Experts will gather at the Aquarium of the Pacific on March 4 for the release of a report on decommissioning offshore oil rigs in California and to discuss issues surrounding them, the Aquarium of the Pacific announced this week.
The report summarizes the proceedings and findings of a forum held at the Aquarium in January. Forum participants included representatives from federal and state agencies responsible for the oil rig decommissioning process, industry experts, and academic scientists.
The Aquarium’s report condenses experts’ presentations on the current status of oil rigs off California’s coast, existing regulations regarding decommissioning, and what actions are needed to allow the state to benefit from all the options, including leaving them in place as reefs. Members of the media are invited to hear from and interview experts to find out the issues surrounding California’s offshore oil rigs and to explore what can be done.
The experts include; John Smith, consultant, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (retired)
Ann Scarborough Bull, researcher, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara Jeremy Claisse, associate professor, Biological Sciences Department, Cal Poly Pomona
Dr. Jerry Schubel, president and CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific. The event will be livestreamed on the AOP website, officials said.
According to a local official of the U.S. Census Bureau, the once-a-decade survey of the United States reveals “power” for local businesses, and he will explain more at the March networking meeting of the Los Alamitos Area Chamber.
Joseph Contreras, an official with the Los Angeles Regional Census office of the U.S. Census Bureau will speak to the Chamber this Friday, March 6 at 7:30 a.m.
The Chamber’s meeting will be held at Maderas Steak & Ribs.
According to Contreras, the Census is the nation’s largest provider of statistics and data.
To learn more, the public is invited to attend the monthly meeting. Please pre-pay online to reserve your seat at www.losalchamber.org. The cost is $35 for non-members and $25 for members and military.
Citizens lined up at the Feb. 10 city council meeting to express their misgivings about the city of Cypress’ proposed “partnership” with the Anaheim YMCA.
Further, citizens also complained about the city’s apparently use “selective communications” with citizens about controversial projects.
The back-to-back pleas from residents came during the public comment period of the meeting as the city envisions handing over administrative control of its recreation programs to the Anaheim YMCA.
The city recently announced an “unsolicited proposal” to merge the city recreation programs with the Anaheim based YMCA, which they claim would be a cost saving measure. The city of Anaheim has a population of 340,000 residents compared to approximately 50,000 for Cypress.
In a variety of responses, residents expressed perplexity about why this even happening, and one resident, Brooke Nafarrete said she heard that “somebody on the (YMCA) board is married to somebody on (city) staff.”
Nafarrete also questioned the “fuzzy math” of financial information she requested about the project, questioning by Cypress recreation is paying more than $70,000 in “fringe benefits” for a recreation program in the first place.
As a project manager, she said “when there is a partnership, both sides should have a benefit. After studying the city’s proposal, “I cannot seem to figure out how the youth (of Cypress) benefit from the YMCA’s takeover of Cypress Recreation.
Christian Jackson, a long-time coach, board member and advisor to Cypress recreation programs actually pleaded with the council not to move forward with the plan. “Please don’t just hand over the basketball program to the YMCA without listening to our residents,” he said.
Further, he said if it was simply an issue of money, “People I talk to are willing to pay double” to keep the programs in Cypress.
Brittney Cook also suggested citizens are willing to pay more “to keep it here and find a way to make it work.” If the program is merged with the YMCA, she suggested it “would have really negative consequences for the children; and that is who matters most.”
Nafarrete also complained about the city’s lack of communication about the Shea Homes public hearing, saying she could not find it even listed on the city’s web site.
City manager Peter Grant said the city has never advertised community meetings for third party projects. Further, Grant said the city has unveiled its own mobile app to improve communications between the city and its residents since the “fall of local media.”
He also rejected any impropriety saying the city “does not hold meetings just to say that we had them.”
Makela Bowen?, a 13-year-old Cypress resident, urged the city not to transfer the recreation program to the Anaheim YMCA. Currently, she said such a move would be like breaking up a “real family.”
Further, she said, from a competitive perspective, the YMCA “doesn’t even compete” with the level of play in the Cypress program.
Mayor Ron Johnson said the city is currently evaluating the YMCA proposal before making a final decision.
City employee Adrian Smith gave city officials and the public a walk-through of the local Cypress city app that is now available in most mobile app stores. It will allow residents to transact much of their interaction with the city using a mobile phone.
Cook, while she did complain about the YMCA proposal, gave the city props on the app. “I downloaded it today and whomever was in charge of this did a great job.”
In other action, the city of Cypress:
Heard from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) that is was selected by Money Magazine as the nation’s #1 university, with more than 32,000 students, nearly 25 thousand employees and a $5 billion economic impact.
Learned that SoCal Gas has appointed a local management team for an upcoming gas pipeline upgrade project to affect the city of Cypress.
Heard complaints from several recreational vehicle owners regarding the lack of communication about recent rate hikes and permit changes that were putting them at a parking disadvantage.
Health Ministry’s Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry held a Solidarity Walk and Prayer Vigil to honor victims of human trafficking on the evening of Feb. 8 at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress.
About 65 people attended, including Senator Ling Ling Chang and current Cypress City Councilwoman and former Mayor Stacy Berry.
Solidarity Walk honors victims of human trafficking. Photo by Dave Peeters
Jarring statistics printed on poster board and displayed on easels were noticeable in the church. One stated, “Human trafficking generates an estimated $150 million USD annually.” Another read, “1% of victims are ever rescued.” A third sign stated that, “Every 30 seconds someone becomes a slave.”
The theme was to shine a light on the human suffering caused by human trafficking by informing the public about the reality of this heinous crime that is often hidden in our midst. The goal was for us to become the light of hope to victims to help them find healing and a new life. To exemplify this, lighted candles and lanterns adorned the steps up to the altar in the church.
The solidarity walk started in the church with Taize prayer and then the candle-lit walkers, led by Fr. Aaron Galvizo, proceeded outside with prayers and song to several prayer stations where true stories of human trafficking victims were told. We ended the procession in the Education Building, where resources were available and a table of Fair Trade items was on display.
Representatives from Orangewood Foundation spoke to the group about their mission to assist foster and community youth, who are most vulnerable to human trafficking, to reach their greatest potential in life. We learned that in Orange County 415 human trafficking victims were assisted in 2017 and 2018; 359 of these were victims of sex trafficking; 302 were new victims.
The Orangewood Foundation offers Project Choice to youth ages 11 – 21 years of age to regain their power of choice. It is a safe drop-in center that is non-judgemental where youth can receive basic necessities, such as, hot meals, a shower, clothing and hygiene items, as well as individual therapy, workshops, yoga, a young mom’s group, survivor leadership and peer mentors. Support also includes case management, medical, mental health and substance use support, education and employment assistance, court support and advocacy.
The Orangewood Foundation also has transitional housing for women survivors of sex trafficking ages 18 – 22 in Orange County. This is a home in a confidential location that provides safety, intensive case management, connections to programs, services and community resources. It is a two-year program to help victims heal and gain independence.
Cypress Councilwoman and former Mayor, Stacy Berry, praised the efforts of the Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking to Human Triumph Ministry and told us that Cypress City Council declared the month of January “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” in both 2019 and in 2020.
Senator Ling Ling Chang from the 29th District said that she sponsored a bill that reinstated $10 million to help human trafficking victims. She is seeking to reclassify human trafficking as a violent felony. Senator Chang presented a Certificate of Recognition to St. Irenaeus Church for its efforts to combat human trafficking through increased public awareness and support of vulnerable youth.
Later, everyone was invited to prepare and send letters to their Senators and Congressional Representative, asking them to author or sponsor legislation that fights sex trafficking and other modern forms of slavery. Letters were handed out to be completed by the attendees and mailed to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris and to The Honorable Alan Lowenthal.
The date, Feb. 8, was also the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of human trafficking, as well as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888. We were encouraged to report suspicion of human trafficking so that professionals can investigate it. If you have any questions, contact Monica Kovach, Health Ministry Facilitator at 310-490-6113.
The Kiwanis Club of La Palma on Thursday recognized Walmart and several of the clubs’ members for their work in providing food for those less fortunate this past holiday season.
In recognition of the event, La Palma Mayor Peter Kim and Mayor Pro-tem Nitesh Patel attended the event to thank the club for its work in the community.
The Club recognizes Richard Lutz along with Mayra Wicks and JFK Principal Adam Hernandez.
According to spokesman Mark Pritchard, the Kiwanis club applied for and received a $2,000 grant in late 2019 from Walmart to fund its annual project to feed families. It also funded re-stocking the food pantry at John F. Kennedy High school.
“We are extremely grateful to Walmart for their assistance in our annual holiday food project,” he said. Other members generally expressed gratitude to Walmart for their original decision to move into the community back in 2013.
The large retail space on La Palma Ave. was an eyesore until Walmart decided to utilize the space with a Walmart Neighborhood Market, stores. The market serves community needs but they are typically about one-third the size of the chain’s large supercenters, said one of the members.
The La Palma Kiwanis Club recognizes Keith Nelson.
La Palma Walmart store manager Daniel Cortes was among the delegation of four employees honored at Kiwanis breakfast, including, assistant manager Lisabeth Myers, Mary Ann Smith, MPA and Gabriella Neville, support manager. He thanked the club for the recognition and the community support.
Each year during holiday season, the Kiwanis distributes food baskets and gift cards to selected and screened families in the La Palma area, said Pritchard.
In addition, the club coordinates with the food pantry at Kennedy High School to make sure it is properly stocked. He said the club donated about $500 of the grant to the school’s food pantry.
Accordingly, JFK Principal Adam Hernandez and Myrna Wicks, the school’s family and community engagement specialist, were also honored during this week’s breakfast meeting.
The Kiwanis also honored two of their own members for their work on the program, including Richard Lutz, who coordinates for the club with the JFK food pantry and Keith Nelson, who works with the community to screen the families qualified for the holiday food boxes.
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) crowned its Queen at the Royal Gala on February 7 at The Grand in Long Beach. This year’s queen is retired superintendent Dr. Sherry Kropp. Due to her strong ties to LAEF and the community, and her endless support of Los Al kids, Sherry was appointed by the LAEF Board to be crowned Queen of the Royal Gala and to serve as the LAEF royal ambassador for the year.
The Royal Gala benefits the LAEF STEAM initiative and the grand total raised was nearly $135,000! The funds were raised through business sponsorships, silent auction, live auction, online auction, donations and more.
Carrie Logue, LAEF Executive Director said, “We are thrilled and by the amount of support we received this year from the community and our generous sponsors.”
Top sponsors City National Bank, SXS Industries, Southland Credit Union and PacificWest were on hand to celebrate LAEF’s 2020 Queen. Upon arrival, guests were educated and astonished by live STEAM presentations by Los Alamitos USD students from McGaugh Elementary School, Oak Middle School and Los Alamitos High School. The crowd enjoyed music from a jazz combo of Los Alamitos High School students. Dr. Kropp was surprised shortly after her coronation by members of the McAuliffe Middle School Show Choir who sang “Isn’t She Lovely” to her and each student presented her with a rose. Mark Thomas, of On the Mark auctions, returned as the Master of Ceremonies.
Dr. Kropp was crowned by last year’s King and Queen, George and Linda Sagen, long-time residents and community leaders of Los Alamitos.
LAEF President Kevin Guetig remarked, “I am truly amazed by the ongoing success of the Royal Gala campaign. Our fundraising has totaled to over $870,000 over the past seven years and Royal Gala attendance has grown to 270 community members. These funds will continue to benefit all students as proceeds support our STEAM Initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math), which provides instruction and fairs on all campuses, and the district-wide STEAM showcase on April 25 at LAHS. It also supports Media Center teachers at all elementary schools and seed funds to enhance STEAM learning all year long.”
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence in our community by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to Pre-K to 12th grade students. For additional information on LAEF, please call (562) 799-4700 x80424 or visit www.LAEF4Kids.org.
I don’t have any special expertise in the project or in land development. Mr. Keenan certainly appears to have considerable insight into this project. I looked at https://www.cypresscitycenter.com/faq and find little real information. I looked at the Cypress City web site and find little other than, now with title to the property vesting in the City of Cypress, it’s time to develop the 13 acres.
It all looks adequate. The drawings of the proposed development look a lot like dozens of other developments. Mr. Keenan’s references to additional local dining, a dog park, high-end housing, and additional city revenue all sound good. And they sound like what we might expect.
I question, however, why Mr. Keenan brushes aside concerns with burdening Katella, makes no mention of other infrastructure improvements that would be necessary, or the generic look of the proposed development. I mean just because the zoning seems appropriate and that other nearby developments have similar density and business presences does not remotely suggest that this particular development is wise, well-considered, or friendly to its neighbors.
The burden on Katella will directly affect Los Alamitos. Waze will make sure that drivers on the increasingly impacted avenue will take routes like Farquar, which are not throughfares, but, rather, are just neighborhood routes.
Yes, I’d like more choice in restaurants, more local businesses, and the ability of more people to find housing. I take from Mr. Keenan’s description, however, the housing would only be for the well-to-do.
Those of us in Los Alamitos, especially those of us either on or near Katella, should weigh in on all of this. I suppose this means going to Cypress City Council meetings.
Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana) announced today his introduction of legislation that would assure consumers that Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies will use their genetic data solely for the purposes they consented to.
“The fact that the Pentagon just warned all of the country’s military personnel to avoid home DNA tests should raise bright red flags for all consumers,” said Senator Umberg. “Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing companies have, to date, gone largely unregulated by either state or national governments. This has led to the disclosure of consumers’ private biological information to third parties.”
Although the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) regulates DTC genetic companies by allowing consumers to request information on how their data is being used and to opt out if they so wish, it does not solve the fact that current authorization forms are confusing, and consumers often lack clarity about what they are consenting to. Several media outlets have published stories in recent months of genetic data being improperly used to conduct drug research, discriminate against possible consumers in regard to insurance products, or being stored on hackable private servers.
In December 2019, the Pentagon issued a memo asking service members to not use DTC genetic services due to, “the increased concern in the scientific community that outside parties are exploiting the use of genetic materials for questionable purposes, including mass surveillance and the ability to track individuals without their authorization or awareness.”
Umberg’s measure, Senate Bill 980, creates strict guidelines for authorization forms in a manner that allows consumers to have control over how their DNA will be used. In addition, the measure creates civil penalties for companies that fail to comply with the provisions within it. By passing this act, California would be joining four other states that have made it clear that consumers should control their genetic data without fear of third parties exploiting it. “Forcing these companies to clarify their consent forms and requiring them to obtain written authorization for any genetic data disclosure, including de-identified data, will reassure California consumers that their most personal information is safe,” noted Senator Umberg.
In support of SB 980, Emily Rusch, Executive Director of the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) noted that, “Consumers deserve to have complete control over the sharing of our genetic data, the most personal, private information about our bodies. We strongly support this proposal to require consumers’ opt-in consent before genetic data is shared with third parties.”
Senate Bill 980 (language attached) will be assigned to, and heard, by Senate policy committees in mid-late March.
The Los Alamitos Medical Center recognized heart health month by providing tips to local residents and sponsoring a local luncheon which occurred Feb. 14.
According to Los Al Medical, if you know someone with heart disease, they can take steps immediately to reduce the risks. Here are the tips (in summary):
eat healthy
exercise regularly
don’t smoke
maintain a healthy weight
In addition, the staff at Los Alamitos Medical Center recognized National Heart Health Awareness Month by sponsoring the Orange County Go Red for Women luncheon on Feb. 14th and presenting a community lecture by Dr. Steven Becker.
Becker’s lecture was entitled “Your Heart is in the Right Place.”
Regardless of your age or health, it’s never too late to take steps to start protecting your heart. For more information about heart health, talk with your doctor or call 800-548-5559 for a free referral to a cardiologist near you.
Twenty-eight members and guests came La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) luncheon fundraiser for the AAUW Fund on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery in Cerritos. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful lunch with soup or salad, coffee, tea, lemonade or a soft drink, and a choice of entrée. With enticing entrees of Smoked Salmon Baguette, a Cranberry-Walnut Salad with Chicken, French Dip Beef, or a Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta offered as choices, most of the guests chose the Cranberry-Walnut Salad with Chicken as their entrée. They also came to remember and honor, their beloved member and friend, the late Alberta Brose, and to hear guest speaker Elsie Carbajal, an AAUW Fund Grant winner.,
La Palma-Cerritos AAUW President Harriet Moses and AAUW Fund VP Faith Herschler were pleased to welcome the members and special guests who came to honor Alberta Brose, and meet Elsie Carbajal. Elsie was the winner of the 2019 AAUW Fund Career Development Grant of $12,000. The La Palma-Cerritos branch contributed $5,000 of the AAUW Fund Grant, through donations received from Alberta’s family and branch members, for the Alberta Brose Memorial Scholarship. The Alberta Brose Memorial Scholarship was designated to be given to a woman who returned to college to study for higher degrees, after five or more years absence, just as Alberta returned to school late in her life.
Six other AAUW branches contributed towards Elsie’s grant, including California AAUW branches in Laguna Beach, San Diego County, Los Angeles, San Clemente-Capistrano Bay, Redlands, and Somerset Hills in New Jersey.
Tobi Balma, a founding member of the branch and friend of Alberta Brose, shared some information she received from Alberta’s daughter, Chris Cassidy, about Alberta’s life and inspiring accomplishments. Members may not have known that Alberta began playing the violin at age six and later studied piano. She received a music scholarship to attend college, but she dropped out of college in her sophomore year, at the age of 19 when her mother died of leukemia. She then married at age 20, and she and her husband had three children. Alberta returned to school to study for her college degrees when her youngest child started high school. She got her teaching degrees, and later worked for 10 years to receive a Ph. D degree. She received her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology at UC Riverside in 1982 at the age of 50. When she was not able to find full-time work as a college teacher, she started an Allstate Insurance Agency. She also helped her husband with his home-based production business by making and marketing bounce juggling balls until she was 85 years old. Alberta died at age 86 about three years ago.
After listening to all that Alberta accomplished in her life, Elsie Carbajal was overcome with emotion as she expressed her appreciation for receiving the Alberta Brose Memorial Scholarship through the AAUW Fund Career Development Grant. She said that it was a divine blessing to receive the grant, because she was rejected the first time she tried for a grant. She said that she taught in New Jersey for 13 years before coming to California and had to go back to school to get her California Teaching Credential. She lives in Ontario and is a Special Education teacher in a high school in Riverside County. She received her M.A. degree in Education Leadership in June of 2019.,
Pictured at the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW fundraiser at Mimi’s in Cerritos on Feb. 8, 2020, are, left to right, branch member Tobi Balma, guest speaker Elsie Carbajal, President Harriet Moses, and AAUW Fund VP Faith Herschler.
Elsie said that she has a daughter who has ADHD and is passionate about empowering people with special needs. She also had an aunt with disabilities, who died last year. She said she wanted to show how much she appreciated the AAUW Grant that she received herself by “paying it forward.” She started a fund in her aunt’s name, “Chuly’s Scholarship,” for her Aunt Nereida “Chuly” Rodriguez. She said she hoped to raise $500 for a scholarship to present to a senior at John W. North High School in Riverside County in May of 2020. She said that she wanted to especially help girls with special needs, who need help the most, so that they will exceed their own expectations.
When asked what she does currently as a Special Education teacher, she said teaches beginning literature. She supports students with mild to moderate functional disorders by teaching them how to organize their classwork. She also prepares high school seniors to transition to adult life by teaching
them to write resumes and prepare for interviews. Elsie said that each of her students has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which is reviewed every three years. Elsie then answered individual questions from those present.
Members and guests applauded Elsie’s speech and felt that Elsie truly deserved to receive the AAUW Fund Career Development Grant and the Alberta Brose Memorial Scholarship. They were pleased to meet her in person and felt that Alberta would have been glad that she won the grant.
Special family guests included Alberta Brose’s daughter, Chris Cassidy, and her daughter, Keri Cassidy Busino, who came from Escondido in San Diego County, and Alberta’s granddaughter-in-law, Katherine Cassidy, who came from Oceanside. Other special guests included Carlyn Hemminger, a Past-President and former member of the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW branch Andrea Speredy from the former Rio Hondo/Huntington Beach AAUW Branch.
President Harriet Moses thanked everyone for coming to support the AAUW Fund Career Development Grants, and honor Elsie Carbajal and the late Alberta Brose.
She also announced that the AAUW Los Angeles County Interbranch Council invites everyone to come to a Tea Party on Sunday, March 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Pasadena celebrating International Women’s Day. For more information, contact Harriet at 714-994-1487.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who came to the luncheon, the fundraiser at Mimi’s was a great success! According to La Palma-Cerritos AAUW branch Treasurer Marilyn Forsstrom, the AAUW Fund fundraiser raised a total of $973. These funds will help more graduate women complete their degrees with AAUW Fund Grants.
Chloe, the famous Long Beach rescue pup, set off a roomful of “oohs,” “ahhs” and “oh, how cutes” when she made a special guest appearance at the Rossmoor Woman’s Club meeting on February 12.
Chloe attended with human friend Diana Kliche of Fix Long Beach, a nonprofit organization that provides free spay and neuter services for dogs and cats, small dog rescues and outreach to provide necessities for the pets of homeless individuals.
The maltese-poodle-terrier mix generated international attention shortly after Thanksgiving in 2017 when she was found beaten, soaked in human urine and stuffed into a plastic bag in a trash bin in Long Beach. Fix Long Beach stepped in to get Chloe medical care (to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars, paid mostly by donations, Kliche said) and to find her a loving forever home. (Chloe’s abuser has not been found, although there is still an outstanding $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.)
Fix Long Beach was founded in 2013 and serves the Long Beach area and southern Los Angeles Counties with mobile spay and neuter clinics held in local parks and run by licensed veterinarians. The goal was to keep unwanted animals out of shelters, and since the organization’s inception, the number of pets euthanized in Long Beach has dropped 94 percent, Kliche said. Find more information online at www.fixlongbeachpets.com
Rossmoor Woman’s Club President Maggie Paul presented Kliche with a donation of $2,000 from the club, which raises money to support local non-profit organizations through various fundraisers, including the annual Holiday Home Tour every December and Spring Garden Tour each May.
At the meeting, the club also heard from a representative of another of its sponsored charities, African Sisterhood. This organization was founded by Jessica Ridgeway in 2016 when she was a student at Los Alamitos High School. After visiting Kenya with her family, Ridgeway had been appalled to learn that many girls had to drop out of school when they began menstruating because of a lack of sanitary supplies. She formed African Sisterhood to make reusable sanitary napkins, which are packaged in kits with underwear, soap, washcloths and other necessary items.
Rossmoor Woman’s Club members were among volunteers who helped make the napkins last year, and Jessica’s mother Tricia Ridgeway spoke at the meeting to update the group on African Sisterhood’s work.
Last year, African Sisterhood distributed just over 300 kits to two orphanages, two schools and a rescue center. This year it plans to donate another 300 kits and to purchase a sewing machine for the Tasaru rescue center in the Narok district of Kenya.
Girls who have received the kits have been able to avoid early marriages and continue their educations, and “when you provide girls with educations, you give back to the entire community,” Tricia Ridgeway said, wiping tears from her eyes.
Ridgeway also invited the group to attend the premiere of a documentary film about African Sisterhood, “Stitched at the Heart,” produced by David N. Young, editor of the Los Alamitos Event News-Enterprise.
The premiere is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 21 at the Art Theater of Long Beach, 2025 East Fourth St., Long Beach. Tickets are $20 and are available online at africansisterhood.org or by emailing africansisterhood@aol.com.
A very appreciative group gathered to honor the Sailors of the Quarter from the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, at the regular monthly meeting of the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation at the Elks Lodge in Garden Grove held on Thursday, February 13, 2020.
GPS recognized the outstanding sailors with Certificates of Appreciation and other gifts including beautiful plaques from the United States Automobile Association. In addition, the sailors were given gift certificates and coupons from the following local restaurants: Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant, Chick-fil-A, Coaches Sports Grill, Finbars Italian Restaurant, Hennessey’s Tavern, The Crab Cooker (Tustin), California Pizza Kitchen (Rossmoor), Santa Fe Importers, and O’Malley’s On Main.
Sailors of the Quarter from NWSSB were: Senior Sailor: MA1 Nicholas Merced; Junior Sailor: MA2 Patrick Myers; and Blue Jacket: MA3 Elise Flores. Sailors of the Quarter from Navy Munitions Command Pacific Conus West Division Unit Seal Beach were: Senior Sailor: MN1 Christian Quezada; Junior Sailor: MN2 Yanina Carrero; and Bluejacket: GM3 Wallace Garlington.
Unfortunately, the sailors from NWSSB could not attend the meeting or awards program because of the needs of the Weapons Station.
Tim Brown, Commanding Officer of Grampaw Pettibone Squadron, presented the certificates and to the sailors. He was assisted by Michael Just, Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Navy Munitions Command, West Division, Seal Beach, and GPS Chaplain Bill Thompson.
The guest speaker for the meeting was COL Greg Raths, USMC (Ret.) who told the audience about his days as a Marine Corps aviator flying various aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and F-18 Hornet in war and peace. He also related a few examples of cheating death while flying. His stories, plus many more, are contained in his book, “9 Lives of a Fighter Pilot”. COL Raths is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 45th Congressional District.
America’s favorite dance show is going back on tour this winter with “Dancing with the Stars – Live Tour 2020.” The longest running tour to date will be dancing through Segerstrom Center for the Arts on March 25 in Segerstrom Hall. Celebrity contestant Kate Flannery (The Office) will be joining the show to wow live audiences across the country by performing fan-favorite routines from this past season.
Single tickets start at $49 and are available online at www.SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. VIP packages will be available through VIPNation.com, giving fans the chance to purchase premium tickets, meet and greet opportunities with the cast, exclusive merchandise and photo opportunities.
The all-new production will feature fan-favorite professional dancers wowing audiences with every type of dance style as seen on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars. The show continues its legacy of performing showstopping routines alongside new numbers choreographed just for the live show ranging from the time-honored dances of the Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Tango – and everything in between. In the longest and most expansive North American tour to date, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the excitement, glamour and glitz they see in the ballroom every Monday night live in their hometowns.
The tour delivers a spectacular night of dance performances from world-renowned dancers including Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Witney Carson, Sasha Farber, Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Brandon Armstrong, Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach.
“Dancing with the Stars – Live Tour 2020” is produced by Faculty Productions in association with BBC Studios. The show is directed by Mark “Swany” Swanhart and co-directed by Amanda Balen. The cast is subject to change.
Christine Ball, President of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association, producers of the annual event, said “it is my privilege to announce our Parade Grand Marshal for this year will be four-time Gold Medal Olympic Champion, Greg Louganis, the greatest diver in the world.
“We are honoring Greg Louganis in observance of the 36th Anniversary of his first two Gold Olympic Medals, which he won here in Los Angeles at the 1984 Olympics, while at the same time celebrating Greg’s 60th Birthday, which was January 29th. Our theme for this year’s Strawberry Festival will be ‘Celebrating the Olympics,” said Ball.
Additional celebrity talent riding in the parade will be announced in the near future,” she added.
“It is my great honor to be selected as Grand Marshal of the 62nd Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival’s Parade,” said Louganis. “I am very grateful for my career and the opportunities I have been given and feel it’s important to give back,” he added.
The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association is a perfect example of a volunteer organization, which gives back to their community by raising monies at their annual Festivals, which is then awarded to deserving non-profits serving the citizens of Garden Grove.
“At the end of the day, that’s what life is all about, giving back,” said Ball.
Lights, camera, action! On February 14, 2020, the students of Frank Vessels Elementary School in the Cypress School District debuted their inaugural musical theater production of Disney Aladdin Kids to the student body. This was followed by evening performances for families and friends on February 18 and 19.
The production, made possible by Disney Musicals in Schools and Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, showcased the amazing singing, dancing, and acting skills of our talented students. Segerstrom provided an amazing level of support and coaching, ensuring a seamless and noteworthy production that was truly memorable for our students and community.
Last spring, Vessels was one of only five Orange County schools to receive a grant from Disney Musicals in Schools. Fifty-eight students in third through sixth grade rehearsed singing, dancing, and acting for 16 weeks under the direction of teachers Julienne Whiteman and Lori McMullin and librarian Stacey Burke. Mrs. Whiteman and Mrs. McMullin were recently honored as nominees for Parenting OC Magazine’s Top Teachers of Orange County award.
We are proud of our teachers and students and all that they have accomplished this year. We look forward to the continued success of our students in musical theater at our school. Vessels Elementary School is truly a great place to learn, and it shows in all that we do!
Run Seal Beach is still 35 days away, but Seal Beach resident Jon Grillo is already feeling the pressure. Not about the race. Grillo is an avid runner and finished 30th overall in the 10K event last year. Running is the easy part for Grillo.
What has him stressed this year is the pressure he is putting on himself to field the largest team. Grillo, 38, teaches world history at McAuliffe Middle School and is in his fifth year of organizing the school’s team. Last year he was able to draw 180 runners onto the McAuliffe team, the largest team in the field. Now he wants to repeat that feat.
“It stresses me out big time,” Grillo said.
Students and their families are the main target for Grillo. He encourages students to register for the race and join the McAuliffe team. Not only encourage, he gets time on the school’s morning announcements and challenges them to run. He offers to buy lunch for any student who beats his time in the 10K. So far, he said he’s only had to buy one lunch.
Grillo pushes the students in fun. But he’s also encouraging them to stay active. Whether they run or walk in the event, he just wants them to participate, for their own benefit and the benefit of the school. Each year, the non-profit Run Seal Beach distributes grants with the money raised to area programs for health and exercise. McAuliffe applies for money to help fun PE and other health equipment and activities.
“That money comes back,” Grillo said of the entry fees.
As a major participant, McAuliffe has a few free entries they can use so the school recently held a student vs. teacher race for a raffle for free entries. Dozens of students showed up after school for a one-lap race against teachers for raffle tickets. Just as many students showed up to watch the races.
There were two races and each time dozens of students raced several teachers and principals and received a raffle ticket for each teacher they beat. Students were sizing up teachers as they got out to the track, talking about which ones they should be able to beat and which ones were the ones might be a challenge.
One student was heard, asking “what about Grillo?” another replied, “he’s more of a distance runner,” not too concerned with his speed. Students were very successful in winning raffle entries and Grillo freely admitted after the race that he is not a sprinter.
In the 10K, however, students will be challenged to beat his time.
Still, for Grillo, the race becomes the secondary goal for anyone who joins the team. For Grillo, primary goal is to bring people together and give them a sense of community for run or walk.
“I think being part of a team is more fun that running on your own,” Grillo said.
In any given year, the race fieldbetween 30 and 40 teams. One of the benefits is that if you have enough runners for a team, race organizers will deliver shirts and bibs to a team organizer, so runners don’t have to show up to collect their own at the event. Race Committee member Tim Mosa said that teams help market the race.
“It’s really good for the race,” Mosa said.
Grillo has t-shirts made for the McAuliffe team, in addition to the shirts provided by the race. Last year, the school used a font like the one used for the band Metallica, for the McAuliffe shirts. The bright blue shirts and lettering stand out among the crowd.
Run Seal Beach has had up to 6,000 runners in past years. In the races 45 year history, it has distributed more than $1.8 million in grants to schools and community organizations. Runners registering for a team get a discount. The cost goes up from $35 to $40 after Feb. 27.
Grillo is in his sixth year teaching at McAuliffe. Having grown up in Seal Beach, he attended McAuliffe and graduated from Los Alamitos High. This is his fifth year leading the organization of the McAuliffe team, having taken over for teacher Valerie Miller, who led the team for many years. Trying to top 180 participants will be a challenge, but Grillo is reminding students that they can extend the challenge to others as well.
“it’s not just for students, get everybody,” Grillo tells his students.
Worried that another state agency will swoop in and grab the remaining amount of local taxing power, the city council in a special meeting Feb. 3 discussed the possibility of seeking a sales tax increase of 1.5 percent, though they will take the discussion to the city voters before making a final decision.
City attorney Michael Daudt and Finance Director Erik Hendrickson explained that the California Revenue code prohibits local governments from increasing their tax base more than two percent.
Council members perked up even more when they learned that a state agency has already captured one-half percent of that existing taxing power.
As the city sprints toward the finish line of a two-year process to put itself back on a sound financial footing, council members have until July to continue discussing their options before placing a measure on the ballot.
While a one-percent sales tax would provide the city sufficient revenue to both meet its pension obligations and run the city without any noticeable reduction in services, the added half-percent would allow for capital improvements.
The additional half-cent discussion comes following a series of outreach meetings and includes the results of a professional survey, in which had voters indicated to city officials they may be supportive of a one cent sales tax, which will marginally provide sufficient new funds to continue operating the city while also paying off a massive pension debt.
Council member Dean Grose said the city should not follow the example of nearby Seal Beach, where voters last year approved a one-cent sales tax which, according to Grose, was mostly being used for “salary increases.”
Seal Beach will potentially have to go back to voters again soon, as likely will the city of Westminster, Grose suggested as the city should strongly consider the additional half-cent.
According to Finance Director Erik Hendrickson, a one-cent sales tax would provide sufficient revenue to continue to operate, but a 1.5 cent sales tax would also give the city an option to pursue some urgently needed capital improvement projects.
Moreover, the council was concerned to learn that the Orange County Transportation has already used one-half cent of the city’s taxing authority after which each member suggested the city should try to use the remaining authority before another state agency gets approval to get a portion of the sales tax.
Translated, this means that one-half percent of all sales taxes collected in the city of Los Al is sent directly to OCTA. The Council expressed concern that if they did not use the remaining 1.5 percent for themselves, other state agencies might try to have their own measures approved.
“My personal feeling is that given the situation, when citizens look back years from now, they will think it was the right thing to do,” said Mayor Richard Murphy, referring to the additional half percent. If we’re going to get taxed, let’s keep it in the city,” he added.
Council member Shelley Hasselbrink said she has been speaking with her neighbors and believes “we can do this.” Based on her personal interaction with residents, Hasselbrink suggested she thinks once voters understand the entire taxing scenario, they will support adding the additional half percent to the one percent. “Somebody’s going to get it and it might as well be us,” she said.
“We need a one-cent sales tax to survive,” said council member Mark Chirco. While he’s open to support adding the additional half percent, Chirco said he first wanted to see “pretty good assurances” that residents would favor the increase to 1.5 percent before actually agreeing to ask for the entire amount.
Council member Tanya Doby said the city needs to put forward a “united front,” regardless of what they decide to do, adding that getting out to the neighborhoods was the best form of outreach.
It also seemed clear from the special meeting discussion that the city is also not interested in putting more than one measure on a single ballot, concluding that also putting an increase in the hotel transient occupancy tax on the same ballot would confuse voters.
The city of Los Alamitos only currently charges incoming guests eight (8) percent while the law allows up to twelve (12) percent. Hasselbrink said the city should wait at least until the Marriott property now under construction is completed next year before seriously discussing any change.
Even with some grumbling about the last survey performed by FM3, the council agreed to potentially bring them back in to create a “statistically valid survey” regarding the 1.5 tax measure before making a final decision.
City manager Chet Simmons said he will work with Hendrickson and others to put together some outreach options and survey cost estimates for the next meeting on fiscal sustainability. City officials expressed confidence that his experience in his prior positions would serve them well on outreach and fiscal issues.
The Council also discussed measures to protect the long-term use of funds, should voters approve the 1.5 percent measure. “Even if the 1.5 percent measure is proposed and approved, we’re still going to use best practices” to promote fiscal sustainability, said Murphy.
A Los Alamitos dentist has been recognized by more than 8,000 dentists around the world after developing a treatment for successful alignment that most dentists apparently thought would not have been possible. Dr. Barry Israel, DDS was recognized at the recent Invisalign Summit in Las Vegas, NV for a successful treatment case he submitted for the Invisalign GP Summit Shootout. His treatment case was voted as a best-in-class example by his fellow doctors of the successful patient results that can be achieved with Invisalign.
Having now practiced general dentistry in Los Al for more than two decades, Israel said this week he was “thrilled” to learn that he his case was selected, but at once taken was aback to learn he would have to present the case in person on stage before 1,600 fellow dentists.
And while it was “a tremendous honor to be recognized by his peers”, Israel said the honor was somewhat bittersweet. Israel said he only decided to prepare the massive amount of paperwork to enter the Shootout following the death of his of his younger sister Marni.
“In a way, entering the Shootout was therapy for me,” he said, noting the hours and hours it took to retrace and document the case that he pursued only following her loss.
The Invisalign Summit is Align Technology’s premier clinical education conference. Doctors from around the world share their treatment experiences, learn clinical techniques and best practices from Invisalign experts, and review new treatment tools and educational resources.
A highlight of the conference is the culmination of the Invisalign GP (General Practitioner) Summit Shootout, a months-long competition where doctors throughout the United States and Canada demonstrate their successful use of Invisalign to treat patients with especially complex conditions. That competition was this year won by the Los Alamitos dentist.
More than 170 treatment cases were submitted in four categories, including Crowding, Spacing, Interdisciplinary, and Bonus. The treatment cases were evaluated prior to going through a double-blind voting process.
General practice doctors throughout North America voted on each treatment case based on before and after photos. Special consideration was given to the difficulty of the treatment and the results achieved. Over 8,000 votes were cast on the 100 top scoring treatment cases.
Israel’s treatment case received the highest score in the Interdisciplinary category.
While challenges in dentistry still exist, make no mistake. Israel loves his work; even more since the digital revolution has inspired technologies like the iTero Element and Invisalign. “It’s hard to believe how much the digital revolution has exploded in dentistry,” said Israel this week.
While the actual process has not changed, the tools now available to dentists have been revolutionized by digital technology.
Long gone are the clay models as dentists, now use hand held scanners to create 3-D renditions of a patient’s gums and mouth. Israel says “it is really fun” as he explains the computer animation on a screen that depicts the movement, over time, of his patients teeth. The Invisalign retainers slowly nudge teeth into new positions to create better alignment and thus, an improved smile for the patient.
According to a statement from Align technology, “we revolutionized the orthodontic industry with the introduction of the Invisalign system, and we have never lost sight of that spirit of innovation.”
“Our teams are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—from 3D printing technology to new aligner materials and new software algorithms that determine the optimal way to move teeth digitally with one goal in mind,” said the statement.
Israel, like hundreds of thousands of dentists and orthodontists around the world, have fully embraced the new technology. Here is how it works:
After a dentist scans a patient’s mouth, they use the digital technologies, including x-rays, to determine the amount of pressure required to move teeth around inside the mouth to achieve a better smile.
Using the Align Technology program, dentists use computer-based algorithms, combined with their dental knowledge, to create a successful treatment plan that projects the amount of time it will take for a series of clear, medical grade plastic retainers worn by the patient to slowly align their teeth.
Israel said dentists then submit the program to international professionals who literally create a 360 degree, 3-D model to demonstrate what the dentist has ordered in their treatment plans before sending it back. The 3-D rendition illustrates the movement of the teeth, weekamd animates, week-by-week, the prescribed program as dentists make final changes before sending it back for the retainers to be made.
“Dentistry is an art and a science,” he said.
In every human mouth, he says, the bottom teeth are almost always shaped by the upper layer of the mouth. The “upper arch is the criminal and the lower arch is the victim,” said Israel.
“The case I submitted and won was an extreme case, yet the patient was extremely motivated.”
Given the extreme situation in her mouth, Israel said most experts would have thought the Invisalign process would not work.
In today’s dental world, the old standard, metal braces, are only used in the most extreme cases. “She told me I don’t want to have metal braces,” so Israel designed the program that ultimately was honored by his peers. It was such an “extreme” case, dentists would have not thought the teeth could have been straightened by Invisalign retainers alone, he said.
Israel said he noticed that her wisdom teeth were “impacted,” meaning they were still below the gum on the bone of her jaw. “They had never erupted,” he said, so he thought by surgically extracting them, there might be room for the remaining teeth to be moved.
Over time, his treatment was successful and when the peer review by thousands of dentists acknowledged Israel’s work, he was invited to present the case to more than 1,600 fellow dentists.
Immediately, he called a friend of his to help him prepare for his new role as a public speaker. While the opportunity was gratifying, he said, it was also terrifying to stand before a packed auditorium of peers as he recently presented the case in Las Vegas.
“Thankfully, after the first slide, all the butterflies went away.”
To ensure he delivers the best results for his patients, Israel said he continually leverages improvements in oral healthcare technologies, materials, and techniques. Additionally, he is a partner in the San Antonio Orthodontic Study Group, which provides ongoing education for dentists.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California Dental School. He was also a faculty member at the USC Dental School for six years, instructing students in the dental clinic as they treated patients.
Israel is an active member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Harbor Dental Association, as well as the International Association for Orthodontics.
“I love improving my patients lives by improving their smiles”, he said. “It was a tremendous honor to have one of those smiles judged by my fellow doctors as a best-in-class example of just what can be achieved,” said Israel.
“It was an absolute thrill to present my treatment case to them, live and in person, and to learn firsthand from the other category winners how I can help my patients’ smile even more.”
The Universal Dance Association (UDA) National High School Dance Competition just concluded in Orlando, Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The event is held every year and hosts over 60 high school dance teams that earn their way to the event by winning regional competitions. It is the premier event for any high school dance team.
Los Alamitos Varsity Song team participated in four different categories (Game Day, Jazz, Pom and Worlds). On day one of the event during pre-lims, LAHS was the high scorer in three of the categories which sent them straight to the finals.
It was a tremendous advantage to get a bye for the next round of semi’s on Saturday. Worlds is only held on Sunday, so there was no preliminary round.
On Saturday during the competition, LAHS Song team won the National title for Game Day. This is a relatively new category that comprises of three short game day dances and a video of the team participating in sideline routines at games and community involvement. LAHS repeated a National Champs in this category.On Sunday, LAHS Song put together an awesome performance and won the National Title in one of the most difficult categories, Jazz. This is one of the premier categories held during the entire competition. LAHS won the title back in 2017. LAHS Song team also repeated as the World Title champs as well. This category is smaller, but represents countries from around the World (Mexico, Columbia, Canada, Ukraine, Mongolia and the USA). The team pulled off a fifth place finish in the Pom category. The category is stacked with local talent like Rancho Santa Margarita, Marter Dei, Poway and Rosary Academy. The winner came from St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio.
The fourteen girls of LAHS Song (3 of which are seniors) all attend LAHS and are taught by Jennifer Ramirez. They fly home tonight wearing their prestigious “white jackets” that are only awarded to National Champs. Their winning videos can be seen on YouTube, UDA website and will air nationally on ESPN in a few weeks. They are expected to be honored at a LAUSD Board meeting in the coming weeks.
A “suspicious” backpack found by the school resource officer caused a brief of chaos at Los Alamitos High School early Thursday morning.
School officials quickly evacuated the school and motorists in the area were diverted around the school as police and other law enforcement officials were called in to investigate.
In a statement shortly after the incident, LAUSD Supt. Andrew Pulver said “this (Thursday) morning, an unclaimed backpack was found in the School Resource Office near the main office at the High School.
Based upon the recommendation of Los Alamitos Police Department, we have evacuated the campus to the designated safety evacuation area on the fields.”
He noted that the Los Alamitos Police Department was then investigating the backpack and contents.
“Students and staff are safe in the evacuated area,” said Pulver immediately following the evacuation order was given.
Pulver later noted that the all clear had been given two hours after the initial incident.
“It was a misplaced backpack that caused concern but has been deemed by law enforcement to pose no threat” the school or the students, said Pulver. Following the brief evacuation, school continued as normal.
