According to the Cypress Police Department, a routine traffic stop has led to the arrest of a driver with an outstanding felony warrant and a cache of drugs and ammo.
A Cypress Police Department spokesperson said authorities said officers with the Cypress Police Department conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver had an outstanding felony warrant for a probation violation. During the search of his vehicle, authorities found:
Over 4 pounds of methamphetamine
6 ounces of fentanyl powder
6 ounces of heroin
Psilocybin mushrooms
Several hundred counterfeit fentanyl
Adderall and Xanax pills Additionally, dozens of rounds of ammunition and over $7,500 were seized.
The suspect was arrested for various felony narcotics and weapons violations and was booked into the Orange County Jail.
The family and friends of Sarkis Manoukian are mourning his loss, a business owner who passed away only one day after his mother, according to a statement issued by his family. Manoukian died unexpectedly June 23, his family said. Sadly, his mother had passed away just one day earlier.
Manoukian owned and operated Norm’s Automotive, a well known automotive shop in Los Al known and respected by his many customers throughout the city, including city officials, the Los Al PD and many others were heartbroken to hear about his death.
His wife Carol Manoukian issued the following statement.
“Thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of love, support, and compassion as our family walks through the heartbreaking loss of both Sarkis and his mother – just one day apart. Your kindness has carried us through an unimaginable time, and we are deeply grateful.
In light of these recent losses, we will be closing at 12:00 p.m. Friday, July 11th. We will be closed Saturday, July 12th, and will reopen on Monday, July 14th at 7:00 a.m.
We also want to share something deeply meaningful to us: our sons, David and Michael, have made the courageous and selfless decision to leave their lives and business in Austin, Texas, to return home and carry on their father’s legacy. Sarkis built this business with heart, integrity, and a relentless commitment to doing right by every customer. David and Michael are committed to honoring that same spirit, and to making their dad proud.
In the coming weeks, they will begin implementing a new computer system designed to streamline and modernize our operations – but as with any transition, this will take time. For now, we will be limiting our workload and focusing on smaller jobs as we prepare to lay our loved ones to rest, allow the boys time to wrap up responsibilities in Texas, and help them transition home permanently.
Many of you may remember that David worked closely with his dad until moving to Texas to earn his Master’s degree in Geoscience, and Michael was by his father’s side every day until three years ago, when he joined David in launching their own venture. Their return now is a full-circle moment – one grounded in love, duty, and devotion.
We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this time. We will be back to full operations as soon as possible, and you have our word that the business Sarkis built will continue with the same honesty, care, and compassion that defined his every day. It’s not just in our plans – it’s in our blood.
Later this summer, we will be holding a Celebration of Life in honor of Sarkis – an opportunity for all who knew and loved him to come together and remember the incredible man he was. It will be open to the public, and details will be shared throughout the community as the date approaches.
Thank you for standing with us during this time. Your support means more than words can express.
While most were out celebrating freedom with fireworks, about 50 or 60 protesters walked peacefully outside the gates of the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on July 4 to use their freedom of speech to protest the use of ICE and the National Guard troops stationed now being trained to wage street war with other Americans.
Organizers Stephanie Wade and Amy Stevens, of OC Indivisible Coalition, said it was a protest, not against the troops, but a protest to disagree with the way they are being used.
“With a masked, secret police abducting people off the streets to ship them, sans due process, to foreign gulags and the National Guard deployed to Los Angeles in a provocative attempt to incite fear and violence, many of us felt that the most patriotic thing we could do on Independence Day was to protest the un-American activities now being run out of our local base,” said Wade.
“I want to be very clear about something,” said Wade after the protest. “I did this not because I’m antagonistic to the 4000 National Guardsmen that are operating outside of this base, Joint Forces Training Base here in Orange County, California. “I did this not because I don’t support the troops,” he continued, “I did it because I support the troops and what I really want to make certain of is that none of them make the wrong decision if they’re given an unlawful order,” said Wade.
‘I spent nine years in the Marine Corps and am very proud to say that I was an infantry officer who served with distinction. I wasn’t protesting the troops, I was protesting to support them.”
As ENE has reported since the federal initiative began, certain detachments of the military and immigration police are using JFTB as a base of operations. Federal officials have made a major investment in the base, creating massive tents for housing, mess halls, training and presumably for other purposes.
Srephanie Wade outside JFTB. Couttesy photo
Wade said protesters wanted to send a specific message to the 4000 guardsmen who may be “acting on orders against the interests of the people in Los Angeles every day. Just this week, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and the city Council held a news conference to protest a show of force in MacArthur Park while Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeatedly tried to regain control of the state’s National Guard to redeploy them to other missions.
Wade was joined by other protestors who said they disapproved of the federal initiative.
“Many of us in Orange County didn’t feel very celebratory this July 4th – our immigrant neighbors being brutally kidnapped while just trying to live their lives and support their families,” said protester Amy Stevens.
She said peaceful demonstrations have been interrupted by police forces with “less lethal” weapons and tear gas, our cities occupied by our own military. I couldn’t party while I felt so much rage and anguish,” she said.
“What else could we do but follow the example of the earliest Americans and protest government overreach and discriminatory practices,” said Stevens. Some folks organized, others planned last-minute pop-ups,” she said. She said tensions are building within growing areas of the county.
“In Villa Park, a man named Mel stood on the street corner he’s been on every Friday for weeks, this time with dozens of supporters; in Irvine a last-minute sign-wave and food drive drew over 800 people and filled 16+ vehicles with food and essential items for those affected by ICE raids; in San Clemente a family resisted alone and a lone woman walked an intersection in Huntington Beach; there were many other groups big and small throughout the county,” said Stevens.
“And in Los Alamitos, 75 people gathered to send a message to the armed troops sent to quell Constitutionally-protected speech, possibly with violence: You don’t have to follow unlawful orders, your oath demands it of you,” said Stevens.
That was a message that she and the other protestors wanted to get to the troops as many in this group expected the situation to get worse.
Stevens, who lives in Villa Park, said she has founded The Indivisible Coalition to give people a voice as the federal initiative continues.Wade and Stevens could not point to any unlawful orders given, but they say if the situation deteriorates, it is not out of the question.
Wade said he used the example of the order given by former General Mark Milley and the Secretary of Defense used to “disobey one of President Trump’s orders like my sign says General Milly and Secretary of Defenses for how to disobey one of Trump’s unlawful orders in 2019 and 2020 when the President suggested shooting unarmed protesters.”
Wade, a former Marine, said troops have a duty under the Uniform Code of Military Justice to disobey that and any other order they know or ought to know is unlawful. “I say that because the fate of our democracy may soon depend on young men and women in uniform refusing to follow unlawful orders, he predicted.
While it has been widely reported that President Trump asked Joint Chairman Milley and Secretary Mark Esper about shooting protesters in the legs, there is no documentation that the President ever actually gave the order after Milley and Esper provided their infamous input.
“I want these young guardsmen, and most of them are extremely young…I want to fortify them with the courage, and I want them to consider under what circumstances they would disobey an unlawful order,” she said.
“They have an obligation, and they all know it,” said Wade.
“I don’t want them to make the wrong decision and do something like shoot unarmed peaceful protesters and then have to live with that kind of a moral injury for the rest of their lives,” said Wade, not to mention you know I think these protests are going to grow and grow and they must grow and then they’ll grow exponentially.”
Although no such orders have been documented, the former Marine warned “if they resort to nothing but naked violence against unarmed Americans, that’s when these protests will explode,” citing other examples when this has happened.
July 4 protesters at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. Courtesy photo
SIn past conflicts, when the organs of state and institutions determined they should deploy violence against their citizens, that “they have a positive obligation to disobey. It is unlawful to do so,” said Wade, suggesting that was intent of the protest to let the National Guardsmen inside know of their choice.
It is incumbent on all of us–civilian and veteran alike–to remind these young warriors that they are meant to protect, not repress the American people,” she said.
If any such orders are given to act upon citizens, Wade said American troops will have a duty, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, to disobey that and any other order they know or ought to know is unlawful.
“I say that because the fate of our democracy may soon depend on young men and women in uniform refusing to follow unlawful orders and I say it because I don’t want them, in the heat of crisis, to make a wrong decision that they will carry as a moral injury for the rest of their lives,” she said.
“Ultimately, I think in the end, these Guardsmen are not going to side against the American people, I don’t believe they will.”
Lt. Col. Dan Fox, JFTB base commander, said National Guard troops “absolutely retain the right to protect themselves, but I can assure you they are under no orders to shoot anyone,” he said in response to the protest.
The City of Los Alamitos has announced at its most recent Council meeting that it will soon introduce its own system to transport senior citizens around town free of charge.
“This is just the first step in the implementation of our senior master plan,” said City Manager Chet Simmons, announcing plans to roll out a four-vehicle transportation system that will provide free transportation within the city for residents 55 and above.
“This will be the first of its kind in Orange County,” he said.
With a growing population of over 55 residents, Simmons said the city worked with the Orange County Transportation Authority to partly fund the service and that the city had found a local sponsor to fund half of the city’s share of the matching part of the grant.
Ron Noda, the city’s Director of Development Services, said more than 10 percent of senior residents noted in a recent survey that transportation was a growing problem. City officials said residents 55 and over currently make up more than 30 percent of the city’s population and is a growing sector.
Noda said the entire cost of the project is $3.8 million, with OCTA playing half the cost, with the city responsible for a 50 percent match for the $1.9 million grant.
The seven-year project will cost approximately $257,000 per year, with the OCTA paying the other 50 percent, he added. “While the city has its first-year matching taken care off, “we’re working very hard to to get either a grant or a sponsor to cover the next six years.”
Noda said the company called “Circuit,” which runs similar programs in nearby communities, has been awarded the project following a request for proposals.
Accordingly, he said that discussions are underway to potentially provide transportation to other communities such as Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Cypress, etc.
Right now, said Noda, the proposal will only provide free transportation to “every corner of Los Alamitos.”
In response to a question from Council member Emily Hibard, Noda said persons under 55 will not be prohibited from riding, but there may be a small fee of $3, although he noted exact amounts would not be determined until the program was fully developed and approved by the Council.
Noda suggested the service will operate much like a current ride-share operation, where residents can notify the service when they need to be dropped off or return from a doctor’s visit, or whatever.
“We are very excited about the program,” he said. Although waiting times will vary, he said residents should have to wait between 8-10 minutes for a ride to arrive.
He said the project will fund a fleet of four electric vehicles, including two sedans, one bus, and a larger-type bus, primarily for citizens requiring service under the American with Disabilities Act.
“All of the vehicles will be electric, and the carbon footprint will be zero,” he said.
Noda said the proposals for the service requested operations of five days per week, 12 hours per day, probably Tuesday – Saturday, although that was not yet official.
In addition, Noda told Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink that the service will offer communications in various languages to accommodate everyone in the city.
He said the vehicles, once acquired, will be branded with the city’s logo and other markings.
In other action, the city honored Sydney Forsyte, a senior at Los Alamitos High School, who had spearheaded the effort to bring the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” exhibit to her school. She is the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors and an intern with the Freedom Writers Foundation.
“I want to thank the city for declaring Anne Frank day here in the city of Los Alamitos, “ said Forsyte, who recently graduated from LAHS, “especially at a time when it is more important than ever to stand united against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, “ she said.
“Since working with Anne Frank LA to bring the travelling freaking exhibit to Los Alamitos high school where I just graduated by the way yeah I witnessed a truly inspiring shift students coming together learning and story and embracing the importance of inclusion and empathy in everyday life another learning and story,” Forsyte told the Council.
“Today our city not only preserves Anne Frank’s voice and legacy, but also affirms its commitment to compassion, justice, and fighting against hatred of all forms, she said.
Mayor Hasselbrink said while several major cities in Los Angeles have declared Anne Frank Day, Los Alamitos becomes the first in Orange County to do so. From here on, May 12 will be remembered as Anne Frank Day in the city, said Hasselbrink.
In other action, the city heard from former Mayor Marilyn Poe and Debbie Kent, Vice President and President, respectively, of the Los Alamitos museum, as they thanked the city and its public works department for the recent upgrades to the museum.
Kent reported that the museum recently hosted a luncheon for city workers to show their appreciation for everything the city does to support the historical association.
“Everybody that works there is a volunteer,” she said, “and we all love the city or we wouldn’t be there. We thank the city for its support of the building and for keeping it beautiful,” Kent told the Council.
Sisi, a 14-year-old dachshund from Seal Beach, is this year’s Senior AmbassaDOG for the 2025 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals to be held at Los Alamitos Race Course starting at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. There will be a total of 14 doxie races with the championship race to be contested at 9:15 p.m.
Sisi will lead the pack in the Long In the Tail division — a special race for dachshunds aged six and older — bringing her spirit and joy to fans who have adored her for years. A total of 10 doxies will compete in the Long In the Tail race with the winner advancing to the Wiener Nationals Championship race to also be held on July 12.
Sisi’s journey is one of second chances and unconditional love. “Sisi was 8 about to turn 9 when we got her,” shared her mom, Kiley Majeski. “One of my softball students messaged me during the pandemic and said, ‘There is a weenie dog that needs a home, do you want her?’ Sisi’s original owners had surrendered her, and she was living at an animal hospital before we brought her to her new home.”
Since then, Sisi has become the heart of Kiley’s family. “She’s changed my life a great deal. Having a senior dog reminds me not to take any days for granted and to enjoy the moment I’m in,” Kiley reflected. “Sisi has taught me to live in the now and appreciate every moment. Even on the hard days, I remind myself how lucky I am she’s here with me.”
Fans of Sisi know she’s living the dream: “She is literally living her best years and life really does revolve around Sisi!” Kiley laughed. “She goes on vacations, has weekend adventures, gets handmade meals, and is never short of an extra treat!” Her involvement in the Wiener Nationals was a longtime goal. “I was a huge fan of the race before ever having a dachshund,” said Kiley.
“I attended nearly every year, dreaming of being in the race with my own Doxie. So, when we got Sisi in May 2020, I hoped she might be able to race.” Now entering her third year at the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, Sisi may not have claimed the grand prize, but she’s captured the hearts of countless fans.
Orlando Gutierrez, Marketing Director at Los Alamitos Race Course, shared, “Sisi is truly a huge crowd favorite — she shows up with her own fan club that gets so excited to cheer her on. We’re thrilled to have her join us again this year. But beyond Sisi, we want to celebrate all doxies — we don’t want to exclude any from the fun. The Wiener Nationals are all about bringing people and their pups together for an unforgettable day.”
Kiley hopes Sisi’s story inspires other senior dog parents: “My message is simple: never take your time for granted. Senior dogs are still full of love and joy, even if they don’t run or hike like they once did. Every kiss, every snuggle, every treat — appreciate those moments. Realize how lucky you are to have that little frosty face looking up at you with loving eyes, because the one thing we never get enough of as dog owners is time.”
Sisi and her proud family. Courtesy photo
Sisi is one 98 doxies vying for the title of Fastest Wiener in the West, a Wienerschnitzel doghouse and a cash price of $1000 for the paw-rents to be used exclusively for treats. VIP seating to enjoy the event is available by calling 714-820-2681. General Admission tickets on the day of the event at Los Alamitos are $3 per person. Children 17 and under are admitted free. Los Alamitos Race Course features free general parking.
For more information on the 28th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals please call 714-820-2690.
The Youth Center is proud to announce its graduation from the esteemed Octane Nonprofit Accelerator Program, a transformative initiative that empowers nonprofits to operate with the strategic mindset and sustainability of a thriving business. This milestone reflects The Youth Center’s deep-rooted commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and excellence in service of children and families.
Since 1952, The Youth Center has been more than a safe place for kids—it’s been a launchpad for opportunity. The organization’s participation in the Octane Accelerator Program further strengthens its mission to serve youth with not only compassion but with the tools and strategies that ensure long-term impact.
“At The Youth Center, we believe in thinking and operating like a business—not for profit, but for purpose,” said Lina Lumme, Executive Director. “Graduating from this program reinforces our culture of learning and growth. Everything we do, we do with the mindset that kids deserve the very best—whether it’s in programming, leadership, or sustainability.”
The Octane Accelerator Program, sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences, provides nonprofit leaders with high-level mentorship, training in organizational scalability, and access to an extensive network of professionals. The Youth Center’s participation culminated in a graduation pitch event where the team showcased how it is elevating youth services with innovation, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
The Youth Center extends its heartfelt thanks to the mentors, instructors, and program leaders whose guidance will leave a lasting impact. A special thanks also goes to Eric Frankenberg, Board President of The Youth Center, who supported the team at graduation.
As The Youth Center continues to evolve, this experience reaffirms a key belief at its core: that when we grow smarter and stronger as an organization, our kids grow stronger too. About The Youth Center:
The Youth Center is a nonprofit organization based in Los Alamitos, CA, dedicated to transforming children’s lives through educational enrichment, leadership development, and community support. Learn more at www.theyouthcenter.org. Reyna Rivera is an intern for The Youth Center
For some, The Youth Center’s Annual Golf Tournament is a day on the green; for others, it’s a lifetime of impact. This event raises money to empower at-risk youth in the community through scholarship programs. This year’s tournament, as always, promises a day of friendly competition, community spirit and the opportunity to directly impact local youth.
Set to take place on July 14 on the hills of the Rio Hondo Golf Course in Downey, Calif., the tournament offers a day packed with golfing, prizes, contests and more.
“The tournament is not just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate the love of golf while supporting a great cause,” said Arnie Fine, the 2025 Golf Tournament Committee Chair for The Youth Center. Guests can register now online! The day starts with free golf goodies and lunch provided by Habit Burger. At 12:30 p.m., the Shotgun tournament begins, and golfers can swing their heart out and enjoy a summer day on the greens.
At 6:00 p.m., the day isn’t over yet! Guests can enjoy a delicious dinner and learn more about the vital work of The Youth Center; dinner tickets are available for $70. This is a great opportunity to relax after a day of golfing under the sun, network with other participants or attendees and celebrate the evening.
The funds raised through the annual golf tournament are vital in providing at-risk youth with safe spaces, educational support and opportunities to thrive. According to The Youth Center, last year’s golf tournament raised over $30,000 to fund their mission!
Of course, the annual golf tournament wouldn’t be possible without the support of many individuals and organizations.“Our incredible Golf Committee ensures every hole offers something fun and exciting, making it an experience to remember all while making a difference in the lives of kids in our community,” said Lina Lumme, CEO of The Youth Center.
The tournament’s success and positive impact on the community are a result of the generosity of sponsors and the dedication of the event’s partners and sponsors. The Youth Center would like to thank SA Recycling, Z Fuels, Edward Jones, The Family Plumber and Cal Custom Interiors for being the driving forces of this event. The Youth Center is also incredibly fortunate to have Reyes Coca Cola Bottling provide drinks and Tim DeShazer photographing the event.
Additionally, The Youth Center would like to thank sponsors like Edward Jones for providing goodie bags!
The Youth Center’s volunteers also donate their time to make the tournament a success. From on-course activities to registration and meals, their support helps the tournament run as smoothly as possible.
“Our Golf Tournaments would not be successful if not for the generosity of our sponsors. We can say the same about our volunteers who graciously donate their time to make our tournaments run smoothly and successfully. We are blessed to have the many sponsors and volunteers it takes to run a successful event,” Fine said.
By participating, sponsoring or supporting this fundraiser, you are directly empowering youth in the community. Don’t miss out on this chance to make a difference in the lives of our local kids! Secure your spot for this year’s Youth Center golf tournament at www.theyouthcenter.org.
Proud families, uniformed cadets, and local leaders gathered at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, June 20, to celebrate the completion of Class 35 from Sunburst Youth Academy, a voluntary military-style high school that guides Southern California teens toward brighter futures through discipline, leadership, and education.
Dressed in perfectly pressed khaki cadet uniforms adorned with patches, shoulder cords, medals, and military-style ribbons, to mark their individual achievements, 171 Southern California teens marched in formation one last time, earning their certificates of program completion and a fresh start. Fifteen students also earned their high school diplomas.
The teens left home and moved onto Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Jan. 20, in search of change, a chance to become a better version of themselves, and the opportunity to earn 65 high school credits – more than a year’s worth – in half the time.
Their journey was not easy.
“You have faced some of your biggest fears and challenges during your residential phase,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, academy director, told the cadets. “However, the biggest fears and challenges you faced were the ones we did not tell you about – the ones that were inside of you. Nevertheless, you faced your fears and emerged stronger and wiser on the other side.”
A Journey of Growth and Discipline
Sunburst Youth Academy Cadet David Sarabia is congratulated by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, academy director, while receiving his high school diploma during a graduation ceremony, June 20, 2025, at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif. Sarabia and his classmates moved onto Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, in January and completed a year’s worth of high school credits in five months while living and going to school on the base. Sunburst is a partnership between the Orange County Department of Education and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)
Founded to provide structure, mentorship, and academic opportunity for teens facing adversity, Sunburst Youth Academy combines military-style discipline with a rigorous academic program and emotional support services. Sunburst is a tuition-free residential high school credit recovery school for students 15.5-18 years old. The school is a partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS alternative education program and the California National Guard’s Task Force Torch youth and community programs directorate.
Over the past five months, cadets participated in physical training, workshops to learn life-coping and leadership skills, community service, and intensive classroom instruction.
“The past five and a half months have not been easy, but growth never is,” Sunburst principal Dinah Ismail told the cadets. “You faced early mornings and long, long days. You faced challenges that pushed you in ways that you never expected.” “Some days, many days, you probably thought it was easier to just give up, but you didn’t,” she said. “You chose to show up, push forward, and bet on yourselves, and that choice has made all of the difference.”
Ismail touted the cadets’ test scores which show an average of 3-4 grade levels of growth in both reading and math. Many cadets arrived at the school with academic setbacks, personal struggles, or unstable home lives. But for those willing to commit to the program, graduation represents a significant personal victory.
Student Voices: Courage, Redemption, and Hope
Graduates reflected on their journeys with gratitude and pride. Some shared stories of past hardships, while others spoke about discovering strength they didn’t know they had.
“I remember my first week being here. We were taken to a ropes course with the lesson of the day to overcome your fear,” said Cadet Makhy Allen, class president and one of the ceremony’s student speakers, who reminisced during his remarks. “I’m not gonna’ lie to you. I got up there looked down and thought to myself, ‘naahh.’ But with the encouragement of my fellow cadets, I completed it.”
Dressed in a purple cap and gown, Cadet Brianna Garcia shared her tumultuous journey with the crowd of more than 2,000. She bounced through four different high schools before dropping out completely after being told by a school administrator that she would never graduate.
“What no one knew – not even me – was that I still had a spark,” she said. “I just needed the right place to help me find it.” Garcia, who plans to enlist in the military and then pursue college, earned her high school diploma at Sunburst while also participating on the school’s competitive JROTC Raiders field sports team and serving as the class vice president. She also won a $5,000 small business grant and mentorship from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to help her launch a beauty and makeup consulting business.
“I had no motivation toward my future,” said Cadet 1st Sgt. Issabelle Arroyo Greene who rose through the ranks to becoming the academy’s top student leader. When her five year old sister asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Arroyo Greene knew she needed to make a change. “She was my reason to dig myself out of the hole I created and challenge myself to something I had never experienced before.”
“It was a tough and tiresome process to get to where we are now, but we got through it together,” she told her fellow cadets. “We’ve gone from being the cracks in the concrete to the flowers that bloom through them.”
Sunburst Youth Academy graduate Deborah Velazquez, right, hugs a fellow cadet following the academy’s program graduation and high school graduation ceremony for its 35th class, June 20, 2025, at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos, Calif. The event marked the completion of five months living and going to school on Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, for 171 Southern California teens, and it also served as the high school graduation ceremony for fifteen cadets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman)
Honoring Achievement and Looking Ahead
The ceremony included a presentation of the colors by the school’s color guard, and presentation of academic and leadership awards. Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stefan Bean, commended the cadets for their courage and discipline and hailed the cadets’ collective 3.8 average grade point average.
“Each of you have the gift to inspire; you have the gift to succeed,” said Bean. “You have the gift to become whoever you want to become. We are here as a witness to that.”
“What a remarkable journey you took,” he said.
Two members of Congress were also there to show their support for the program’s mission and impact. Rep. Derek Tran, from California’s 45th district which includes Los Alamitos, praised the cadets’ success.
“You chose a path of discipline commitment and personal growth, and you saw it through,” he said. “Sunburst is more than just a place where cadets learn structure. It’s a place where they discover their voice, their value, and their power to shape the future.”
Tran, who served as a mentor to another Sunburst cadet years ago, knows the cadets’ journey well.
“The strength you have shown in completing this program are the same traits that leaders are made of, and I am so proud of every single one of you.”
Rep. Lou Correa, from California’s 46th Congressional District, added, “You showed us, your family, and more importantly you’ve shown yourselves that you can make it.”
A Community Effort
Sunburst’s graduation is not just the end of a five month journey; it is the result of effort from staff, mentors, family members, and the broader community. Cadet speakers acknowledged their teachers, cadre, and academy staff as key to their success.
During her speech, Arroyo Greene asked homeroom teacher Adrianne Beauchamp and Sgt. Judith Garcia, a military cadre member, to stand.
“These two amazing women made this cycle the greatest growing period of my life They put me to the challenge mentally and even physically,” Arroyo Greene said. “They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. You kept me afloat, and I now know how to swim.”
The crowd erupted in applause as Class 35 turned to face the audience after the last cadet crossed the stage. Whether their paths lead to the military, college, vocational training, or employment, the graduates leave with newfound confidence and a renewed sense of purpose.
Ismail reminded the graduates, “Today, we don’t just mark the end of a chapter we celebrate the launch of a brand new story. Class 35 today is about new beginnings, bold dreams and the limitless future that lies ahead of you.”
The Legacy Continues
Sunburst continues to serve as a resource for youth seeking direction and opportunity. With each class, the school adds to a growing legacy of transformed lives and restored hope.
The academy is currently in the final registration steps for its next class, which starts July 20.
As Class 35 funneled outside the church to hug loved ones for the first time in weeks, the pride in the air was unmistakable, a testament to perseverance, discipline, and the power of second chances.
Editor’ note: Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman is with the Sunburst Youth Academy Outreach, Admissions & Recruiting Dept.
The spirit of classic Americana was alive and gleaming in the sun July 4 as the Silver Fox Classic Car Club presented its 10th Annual July Fourth Classic Car Show at Leisure World, Seal Beach. Against the backdrop of waving flags, live music, and community celebration, more than 170 vehicles spanning more than a century of automotive history were displayed before a crowd of over 2,000 attendees.
From a 1915 Ford Model T Touring to the sleek 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper edition fully electric car, the show was a journey through time, with every era of motoring represented. Hosted in the heart of Leisure World, Seal Beach’s vibrant 55+ active adult community, the event served as a cornerstone of Independence Day festivities.
Organized by the Silver Fox Classic Car Club, along with Leisure World’s Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) recreation staff with support from the members of Leisure World’s Community Emergency Response Team, this year’s event drew the show’s largest number of vehicles, drawing in residents and classic car lovers from across Southern California.
“We go out to a lot of car shows in the Southland, so they’re getting flyers that we’ve been passing out since March,” said car club president Ted Green, who has been drumming up interest in the show for months by talking with owners of cars on display at other shows in Southern California. “If they decide to come all the way back out here, that’s great.”
Visitors strolled through rows of polished chrome and vintage upholstery, chatting with car owners, taking photos, and casting their votes for Resident’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. Each vehicle on display was unique, lovingly restored or preserved, with a story to tell.
Car club judges handed out 25 trophies in various categories, including multiple Judge’s Choice honors, two crowd-voted awards, and the coveted Best in Show.
This year’s Best in Show went to Tony Christina of Lakewood for his eye-catching teal and white 1964 Volkswagen Double Cab pickup truck – a vehicle that stood out not only for its color scheme and immaculate restoration but also for its rarity. “It’s a half bus, half pickup truck,” said Green. “That was unusual.”
He said judges were impressed with the vehicle’s overall aesthetic.
Judge’s Choice trophies are lined up, July 4, 2025, during the Silver Fox Car Club’s 10th Annual July Fourth Classic Car Show at Leisure World, Seal Beach. More than 170 cars participated in the show and entrants came from Orange County, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire. (Photo by Crystal Chatham Housman)
“The paint was impeccable. It was just really eye-catching,” Green said.
Lakewood resident Tony Christina, visibly excited after the trophy presentation, said the restoration was a true labor of love. Christina purchased the truck in 1992 from a Huntington Beach resident who used it to source parts while restoring a pair of similar vehicles.
“It was drivable, but not safe and drivable,” Christina said. “I had to do brakes and steering and just about everything.” Once the truck was roadworthy, Christina, a middle school English teacher in South Gate, drove it to work every day – weather permitting – for 24 years. Now retired, he still drives the truck four times a week and has fond family memories of taking the truck to run errands or get treats for his three children when they were growing up.
The win marked Christina’s second Best in Show award and the first at a show this size.
“This is a huge show,” Christina said. “This is exceptional, so I’m very, very happy.”
A man and woman decked out in patriotic colors pedal through the Silver Fox Car Club’s 10th Annual July Fourth Classic Car Show at Leisure World, Seal Beach, July 4, 2025. The show was part of a larger community celebration which also included a golf cart parade, live music, food trucks, and a craft fair. (Photo by Crystal Chatham Housman)
While the cars were a visible centerpiece, the car show was part of a broader Independence Day celebration that brought joy and entertainment to all ages. Throughout the day, the community enjoyed live music, dancing, a holiday golf cart parade, and a craft fair featuring resident artisans. This year’s event moved to a larger venue space near Leisure World’s north gate and enabled the car show to grow. The move created the opportunity for more events to happen simultaneously inside nearby clubhouses while dovetailing as a single Independence Day community celebration.
“Every venue was absolutely full,” Green said. “I got a lot of feedback about people just loving the new location.” This year marked a decade of classic car showcases at Leisure World, and the Silver Fox Classic Car Club continues to grow the show in both numbers and impact. Founded by a small group of automobile aficionados, club members who meet monthly to share stories, take field trips, and plan the annual car show.
“This was a really big win for the car club and for the GRF recreation folks,” Green said.
Two weeks ago, 3 council members, Peat, Minikus, and Medrano, expressed support for squandering $585,000 redecorating a small, little-used conference room.
AND NOW COUNCIL MEMBERS MEDRANO, PEAT, AND MINIKUS HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR CONTRACTING POWERS TO THE CITY MANAGER, PETER GRANT. That means he can write checks without supervision. At the last meeting, the City Council passed a 7-year $98-million capital improvement program. This isn’t chump change! Public Works Director Nick Mangkalakiri said this “pilot program” applies to projects ranging from $50,000 to $2.4 million. And, it appears that there is NO CAP whatsoever on the expenditures Peter Grant can approve!
This change also means there will be no opportunity for citizen input on these items. The City Council would only receive quarterly updates on contract approvals after the contracts are already signed.
To make matters worse, Peter Grant was accused of “unlawful acts of misconduct.” by ex-head of public works, Doug Dancs. Council members Peat and Minikus, voted against the city attorney providing the council with any information pertaining to Dancs’s allegations and any investigation.
As mayor last year, Minikus signed off $183,000 or our money for a Non-Disclosure Agreement, plus $100,000 for outside council. For big money, I think it has to be a big deal, and since it is taxpayers’ money, I think we are entitled to see what we bought. Councilmember Medrano wasn’t sufficiently concerned about the $283,000 expenditure to attend the special meeting. Yet, now, Minikus, Peat, and Medrano want to give Grant more power over the department where the ex-head accused him of unlawful acts!
Are you concerned enough to do more than Medrano did, spend a few minutes, and write our council members or call them at 714-229-6699 and express your views? Bonnie Peat -bpeat@cypressca.org Scott Minikus – sminikus@cypressca.org Leo Medrano – lmedrano@cypressca.org Dr. Kyle Chang – kchang@cypressca.org David Burke – dburke@cypressca.org
You can also attend the July 14th Council Meeting and comment in person or via computer in the comfort of your own home, or via email to cityclerk@cypressca.org. But DO SOMETHING!
I appreciate that Councilman Chang expressed worries about this process, and did Mayor Burke, and both of them voted against giving up their powers. They also expressed grave concern about the amount of money being spent to redecorate the conference room. If only our other council members were equally dedicated to spending our tax dollars wisely! Citizens of Cypress elected Council members Peat, Minikus, and Medrano to represent them. If they don’t have the time, interest, or energy to fulfill their city council responsibilities, they should consider another line of work.
At the June 23 Cypress City Council meeting, Mayor David Burke proposed to provide a presentation at the August 25 meeting on his campaign finance reform options as well as laws that might improve transparency around election spending in Cypress. I believe that most Cypress residents including myself want our city council to focus on issues that impact our daily lives such as city infrastructure, safety, low sales tax and no additional taxes, business outreach, and city financial oversight.
There is a strong likelihood that campaign finance reform wouldn’t be on the city council agenda if not requested by Mayor Burke since he is the founder and President of a 501(c)(4) political non-profit organization which primarily focusses on getting cities to implement his campaign finance reform options. It’s unknown whether Mayor Burke receives a salary from the nonprofit. He was asked at his recent townhall meeting to disclose his organization donors which would provide transparency to Cypress residents.
In 2022, the same year he ran for Cypress City Council, his nonprofit published the campaign finance grades for the County of Orange in which the city of Cypress received a failing grade.
Cypress’s city council candidates must follow state campaign finance requirements including an additional city mandated reporting requirement for campaign in-kind services of $100 or more which was approved in August 1998. The most recent Orange County city that considered implementing campaign finance reform was Stanton, which received a failing grade in Mayor Burke’s report.
I reviewed several articles in the Voice of OC that identified the type of reform they were looking to implement: 1) limit individual contributions to a political candidate to $1,000, 2) limit fundraising windows to 11 months before an election and 3) require officials to recuse themselves from votes that impact a campaign donor for a year after receiving their contribution.
The Voice of OC also stated that Mayor Burke helped craft the Stanton ordinance and spoke at city council meetings. Stanton’s campaign finance reform ordinance was rescinded in December of 2024 after new council members were seated in Stanton. Mayor David Shawver said “It’s contradictory to state law, and also it opens this up to litigation. This city gets sued too much already.” Most recently the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case, National Republican Senatorial Committee vs Federal Election Commission which addresses whether the limits of party coordinated expenditures violate the First Amendment.
In 2010 the Supreme Court’s ruled in the case, Citizen’s United vs the Federal Election Commission, that the contribution limit wouldn’t apply to independent expenditures.
As a proud Cypress resident, I have written several letters to the editor identifying the outstanding administrative work accomplished by decades of city council members and city staff. These amazing city council members have been elected under the California and municipal campaign finance requirements. Why make changes when our city is financially sound and is doing well under current election laws? There is no empirical data correlating a city’s financial success to the implementation of candidate finance rules. Cypress would be better served if our city council focused its efforts on the areas that have made it a great city to live, work, and visit.
Long Beach Symphony is proud to continue its mission of music education and community enrichment through its Instrument Petting Zoo, a unique and interactive experience that introduces children to the joy of live music—one instrument at a time.
Designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, the Instrument Petting Zoo allows children to get up close and personal with orchestral instruments such as violins, trumpets, flutes, and percussion. Children are invited to touch, hold, and even play real instruments, sparking what could become a lifelong appreciation for music.
Each year, the program serves more than 2,000 children across the greater Long Beach area, with visits to libraries and public events. The program also plays a vital role in the Symphony’s broader community and education initiatives, including its RuMBa Foundation Family Concerts in September and June, which are dedicated to making music accessible and engaging for youth from all backgrounds.
“The Instrument Petting Zoo is more than just a fun activity — it’s a powerful tool for connection and discovery,” said Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony. “We see the joy in young faces when they produce their first note or feel the vibration of the strings. That moment can open doors to a lifetime of musical exploration.”
This summer, Long Beach Symphony will be bringing its Petting Zoo to over 17 locations. For more information, visit LongBeachSymphony.org/instrument-petting-zo
SUMMER INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO SCHEDULE
(Updated 6/24/25. Information is subject to change. See website for updates.)
Wed. July 2 from 2:00-3:00pm Mark Twain Library:1401 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Sat. July 5 from 1:00-2:00pm Alamitos Library: 1836 E. Third St., Long Beach
Wed. July 9 from 1:00-2:00pm Brewitt Library: 4036 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Sat. July 12 from 1:00-2:00pm Dana Library: 3680 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
Wed. July 16 from 3:30-4:30pm Euclid Branch Library: 1340 S. Euclid St., Anaheim
Sat. July 19 from 3:00-7:00pm La Vaquereada Festival: 14400 Paramount Blvd., Paramount
Mon. July 21 from 3:30-4:30pm Cerritos Library:18025 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos
Tues. July 22 from 1:00-2:00pm Bay Shore Library: 195 Bay Shore Ave., Long Beach
Wed. July 23 from 2:00-3:00pm Harte Library: 1595 W. Willow St, Long Beach
Thurs. July 24 from 1:00-2:00pm Burnett Library: 560 E. Hill St., Long Beach
Fri. July 25 from 1:00-2:00pm Michelle Obama Library: 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
Sat. July 26 from 1:00-2:00pm Los Altos Library: 5614 E. Britton Dr., Los Altos
Fri. August 1st from 2:00-3:00pm Oak View Branch Library: 17251 Oak Lane, Huntington Beach
Tues. August 5 from 2:00-3:00pm Billie Jean King Main Library: 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach
Fri. August 8 from 2:00-3:00pm Redondo Beach Library: 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach
Sat. August 9 from 11:00-12:00pm Redondo Beach North Branch Library: 2000 Artesia Boulevard, Redondo Beach
Sat. August 23 from 1:00-3:00pm Happy Sundays Festival at Compound: 1395 Coronado Ave., Long Beach
Sun. September 28 from 1:00-5:00pm RuMBa Foundation Family Concert at Terrace Theater: 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
About Long Beach Symphony
Now in its 91st season, Long Beach Symphony is a cornerstone of the region’s artistic life, presenting dynamic orchestral experiences and award-winning educational programs. With a mission to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, the Symphony offers performances, community engagement events, and school outreach to inspire a love of music throughout the greater Long Beach area. See the 2025-26 Calendar at LongBeachSymphony.org/calendar. For more information, visit LongBeachSymphony.org
Legendary Beach Boys member Brian Wilson, who recently passed away at 82 years young, was honored with a surfing tradition, a paddle out next to Huntington Beach Pier.
Organized by Visit Huntington Beach and International Surfing Museum the event drew hundreds of fans and even some famous people like Dean Torrence (of Jan & Dean), who co-wrote songs and performed with The Beach Boys.
Another icon known as Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Executive Director Peter PT Townend said: “It was an honor to be Master of Ceremonies of the Brian Wilson celebration of life at the Huntington Beach Pier, his penning of the song ‘Surf City’ with Jan Berry of Jan & Dean fame which became HB’s theme song and to have Dean Torrance at the beach Saturday to tell the story of how the song came about was priceless.”
Iconic musician Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean said: “It’s a great day to be in Surf City USA.” Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns said:
“The Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) celebration of life and paddle-out event was incredible. Don Ramsey did an amazing job putting that together. I grew up listening to them and can sing 90% of their songs. As I stated at the ceremony, it is the first album I remember after my mom’s Englebert Humperdink and Tom Jones records!!! I was way too young to have heard them when they played in HB. Great event!”
Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon said: “One of the all-time classic and timeless bands in history. Their music transcends all age groups and genres and brings a smile to your face every time you hear a Beach Boy’s song. We are very proud of their connection and contribution to Huntington Beach, Surf City USA and we know they will carry on that legacy forever.”
Former Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Vice Chair Bob Slater said: “Listening to the Beach Boys, as I was walking on the pier in honor of Brian Wilson gave me goosebumps and brought me back to my childhood days and my teens. My young adults and my older adult ages filled me up life without the beach. Boys would not be the life I’ve loved living.”
Courtesy photo From left to right standing, Sue Goodman, Treasurer; Cheri Summers, Second Vice President, membership; Mary Kamhi, Publicity; Maria Stark, Treasurer; Shirley Bradley, Secretary; Michele Pourtemour, First Vice President; Rene Snyder, Programs; Linda Hines, Parliamentarian. Sitting left to right, Laura Price, Second Vice President, Membership; Patty Boggs, Co-President; Mariellen Yarc, Co-President; Roberta Voet, Communications Secretary; and Tonya Obanion, Financial Secretary.
I sometimes wonder, if Alexander Hamilton and the Founders had hashtags, would we be a republic today? And with only one year left before our 250th Anniversary, where will we be? It’s Independence Day in America, and somehow the fireworks feel less like a celebration and more like distress signals.
Somewhere between the barbecue smoke, culture war headlines, and TikTok activists rewriting the Constitution in 30-second bursts, a single, sobering question flickers beneath the red, white, and blue:
Are we still one nation out of many? As we celebrate the nation’s 249th Anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence, we can only imagine where will we be in just another year for the nation’s 250th.
“E Pluribus Unum,” out of many, one, was once etched into our coins and our collective conscience. Today, with the explosion of social media, sometimes the essence of national unity feels more like a punchline in a group chat gone wrong. I wonder what our nation would be if the Founding Fathers had social media. Of course, they had their own debates and communication mediums to fuel their debates, but seriously, what if George Washington had a Facebook account and Hamilton had a hashtag?
James Madison, username FedPaperFan87, goes live to explain why centralized government isn’t tyranny, it’s insurance. “If we let each state go rogue, we’ll be thirteen rival Twitch streamers yelling over each other.
Hamilton is deep into a 12-part Instagram story titled Why You’re Wrong About States’ Rights. There are animated GIFs, a branded hashtag (#FederalismForever), and a late-night Twitter Spaces called “Ratify or Die.”
Thomas Jefferson refuses to engage. He’s ghosting the whole debate from Monticello, posting aesthetic reels of his lettuce garden while DMing the Enlightenment philosophers. His pinned tweet? “Big government = Big mistake. Grow veggies, not tyranny.”
David N. Young, Young@Heart
Benjamin Franklin runs a chaotic but wise TikTok account where he mixes political commentary with thirst traps and science experiments. He accidentally creates a trend called #ElectricRevolution by flying kites during thunderstorms for clout.
George Washington, the elder statesman, posts only once a year. It’s always grayscale. “Just a reminder: I warned y’all about political parties. #GoodLuck.”
Let’s face it, in the digital age, we’ve stopped debating and started performing. Our algorithms feed us what we want to hear, weaponizing certainty and monetizing outrage.
Congress has largely been transformed from a forum for the greatest debates in history to an insider trader’s paradise where anger oozes and debate has long since left the building. This goes back years, not simply the blame of any one administration.
If we disagree with someone, we don’t invite them to dinner anymore, we simply unfollow, block, mute or cancel them. We curate our worldviews and build echo chambers, each echo bouncing further from the “unum” we once aspired to.
Back in 1787, the Founders didn’t have this option. They were locked in a room, in the sweltering Philadelphia heat, where compromise wasn’t just optional, it was survival.
From the history books we learn they argued, insulted, bargained, and negotiated because they had no choice but to build something together.
“We must, indeed, all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately,” is the famous Franklin quote that ironically, still filters through the social media of today.
We do have a choice. And increasingly, we’re choosing not to make it, or so it seems. Today’s media largely gives us the impression of those who scream the loudest, but the silent goodness of America remains dominant and less visible.
E Pluribus Unum was never about generating sameness. It was, and is, a radical act of hope that people from different backgrounds, faiths, regions, and beliefs could forge something greater together.
Given that we live literally in the shadow of a military base where troops are being trained for deployment in our streets, we do face challenges like never before.
Today, while some Americans see progress on an issue, others see collapse. Some dare to celebrate our diversity while others see it as a threat. Some cheer the courts, others admonish them. While some think we’ve come so far, others cry we lost everything.
The good news is that it is mostly performative at the political extremes.
What we don’t hear is the silence in the vast political center. The silence of the majority is where the vast unity even if it seems like a political no man’s land, a virtual ghost town between warring tribes, where communities have become camps. While it may be interesting and entertaining to debate whether the Declaration of Independence would have been ratified if Hamilton had a hashtag,
Cable news would debate whether “unum” was a liberal dog whistle.Talk radio would call “pluribus” a threat to tradition. And Congress would spend six weeks investigating whether the motto was secretly written by the deep state.
The Founders didn’t agree on everything. Far from it. Jefferson and Hamilton despised each other’s visions. Adams and Franklin clashed constantly. But they stayed at the table. They believed the experiment — this improbable republic — was worth the struggle.
We are fortunate that we live in communities where the social fabric, though tattered, remains strong. Unity does not mean agreement. Quite the contrary. Our disagreements are our strength, and the ability to publicly debate them oddly remains at the center of our unity.
A united nation does not mean we must all sing the same song, only that we remain in the same choir. Compromise isn’t betrayal, it’s democracy in action. Citizen engagement is seemingly on the rise. In fact, some would say, community engagement is kind of the everyday essence of democracy.
Imagine if we made patriotism less performative and more participatory. Imagine social media algorithms designed not to rile us up, but to challenge us, giving others the benefit of the doubt to expand our thinking instead of reinforcing our negative views.
Imagine if we rewarded bridge-builders instead of bomb-throwers. Imagine if influencers went viral for truth-telling instead of dunking. Imagine if Americans became as committed to understanding each other as they go viral. It was then, as now, called American experiment that is on the cusp of surviving 250 years.
So as we celebrate our 249th Anniversary, we can celebrate our long trek from colonies to a republic. Digital colonies aside, we can imagine a world that despite it all, we are indeed
Simple acts of patriotism are committed every day. The teachers in Cypress and Los Al are helping students in their own time, men and women reaching out to help their neighbors. Democracy is not a slogan or a book; it’s a committed way of life.
We have survived civil wars, depressions, assassinations, pandemics, and bitter elections. The “many” have always threatened to overwhelm the “one;’ Not because we always agreed but because we have always chosen each other. Despite our differences, we must look to the many ways we remain united as we explore ways to listen to each other as we restitch the social fabric.
So maybe, just maybe, if Hamilton had a hashtag, our Founders would have still found their way. Even in an age of noise, discontent, and rage-clicks, they would have remembered the stakes that face up to even today.
We still share the sacred responsibility of building something bigger than ourselves and therein still lives the spirit of E. Pluribus Unum.
A Seal Beach lifeguard was injured last Friday. A gofundme campaign has been launched to raise money to help with the bills. As of 2:15 p.m., Monday, June 30, the campaign had raised $135,553 as of July 3, in pledges. The goal: $150,000.
A city press release issued the following day said the lifeguard was taken by ambulance to an unspecified hospital. On Friday, Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey said he could not further comment at that time. District One Council Member Joe Kalmick also said he could not comment.
A city press release issued on Instagram @sealbeachmarinesafety on Saturday, June 28, said: “On Friday, June 27, at 111:50 a.m., Seal Beach Lifeguard Isaiah Osorio sustained a severe injury while serving in his role as a Junior Lifeguard Instructor.” (The press release is also available on the city website.) The press release provided no details about the accident. The gofundme.com post reported that he suffered a spinal cord injury.
According to the statement, lifeguards responded immediately.
The press release said Osorio, 20, began working as a lifeguard in 2023, and is a Los Alamitos High School graduate. The gofundme.com campaign also appeared on the @sealbeachmarinesafety Instagram page.
“He now faces an incredibly difficult road ahead — one filled with overwhelming medical bills, intensive rehabilitation, and the need for specialized equipment to adapt to this new way of life,” according to the gofundme post.
“Isaiah Osorio is a driven scholar-athlete and aspiring UCLA Bruin. A former standout at Los Alamitos High School, he earned varsity letters in water polo and swimming—alongside four Academic All-American honors—before continuing his athletic and academic journey at Cypress College. There, he made his mark as a two-year scholar-athlete on the men’s water polo team while studying Business. Isaiah was recently accepted to UCLA for Fall 2025, ready to take the next step toward his dreams,” according to the gofundme post.
“Outside the pool, Isaiah loves staying active — hiking local trails, playing pickleball with friends, and taking early morning walks that fuel his competitive spirit and joy for life,” according to the gofundme post. The gofundme drive for Osorio is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/isaiah-osorios-road-to-recovery.
Three members of the Cypress City Council voted to give the City Manager carte blanche with $100 million Capital Improvements Projects six weeks after a former director of Public Works accused him of “unlawful acts of misconduct.”
Questions still swirl in Cypress around a $183,000 settlement quietly paid amid charges by long-time department head Doug DancsHe publicly made serious charges against City Manager Peter Grant As yet, the charges remain unexplained to residents, neither have they been substantiated or refuted.
Nevertheless, Grant will have complete authority of the decision-making in hiring contractors with little or no timely oversight of the City Council for the projects following a split vote 3-2 by the Council.
“Currently, the process is these contracts come before the Council. We vote on them and approve them so residents can see them as the Council votes on them,” said Burke.
“The proposal is that process would be gone, and the city manager would approve them on his own and the council would find out afterwards in a quarterly update,” the mayor said.
“That strikes me as potentially a long time to wait,” he said.
The quickly assembled pilot program, called “streamlining,” puts all authority in the hands of an employee who has just emerged from a controversial settlement that cost the city hundreds of thousands involving public works projects. Under the program, Grant will be free to spend $98 million on the city’s seven-year Capital Improvements plan without
Council approval after Council members Scott Minikus, Bonnie Peat, and Mayor Pro-tem Leo Medrano voted to “streamline” the approvals process of the attached 40-50 projects.
Burke and Dr. Kyle Chang both voted against giving Grant such authority, and they have both been asking a lot of questions about the CIP projects, including which ones were included and why.
In addition, the pair seemed to raise the ire of some by forming an ad-hoc sommittee to examine park spending and priorities.
Burke has also proposed expanding the shade structure at Maple Grove South, which he suggested could be added to the list. At the last meeting he questioned spending $80,000 on raising the roof in the executive boardroom rather than using the money to shade residents.
Grant is free to execute on his own, informing Burke that if he could get three votes after a July 14 meeting with the parks commission, the project could be added.
Minikus sidetracked a suggestion from Burke to simply list the approved contracts on the city’s agendas so the Council and the public could understand which contracts on which projects had been approved and to whom they had been awarded. “You can ask for it,” said Minikus, opposing the public listing of the projects.
“The city manager and the directors are all very transparent with us throughout the entire process, it’s not like we’re being cut out from the process or being able to ask questions,” said Minikus.
“I don’t think we’re being stripped of our powers here or our ability to govern,” he said.
Chang, however, was befuddled at the speed with which the ruling majority passed the measure.
It is a pilot project adopted by no other city in the state.
Exasperated, he openly wondered why in the world his three colleagues were rushing to approve this unproven model, especially without so much as a presentation or any statements of justification from them.
“For the majority of residents, I think it’s obvious that this is the first time you guys have ever heard about it (streamlining pilot project) and it just popped up,” said Chang.
“I don’t think any of you guys knew the details about it or you guys would have commented on it,” he added. Chang kept suggesting why the rush.
Cypress City Council member Dr. Kyle Chang, courtesy photo
“So I am just hoping that maybe we could bring this back and have a discussion before we move to the pilot project,” said Chang. “Maybe we could have a presentation or a discussion before we move to the pilot program, especially if there’s a chance we might vote it down in the future.
Chang wondered why city officials made no presentation on why and how the project would be beneficial to the city.
With a substitute motion and three votes, the contract approvals process and some oversight was taken from the Council as the city approved spending $100 million of taxpayer dollars on Capital Improvement Projects through 2032.
It’s not often that a movie suddenly comes to life.
Even better, when an iconic war hero comes to town to appear on stage, joined by his band of brothers, all heroes of the deep, to share first-hand stories of courage and gumption.
The Bay Theatre is presenting a Star-Spangled Submarine Salute for Friday, July 4, and it will feature the classic submarine war movie “The Hunt For Red October,” starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin.
The movie will be followed by a panel discussion of real-life submariner experiences with U.S. Navy veteran submariners. According to organizer Dr. Darin Detwiler, a Seal Beach Navy veteran and a submariner himself, “it promises to be a memorable night.”
Bill Dillon during World War II. Courtesy photo
The panel will feature a man who is not only 101 years old and served aboard the U.S.S. Starfish in WWII. Radioman First Class William “Bill” Dillion was manning his battle station when the Starfish sent the Japanese aircraft carrier Chukyo to the bottom of the Pacific in late 1943.
Dillion later wrote “Strike of the Sailfish,” a bestselling book about his submarine experiences in WWII. Dillion has been featured at Dodger Stadium, the Reagan Library, and he traveled back to the D-Day ceremony with actor Dennis Quaid. In addition to Dillion, Detwiler said Ron Jones, a sonar technician who taught actor Courtney D. Vance all about sonars for his role in “Red October,” will also be among the panelists after the movie.
No joke, he said, Vance’s character in the movie was named Ronald “Jonesy” Jones. He said Jones has vivid memories of making the movie and teaching the cast about subs.Participants should arrive early, said Detwiler. Doors open at 4 p.m., the movie begins at 5 p.m. and the Question-and-Answer panel discussion will begin after a 15-minute intermission.
Detwiler, who also organizes Memorial Day tributes as the U.S. Submarine Memorial in Seal Beach, said there are about 100 submariners from all walks of life belong to the local chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Dillon with actor and activist Gary Sinise at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Courtesy photo
Detwiler said he handles the Los Angeles/Pasadena chapter, named for the cities of the same names but for the U.S. submarines.The USSVI mission is to perpetuate the memory of submariners who died in service to their country, foster camaraderie among submariners, and educate the public about the role and sacrifices of the Submarine Force, he said.
USSVI also works to strengthen the U.S. Submarine Force and honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who served. “This event has been in the works for almost a year,” he said, thanking Ben Ahle and Paul Dunlap from the Bay Theatre, who were open to the idea.
Ahle said in a brief interview that this is exactly the type of community engagement they are seeking as the newly renovated Bay Theatre charts a course for impact in the community.
The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. is an organization created by a group from the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II.
The local USSVI group is the caretaker of the WWII Submarine Veterans Memorial in Seal Beach. Detwiler, who is an author and professor, said he will act as the “executive officer” to moderate what promises to be a unique discussion.
The submarine crew is expected to spill the secrets about living under the deep blue sea in service to our nation While all the submariners are heroes, he said, having Dillion at the event is a rare treat for the community and the nation.
Born in 1924, Bill Dillon was just 17 when he joined the U.S. Navy. It was a time when war loomed heavy across the globe, and young men signed up not just for duty, but for something deeper: a sense of purpose. Bill found his aboard a submarine- a steel beast of the sea: the USS Sailfish, according to USSVI info.
Dilon today with a photo of himself during World War III. Courtesy photo
But the Sailfish had already lived a lifetime. Originally commissioned as the Squalus, she had sunk during a test dive in 1939, killing 26 sailors. The Navy refused to let her story end in silence.
The Submarine was raised from the depths, renamed, and recommissioned. It’s fitting, then, that a man like Bill—resilient, quiet, and steady—would serve aboard a submarine that had already defied death, the info noted.
As a Radioman, Bill was the ears of the Sailfish, listening, decoding, and transmitting the messages that guided missions and saved lives. He was there during one of the war’s most dramatic naval actions: the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Chuyo on December 4, 1943.
What makes that mission especially haunting is what no one aboard the Sailfish knew at the time: the Chuyo was carrying American prisoners of war – men from the USS Sculpin, another submarine lost in battle. Of the 21 POWs onboard, only one survived.
It’s the kind of tragedy that could haunt a crew, but the war did not allow for stillness. Bill and the Sailfish pressed on, rescuing 12 downed American pilots off the coast of Formosa (modern-day Taiwan), braving the risks of surfacing in hostile waters to bring fellow servicemen home.
For these actions and more, the Sailfish earned nine battle stars and the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. But for Bill, it was never about medals, it was about doing the job right and bringing the crew back alive.
When the war ended, Bill’s story didn’t. He returned stateside and earned his degree from the University of Florida, then went on to lend his talents to one of America’s boldest frontiers: the early space program. While the details of that chapter remain quieter, it’s safe to say the man who once listened for enemy signals beneath the Pacific helped launch a nation skyward.
Bill turned 100 in 2024 and marked the milestone in grand style. He stood as the “Hero of the Game” at Dodger Stadium on his birthday, September 6, honored by a crowd who may not have known his story—but certainly felt his presence. Detwiler said the submarine heroes will ride in the Huntington Beach Independence Day Parade earlier in the day but will be back at the Bay Theatre for when doors open at 4 p.m.
Dillion, Jones, Detwiler, Connery, Vance and many more on a Star Spangled Submarine night at the Bay Theatre July 4. A movie and the men of valor on stage whose very story was told. Tickets are available on the Bay Theatre website or at the door.
Even on the way to work, he loves his life and the unique small business he has built.
“I really feel good every time I come to work and open the door,” says Fuller. “I’m always reflecting on what a beautiful place we live in. We are super fortunate,” he says.
Fuller is the proud proprietor of Sunset Beach Music, an eclectic music store that buys, sells and trades old-fashioned TLC with a little bit of music magic mixed in.
Fuller said his tiny music store is a family affair, a place where work and life have become almost inseparable. “I’m even here on my days off too, because I just, you know, enjoy it. My wife Farrah even shows up here because we sit and enjoy. We love the place,” says Fuller.
In a time when some small businesses are struggling to find relevance, he’s used old-school charm and vintage instruments to thrive.
After more than a year of conversion, Fuller and his small cadre of friends and family have only recently completed the renovation of a much larger room next to his existing location that has tripled the physical size of his shop.
Sunset Beach Music is a tiny building with a guitar on the roof on Pacific Coast Highway. In an interview with the ENE this week, Fuller says he remembers when he and his son Richie crated the rooftop guitar out of wood and then erected it on the roof.
They decided to move the business from a different location in Sunset Beach.
Courtesy photo Sunset Beach Music owner Billy Fuller adjusts the electric guitars on the wall of the newly expanded section of his small store that he, along with friends and family, have completely renovated.
Fifteen years ago, when Fuller first moved into the micro-sized wooden building that once served as a shack for oilfield workers at the turn of the century, he had also tried to get the larger one next door.
“I’ve even talked to people who once lived here,” he says of the oil-field quarters turned local business.
“This one (new building) got taken when I first moved in,” says Fuller, proudly standing in his new renovated addition. “The gentleman was able to get this place, so I moved in next door and started giving lessons.”
So when it finally became available more than a year ago, Fuller rushed to sign a lease with the much larger building from his original location, separated only by a wooden deck.
His new addition even has a small, wooden porch over Huntington Harbor, giving Fuller the chance to fish when business gets slow.
“I had friends helping and family members that were helping me get it dialed in and it’s finally done,” says Fuller, like a shopkeeper of old. “Everyone just loves it,” he beams, “when they walk in and the first thing they say, almost every time, is ‘wow, what a good vibe.’
“I’m always reflecting on how lucky fortunate we are to have a business like this,” he added.
Now, his selection of guitars is highlighted by track lighting along with a slender new addition, with double rows of acoustic guitars hanging on one end, with a transition to double rows of electric guitars on the other.
Other instruments and amplifiers dot the floor across the floor to create a magic array of musical equipment that now welcomes its long-term customers.
There are some new guitars, but most are what Fuller terms “vintage” pieces. He even offers older, tube-based analog amps that create a sound that some musicians still swear by, even though he does offer the most modern equipment as well.
He says buying a good guitar is hard to do by mail order, and most of his customers “are open-minded. They’re not demanding a discount on something; they come in and really appreciate your advice and your help.” According to Fuller, no two guitars are alike, even those that are built in an identical production line, each guitar is unique, with some better than others.
“Identical guitars may not look very different, and they can look good, but they don’t sound good,” said Fuller. “It could be the same model, even ten of the same models could all sound and play it differently based on how they were put together,” he said.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of working parts, pieces of wood, etc., that all depend on each other to produce a sound, so even identical manufacturing can produce a much different sound.
Customers are surprised his new shop is as big as it is and has as much nice stuff.
“We carry a lot of vintage stuff so that’s what’s different about this store also besides the service,” said Fuller. “Musicians who are professionals also like to play instruments once played by their heroes 40 years ago, when guitars were made well, so people come hunting for that stuff,” he said.
“If you’re just starting and you want a brand-new expensive guitar, you could order that on Amazon,” he said, while most of his customers prefer to come into the shop to find a good quality guitar.
He said musicians are an amazing group of people. “Ninety-nine percent of them are super cool people and the old ones want to share what they know with the young ones,” he said.
Accordingly, there are few “quick” trips to Sunset Beach music, and people linger and savor the environment, free to grab an instrument or talk with other customers, the way Fuller says small businesses are meant to be.
Now, the tiny building that rooted his music shop into the fabric of Sunset Beach is used for music lessons, while the new expansion sports an impressive array of vintage and new musical equipment for sale.
Fuller says he went into business as a naïve young man, and at a time when the real estate bubble had driven others away. “I was able to buy the stock from other music stores going out of business, and that’s how I got my start. “I’m kind of naive, but I jumped in,” he said, opening the “quirky” little shop.
Almost to his amazement, “customers magically appeared,” and his customer base has only grown for the past fifteen years.
For Fuller, his dedication to “local” has never waned. He knows what his customers want and it is not buying musical knowledge by mail order or from overnight delivery.
“So many things nowadays are available online and at big box stores,” says Fuller, but whenever possible, he supports other small businesses, like his favorite hardware store.
“I prefer dealing with our local hardware store, which is like my favorite hardware store like Bay Hardware on Main Street in Seal Beach or your local little restaurant you know it’s just it’s so much nicer to do business with them when they’re supporting the community and that money stays in the community,” he said.
Billy plays the bass guitar but knows enough about music to carve out some music for every instrument he sells. Most of all, he sells himself and his sincere concern for every customer.
Fuller said he never lost sight of a wise old saying, “Never forget there is UNITY in community.” As another old adage suggests, it’s hard to argue with success. Fuller has found the formula. No, better yet, he lives by his formula of success.
“Every time I crack open the gates, turn on the lights, and start playing music in the shop, I’m always reflecting on how lucky and fortunate I am to have a business like this,” he says. It is indeed a rare day when Billy Fuller doesn’t crack a smile.
The wait is over. Southern California’s most anticipated art events return this summer, bringing a season of creativity, culture, and unforgettable experiences to Laguna Beach. The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show opens Tuesday, July 2, 2025 followed by the premiere of this year’s all-new Pageant of the Masters production, Gold Coast: Treasures of California, on Friday, July 5.
Together, these two iconic events transform Laguna Beach into the ultimate summer destination—welcoming visitors from around the world to explore exceptional artwork, enjoy daily live music, take part in hands-on activities, and witness the Pageant’s legendary theatrical illusions under the stars.
“This summer is shaping up to be one of our most unforgettable yet,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR for Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. “Over the course of two months, visitors can explore the work of talented local artists at the Festival, and in the evening, journey through California’s most iconic museums and cultural landmarks through the magic of the Pageant’s living pictures. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else.”
From July 2 through August 30, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show will showcase over 100 of Orange County’s most accomplished visual artists—including 16 first-time exhibitors—in a juried exhibition of original works ranging from painting and sculpture to photography, ceramics, and jewelry. Many are award-winning artists at the top of their field, offering an extraordinary range of styles and perspectives. All artwork is available for purchase, making the Festival a must-visit for collectors and art lovers alike. Visitors can meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and experience firsthand the very best of Southern California’s art scene.
Festival of the Arts brings the work of great artists and craftsmen to the Pageant and has become a summer classic. Photo by Kyle Fierro
The Festival will also present a robust lineup of special events, including the all-new Battle of the Arts, the return of annual favorites like Family Art Day and the ever-popular Festival Runway Fashion Show. Daily live music performances, sponsored by City of Hope Orange County and Yamaha, will feature an exciting mix of genres, with new themed series debuting this summer—Southern Nights: Country & Blues, Soulful Sundays, and more.
