed story hits the stage, starring Nolan White as Ponyboy Curtis, with an All-Star cast that includes local man and Laguna Beach native Brendan Dallaire, who makes his professional acting debut as Soda Pop Curtis, one of the three brothers around whom the story revolves.

Like the 1983 film, the musical keeps the same ending, turning grief into testimony, even as it leans harder on hope in a world much darker than the original story.

The story is largely the same. The book writers, Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, stay close to the sources while reshaping some dramatic moments. The story is condensed for the stage.

The big set pieces, the church fire and the rumble in the rain, are staged in a heightened, choreographed way rather than shown literally. Cherry’s role is larger, and the show frames itself more explicitly around the Greasers dreaming about who they could become.

Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance of Jamestown Revival, along with Justin Levine, wrote the songs. It’s a folk-and-Americana score that replaces the film’s orchestral music and period pop.

The play subtly reminds us that most people are more alike than the labels that divide them. While the politics of 2026 split us like never before, the Greasers and Socs are split by class on stage, but Ponyboy keeps finding common ground: Cherry watches the same sunset, and Randy admits he’s sick of the fighting. Suffering isn’t owned by one side.

“Stay gold.” This line comes from the Robert Frost poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Innocence and goodness don’t last on their own. You have to choose to protect them, even in a hard world.\Dallaire plays the middle brother, always the comic relief character until a dramatic soliloquy near the end, as he and his older brother Darry try to convince Ponyboy to come home

“There’s a tightrope that he kind of follows in the show where he has to find a balance between tough love and humor,” Dallaire told ENE in an interview.

The tension between Darry and Ponyboy is central to the story. Ponyboy thinks Darry resents him, and he eventually realizes Darry is hard on him out of love and fear of losing him. Soda Pop says plainly that he can’t stand it when they fight, and that line pushes them to reconcile at the end.

“I kind of think of Soda as a bit of a comic relief in the show; he’s always just trying to find the good in people and trying to bring everyone together,” the young actor said.

“When in doubt, he’s just trying to find the love, and I think that’s how I’m trying to play it,” he added.
The simple staging works with cars, headlights blaring as they occasionally enter the stage, the explosive fire in which Johnny is badly burned while saving children is exceptionally done and moving for the audience.

The two are on the lam after Johnny ended up shooting one of the bullies for attempting to drown Ponyboy earlier in the show.

Later, after rescuing children from the burning church, Johnny lies injured and obviously will not survive. He dictates a note through a nurse that will ultimately move Ponyboy’s heart.

Ponyboy’s answer is to write. Johnny’s letter tells him it isn’t too late, and that sunsets still matter. Ponyboy then turns his English assignment into the story itself, and it begins with the novel’s first line.

The ending tests both ideas. Johnny dies after saving the children from the fire, and his last words are “Stay gold.” Dally, the Soc who has hardened completely, can’t survive losing Johnny and is shot by police. Together, they show the two possible outcomes: one boy who kept his goodness and one who lost it.

Dallaire’s credits include Jack Kelly in?Newsies?(Music Theatre Wichita), Pippin in?Pippin?(North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Roger in?Rent?(Flatrock Playhouse). Brendan is a graduate of the University of Michigan class of 2025.

On reflection, Dallaire said the play’s theme shows the world hasn’t changed much since the original 80s film. While the play, unlike the film, may not rocket the career as it did for its young stars, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, and Rob Lowe into the stratosphere, Dallaire says it’s a start, and for now, he’s happy as Soda Pop can be.

If a standing ovation is any indication, the new generation of “Outsiders” are off to a really good start.

For more info, visit scfta.org or call Monday–Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p. m., (714) 556-2787.

History Channel’s American Pickers coming to SoCal

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
History Channel’s American Pickers coming to SoCal

The American Pickers are excited to return to Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout southern California in December 2026, the show has announced in a press release.

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques.
They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable Characters and their collections.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics.

Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: am*************@******ix.com or call (646) 493-2184.

Long Beach Jewish Film & Arts Festival Nov. 12-19

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Long Beach Jewish Film & Arts Festival Nov. 12-19

The Long Beach Jewish Film & Arts Festival returns November 12–19 with six films exploring Jewish experiences across generations and continents, along with a red-carpet premiere, receptions, a free Family Fun Day, a live concert by Mostly Kosher and a pickle-making workshop. The festival takes place at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, home of the Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC).

Premiere Night on Thursday, November 12 begins with a 6 p.m. red-carpet reception featuring live music, a gourmet popcorn and candy bar, drinks and desserts. At 7 p.m., the festival opens with “Once Upon My Mother,” a French (English subtitles) comedy-drama about a mother’s determination to help her son overcome physical and social barriers.

On Saturday, November 14, a 6 p.m. cocktail reception with light refreshments the English-language short film will be followed by “Beshert” at 7 p.m., followed by “Hola Chau” at 7:20 p.m. (Spanish/Hebrew/English subtitles). The feature is about reuniting an Argentine Jewish family in Israel after a decade apart.

Sunday, November 15 brings film, family activities and music. “Soda,” a Hebrew-language (English subtitles) drama about a seamstress whose past as a resistance fighter stirs tensions in her community, screens at 1 p.m. A reception follows the film. Free Family Fun Day begins at 2 p.m. on the playground, with bounce houses, snacks and sensory activities. At 4 p.m., the acclaimed klezmer-rock band Mostly Kosher performs live, also with dancing and snacks. A Los Angeles-based local favorite, Mostly Kosher has performed at Disneyland, the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and the Skirball Cultural Center.

The festival continues Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. with “Jerusalem ’67,” an English-language historical war drama following three lives affected by the 1967 Six-Day War.

Closing night on Thursday, November 19 begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring a pickle-making workshop, light refreshments and drinks, followed at 7 p.m. by “We Met at Grossinger’s,” a documentary about the storied Catskills resort.
Individual film admissions are $20 ($14 for Alpert JCC members), except Premiere Night at $25 ($18 for members). The Mostly Kosher concert is $36 ($25 for members; $10 for children), and Family Fun Day is free. College students are admitted free with valid ID. A Festival Pass costs $136 ($95 for Alpert JCC members) and includes all festival events, the concert, Family Fun Day, unlimited drinks and refreshments at receptions, preferred seating and skip-the-line VIP film access. Receptions are included with applicable film tickets; drinks are included for sponsors and passholders and otherwise available for purchase.

For festival details and tickets, visit https://www.jewishlongbeach.org/lbjff. All film screenings are in the Lipeles Auditorium unless otherwise stated.

Official Festival Selection
Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m. — Once Upon My Mother (2025)
Drama/Comedy | French with English subtitles
A mother’s unwavering devotion helps her son with a clubfoot overcome physical challenges and social barriers. (IMDb) Premiere reception at 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m. — Beshert (2025)
Drama/Short Film | English
An unlikely friendship between a grumpy old man in a Leeds care home and a reluctant bar mitzvah boy. (IMDb) Cocktail reception at 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 14, 7:20 p.m. — hola chau (2025)
Drama/Comedy | Spanish and Hebrew with English subtitles
A dysfunctional Argentine Jewish family reunites in Israel after 10 years apart. (IMDb) Screens following “Beshert.”
Sunday, November 15, 1 p.m. — Soda (2024)
Drama | Hebrew with English subtitles
A seamstress’s past as a resistance fighter leads to rising community tensions. (IMDb) Reception immediately following the film.

Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. — Jerusalem ’67 (2026)
Drama/History/War | English
Tales of three lives in Jerusalem impacted by the Six-Day War in 1967. (IMDb)

Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m. — We Met At Grossinger’s (2025)
Documentary | English
A nostalgic exploration of the Grossinger’s Resort in the Catskills. (IMDb) Closing reception and pickle-making workshop at 6 p.m.

Special Events

  • Thursday, November 12, 6 p.m. — Premiere Night red carpet, live music, gourmet popcorn and candy bar, drinks and desserts.
  • Saturday, November 14, 6 p.m. — Cocktail reception with light refreshments.
  • Sunday, November 15, immediately after the 1 p.m. screening — Reception for “Soda.”
  • Sunday, November 15, 2 p.m. — Free Family Fun Day with bounce houses, snacks and sensory activities.
  • Sunday, November 15, 4 p.m. — Mostly Kosher live klezmer-rock concert with dancing and snacks.
  • Thursday, November 19, 6 p.m. — Closing reception and pickle-making workshop.
    All festival events take place at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Tickets and further information: https://www.jewishlongbeach.org/lbjff.
    Jewish Long Beach serves the Jewish and broader communities through strategic grant-making, development of emerging leaders, advocacy, and management of the community’s philanthropic funds. The Alpert Jewish Community Center, part of Jewish Long Beach and the focal point of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, seeks to inspire community by improving lives and building bridges of understanding and inclusion.

Evening of Haunted Art; Cypress High students having a spooky good time

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Evening of Haunted Art; Cypress High students having a spooky good time

By Lily Souvannasane

Evening of the Haunted Arts was hosted at Cypress High School by the VAPA programs and Friday Night Live, recently. Advanced Dance, Choir, and Theater opened the performance with “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. They were followed by more amazing performances, such as “Mad Hatter” from Choir, and a peek into Theater’s upcoming production of Disney’s “Descendants.” Once the performances were over, FNL opened their haunted maze.

The event might not have been on the minds of most students until the week of, but the performers were definitely thinking about it long before it actually happened. Sophomore Natalia Shields performed “Thriller,” “Mad Hatter,” and “Toxic” with Advanced Dance. She stated, “We started prepping for our performances pretty early on, at least a month ago.” Their hard work paid off in the end, after they put on a wonderful show to set the mood for the evening.

The show was just one part of the night. While it was definitely a success, the maze was not to be ignored. Made entirely by FNL, they worked from the minute the dismissal bell rang, until it was time for the event to start. From setting up props, to organizing lines, the members of FNL had a lot to do in a short amount of time. Though they did have help from Theater, who put makeup on all of the actors. They managed to pull it off and gave everyone who went in a spooktacular time.

Aside from rehearsal the day before, they didn’t have much preparation prior to the day of the event. As a member of FNL, junior Shreya Pandey had little time to prepare for her job, which entailed running the queue for the maze, and manning the activities table. Once the event had concluded, she said, “My favorite part was probably looking at all of the makeup artists. They did such a good job on the scare actors, and I wish I could do that.”

The Evening of the Haunted Arts is only one of the many events held at Cypress High School this year. There will be many more to come, with food and festivities, just waiting for students to join the fun.

Rossmoor Woman’s Club awards Students of the Month $1,000

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Rossmoor Woman’s Club awards Students of the Month $1,000

By Cathy Fagan

Congratulations Rosalie!

Adrian Lopez, also a senior at Los Alamitos High School was selected as the September Student of the Month. On campus, he is Vice President of the Associated Student Body, President of the school chapter of California Scholarship Federation, and is involved with Kindness Collective, Interact Club, and Heart Club. Outside of school, he is on the Youth Center Leadership Council, is founder of Anatomy Adventure at the Youth Center, and is involved with the Better Lives non-profit organization. He plans to attend a four-year university and major in biology, biochemistry or public health.

Courtesy photo
Adrian Lopez, the September Student of the Month presented by Michelle Wittenberg, Student Liaison.

Congratulations Adrian!

The Rossmoor Woman’s Club is able to provide these scholarships as a result of their fundraising efforts. Don’t miss the next BIG fundraiser of their club by attending the annual Rossmoor Holiday Home Tour on Sunday, December 6, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

See their website for more information and the QR code to purchase $25 tickets now: www.rossmoorwomansclub.org.

Los Al girls volleyball wins CIF-SS championship

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Los Al girls volleyball wins CIF-SS championship

The Los Alamitos High girls volleyball team captured the Sunset League Championship this season with a 12-0 league record. The Griffins finished 29-6 overall and were slotted at No. 6 in the eight-team Division 1 CIF-SS playoffs. Division 1 plays a round-robin event, and the Griffins opened the playoffs Oct. 21 at Mira Costa High, falling 3-1 to the Mustangs. Mira Costa is the No. 3 team in the bracket. The Griffins play at defending CIF-SS Division 1 champion and No. 2 seed, Sierra Canyon on Tuesday (past ENE press time) and then will host No. 7 Marymount at noon on Oct. 31 at the Griffin Center.

After a $3 million renovation, Los Alamitos-Rossmoor branch of OC Library remains an educational pillar

David N. Young
-
0
After a $3 million renovation, Los Alamitos-Rossmoor branch of OC Library remains an educational pillar

Even for bookworms who adore the written word, it’s sometimes hard to fully grasp how much our world has changed since the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Branch of the Orange County Library opened in 1962, and how technology has evolved in the age of artificial intelligence.

Yet, it remains a public center of intellectual knowledge for the community, according to a panel of staff, library executives, and longtime readers ENE recently interviewed about the upgrade.

The Los Al-Rossmoor branch of the OC Library system is one of 29 branches, yet it is one of the oldest and most utilized.
When it opened, computers as big as the entire branch could compute less than the cheapest smartphone on the market today, but today, like then, readers were mostly interested in the worlds of wonder and knowledge offered by books.

Though books remain the intellectual anchor, the library system has offerings of many media and cultural icons for everyday users. Photo by David N. Young

The branch underwent a $3 million renovation project that closed its doors for almost two years, yet when it reopened in 2024 with a new look and feel, the community immediately embraced it, and it has never been more popular.

Former Branch Manager Stephanie Mate, who had been at the branch for more than two decades but has left since our interview, said electronic media does serve more people in the younger generation, but people still “like learning new things.”

“I think people are people. I think they’re still utilizing the library resources as they did in the past. We do have access to more electronic sources of content, but there are a lot of patrons that say I know I want to put it on hold because I want to physically read the book,” she said.

“I think offering both options because we have a lot of younger people that are more of a digital generation and they’re more comfortable accessing, like, our eBooks,” she said.

According to Dan Serranilla, director of Marketing and Communications for the OC Public Library system, the Los Al-Rossmoor branch is one of the system’s oldest and most used spaces, serving as a repository of knowledge across all media.

Almost 70 years after the facility ws originally built, the facility is now equipped with earthquake ready shelving and many other structural improvements. Photo by David N. Young

“This branch has been here for decades,” he said, “and with the help of the wonderful staff and the friends who have helped, we’ve had a great run in this community, not only offering programs and services, but a host of other resources.”
Serranilla said this library, like others in the 29-branch system, makes full use of the books, media, electronics, and programs offered by the staff at Los Al/Rossmoor Public Library, but the seven-decade bond reflects the library’s purpose in any community.

“Of course we have a younger generation that is very digital, and very attached to that kind of media and we meet them where they are. But there’s always the need for a physical space, because this is generally the third space for the community,” he said.

“You have your home, your place of work, and you have this library, which is like a community gathering place, not only for families to have literacy promoted to them but, more importantly, where everyone can get together.”
After more than twenty years of service, Librarian Mate agrees, saying community participation remains “very active” at the Los Alamitos–Rossmoor branch.

“We offer programming for all ages, so small children, elementary, high school, college adults, and more, and we’re constantly offering programs to get people into the library,” said Mate.

Not only books and media, but courses from sewing to swimming; you can check out a telescope, a laptop computer, even irons and sewing equipment.

“We do story time twice a week, we do a bilingual program once a month, and we offer teen programming as well,” she said. “Earlier this year, we had a K-Pop programming with teens in it, and we offer book clubs for adults, even a ‘genre hopping’ book club,” she said, listing just a few of the myriad programs and services the library offers.

Serranilla said the library’s county staff tracks demographics for each community to make each library “unique.” For instance, in Laguna Woods, where the senior population is especially high, the library has more non-fiction and “best-sellers” for popular fiction.

Another unique aspect of the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor remodel was adding private community meeting rooms where students can study quietly, or groups can occasionally gather.

No library would be complete without its patrons and “Friends,” and the “Friends of the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library” have their own organization and a dedicated space in the library where they sell books to raise money for the library’s special programs.

Photo by David N. Young
Members of the Friends of the Library shown here are (L-R) Mary Holzgang, Donna Artukovic (seated), Stan Davidson and Mary Cueso.

Most say they love to read and have enjoyed the journeys the written word offers for most of their lives.

Donna Artukovic, president of the local “Friends” nonprofit organization, says she adores the library’s new look since the remodel, even if it gobbled up a bit of space once enjoyed by “Friends.”

“I understand the reason for the remake was because the state regulations had to be met with sturdy bookshelves for earthquakes, and it was a pretty old library,” she said.

“It is really amazing to me,” said Artukovic, “because I use the library all the time and they can find all the books I want. If they don’t have it here, they’ll get it from San Clemente in a couple of days,” she said.

“I read a lot, and I almost always can get whatever I want.”

Mate confirmed that “sometimes, if the book is not in our system, or if we don’t own it, we do what we call interlibrary loan so we have reciprocity within other libraries for them so we can request it from whether it’s coming from the state or coming from out of state. We can request that item for you to be at the central library; you can check it out with your library card.”

Mary Holzgang, another lifelong reader and member of the “Friends” organization, praised the selection of books available to children.

“I think the variety of choices of books is fantastic. We have a great children’s section,” she said, “and the programs that are offered to kids are terrific.”

It is important, said Holzgang, “because this is where reading starts, and if reading is fun and enjoyable, they’re likely to remain readers.”

Stan Davidson said that in sixth grade, he edited the school’s newspaper and has never lost his love of the ink on paper. For him, the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor library is a mecca with daily copies of most major city newspapers.

“Newspapers from around the country for free,” he said, noting that he “comes in on an almost daily basis to get some ink on my fingers and just sit down and take my time and go through the newspapers to get the full story, instead of the two-minute version.”

The “Friends” have their own bookstore connected to the library, which is open regularly. They sell books the library has replaced and discarded, generally well-known titles, at very reasonable prices. They use the proceeds for scholarships and other programs that help the library buy new books or run programs.

“I have three loves in my life,” said Artukovic, “libraries, education, and the arts.”

“And libraries are right at the top because I love to read, and this library is amazing to me. I come here sometimes just to be around books,” said Artukovic.

“I know that sounds stupid,” she said, “but I love to read. If I could have my way, I’d be reading every day because reading takes you outside yourself and into something else. It makes you realize so much more about life.”

Editor’s Note:According to the OC Library System, Mate recently left the system and has been replaced by interim Manager Heather Daugherty.

Voting underway for the Nov. 3 election

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Voting underway for the Nov. 3 election

According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, ballots are beginning to trickle in as voting is now underway for the Nov. 3 election, which will select a new Governor, statewide and local officials and dozens of ballot measures.

Even for those who study the ballots and make their choices in advance, this year’s lengthy ballot could take a while.
However, with high interest in the turnout of the fall elections, the OC Registrar has not officially predicted the turnout, but has issued a statement regarding the integrity of every vote.

“Orange County Registrar of Voters is committed to protecting each voter’s right to cast a ballot easily and securely,” said OC Registrar Bob Page in a statement. While almost 43 percent of voters turned out to vote in the Primary election, observers say turnout could easily exceed that figure in the general election Nov. 3.

Here are the statewide and local candidates on the ballot this fall.
Statewide:
GOVERNOR
Xavier BECERRA DEM.
Steve HILTON REP.LT. GOVERNOR
Fiona Ma DEM.
Gloria Romero REP.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Shirley N. Weber DEM.
Donald Wagner REP.
CONTROLLER
Malia M. Cohen DEM.
Herb W. Morgan REP.
TREASURER
Eleni Kounalakis
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rob Bonta DEM.
Michael E. Gates REP.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Ben Allen DEM.
Jane Kim DEM.
SUPT. of PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Richard Barrera NO PARTY
Sonja Shaw NO PARTY
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION (District 4)
Tom Umberg DEM.
Dennis Bilodeau REP.
US HOUSE (District 45)
Derek Tran DEM.
Chuong V. Vo REP.
US HOUSE (District 47)
Dave Min DEM.
Jenny Rae LeRoux REP.
STATE SENATE (District 36)
Chris Duncan DEM.
Tony Strickland REP.
STATE ASSEMBLY (District 39)
Carolyn J. Essex DEM.
Josh Lowentha l DEM.
STATE ASSEMBLY (District 70)
Paula Swift DEM.
Tri Ta REP.
STATE ASSEMBLY (District 72)
Chris Kluwe DEM.
Gracey Van Der Mark REP.
STATE ASSEMBLY (District 67)
Mark Pulido DEM.
Paulo Morales REP.
CITY OF LA PALMA
(District 1)
Nitesh P. Patel
Andrew Kim
(District 4)
Mary Paningsoro
Jonathan Dinwiddle
CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS
(District 4)
Shelley Hasselbrink
Joe Hastie
(District 5)
Emily Hibard
John Delavigne
CITY OF CYPRESS
(District 1)
David Burke
Anne Mallari
(District 2)
Helen Le
Bonnie Peat
(District 5)
Rachel Strong Carnahan
Randy Harper
ROSSMOOR CSD BOARD
(Vote for 2)
Jo Shade
Jody L. Roubanis
Konya Vivanti
November 3, 2026, StatewidbBallot Measures
Proposition 1
Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability Programs. Legislative Statute.
Proposition 2
Increases State’s Rainy Day Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 3
Provides Permanent Funding for Schools and Health Care by Extending Existing Tax on High Incomes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 4
Repeals Prohibition Against Public Funding of Election Campaigns. Legislative Statute.
Proposition 5
Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 37
Creates Loan Program for Middle-Income Buyers of Qualified New Homes. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 38
Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical Research. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 39
Prohibits Citizens from Voting Unless They Present Government-Issued Identification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 40
Imposes One-Time Tax on Certain Taxpayers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proposition 41
Prohibits New State Taxes That Exclude Revenues from State Spending Limit. Requires Audits for New State Special Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 42
Prohibits New State Personal Property Taxes and Certain Retroactive State Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 43
Limits Voters’ Ability to Raise Revenues for Local Government Services. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 44
Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% Of Revenue on Program Services. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 45
Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects. Initiative Statute.

Local Congressional office among those to receive suspect substances

David N. Young
-
0
Local Congressional office among those to receive suspect substances

An Orange County Congressional office is apparently among many around the nation that have reported receiving suspicious envelopes with white powder as Congressional midterm elections approach.

According to a report in Politico, authorities are investigating letters containing “suspicious substances” sent to multiple Capitol Hill offices, according to a notice sent to senior congressional staff.

“Law enforcement officials are working to intercept any additional letters before they are delivered, however, it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations,” says a memo from the Senate Sergeant at Arms and obtained by Politico.

The Capitol Police, FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are involved in the probe, according to the notice, which said additional letters have been mailed to other addresses across the U.S., including lawmakers’ state and district offices.

A separate notice sent to House staffers Thursday identified the substance in the letters as a “suspicious white powder” and said that no House members “have been identified as recipients at this time.”

The message from the House Sergeant at Arms urged staff to “remain vigilant and follow safe mail handling procedures to help protect staff from potentially harmful materials.”

The memo includes a photo of one of the suspicious envelopes and warns staff to keep an eye out for warning signs, such as messy handwriting or postmarks that do not match the return address. The memo was first reported by Bloomberg Government.

Suspicious letters were also sent to state election offices and election officials, according to a joint statement Wednesday from the National Association of Secretaries of State and National Association of State Election Directors.
U.S. Congressman Derek Tran, meanwhile, announced in a statement that his office was among those to receive one of the envelopes with the white, suspicious substance.

“Yesterday, my Cypress office received an envelope containing a suspicious substance, prompting a building-wide evacuation,” Tran said in a statement. “Our office is following the guidance of local law enforcement and will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”

House and Senate mail is processed in two separate Maryland facilities where materials are screened, irradiated and tested for a variety of substances before they are sent to the Capitol complex — a process that can add as much as two weeks to delivery.

Rep. Derek Tran said on Saturday that his district office in Cypress received the suspicious envelope on Friday.

“We’re thankful to the officers and first responders of Cypress Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority for their swift response as they work to keep our team and our community safe,” Tran’s statement continued.

“Politically motivated violence, intimidation, or threats have no place in our democracy. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on behalf of Californians,” he said.

Members’ district and state offices have the option to send mail for screening before it is delivered or to contract with a similar mail security system.

No one was injured and the investigation continues.

Long Beach Symphony to present “Entangled in Passion”

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Long Beach Symphony to present “Entangled in Passion”

Romance, ambition, seduction and unbridled emotion take center stage when Long Beach Symphony presents Entangled in Passion on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. Under the baton of Music Director Eckart Preu and featuring Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann, the concert brings together three iconic orchestral works that explore the intensity and complexity of human emotion.

From the hypnotic pulse of Maurice Ravel’s Boléro to the dramatic brilliance of Richard Strauss’ Don Juan and the sweeping lyricism of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, the program invites audiences to experience music at its most vivid, visceral and expressive.

Ravel’s Boléro begins with a deceptively simple, repeating rhythm that gradually builds into an exhilarating orchestral crescendo. Layer by layer, the music gathers momentum and intensity, drawing listeners into a powerful wave of sound. Strauss’ Don Juan follows with a dazzling musical portrait of its legendary romantic adventurer, filled with bold gestures, restless energy and brilliant orchestral color—a thrilling depiction of desire and the pursuit of the extraordinary.

At the heart of the evening is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the most beloved works in the piano repertoire. Its soaring melodies, rich harmonies and virtuosic passages move between intimate tenderness and sweeping grandeur, offering a deeply expressive showcase for Cann. A pianist of exceptional artistry, Grammy Award-winner Michelle Cann has earned international acclaim for her commanding performances and musical sensitivity, bringing both power and nuance to one of classical music’s most enduring masterpieces.

Together, these contrasting works create a compelling musical journey through desire, drama and the extraordinary power of the orchestra to stir the imagination. Whether drawn to the hypnotic rhythms of Boléro, the bold storytelling of Don Juan or the emotional sweep of Rachmaninoff, audiences can expect an evening of musical fire, romance and exhilaration.

The experience begins before the first note. Long Beach Symphony invites concertgoers to arrive early and enjoy the atmosphere of the Terrace Theater, where the evening includes a live Prelude Ensemble in the lobby, a complimentary pre-concert talk with Preu at 6:30 PM, and The 3rd Space—a welcoming place to socialize and connect with fellow music lovers. With the Symphony’s Sip & Enjoy concert hall experience, guests can relax with a drink in hand and make an evening of it.
From the first conversation in the lobby to the final orchestral crescendo, Entangled in Passion offers an opportunity to connect with music, with one another and with the full emotional force of live orchestral performance.

Celebrating its 92nd season, Long Beach Symphony is the premier producer of live music in the greater Long Beach region and one of Southern California’s most renowned professional regional orchestras. Its vision is to unite people through the transformative power of music by engaging audiences of all ages and cultures through exceptional orchestral performances, community partnerships and meaningful educational experiences. Led by Music Director Eckart Preu, the Symphony serves approximately 70,000 community members annually through its Classical, Pops, and SoundWaves series and education programs.

More information available at Long Beach Symphony.org.

AUHSD executive to discuss Career Connections at Cypress Chamber

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
AUHSD executive to discuss Career Connections at Cypress Chamber

The Cypress Chamber of Commerce will host Anjeanette Le Curan from Anaheim Union High School District’s Career Connections Unlimited program at our November Networking Breakfast. The event will be held Tuesday, November 10th at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 4931 Katella Avenue, Cypress/Los Alamitos starting at 7:30 a.m. Anjeanette serves as an Employment Specialist for the Anaheim Union High School District’s Career Connections Unlimited (CCU) program.

In this role, she manages grant funding that bridges the gap between school and the workforce for students in Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs. By linking local Cypress area and O.C based businesses with Anaheim students, she works to dis the perception of their “challenges” and instead highlight their specific abilities to engage in the workforce and promote long term success of this next generation of employees.

With over 20 years of dedicated service to the disabled community, Anjeanette La Curan is a passionate advocate and specialist whose career is deeply rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. After receiving an epilepsy diagnosis in her late 20s, Anjeanette transformed a personal challenge into a professional calling, utilizing her unique perspective to foster inclusion and support for others. This journey led her to a pivotal role at the Epilepsy Foundation Greater Los Angeles, where she facilitated therapy groups and provided vital resources for individuals also navigating these diagnoses.

Beyond her work with the foundation, Anjeanette spent years in the nonprofit sector supporting programs designed to empower the disabled population and bridge critical gaps within the community. For the past decade, she has focused her expertise within the special needs department of public education, ensuring students receive the tailored support and advocacy they need to thrive. By applying the alternative skills and deep empathy developed through her own diagnosis, Anjeanette has built a rewarding career centered on the belief that lived experience is one of the most powerful tools for creating meaningful, essential change.

Each Chamber breakfast attendee will also have an opportunity to stand to introduce themselves and share a little about their business before the program begins.

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online. Cost of the breakfast is $25.00. Attendees are urged to bring a door prize to help promote their product or service. The program will include time for live networking, self-introductions, a breakfast buffet, as well as our guest speaker.

The Chamber networking breakfasts, which are open to the public, are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Space at these events is limited. To assure your seat, please pre-register on the chamber website: https://www.cypresschamber.org/events/details/2026-november-networking-breakfast-2794

New Cypress Supt. says school year off to a good start

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
New Cypress Supt. says school year off to a good start

With some of its financial woes behind it and a new Superintendent having replaced Anne Silavs, the new school year is off to a strong start, the system has reported in a newsletter.

According to new Supt. Grant Litfin, the new school year is in full swing at each of their school sites, and so many great learning experiences are already happening for our students.

“The Board and I have visited every classroom by this point, and we have seen so much evidence of learning, including lots of small group instruction, students collaborating and producing amazing work, and teachers differentiating to support every student as an individual learner,” he said.

“Most importantly, we see smiling faces in our classrooms and students enjoying both being at school and learning. As educators in Cypress, we are working hard to intentionally create classrooms where every student belongs, joy fuels learning, relationships matter most, growth is the goal, and we are making a lasting positive difference for students. I’m so proud of the work happening across our schools and in our community,” said Litfin.

“It’s great to be in Cypress School District,” he added.

Litfin also provided a brief report from each school:

Arnold Elementary School
Students Learning About Music
Our kindergarteners gathered in a wide circle on the rug, cross-legged and captivated, for their very first music class of the year. Sitting attentively around colored floor spots, the students listened closely as their teacher, Mr. Dunnahoe, strummed an acoustic guitar, filling the room with melody. Bright music notes and a warm “MUSIC!” set a joyful tone for the lesson, marking a wonderful beginning to their journey of rhythm, song, and creative expression. Music accelerates language and literacy, strengthens mathematical understanding, and fosters social and emotional skills. Here at Arnold, we are thrilled to have music for everyone!

Clara J. King Elementary School
Second Graders Collaborate, Learn, and Grow
Second grade students are off to a great start with collaborative workstations! Students have been working hard to refresh their skills and review what makes a successful collaborative group, including listening to one another, sharing ideas, taking turns, and working together toward a common goal. These workstations give students opportunities to practice academic skills while also building communication, problem-solving, independence, and teamwork. As students rotate through learning activities, they learn to support one another, stay focused, and take responsibility for their learning. With these important routines in place, our second graders are ready to make collaborative workstations a productive and engaging part of a successful year of learning!

Activities at Clara J. King elementary. Courtesy photo

Margaret Landell Elementary School
Rooted Together: Landell’s Hydroponic Garden Takes Off!
At Landell, students rolled up their sleeves and dug into a project that’s already growing into one of their favorite memories of the year–planting fresh herbs and greens in the school’s hydroponic garden. Side by side, students carefully planted cilantro, dill, parsley, and a variety of lettuce, discovering with wide eyes how plants can grow and thrive without soil. Beyond the science, this was a moment of real connection: students working as a team, celebrating each seed planted, and building pride in something they created together. Once harvested, these herbs and greens will make their way into meals served right in Landell’s kitchen, giving students the joy of tasting something they grew with their own hands.

Landell Elementary. Courtesy photo
Luther Elementary. Courtesy photo

Steve Luther Elementary School
Assembly Celebrates Positive Choices
Our students recently came together for a special (Positive Behavorial Interventions & Supports) PBIS Assembly to celebrate positive behavior, kindness, and making good choices throughout our school community. Students learned how their everyday actions help create a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone. The assembly was also an opportunity to recognize students who consistently demonstrate our school’s PBIS expectations and serve as positive role models for their peers. We are proud of the way our students continue to show responsibility, respect, and kindness each day!

Juliet Morris Elementary School
Meeting the Needs of Every Student
Small group instruction is an essential part of every day at Morris School, providing teachers with opportunities to meet the unique learning needs of each student. Using assessment data, teachers create differentiated lessons that support grade-level expectations, strengthen foundational reading skills, and foster independence. Evidence-based materials and district-aligned strategies support instruction in reading, writing, vocabulary, and comprehension. While teachers work with small groups, other students engage in meaningful workstation activities, including leveled digital readers, writing assignments, language practice, educational games, and inquiry-based enrichment. This approach ensures that all students remain actively engaged while receiving instruction tailored to their individual learning needs.

Morris Elementary. Courtesy photo

Frank Vessels Elementary School
Student Council Elections
Vessels held its student council elections from August 24-28, giving students in grades four through six an opportunity to participate in school leadership. Each class elected two representatives to serve on the student council, ensuring every classroom has a voice. Students considered candidates, learned about responsibility, and cast their votes. The newly elected representatives will share student ideas, support school activities, and encourage a positive campus community throughout the year. The election gave students meaningful practice in citizenship, teamwork, communication, and decision-making. It was an exciting way for students.

Vessels Elementary. Courtesy photo

Missing former mayor’s plaques returned

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Missing former mayor’s plaques returned

By Chris MacDonald

Several plaques next to Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach Central Park were recently stolen. Honoring three-time former Huntington Beach Mayor and former California State University Long Beach Professor Donald D Shipley, the plaques credited his preservation efforts at Bolsa Chica Wetlands and the 356-acre Central Park.

According to Huntington Beach City Historian Jerry Person, Shipley joined forces with other concerned citizens such as a former Huntington Beach mayor and California State University Long Beach professor, Norma Brandel Gibbs.

The plaques were taken but now returned. Courtesy photo

When the plaques were reported missing, swift action was taken, according to Jacqueline Tran, Executive Director of Shipley Nature Center. “Members of the Huntington Central Park Collaborative worked with Friends of Shipley Nature Center and the City of Huntington Beach to file a police report,” she said. Huntington Beach Police Department quickly got on the case and received information that the two plaques were found when Fountain Valley police arrested a bicyclist for other reasons. The plaques were transferred to HBPD and directly handed to Tran.

“Friends of Shipley Nature Center is working with the City to determine a suitable secure place for the plaques,” she said.
“Thefts of this type are never acceptable behavior in a civil society,” said former HB mayor and current Councilman Pat Burns. “I am saddened that someone would steal from our parks.”

Virginia Ross, a Huntington Beach resident who walks in the park with her son, Steve, and her dogs daily said: “I felt really sad that someone would do such a thing but I’m happy they found the plaques.”

D.A. reports Cypress man gets 26 years to life for killing his grandfather

David N. Young
-
0
D.A. reports Cypress man gets 26 years to life for killing his grandfather

A 31-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to 26 years to life in prison for killing his 84-year-old grandfather six years ago in Cypress, according to multiple sources. He was initially arrested in 2019 after officers were called to the scene and found his grandfather’s body.

David Jacob Tenorio was convicted Sept. 21 of first-degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon in the Feb. 12, 2019 killing of 84-year-old David Tenorio Sr.

The victim “did not deserve to die, but especially not like this,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Devin Campbell said in a sentencing brief.

“The evidence showed that the victim tried to fight back, after being viciously attacked in his own bed, before being ultimately overpowered by the larger, younger, and more muscular defendant,” Campbell said.

“The victim’s fear and terror during the entire ordeal must have been horrendous; yet compounding that with the realization he was about to die by the hand of his own family member, who he had raised from an infant, must have been unimaginably excruciating.”

Tenorio had 2,802 days credit behind bars for the killing. He refused to come to court for the hearing, so the sentencing was done with a video- conference link.

Tenorio’s attorney, Tom Nocella of the Alternate Defender’s Office, said his client had no criminal history and has struggled with a “mental disorder since 2019.” In 2020, a psychological analysis diagnosed Tenorio with delusional disorder and depression. Nocella requested 15 years to life in prison.

The psychological report from 2020 detailed a troubled upbringing for Tenorio with parents who struggled with addictions. On the rare occasions he saw his mother the two would get high together, according to the report.

Tenorio lived with his father “intermittently” when he was 9 to 14 years old and witnessed multiple instances of domestic violence, according to the report.

Tenorio saw his grandparents as “like my parents,” according to the report.

Before the killing, the roles were reversed and Tenorio was looking after his grandparents, according to the report. Tenorio said he and his grandfather began to believe their home was haunted and that on the night before his grandfather’s death the defendant had taken methamphetamine.

Tenorio said in the weeks leading up to the killing he, “heard God telling me that my grandfather was a good child, but he was suffering and that I needed to take his life,” according to the report. Tenorio claimed he believed his grandfather was possessed by demons, the report stated.

The caretaker for the grandparents, who lived with the defendant at 6804 Ossabaw Court, arrived for work at about 8 a.m. the day the victim was discovered and was surprised the door was locked since the victim usually left it open for her, Campbell said in a trial brief.

The caretaker, who was hired to look after the victim’s wife as she struggled with “severe dementia,” called the victim’s phone but it went straight to voicemail and the land line didn’t work, Campbell said.

The caretaker found another way into the home and got to work but found the victim later when she went to check on him in his room, the prosecutor said. The grandfather had a pillow covering him and “the room was covered in blood,” Campbell said.

The senior Tenorio suffered a fracture to his neck consistent with strangulation, Campbell said.

Police sought the defendant, who was seen later at a cafe in Huntington Beach. He had arrived on foot and was asking the employees he knew there for a ride to his mother’s home, Campbell said.

The defendant left without a ride and was tracked down at his mother’s home in Garden Grove, Campbell said.

Police found the victim’s wallet in the defendant’s backpack along with clothes, personal hygiene items, two $100 bills and a gold ring, Campbell said. Investigators also found the victim’s blood on the defendant’s socks, Campbell said.

Investigators also found the defendant’s DNA on a bloody belt at the crime scene, Campbell added.
When he was left alone during questioning by police the defendant said to himself that “his grandfather was possessed,” according to Tenorio’s attorney.

“Mr. Tenorio indicated that his actions occurred to prevent the end of the world,” Nocella said in court papers and stated in a City News Service report.

Hitchcock meets hilarity as Laguna Playhouse presents “The 39 Steps”

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Hitchcock meets hilarity as Laguna Playhouse presents “The 39 Steps”

Alfred Hitchcock suspense meets laugh-out-loud theatrical mayhem this fall as Laguna Playhouse presents the award-winning comedy The 39 Steps, running Oct. 27 through Nov. 22, for select dates. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $88 at Lagunaplayhouse.com.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, The 39 Steps takes the intrigue and suspense of a spy thriller and turns it into a wildly inventive night of live theatre. When an ordinary man is suddenly swept into an international espionage plot, he finds himself racing across England and Scotland while trying to outrun danger, deception and mistaken identity.

At the heart of the production’s theatrical ingenuity, four actors take on more than 100 characters, transforming from heroes and villains to spies, police officers and an ever-changing collection of characters through lightning-fast costume changes, physical comedy, clever props and imaginative staging.

“The 39 Steps is everything that makes live theatre so much fun…it’s clever, fast, surprising and completely inventive,” said Adele Adkins, Managing Director of Laguna Playhouse. “Watching four incredibly talented actors create an entire world and more than 100 characters right in front of you is part of the magic. Whether you love Hitchcock, great comedy or simply want a wildly entertaining night at the theatre, this is a show that delivers.”

Directed by Hunter Foster, Laguna Playhouse’s production stars Jon Root as Richard Hannay, Ashley Margaret Morton as Woman, Jennifer Cody as Clown #2 and Jeremy Webb as Clown #1, with Caitlin Gallogly, Johnny DiGiorgio and Emily Nash serving as understudies.

Jon Root brings an extensive stage and screen resumé to the role of Richard Hannay, with Broadway credits including the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q, as well as television appearances on Snowfall, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Truth Be Told, The Young and the Restless and The Orville. His voiceover work spans more than 200 commercials and major video game franchises including Final Fantasy, Call of Duty, Fallout and Grand Theft Auto.

Jeremy Webb, taking on the dizzying array of characters as Clown #1, has appeared on Broadway and on tour in Take Me Out, Burn This and Girl From the North Country, with additional credits at Lincoln Center Theater, Carnegie Hall, The Old Globe and Shakespeare Theatre Company. Jennifer Cody, as Clown #2, has appeared on Broadway in A Christmas Story, Shrek, The Pajama Game, Taboo, Urinetown, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Grease and Cats.

Her extensive film, television and voice work includes Younger, New Amsterdam, Blue Bloods and American Dad, as well as her Annie Award-winning performance as Charlotte La Bouff in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Ashley Margaret Morton returns to The 39 Steps for the third time, now making her Laguna Playhouse debut. Her credits include Into the Woods, Waitress, Legally Blonde, Clue and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Rounding out the company are understudies Caitlin Gallogly, known for her work in the film Wicked and for voicing characters on Futurama and South Park; Johnny DiGiorgio, recently seen in Southern California productions of Jersey Boys and whose television credits include Blindspot and Super Wings; and Emily Nash, whose credits include POTUS, Spring Awakening and television appearances on Netflix’s Forever, Disney+’s Growing Up and Apple TV’s Extrapolations.

Laguna Playhouse continues its 2026 season with The 39 Steps, bringing the award-winning comedy-thriller and its inventive take on Hitchcock’s classic story to Laguna Beach audiences. The production is adapted by Patrick Barlow from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock and ITV Global Entertainment Limited, with an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon.

The 39 Steps takes the stage at Laguna Playhouse on select dates from October 27–November 22, 2026. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $88, and are available for purchase by phone at (949) 497-2787 or online at LagunaPlayhouse.com.
More information, a full schedule of performances and additional details can be found at LagunaPlayhouse.com or on social media at @lagunaplayhouse.

Cypress residents deserve better than Ann Hertz Mallari again

For Event-News Enterprise
-
0
Cypress residents deserve better than Ann Hertz Mallari again

By Katie Shapiro

As we face the task of electing leaders for the next four years, do we really want to return to the  mean ethical and moral corruption that I witnessed from the public seats from 2021 to 2024: the slow kind, like water working into a beam for years before anyone hears the floor give.

During Anne Mallari’s tenure on city council, residents who asked for fair elections or demanded transparency were recast as enemies. While she was mayor, the city described Dr. Malini Nagpal and me as two residents who had merely “lent their names” to a Malibu law firm, and her news release called us “special interests from outside Cypress.”

I live in Cypress. When someone claiming to be a city employee sent me chilling threats in obscure texts and emails, I asked the council, Mallari among them, for help, and the silence from that dais was its own answer. Now her campaign promises to bring decorum and decency back to City Hall, as though someone else had carried them out the door.

Mallari joined the council in December 2020 and left it in 2024, having served a turn as mayor. Her tenure is easy to summarize because the record keeps itself. In June 2022 she voted to censure a fellow council member.

In September 2022 she voted to censure her again, over a talk she gave to students at Cypress High, and this time the majority suspended her pay. The censured council member sued in federal court in 2024 and named Mallari personally. Judge Otis Wright pruned the case but let the retaliation and breach of contract claims proceed. This spring the city settled to avoid obscenely expensive litigation. Cypress taxpayers paid lawyers to defend what Mallari and her allies did to a woman whose offense was dissent, and then paid again to make it go away.

In 2022 the council voted behind closed doors to refuse a demand that Cypress switch to district elections. I was one of two Cypress residents who signed that demand. Two years later the council settled the voting rights case for $835,000, and Mallari seconded the motion, acknowledging that no court would rule in the city’s favor. She had known the odds and resisted anyway, running up the city’s own legal bills before handing the Malibu law firm its settlement. This paper estimated the final cost to taxpayers could reach $2 million.

Every household in Cypress pays a monthly bill that carries Mallari’s mark. In November 2021 she joined a 4-1 majority that rewrote the city’s agreement with Valley Vista, its trash hauler.

The changes raised residential rates 32 percent, loosened the cap that had held annual increases to about three percent, and extended the contract to June 2037 without asking any other company to bid. By 2024 this paper reported that residential trash rates had climbed 67 percent since 2021. That same year Los Alamitos put its own trash service out to bid, and of the seven companies that competed, Valley Vista proposed the highest rates. Cypress never learned what competition might have saved its residents, because the majority, Mallari among them, never asked.

The ethics are a separate wound. For most of her time on the council, Mallari was the salaried CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, and the chairman of its board was Jon Peat, who sat beside her on the dais and championed every concession Valley Vista received. When the rate increase came back for a later vote, resident George Pardon asked them both to step aside, citing Valley Vista’s donations to the Club. Peat refused.

Mallari had already voted to set the contract amendment in motion; only then did she recuse herself, under protest, insisting that donations had no bearing on her opinion or her vote. The Fair Political Practices Commission reviewed Pardon’s complaint and found no illegal conflict of interest. A ruling like that only tells us what an official is permitted to do, and plenty of what the law permits is still wrong. Something can be legal for years and never once be ethical. Cypress residents will be paying for this one until 2037.

Cincinnatus left his plow to save Rome, gave the power back within sixteen days, and went home to finish the furrow. Washington stepped down after two terms, and when Roosevelt stayed for four, the country made the limit law. It is a little comical to hold these men up against a Cypress council member, but here we are. An office, like a field, needs rest before anything new can grow in it.

Mallari has never been able to leave the field, and the longer I watch, the stranger it looks. A council seat in Cypress pays a modest stipend and asks for long weeknights of staff reports and the steady scorn of people like me. Most who serve four hard years and step away are glad to hand the gavel to someone else and get their evenings back. She keeps circling the chamber the way some people circle a house they used to own, peering in at the new furniture, certain the place was better kept when the keys were hers.

 In 2024 Mallari and two of her colleagues adopted a district map that cut residential streets in half and conveniently separated Mallari from her political ally Bonnie Peat. At the time, Mallari told the council she was no longer in a district.

That October a resident predicted in this paper that the map had been drawn so she could run in 2026 against David Burke, the council member who had questioned the old majority most persistently. This November she is on the District 1 ballot, running against Burke, as predicted, in a district system she spent two years and a great deal of public money trying to prevent.

Cypress is a city of fifty thousand people, many of them younger, many of them newer, many of them never once asked to serve, and every cycle the same few names arrive to fill the same few chairs. Every city has ambitious people, and Cypress would be poorer without them. The trouble starts when one of them comes to regard a seat as hers, and every newcomer as an interruption.

When Peter Grant resigned as city manager amid misconduct allegations, Mallari defended him, said he had been pushed out for political reasons, and lectured the new council on leadership.

I wrote about Grant in this paper in May 2025, after the city attorney cut former Public Works Director Doug Dancs off mid-sentence during a council meeting before Dancs could elaborate on “unlawful acts of misconduct” by Grant.

Only after Dancs came forward did residents learn that the city had agreed to pay him $183,000 while Mallari was in the council majority. After the Grant saga I called what Cypress had become a small geography of fear. I will admit that quoting Mallari’s lectures on leadership back to her gives me a pleasure that is not entirely civic.

I should say how I came to know all of this. I became a regular in those public seats during Mallari’s tenurebecause the meetings had grown impossible to look away from. Week after week the chamber filled with discord and a vindictiveness so petty it seemed to feed on itself, and week after week Cypress turned up in the regional news.

It was never good news. A quaint city, one of the best-kept secrets in a crowded county, became for a few years a cautionary tale, and neighbors learned to sort one another by which side of the dais they cheered.

When she left, I think a lot of folks collectively sighed with relief, and I am a little ashamed of how readily I let my own participation lapse once the danger seemed to pass. Wonderful things have happened in Cypress these past two years, and some less wonderful ones too. What is plainly true is that the city found its way back to its roots.

We have a police department under Chief Mark Lauderback that residents can count on, and schools that families move here for, from our elementary district to Oxford Academy, routinely ranked among the best public high schools in California.

The new majority, elected under the district system I had fought for, let any two members put a question before the public. Residents could see where the money went and why each member voted as they did. People who came to the podium were met with dignity and respect, and for the first time in years I trusted the people running my city.

I never could while residents were routinely vilified from the dais. The shame is in the relief itself. A resident should never feel unsafe in her own city hall, and how deeply I exhaled told me how far things had fallen.

I have no wish to drag Cypress back into those years, or to spend the next four refighting them. This city has moved forward, and it deserves to keep moving. Now the same names are back on the ballot, and the same weather is gathering. Cypress deserves better.

Mallari fought transparency behind closed doors, and left taxpayers to pay for an unwinnable voting rights case and for her own punitive actions against those who challenged her. On November 3 her name will be on the District 1 ballot, and I hope every voter in that district reads the record she left behind before deciding whether she deserves a turn. Again.

Editor’s Note: We remind our readers that opinion pieces and editorials during the election season are invited, but they will only appear online. Send them to ed****@******************se.com.

Cypress entrepreneur Nancy Kherlopian launches new anti-loneliness app

David N. Young
-
0
Cypress entrepreneur Nancy Kherlopian launches new anti-loneliness app

After spending more than a decade in New York City, a Cypress woman has returned home with an idea that she hopes will reintroduce the concept of community to Americans, even if in a virtual way.

Nancy Kherlopian is a local resident, mother of three, and Parsons design graduate who came back home to her roots in Cypress after 13 years in the NYC fashion and tech world.

“I’ve been busy navigating the busy Tri-City family circuit,” Kherlopian said this week. “Between our schools, weekend activities, and diverse community events, I realized that setting up a simple get-together has become completely overwhelming,” she said.

“The pressure of coordinating schedules, waiting on RSVPs, and managing chaotic group texts turns what should be a spontaneous hangout into an exhausting chore,” Kherlopian said.

So off goes the flash bulb inside her brain and Kherlopian comes up with an idea that she hopes will make a difference.
It’s called Vibes4Tribes and to create community, all you really need is a vibe and a tribe.

“We live in a culture of instant gratification where ordering an item on Amazon takes one click, yet seeing our own friends feels like a logistical nightmare. I spent the last couple of years building a solution to make hanging out as easy as the tap of a button,” she said.

“It is a private social connector platform designed specifically to bypass group chat chaos and empower people to hang out on a whim. You simply create a casual “vibe,” share it with your tribes, and let them join instantly if they’re free.

“A major pillar of our launch is driving organic foot traffic back into our local economy. We are actively collaborating with small businesses across the Tri-City area, turning local cafes, restaurants, and venues into featured “Vibes” so our neighbors can easily discover, gather at, and support the incredible spaces right in our own backyard.

“We are launching at a critical turning point. Digital connection has peaked, but social isolation is at an all-time high. In transitioning to a more intentional life here in SoCal, I kept seeing brilliant people living like “digital ghosts”—connected by pixels but isolated in person.

“We just launched our private, invite-only beta pilot right here in the community. Our platform ditches public feeds entirely and replaces them with an intuitive, one-tap design built purely to get us off our phones and back into the moment.”

“We’re trying to just get people to hang out,” she said.

“People are having a hard time making eye contact today,” she said, “much less having a discussion or a conversation.”

She said there is now a term to describe the way digital devices having captured our attention. “They call it the dead stare,” she said, when two people look at each other and don’ really quite manage to establish solid eye contact with each other.

“Instead of comparing each other’s lives, we’re trying to get people to build communities,” she said.

Anyone with a “vibe,” which is little more than a good idea for a “hangout,” can then notify everyone in the “tribe,” which includes family, friends, coworkers, etc.

Kherlopian said the software is now live across America and anyone with a phone can simply download the app Vibes4Tribes and be among the first to move toward what she hopes will be a new era in wholesome community engagement, better known in the digital age is “Vibes4Tribes.”

123...324Page 1 of 324