As the nation prepares for the traditional fall harvest, food banks everywhere stock up as communities take stock of those within their communities who face food insecurity.
This year, however, because of unique circumstances, the problem of food insecurity has become acute, and local nonprofit officials say they are feeling the pinch.
Coming on the heels of a government shutdown, funding for the U.S. government’s supplemental food program has run dry. Local food banks have reportedly seen a huge increase in the demand for food assistance.
Anne Mallari, CEO, WeCare Foundation in Los Alamitos, says food insecurity is not limited to big cities and does exist locally. “It’s not just big cities that are experiencing food insecurity,” she said, and this year, officials have witnessed a dramatic rise in the demand for food assistance.
“We definitely see an uptick in response to the shutdown,” said Mallari. “People are worried and they’re not sure whether their benefits are going to be stopped or reinstated,” said Mallari.
A former elected official in the City of Cypress, one of the area’s wealthiest cities, said on Monday that at least eight (8%) percent of the population there faces food insecurity.
Put another way, that’s approximately 4,000 people living in Cypress facing food insecurity.
Moreover, Mallari said there are thousands of families in Los Alamitos (7%), Seal Beach (4%), and La Palma (5.4%) who are feeling the threat of hunger and suffering from varying degrees of food insecurity.
Stacked neatly, students collected 2,000 pounds of food. Courtesy photo
“They’re really looking for how they’re going to be able to feed their families,” she said. “They have challenges with food insecurity and challenges around SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program),” the WeCare official said.
Already, said Mallari, two food drives are underway and hundreds of people have responded to the “Amazon Wish List,” sending hundreds of packages of food to their storehouses.
Mallari was the guest of Margaret Landell Elementary School in Cypress this week to accept food collected by the 600 students during the school’s second annual food drive.
George Pardon, who, along with his wife, Lynne, was honored last week by Cypress officials, started the Landell (attended by their grandsons) food drive last year.
Its results were impressive, said Pardon, creating an impromptu system that exploded into a harvest of plenty given by Landell students.
“Last year, I’d go to every classroom and haul all the food over to the PTA room and sort it out,” said Pardon. “This year, the student council’s group goes around all the classrooms, gets the food, and brings it to the PTA room,” he said. Vanessa Freedman, Principal at Landell, confirmed they added the school’s food drive last year through the PTA.
“We have an agenda to push kindness to our students,” she said, “making them understand that small acts of kindness can have a big impact in our community.”
Through the food program, she said, students are becoming aware that “they are making a difference. This is a great opportunity for the students to see their direct impact on the community,” she said in a brief interview with ENE. In addition, Pardon said he was teaching the kids how to make sure the food was still good.
“I’m teaching them how to read expiration dates, how to sort the food, and these kids… they’ve just done an incredible job,” he said.
Pardon thanked the school for adding a food drive to their Red Ribbon Week activities. “If we can prevent drug abuse and do what we can to make sure no one goes hungry, it’s a good thing.”
“Just imagine a community with no drug abuse and where no one goes hungry, just try and imagine that,” he said. “We incorporated it last year, and it went well. We incorporated it again this year, and it’s just been overwhelming,” the school volunteer said. “Just imagine what we can do as a community,” he said.
The community is showing up to help, said Mallari.
Landell students alone collected 2,000 pounds of food that has already been moved to the nonprofit’s warehouses,” she said “People are stepping up,” said Mallari. “They are really responsive when they hear local community members are at risk of going hungry,” she said.
“We live in a wonderful community with people who want to help,” she said, “and they really are stepping up when they know that there’s a need, and if they have a way to make a difference, I think they do… they really do,” said Mallari.
“Nobody should be hungry in this community,” she said. “Nobody.”
Though his small hands could hardly hold the massive lump of clay, the smile on the face of seven-year-old Jingran Cheng made it obvious his first time seeing a plate being made was a mind-altering event.
Alistair Wu and several members of the Peer 1 on 1, Beach Cities Chapter, hosted the event on Saturday at Cal State Long Beach. Kids and young adults on the spectrum had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sit at a real potter’s wheel and create whatever they could make of their little mound of clay.
Entitled “Ceramics Therapeutic Exploration,” the event was billed as “a free event for neurodiverse kids and youth to engage in play, discovery, and healing through hands-on making of clay.”
Professor Santana provides hands on help for Bobby Leer. DNY photo
Peer 1 and 1 is a support group powered by high school students from regional high schools who have banded together to create good in the world.
“I enjoy the events and activities partly because they are effective ways to connect with people. I am passionate about sharing activities I enjoy, and my vision for the Beach Cities branch is to plan and host activities that create opportunities for social inclusion between neurotypical and neurodiverse communities,” he said.
Wu, the group’s president, attends Oxford Academy, while Albert Chen, the Treasurer, attends Whitney High, and Owen Bawek Garcia, the group’s public relations director, is a Water Polo Junior Olympian who attends Los Alamitos High School. Wu said when the opportunity for a potential visit to a ceramics studio was first announced, “it was so popular, we had to stop advertising it,” adding that the potential visit to the ceramics lab “made it easy to recruit volunteers as well.
Wu and his group were at the Fine Arts Building on East Campus Drive on Saturday to host the first-ever event.
Professor Tia Santana, a certified ceramics expert, fired up her pottery wheel, slapped a wet mound of clay on the spinning disk, and went through a 20-minute explanation and demonstration for the group, explaining how the pottery wheel worked and how the clay would eventually become a dish.
Kids and young adults watch and listen intently as Professor gives them a “hands on” demonstration of the Potter’s Wheel before giving each of them their own lump of clay. Photo by DNY
As she spoke, the kids peppered her with questions, which she answered, smiled, and kept spinning the potter’s wheel, using the putty tool in her right hand to target the spinning mound of clay precisely. Suddenly, a beautiful bowl began to emerge.
“I have a background in working with these communities,” said Santana in an interview with ENE after the event. “For me, engaging a community is like the most therapeutic thing I can do.”
Everyone, especially the young ones, held on to every word as Santana described why she continued to wet the clay, explaining the process that water itself played in actually forming plates and bowls, moving her hands slowly to create a lip of the bowl she was making.
Professor Santana said she agreed when asked to host the session because “it’s my joy,” she said. “It’s where I find my joy (working with these young people).
“It reminds me of my time with my kids when they were small. I like my work, but during all of those moments when my kids had an opportunity to come into the studio and do things, that’s where the joy was,” she said.
Santana transforms her own lump of clay into a beautiful bowl. Photo by DNY
After she thoroughly explains the Potter’s Wheel, the group moves to a different part of the lab where everyone participating suddenly gets their own chunk of wet clay to shape in any form they choose.
When Jingran Cheng got his chance to sit at the Potter’s Wheel, his eyes got almost too large for the large glasses he was wearing.
Professor Santana gingerly stepped around him, ever-so-slightly moving the young boy into a safe position before turning on the potter’s wheel and watching him create. “There are no wrong answers,” when molding with the clay, she said.
Santana hosted the group of children and young adults at the ceramics lab in the Fine Arts Building at Cal State Long Beach on Saturday.
“They can create whatever they want to create,” she said, before walking off to visit with yet another group of students at one of several tables within the lab.
“You are making something,” she told the students, “and it doesn’t have to be representative. It doesn’t have to be something that’s a thing. It’s just the fact that you’re just able to make it, the fact that you made it… You touched it, you manipulated it. There’s no wrong answer here,” she said.
In addition to Professor Santana, several volunteers from the CalState lab were also there to answer technical questions and help the neurodiverse students make something with their clay.
“This opportunity is so popular that we will try to do it twice a year,” said Wu on Saturday. Professor Santana said she and her team would be interested in supporting a twice-a-year visit to open the opportunity to more neurodiverse participants.
“My heart and my joy are in community services and building community programs in clay in museums and schools,” she said.
“I’ve been doing that for the past two decades, and I’m ready to continue,” said Santana.
While Wu said there were mostly Asian students in this group, he said the Beach Cities Chapter of Peer 1 on 1 had recently held a “Hispanic Heritage” event and had also started hosting Pickleball games as Peer 1 on 1 expands its activities.
Yuping Mao, a parental advisor to the group, said the event’s success and demand from other youth will likely result in at least one more session and likely be considered as an ongoing experience for neurodiverse youth.
“Ceramic therapeutic exploration is in big demand,” she said.
Rossmoor’s Interim General Manager, Sharon Landers, has been named one of the Top Ten women in government and recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Leadership Trailblazer Award from the League of Women in Government, presented in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
The national honor recognizes women in local government who lead with vision, integrity, and innovation, according to the League’s website.
Sharon’s extensive background — from serving as City Manager of Carson and Assistant City Manager of Irvine, to Interim Executive Officer for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District — reflects her lifelong commitment to effective, ethical, and inclusive public service.
She was recognized at the ICMA Annual Conference, held October 25–29, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, where leaders from around the world gather to celebrate excellence in public service.
“It has meant so much to me over the years to see women I have mentored or coached exceed their own expectations. This nomination gives me standing to encourage more executives to take time out of their busy lives to also be mentors and coaches,” said Landers in an interview posted on the site.
“I have been fortunate throughout my career to always have had people encouraging me. My parents, sisters and close friends were the first, building my confidence and supporting my goals. And in every one of my jobs, there was a supervisor and/or a peer who encouraged me to work hard, to build strong teams, and to find ways to promote my own good work along with recognizing the work of my colleagues,” she said.
“When I joined the Board of Women Leading Government (WLG) years ago (I have since stepped down to make room for the next generation), I found other women who, like myself, were strong leaders who were willing to be each other’s cheerleaders and who were equally committed to building programs to expose younger women (and men) to the skills they would need as they advanced in their careers,” said Landers.
“Sadly,” said Landers, “women are still at a disadvantage when competing for advancement. I found that having a law degree distinguished me. I suggest that women beginning their careers consider getting an MPA, an MBA, or a doctorate, or seek out some other unique experience that can make them stand out while also strengthening their credentials.”
“I want to be able to look across the profession and see all the women I coached or mentored having reached an executive level position, excelling at it while also having a healthy, fulfilling life outside of work,” said Landers in her Leadership interview.
The City of Los Alamitos is making up for lost time with long-delayed capital improvement projects as its one-and-a-half-cent sales tax increase continues to generate additional tax revenue for the city.
For years, the City Council in Los Alamitos struggled with mounting pension debt and other deficit spending that changed dramatically when voters approved a 1.5 cent sales tax increase (Measure Y) in 2020.
However, since voters approved the sales tax increase five years ago, the city has fully staffed its police department, added dozens of additional employees and now, it’s making up time with several long-delayed Capital Improvement projects that can now be afforded.
According to City Manager Chet Simmons, the projects “are all driven by money,” and most of the projects, in some way, reduce liability in the city. In addition, Simmons said Development Services Director Ron Noda’s team has done a good job of finding strategic funding partners to share the cost of funding these projects in the city.
City officials said at their October meeting that the CIP project includes $9.7 million in carryover projects, $1.42 million in new projects to create more than $10 million in overall projects.
According to Noda, the City of Los Alamitos CIP schedule includes street improvements, slurry seal, etc., to include Katella design, including medians, Pine Street project, Bloomfield Ave. project, Oak Street project, Reagan Street improvement, Katella Ave. striping, neighborhood signage replacement, improvements to Labourdette Park, Soroptomist Park, Starsbury Park, Laurel Dog Park, and a multi-million comprehensive transformation of the former home of the Youth Center into a multi-purpose building where future Councils will meet.
“There’s 20-some-odd projects they’re all aimed at correcting an issue that potentially creates liability at the end of the day, and so I think the council’s done a great job,” said Simmons.
Noda provided additional specifics on the projects, including a proposed timeline for the ambitious list of capital improvements.
In addition, he said they will be coordinated with ongoing county, state and federal projects so that there is no overlap or wasted funding.
He said the community center conversion, formally known as the Youth Center building, will become a “multi-purpose building” that will not only house Council meetings, but will also become a place where the city’s commissions meet. In addition, IT equipment will be installed so that the facility can serve as an emergency operations center as needed, and by day, the building will become a recreation center. Noda said the process assessment has been completed and this project is expected to start as early as this month (November).
Noda said electric vehicle charging stations will be installed to support the city’s upcoming senior transportation project and other electric vehicles. The approved capital improvement projects also include several transportation safety projects identified by the city’s transportation committee that had been previously deferred.
In other action, Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink told the Council that during the recent California League of Cities convention in Long Beach, she made progress in putting together a coalition of smaller cities that sometimes have a harder time getting their needs met simply because of their small size.
“I did have the honor of speaking in this session about small cities,” she said. “We are trying to create a small cities group within the League of California Cities for small cities under 30,000 population,” the mayor said. Small cities make up about 59% of the cities, she said, noting that the small city coalition discussion was very interactive and very positive.
“They’re dealing with the same things that the big cities are,” said Hasselbrink, “including the state mandates,” she said. In other October action, the Los Al Council…
Applauded as Police Chief Michael Claborn swore in Grant Gipson, the city’s newest police officer.
Heard a presentation from Capt. Kyle Kane of the O.C. Fire Authority during Fire Prevention Week. “We encourage Orange County residents to check their alarm systems and support the public safety activities and efforts during fire prevention week,” he said.
Supported Mayor Hasselbrink who presented a proclamation certificate to Melissa Jahangiri, owner of Stretch Spa, in Recognition of Being Featured in the Mayor’s Business Spotlight.
Listened to a presentation from Ruby Garcia, founder of a nonprofit entity Aiden and Andy, which is holding an event in the city on Nov. 15.
Heard Brian Bannon, PIO at Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, who honored Los Alamitos as one of the most effective in informing their residents about safety procedures regarding mosquitoes.
Presented a proclamation to the Los Alamitos Neighborhood Preservation Staff in Recognition of Neighborhood Preservation Appreciation Month.
The 29th Annual Friends of Pathways fundraiser, benefiting Pathways to Independence, turned California State University, Long Beach, into a laid-back rodeo-inspired celebration under the open sky.
Pathways to Independence is a social impact organization focused on transforming the lives of single young women, from disadvantaged backgrounds, through education, therapy, mentoring, housing and healthcare, to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.More than 850 guests donned their best western wear.
They joined in an unforgettable evening filled with country music, signature cocktails, lively line dancing, and even a playful “Pokey” where friends could be hilariously locked up.
Event organizer Lisa Mais (L) and others enjoy the rodeo setting at Cal State LB.
Courtesy photo
Attendees enjoyed a delicious spread from 35 top-notch restaurants across Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach, serving up hearty fare that kept the crowd well-fed and smiling all night long.
This rodeo to remember was made possible by the generous spirit of our community. From our amazing sponsors and restaurant partners to our beverage donors, underwriters, and every guest who joined us, thank you. When the dust settled, event organizer Lisa Mais aid Pathways “netted even more than originally reported. Pathways Rodeo Roundup Raised $750,000,” she said.
“Because of your generosity young women facing adversity are finding hope, opportunity, and a path to independence. Your kindness and commitment truly transform lives. We couldn’t ride this trail without this wonderful community,” said Mais.
Courtesy photo Key journalists and journalism students gathered this week in a lecture hall at Cal State University, Long Beach, to discuss mental health and other issues faced by journalists. A panel discussion included Sid Garcia, of Eyewitness News ABC-7, Stephanie Mendez, an Emmy Award winning producer from ABC network, Raya Torres, a recent CSULB journalism graduate doing big news on the airwaves of KOLD 13 in Arizona and Professor Jesus Ayala, who has led students to more than 70 national awards and is an advocate for mental health and trauma informed reporting in journalism.
Longtime Seal Beach resident, JoAnn Rossi, paints beautiful watercolor artwork that resonates with others, drawing from her 91 years of inspired living. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, her life in Seal Beach is surrounded with material for her artistic inspiration. In addition to picture-perfect nature the local area offers, JoAnn’s outlook is heavily influenced by her happiness of family and friends that surround her. She’s been married to Mario for 67 years, has three children, including daughter Lyn Semeta (who was former mayor of Huntington Beach), 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Spending most of her life helping others, in 1997 Rossi retired as an occupational therapist and began taking water color classes. It became her favorite medium. One of her proudest accomplishments was having her artwork accepted and displayed in an international exhibit in 2022.
In addition to painting she leads architectural tours of the landmark Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove where she’s a docent. JoAnn is also active in St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Seal Beach where she started a ministry to support a needy school in Santa Ana.
“It’s a joy for students and parishoners of our local community to be involved in this ongoing project,” she said. “it’s good to help others in our daily lives.”
At Better Lives Art Gallery where participating artists are assigned shifts to greet the public, JoAnn said she’s honored to meet guests and share their goals. The gallery’s name reflects its focus to make lives better – a portion of profits from art sales benefits disadvantaged families in rural areas of Cambodia, Uganda, Tanzania and the Philippines. JoAnn Rossi invites the public to come by the gallery and meet her (every other Thursday) or other talented artists who enjoy interfacing with the public on Main Street in Old Town Seal Beach.
Rossi’s daughter, Lyn Semeta, influenced by her mother’s passion for painting, also joined the gallery and donates time there. “When we were children she painted Disney character themed murals in our bedrooms,” said Semeta. “My sister Mara and I admired her creativity from the amazing jewelry she crafted from silver to her beautiful watercolor paintings.” Semeta said she followed in her mother’s footsteps and began taking classes and workshops with her. “I treasure the time we have spent together painting, entering art shows and serving on art boards. We even put on a mother/daughter art show at the Huntington Beach Central Library.” Semeta said that in so many aspects of her life, her mother is her inspiration and role model.
Sunset Beach artist and former art teacher Bill Anderson said: “JoAnn Rossi is a creative artist. I hope that young people see her work and be influenced as well.” Art equals creativity and skill, not just skill, according to Anderson. You can contact JoAnn at: jt***********@***il.com
Connor McGill of Los Alamitos won the grand prize at the 2025 Los Alamitos Race Course Halloween Costume Contest while paying tribute to his family roots of serving the country in the military. McGill and his service dog Ryder both dressed up as World War II soldiers with Ryder piloting a WWII tank that McGill built from scratch, according to a Los Al Race Course press release.
“I made (the tank) out of PVC, wood and steel pieces,” McGill said. “I used screws, I used bolts and a drill and jigsaw to cut the pieces. It took me about 6 to 7 hours to build the full tank. My father served in Fort Polk, Louisiana and my great grandfather served in World War II. He was a staff sergeant in the Air Force in the Western Front.”
Ryder Atten – Hut. Courtesy photo
McGill’s dog, Ryder, is a four-year-old and is a service dog who has earned various certificates. McGill’s other dog is named Mandy and is in therapy works with various accolades to her name as a service dog. As the winner of the 16 and up division, McGill won $200 plus an additional $500 for winning the overall grand prize. McGill won the grand prize on his third visit as a participant in the Los Alamitos Costume Contest.
“Last year, I dressed Ryder as a parrot and Mandy as a buffalo.” McGill added. “I’m going put my winnings in investment accounts. I’m not going to spend any of it right now. I’m going to use it to take care of my student tuition.” McGill is working on his Bachelor of Science degree and with his love for animals he is considering studying veterinarian medicine.
Held on Saturday, October 19, the Los Alamitos Halloween Costume Contest featured seven different age divisions. Each divisional winner advanced to the grand finale. In addition to Connor McGill winning the 16 & up division, other winners included Maximo Sanchez as a Boiled Crab in the 2-year-old division; Noah Gutierrez as an Ice Cream Truck in the 3-4 year old division; Ivan Mota as Pinata in the 5-6 year old division; Noah Salazar as Captain Crunch in the 7-8 division; Matthew Gutierrez as Ghost Rider in the 9-11 division; Phoenix Nopales as Flopper Fish in an Aquarium in the 12-15 division.
Noah Gutierrez as Ghost Rider. Courtesy photo
Held in conjunction with the live racing program at Los Alamitos Race Course, the Costume Contest is one of the biggest in terms of attendance in North Orange County. Total attendance was estimated to be around 2,500. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Anaheim & Cypress.
Phoenis Nopales as Flopper Fish. Courtesy photo
Photos and videos of the event can be seen on the track’s social media pages on Twitter and Instagram @losalracing. For more information on the event call 714-820-2690.
The City of Los Alamitos invites you, your family, and friends to step into a magical winter celebration at the 14th Annual MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Winter Wonderland, proudly presented by Universal Waste Systems (UWS).
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 6, 2025, and join us from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pine Street and St. Isidore Historical Plaza for an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer—all completely free to the community, according to the city of Los Alamitos.
Bundle up and embrace the chill! Experience real snow and outdoor ice-skating right on Pine Street, courtesy of UWS. Meet Santa Claus and The Grinch in our whimsical Santa’s Village at St. Isidore Historical Plaza, brought to life by Financial Partners Credit Union.The festivities include:
A festive vendor fair and mouth-watering food trucks.
Live entertainment and a magical tree lighting ceremony.
Train rides, inflatables, and holiday crafts for children.
A dedicated sensory calming area to ensure everyone enjoys the fun.
And much more seasonal excitement for all ages.
There will be free parking available for all attendees at UCI Health facility in Los Alamitos, city officials said. “This beloved tradition would not be possible without the incredible support of our community partners. The City of Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors who make this free holiday event possible,” city officials said. Sponsors include:
Title Sponsor: MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach.
Presenting Sponsor: UWS.
Santa’s Village Sponsor: Financial Partners Credit Union.
Silver Sponsors: Sea Air Federal Credit Union & Southland Credit Union.
Community Sponsors: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools & Kaleo Marketing. Join the City of Los Al as they transform Pine Street into a true Winter Wonderland—where holiday spirit comes to life. For more information, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430 – 1073.
This holiday season ,EPIC Entertainment Group, the creative powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most talked-about themed experiences, is once again bringing its signature blend of storytelling, design, and production excellence to destinations across the country. From haunts to holidays, EPIC is captivating audiences coast to coast with unforgettable attractions that transform spaces into immersive worlds of wonder.
By expanding its portfolio of seasonal installations and experiential programs in key markets nationwide, the company continues to raise the bar for how guests engage with holiday entertainment, merging next-level storytelling with innovative design and technology.
“We’re proud to continue creating memorable experiences for some of the nation’s most iconic destinations,” said Steve Sheldon, Managing Partner at EPIC Entertainment Group. “This year, we’re taking that momentum even further by crafting immersive environments that not only celebrate the season but also redefine how guests connect with tradition, technology, and storytelling.”
EPIC’s holiday season begins with screams, returning for its fourth year to Hersheypark’s Dark Nights in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the East Coast’s premier Halloween event. In partnership with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, EPIC oversees casting, costuming, makeup, and talent management for hundreds of scare actors and specialty performers. This year’s production expands with a new haunted house, themed scare zone, and atmospheric storytelling that blend cinematic design with live performance, solidifying Dark Nights as a must-visit fall attraction.
On the west coast, EPIC’s creative and production teams reimagined a piece of Santa Monica history with the debut of the all-new Funhouse at Pacific Park on the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Inspired by the legendary Toonerville Funhouse from nearly a century ago, the 2,800-square-foot experience leads guests through nine interactive chambers filled with optical illusions, eerie effects, and a storyline tied to the Pier’s colorful past, complete with an appearance by the mischievous “Sprinkles the Clown.”
Since opening in September, the Funhouse has drawn rave reviews and steady crowds, bringing nostalgia and innovation together on one of California’s most iconic piers.
This winter, EPIC Entertainment Group returns to the legendary Hotel del Coronado to help produce “A Holiday in Oz,” taking place November 21 through January 4. Guests will follow the “Yellow Brick Road” through whimsical décor, immersive installations, and sparkling themed displays, including the return of EPIC’s annual 12-minute light show on the hotel’s historic Norfolk Island Pines. Featuring more than 75,000 synchronized lights choreographed to festive music and ending with a flurry of snow, the beloved tradition continues to illuminate the resort’s century-old trees in spectacular fashion.
Emphasizing the theme, EPIC will introduce a collection of unique themed holiday trees that bring the world of Oz to life in dazzling detail. Along The Del’s own “Yellow Brick Road” will be four 12-foot trees depicting L. Frank Baum’s beloved main characters: Dorothy & Toto, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Woodman, each intricately designed to reflect their iconic personalities and stories. The 22-foot Grand Teton Lobby Tree serves as a showstopping centerpiece, themed as “The Road to Oz” and drenched in emerald, silver, and ruby hues, its graduated yellow ribbon of ornaments pays homage to the famous road and the characters who travel it. Scattered throughout the property, additional statement trees are sure to excite visitors including a 22-foot Wicked Witch of Oz tree and a towering 25-foot Glinda of Oz tree.
Across the Pacific, the EPIC team brings the season to life with The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay’s holiday celebration. In addition to lush garlands, sparkling lights, and festive wreaths adorning the property, guests can capture the spirit of a Hawaiian Christmas with a stunning Honu, crafted entirely from dried moss and symbolizing wisdom and good luck. This majestic sea turtle installation serves as a heartfelt invitation to embrace the season with Aloha. Adding a playful winter twist, EPIC’s “Let It Snow” experience delivers mini snow flurries, creating a magical moment where paradise meets holiday wonder.
Rounding out the season on the East Coast, EPIC is in its fifth consecutive year of partnership with Miami’s Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. In addition to overseeing all daily operations for the 83-acre venue, EPIC will transform the Garden from its spooky Halloween-themed “Haunted Birdhouse Hunt” to a Holiday adventure with “A Very Merry Garden,” delivering unforgettable experiences from fall through the holiday season.
“Each project is an opportunity to tell a story that connects people to a place in a whole new way,” said Charity Hill, Managing Partner at EPIC Entertainment Group. “We take great pride in being a trusted creative partner to our clients, translating their vision into experiences that go beyond expectations and leave guests with something unforgettable.”
EPIC Entertainment Group, co-founded by Hill and Steve Sheldon in 2016, is renowned for designing immersive experiences for top-tier brands across the nation. Whether reimagining seasonal events, developing immersive worlds, or producing large-scale spectacles, EPIC consistently delivers bold creative design and world-class production that transform spaces into unforgettable guest experiences.
For more information about Epic Entertainment Group, visit Epic EntertainmentGroup.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Among the items mentioned by Cypress Mayor David Burke during his State of the City address this past week, was a surprise shout-out for a 36-year resident couple of Cypress as an example of citizen leadership.
Burke spoke to a large gathering of Cypress residents inside the Cypress Community Center after the elaborate once-a-year outdoor event had to be moved indoors because of impending weather.
“It’s an honor to serve our city with you. By many measures, this is the most diverse city council we have had in quite some time: and as a resident recently remarked, diversity is one of our strengths,” said Burke.
Burke introduced his family, the remaining Council members and he thanked the staff and the city’s strategic partners such as the Chamber of Commerce before launching into his 45-minute address.
Burke said he and his wife Courtney chose Cypress to move to in 2021 to raise their children because it is indeed a special place. He was elected to the Council in 2022 and was elected to serve as Mayor by the Council in 2025.
Courtesy photo Cypress Mayor David Burke at State of the City event.
“I can confidently tell you the state of our city tonight. The State of the City of Cypress is outstanding. Cypress is a wonderful place to live,” said Burke, noting that “we have all those foundational elements in place that you want in a city, safe streets, great schools, residents who care deeply about our community,” said Burke.
“But I also want to highlight what really makes Cypress special, the spirit that unites us and that is the overwhelming decency and goodness that shines every day in our diverse city,” he said.
Burke thanked Chief Mark Lauderback and the city’s police department for making the city “one of the safest cities in Orange County,” and he ran through a long list of improvements in parks, recreation and social services.
He also pointed out that the city’s business community was on the upswing, as Costco recently celebrated 20 years and big companies continue to migrate from Los Angeles to the refuge of Cypress.
“This year, the Murray Company, a national mechanical engineering and contracting firm, relocated their headquarters from Los Angeles to Cypress, bringing 300 employees along with them. They’re not alone. Raymond West Handling, which helps other businesses with logistic supplies and design expertise, chose Cypress as its corporate headquarters, and with 363 employees, they are now one of the top 10 employers in the city,” he said.
“We also support our local businesses here through programs,” he said, noting that 32 businesses participated in the city’s level up digital marketing program, and 30 in the Business Growth program. “These programs give businesses tools to help improve, expand and stay in Cypress for the long term. And we awarded $364,000 in grants to graduates,” the Mayor said. Burke singled out one couple, George Pardon, and his wife Lynne, for their work in the community that demonstrates the “the spirit that unites us.”
“George Pardon exemplifies the spirit that makes Cypress great. Over the years, George has absolutely dedicated himself to serving others,” said Burke.
“Early on, George learned a lot about our city by this is unbelievable, attending every city council meeting from 2007 to 2013. I don’t even think all the council members did that,” he quipped.
“George has volunteered at the Cypress Parks and Recreation Halloween Carnival and Fashion Show, the city job and resource fair and the Cypress Senior Center. He’s provided tax preparation services absolutely free of charge to our local seniors through the AARP tax aid program,” continued Burke.
“He’s helped the Cypress Boys and Girls Club with their homework club. He even helped gather 20 volunteers to build Habitat for Humanity homes on Lincoln Avenue. He continues to volunteer and pray and hand out groceries at a local food pantry. He’s been deeply involved in Landau Elementary School’s PTA, and this year, George took the lead in setting up a brand-new foundation to help financially support our local students,” said Burke.
“On top of all that, George and his wife Lynne are a constant fixture at fundraisers for local nonprofits, and they even, along with their grandsons, hand deliver Girl Scout cookies to our local police and firefighters, which they’ve been doing for 10 years,” he added.
“Chances are, if you live in Cypress, George Pardon has made a positive impact on your life, whether you know it or not. Now, George isn’t shy about sharing his opinions, and he and I, there’s plenty that we don’t agree on, but what brings us together is a shared desire to serve our community and help others. George, thank you for your contributions to our community. It’s my honor to call you a friend.”
Contacted after the event, Pardon said he and Lynne were humbled by the unexpected attention.
“I was both honored and surprised by Mayor Burke’s recognition at the Cypress State of the City. Over the years, I have encountered so many wonderful residents that are serving our community so to be selected for this recognition was quite humbling. I want to underscore what Mayor Burke said when he made the statement that the state of our city is great,” said Pardon.
“Whether I am volunteering at our grandsons’ school, serving at our church’s food pantry, or volunteering doing taxes for seniors, the residents in our community are amazing and appreciative. I have been blessed to meet so many of our residents over the years. It’s so easy to get disgruntled if our only source of information is social media,” he said.
“I would encourage everyone to find an opportunity to serve in our local community. I saw a meme recently that said: ‘Before you complain, have you volunteered?’ My wife and my experience has been that when we serve, we are blessed as much, if not more, than those we serve,” said Pardon.
In conclusion, Burke said “there is more work to do.”
“But what makes the city of Cypress so special. It’s an entire city of people who are united, not by political beliefs, but by a shared desire to help each other. That is what brings us together, and that is what will always bring us together, if we can hang on to that, the City of Cypress will remain a great place to live for many years to come.”
Long Beach homicide detectives have arrested two suspects related to a weekend murder in the generally quiet beach haven of Belmont Shore that police say occurred in the 100 block of La Verne Avenue.
Through their investigation, homicide detectives identified the male adult suspect as Jason Loving, a 41-year-old resident of Harbor City. He was arrested in the city of Compton and transported to Long Beach City Jail where he was booked for murder, prohibited possessor, and a restraining order violation. His bail is set at $2,000,000, according to city police.
In addition, they said detectives also identified a female adult who was with suspect Loving when the shooting occurred and fled the scene with him. She was identified as Dasmine Hall, a 31-year-old resident of Compton. She was arrested in the city of Compton and transported to Long Beach City Jail where she was booked for murder and accessory to murder. Her bail is set at $2,000,000.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner.
At approximately 1:39 a.m., Oct. 25, officers responded to the 100 block of La Verne Avenue regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a male adult victim who had been struck by gunfire. Officers rendered medical aid until the arrival of Long Beach Fire Department personnel, however, the victim was determined deceased at the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates a group of subjects got into an altercation, related to an incident that started at a local bar earlier in the evening. During the altercation, which occurred outside in the 100 block of La Verne Avenue, a male adult suspect produced a firearm and shot the victim. The suspect then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Reyes and Temblador at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips” app to your smartphone, or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
Forest Lawn will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with in-person events across four Southern California locations, the cemetery announced this week.
The community events will honor the memories of the dead and bridge connections with ancestors. Colorful altars, larger-than-life Catrina and alebrije (spirit guide) art works, folklorico dance and Mariachi performances, arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments will bring the vibrant traditions of the Mexican holiday to life.
The free, family-friendly events will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 12:00-3:00 PM at Forest Lawn’s Cathedral City, Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale locations. Highlights for the Día de los Muertos celebrations include:
Folklorico dance and Mariachi performances,
Bob Baker Marionette performances at Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale, locations.
Community ofrendas (altars) presentations.
Traditional Catrina and alebrije (spirit animal) art works.
Arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments.
Food trucks and carts with delicious offerings. Forest Lawn-Glendale is located at 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205. Forest Lawn-Cypress is located at 4471 Lincoln Ave, Cypress, CA 90630. Forest Lawn-Covina Hills is located at 21300 Via Verde St, Covina, CA 91724. Forest Lawn-Cathedral City is located at 69855 Ramon Rd, Cathedral City, CA 92234.
Casa Youth Shelter has launched a resource drive to collect gift cards for essential items to support youth in crisis, helping them create meaningful traditions and step into their new journey with dignity and hope, according to a statement released this week.
For Casa Youth Shelter families experiencing homelessness and Casa Independent Youth (teens who are newly 18 years old and don’t have a safe and healthy family to spend the holidays with), this time of year can feel especially isolating.
This holiday season Casa Youth Shelter is helping families and independent youth create new traditions, grounded in resilience and healing, while equipping them with the vital resources they need. Now through Thursday, Nov. 20, Casa Youth Shelter is collecting the following gift cards for distribution prior to Thanksgiving:
Gas gift cards: These help those in need get to work, school, counseling, and places where they can build community.
Uber/Lyft gift cards: These provide those in need access to safe and reliable transportation when they need it.
Fast food gift cards: These allow families and independent youth to grab a meal on the go, no questions asked.
Gift cards can be mailed or dropped off at Casa Youth Shelter 24/ 7, Monday-Friday at 10911 Reagan Street, Los Alamitos, CA, 90720. For additional information on how to support New Thanksgiving Traditions at Casa Youth Shelter, contact Jennifer Ramirez: 562.742.3954 or jr******@**************er.org.
Jonathan’s Story is an example of a Casa Youth Shelter family that donations will help support this season: “At 15 years old, Jonathan and his aunt were living in their car. After facing abuse from his dad, she took him in, but when she lost her housing, they had nowhere to go. Determined to keep him safe, she called Casa Youth Shelter for help. At Casa Youth Shelter, Jonathan found stability – and the chance to focus on himself instead of fighting to survive every day. He received new clothes and shoes from our Tilly’s closet, his first haircut in years, gas gift cards so his aunt could visit and attend counseling, and even a bike to get to and from school at his new long-term program. After 40 days with us, he transitioned into a long-term job training program while his aunt continued to rebuild her life. They both continue to attend our counseling program. This Thanksgiving will look different for Jonathan and his aunt. They’re learning to navigate change, finding gratitude, connection and hope. Your donation of gas, fast food or Uber/Lyft gift cards will help families like theirs take the next step forward, creating new traditions that are grounded in resilience and determination.” -Lupita Gutierrez, Executive Director, Casa Youth Shelter.
The Los Alamitos High boys water polo team reached the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs as the fourth place team out of the Sunset League. The Griffins open the playoffs with a home match against Walnut High, the first place team out of the Palomares League. The match is at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Los Alamitos High Aquatics Center on campus.
San Clemente overcame a rocky start and rallied from a 9-7 deficit to hand Los Alamitos its first loss of the season in an Alpha League football game on Friday at San Clemente High.
The Griffins (8-1, 1-1 in league) were able to move the ball at times but struggled to finish drives. They took the game-opening drive to the Tritons 40 yard line before the drive stalled. The punt put the Tritons at their own five yard line and they botched a snap. The ball went into the end zone for a safety and the Griffins had an early 2-0 lead. The Griffins looked to be in good shape on the ensuing free kick as they began the drive at the Triton 40 yard line. They moved to the San Clemente 15 yard line, but a fourth down play came up short and the Griffins turned the ball over on downs.
The Tritons then put together a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to take a 7-2 lead. The Griffins were able to respond with touchdown drive of their own, as Lenny Ibarra capped the drive with a TD run that gave the Griffins a 9-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
But that would be the final score of the game for the Griffins.
After the Tritons took a 14-9 lead, the Griffins again looked to answer. They drove to the Triton 13 yard line, getting two key passes from Colin Creason to Ibarra and Beckham Hofland. Ibarra also broke a run for 27 yards on the drive.
Photo by Ted Apodaca Lenny Ibarra fights for extra yardage with a defender on his back.
However, after getting to the 13, an offensive pass interference and two quarterback sacks by the Tritons pushed the Griffins out of scoring range. The Griffins and Tritons are now both 1-1 in league play. The Griffins takes on Mission Viejo, ranked No. 1 in the Orange County rankings. San Clemente leap-frogged Los Alamitos, going from No. 12 to No. 10 in the county. The Griffins fell from No. 6, to No. 11. In the CIF-SS, Mission Viejo is ranked No. 6, while the Grififns are No. 16. Los Al and Mission Viejo play at 7 p.m. Thursday at Artesia High. The Griffins can grab a share of the Alpha League title if they can knock off the Diablos.
The Aquarium of the Pacific announced this week that the November First Wednesday lecture will present an engaging discussion with Jamiah Hargins, founder of Crop Swap LA, to explore the human food ecosystem within an urban setting. Higgins is expected to discuss the role that unused spaces and community lawns play in nourishing local families in areas where up to 20,000 individuals may reside within a single square mile.
A former recruiter and market trader, Jamiah brings global experience and systems thinking to urban agriculture and food justice. His work has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council and Adidas and featured in major media outlets. Fluent in three languages and deeply rooted in community, he speaks on regenerative design, Black liberation, and cooperative economics. Jamiah is a devoted husband, father and martial artist.
He has a Master of Public Administration, Economic and Political Development from Columbia University and bachelor’s degree in political science and government from University of Chicago.
Jamiah Higgins, the founder of Crop Swap. Courtesy photo
Discover the innovative operational model, business design, and unique landscape technology employed to sustain their pioneering efforts, which Higgins is expected to discuss.Crop Swap LA is a distinguished organization that cultivates food in unused areas and converts lawns into microfarms powered by rainwater, providing fresh produce to families in the community.
Established in 2018, it has evolved from a modest monthly neighborhood exchange of fruits and vegetables into a globally acknowledged institution and movement. The organization advocates for the local growth and consumption of food to minimize dependence of inefficient, water-intensive, and carbon-heavy global supply chains.
This presentation with Q&A will take place in the Aquarium’s Honda Pacific Visions Theater. Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with music, crafts, Paint-a-Fish and cash bar available in the Pacific Visions Art Gallery. This program will be live streamed for those who are unable to join in person.
The event will be held from 7 – 9 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 5, at the Honda Visions Center at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
The cost of the event is $5 for tickets that are reserved in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of the event cost $10, the Aquarium said, and are strictly dependent on event availability. Parking in the nearby structure is $6.50 for the first 2.5 hours.
For livestream or other information, visit the aquariumofpacific.org website.
In a world ablaze with cultural division comes a timeless Broadway production whose characters consistently demonstrate that deep within the heart of zany chaos, it’s truly all about our search for love.
Based on a book about a Parisian cabaret, circa 1889, by Tony-Award winner John Logan, the Moulin Rouge story has already accumulated 10 Oscar nominations, with two wins (based on Baz Luhrmann’s film), 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, two Drama League Awards, five Drama Desk Awards and 20 Outer Critics Circle Awards based on the stage play.
Pop the cork because Moulin Rouge! The Musical is coming back, remixed with a celebration of 160 years of music, from Offenbach to Lady Gaga, and with a stellar cast directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers.
Tickets are going fast for the limited, two-week run in SoCal as the touring production of the Broadway musical opens at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa (October 28–November 2, 2025) and then the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles (November 4–November 16, 2025).
Jay Armstrong Johnson and Arianna Rosario the 2025 touring production of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.
“Euphoric! In Moulin Rouge! The Musical, life is beautiful,” raves The New York Times.
And after a long and brilliant career on the way to center stage, New Jersey-born Bobby Daye will step into the white-hot spotlight of velvet dreams as Harry Zidler, the host of the Moulin Rouge, during its run at Segerstrom this week.
Set in the turn of the century Montmartre Quarter of Paris, Moulin Rouge! The Musical brings to life a world of “indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, of Bohemians and aristocrats.”
Zidler takes center stage under the scarlet and gold marquee with the challenge of managing the constant chaos, as the musical explores the fictional story of Christian, an ambitious yet lovesick writer, and dazzling Satine, a beautiful singer who works at the club.
Daye, as Zidler, must relate to it all, including interspersed appearances from time worn characters like Toulouse-Lautrec, the greatest tango dancer, and gigolo, in all of Paris, Santiago, the tempting Nini, and the billionaire Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of Moulin Rouge who believes he can use his money to buy anything he wants, including love.
“The main message about Moulin Rouge is about finding true love and recognizing true love,” Daye said in an interview this week with ENE.
“A true love doesn’t come from just trying to find somebody who’s rich or, you know, just trying to get out of a city,” he said, “you never know when love is going to hit you. That’s what happened with Satine and Christian. They didn’t know this was going to happen. Love will happen when you least expect it,” said Daye.
“And I think that’s a message that people, you know, people gravitate to because a lot of people are searching for love, you know, and even when they’re in love, they want to love like that (Christian and Satine), that is just pure, and they want to find where that is in their relationships.”
Daye has prepared well for this leading role in one of Broadway’s most enduring productions. In 2019, he was the understudy of Danny Burstein, who won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Zidler and said the role was “one of the most challenging” he had ever undertaken.
“I watched what Danny did in the show, I watched what he did, you know, physically but emotionally, but I can’t do what Danny does. He is an original person. He can only bring what Danny Burstein brought to that character. I can only bring my life experiences to the character,” said Daye.
In fact, Daye now teaches in his off-stage moments. He is famous for telling young actors that “the most original thing you can bring to an audition is yourself.”
Daye has much to offer. An accomplished songwriter and recording artist, he and his writing partner, Michael Feinstein have written songs for “The Young and The Restless” and many other shows, and he often performs concerts when not acting on stage.
As soon as he was old enough, Daye left New Jersey with a dream of his own. Although he’s finally at the top of the bill, it wasn’t always like that. In fact, he remembers, it was rarely like that.
“I wound up playing piano bars on 41st Street in New York for a long time,” he said. When finally offered a tryout for an off-Broadway production, “I didn’t even have a headshot. I literally had to draw one (Daye is an artist as well). “Seriously, I drew mine and got the part.”
As his career began to grow, his dad and mom were still there for him.
“It helps to have a good support system,” he said, noting that his dad just passed away in June. Daye says even when he got an early part as a woman, his dad would charter a bus, round up all his retired policemen friends and their wives and bring them to see his son performing.
“That’s just the way he was.”
As he steps into the spotlight, Daye said he will focus less on the audience than the chaos going around him as he becomes immersed in juggling the beautiful confusion that is Moulin Rouge.
In a world full of chaos and meanness, Daye says the hit Broadway play will again resonate with those desperately searching for love. Moreover, says Daye, he is living proof to others that one should never give up on their dreams.
“Sometimes you just have to follow your own instincts and follow your own dreams, even if you have to draw your own headshot.”
Ticket info available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (714) 556-2787.
Like other government agencies across the country, the Rossmoor Community Services District Board is struggling to find a way to regulate the bad behavior of some electric bike users while protecting the overall benefits of bicycling itself around the proud urban forest.
The District’s Board of Directors debated a proposed ordinance for more than hour at its October meeting before deciding to reach out to the community itself for input on the growing problem.
Director Tony DeMarco, Chair of the Parks and Facilities Committee, which oversees the issue, said the committee engaged in a lively discussion and then asked Interim General Manager Sharon Landers to summarize what the committee had heard from the district’s insurer.
At issue is the damages being caused by e-bikes in the community, both from others being “terrorized” on sidewalks by insensitive e-bikers to actual physical damages evidenced by photos, said Landers.
Nevertheless, she said in summary, it boils down to what is considered a liability concern for district residents and therefore, the committee asked that an ordinance be drawn up to submit to the board.
“If the board were so inclined, it would prohibit the operation, not the presence, but the operation of E bikes and bicycles, and also conventional scooters,” she said, introducing an ordinance written in an attempt to protect the district’s public spaces from motorized devices.
“So motorized scooters also are prohibited. They’re motorized; they’re considered to be motorized vehicles. They’re currently not allowed in our parks, but conventional scooters are so I looked at all three as something that we might want to address. It’s really hard to tell the difference between bicycles and electric bicycles,” she said.
Landers said having consulted with the District’s insurance underwriter, the matter is serious because of potential liability. “There’s always potential liability if you do something negligent, but similar to a dog off a leash, which is prohibited in our parks,” she said.
“If there’s a dog off the leash and it jumps on another park user, perhaps hurting them, we don’t have liability for that, because we prohibited dogs off leashes, similar here, if we prohibited the operation of these transportation modes, it would reduce our liability significantly,” Landers told the board.
DeMarco acknowledged the issue is a thorny one, having discussed it at length at a recent committee hearing and although “we kind of agreed (with a proposed ordinance),” he said. The committee chose to prohibit all bicycles because “it is kind of difficult to tell electric bicycles from regular bicycles.”
Director Tony DeMarco, Courtesy photo
DeMarco said while he agreed with the sentiment of the proposed regulation, “this is the first time I’ve read it (the new ordinance) since it was drafted after the meeting. We agreed,” he acknowledged, “but then this (proposed ordinance) includes anything operational,” he said.
“Yes,” said Landers, “and thank you for the reminder but what came up in committee is what reduction in liability would the district have if we prohibited the operation of these motorized vehicles,” implying that the district will have little or no protection without some sort of regulation limiting access to electric-powered bicycles, etc.
DeMarco agreed, but also said the reality is that, with improving technology, it has become really hard to discern the difference between a regular bicycle and a powered one.
The E-bikes have pedals just like a non-e-bike. So again, there’s probably going to be some residents who might be upset that they can’t ride their bicycles through the park, but you’re not going to be able to differentiate. And I think that’s where we landed,” he acknowledged.
DeMarco was correct. While Directors grudgingly accepted the reality, it was not without plenty of “what ifs” and an intense effort to find another solution before enacting any measure that will in any way impair the ability of residents and their children to ride their bicycles throughout Rossmoor’s famous “urban forest.”
“I think we’ve all been concerned about the behavior of some of the e-bikers,” said Director Michael Maynard, “I’ve seen things, we’ve all seen things, but I don’t want to clump them all into this guilty verdict,” he said.
“I remember many times as a father riding to this park and the other park with my two daughters (now grown), on scooters, and we weren’t doing jumps and things. I want to see Brownies riding their bikes,” he said.
Maynard also said there would be enforcement only when there was a police officer present, noting “our staff doesn’t have the time” to enforce such an ordinance. “I just have a hard time depriving other family members from enjoying a park with a bicycle in safe, responsible ways,” he said.
DeMarco said he did not disagree, voicing similar concerns, even asking the District’s legal counsel to review the proposed ordinance to determine where changes could be made.
Director Mary Ann Remnet, a member of the committee, said the committee discussion was very healthy and they too are trying to balance the interests of residents against the threat of liabilities.
“One of the things that we looked at with that, because that was a good part of the discussion, is that we have to look at the safety aspects for everyone in the park, because it is a small park, and there’s a lot of people there. We have a lot of seniors, we have a lot of kids, and there are ways to protect the little kids, because they’re not marathon bike riders,” she said.
“And yes, it would be nice if everyone could do that, but even someone getting hit at three to five miles an hour on a bike because you’re sharing the sidewalk, we looked at it from the standpoint of the safety of the people that were walking on the sidewalks as well as the bike riders that are sharing it, and trying to make it an enforceable situation,” said Remnet.
“Empowering bikes is a good thing, and everybody would love to do that, but you can’t disregard the people that are also walking on those same sidewalks,” she added.
Director Jo Shade suggested the board reach out to the residents before taking any action.
“I do agree with a lot of the things Michael was saying, but times are changing,” said Shade, “and I think it should be a campaign with our district going through social media and putting these pictures (of e-biker damage) out through social media so residents can see the damage that is being done.”
“What’s going on, I mean, they’re (e-bikers) building ramps in the parks. This is insane. It isn’t just coming as pie in the sky,” she added. “The damage they’ve done in these photos speaks volumes.”
“These are not evil people,” she added. “It’s just they like to have their fun, and one of those is riding their e-bikes,” said Shade. “I grew up with three brothers,” she said.
“You need to walk your bike through the park, even when you go to Rossmoor Center, you have to walk your bike through the park. You get off your bike and walk it, otherwise it’s dangerous to pedestrians,” she noted.
She said DeMarco was correct. “It is hard to tell the difference between e-bikes and regular bikes. I would like to see us follow what is safe for Rossmoor, honestly, that’s what it needs to come down to, because everything else is just coming down to, oh, well, it used to be like so and so, but used to be don’t exist anymore, because there’s people that come in and tear up the parks like so. We have to change with the times, and we have to adhere to the liability issues and the damage that’s being done. And I apologize if people are going to have to get off their bike and walk it,” she said.
Board President Nathan Searles said motorized scooters have already been prohibited. That’s explained in the packet. “I would say I don’t know that we have enough dangerous activity regarding non-motorized scooters to outlaw them in the park,” he said.
“I understand the bike situation because that’s the guidance we’re given from our law enforcement partners as well, that their inability, by law, to distinguish between a motorized and non-motorized bicycle for enforcement of any action is the issue,” said Searles.
“The Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol aren’t going to get into selective enforcement, and that’s the issue. So, the only way they can enforce e-bikes, they’ve given us this guidance, is to outlaw all bikes, and then we can enforce it,” he said.
However, having said that, President Searles said that he sensed from the board that they were not ready to have a vote on what would have become the first reading of a new ordinance to enforce biking bans listed in the ordinance.
Instead, in an abundance of caution, he suggested a cooling-off period allowing the Board and the Administration to search every which way possible to preserve the existing freedoms as the modern realities of a potential liability lawsuit remain just an accident away.
Following the hour-long discussion, the board voted unanimously to postpone action on the provision until a later date.
More than 220 community members, civic leaders, educators, and district partners joined Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver for the annual State of the District breakfast, hosted in partnership with the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF), on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The event opened with inspiring student performances, featuring a quartet from the Los Alamitos High School String Orchestra and sophomore Maddie Diggle’s moving rendition of the National Anthem.
Prior to Dr. Pulver delivering the State of the District address, LAEF presented a $154,264 donation to support Innovation Grants across the district. LAEF received 108 proposals from Los Al USD staff and awarded 70 grants designed to bring creative, student-centered ideas to life in classrooms. Since 2013, LAEF has contributed more than $3.6 million to the district, underscoring a long-standing partnership dedicated to advancing educational excellence and opportunities for all students.
Following the check presentation, Dr. Pulver shared the District Priority Goals for 2025–26, emphasizing Los Alamitos USD’s unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. The goals focus on passionately pursuing academic achievement, cultivating a thriving and safe culture, fostering collaborative relationships, strategically managing financial resources, and providing high-quality facilities that support student success.
He also highlighted several extraordinary achievements across the district. All nine Los Alamitos USD schools have earned the prestigious distinctions of California Distinguished School and Gold Ribbon School. Notably, 89 percent of graduates completed Advanced Placement (AP), Career Technical Education (CTE), or dual-enrollment college courses, and 94 percent pursued post-secondary education. He also noted that Los Alamitos USD’s 17 Career Technical Education courses have recently been recognized by the County for the highest percent growth in CTE enrollment, reflecting the district’s strong commitment to preparing students for success in college, career, and life.
During his address, Dr. Pulver reflected on the district’s unique history, noting how the intentional unification of three distinct communities shaped the strong, collaborative culture Los Alamitos USD embodies today. Centered around this year’s theme, For Good, he spoke about how the theme represents the lasting impact of the work done each day across the district.
“Delivering the State of the District address is a profound privilege,” said Dr. Pulver. “Every day, I see the extraordinary power of what happens when our community unites with purpose. For Good is more than a theme; it reflects who we are as a district. The connections we build, the lives we touch, and the moments we create together leave a lasting impact that reaches far beyond our classrooms. Los Alamitos Unified continues to be a place where remarkable things happen every day, For Good.”
Dr. Pulver also provided updates on key district enhancement projects, including ongoing classroom and restroom renovations at Los Alamitos High School and plans to modernize the school’s Performing Arts Center.
He concluded his address with an emotional video inspired by the theme For Good, which captured the heart of Los Alamitos Unified. The video illustrated how the everyday actions of students, staff, and families create lasting impact and highlighted the power of connection, the importance of relationships, and the many ways this community continues to invest in one another.
The event was attended by parents, PTA groups, district staff and administration, school board members, LAEF’s board of directors, and local city and elected officials. The breakfast took place at On The Greens at Navy Golf Course, and all net proceeds supported LAEF. The presentation was video-recorded and will be made available on the District’s YouTube channel.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Dr. Pulver once again to bring our community together to celebrate the achievements of our district. LAEF extends its heartfelt gratitude to our Legacy Sponsor, Alamitos Eye Care, and our Valedictorian Sponsors: Clean Wave Express Carwash, Erickson-Hall, Epson, Simon Law Group, and the Orange County Department of Education. Their generous support has been instrumental in making this event a success,” said LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF provides significant funding for mental health/wellness and Innovation & STEAM Grants, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources, to impact all students. For additional information on LAEF, please call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424 or visit www.LAEF4Kids.org.
