Earlier this month, members of Cypress Children’s Advocacy Council (CCAC) distributed shoes and socks to students attending Clara J. King Elementary School.
Coordinated through Club King, the Boys and Girls Club’s King School location, students were brought to the multi-purpose room where CCAC members helped the children try on the shoes and choose several pairs of socks. Initially launched in 2012, the shoe project continues to bring smiles to students and parents alike.
“Our shoe project has become the favorite among CCAC member. Experiencing firsthand the joy brought to the children through new shoes and socks is extremely heartwarming. My hope is to expand our program in the future so that every child in our community begins the school year with new shoes and socks,” said CCAC President Stacy Berry.
Founded in 1986, Cypress Children’s Advocacy Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization assisting at-risk children in the community with clothing, medication, school supplies, etc. For more information, contact Stacy Berry at stacyberry1996@gmail.com.
Courtesy photo
cypress children advocacy 1
Pictured (l-r) Winifred Crowley, Mary Ellen Oves, Ellen Chen, Linda Croce, Carol Wynder, Linda Keenan and Stacy Berry.
Check out Pita 360, in the relatively new boardwalk area at Katella and Valley View. It’s a nice little strip that’s been there for the last couple of years, and includes mediterranean restaurants, a fish and chips shop and Japanese, among others. Pita 360 is good fast-casual Mediterranean. Prices are reasonable, and they have tasty takes on all the standard fare. May I recommend the red pepper aioli and spicy hummus? And forget the brown rice—their rice pilaf is excellent.
Retired U.S. Navy Commander Pauline Bullock, a local representative of the national organization Damsels in Distress gave a variety of tips on self-defense to members at the October networking breakfast.
Bullock said although her message was aimed at women and girls, the overall presence of mind and “situational awareness” advice can be used by everyone to keep themselves safe.
She said “Damsels” has been around for eight years, and in that time, the organization has received four major awards for safety training and products.
“My passion has become making people aware,” said Bullock, telling the Chamber that she finally agreed to join the organization after retiring from the Navy. “My joy is to make you aware of what’s going on around you so you can stay safe,” she said.
She presented various scenarios to the Chamber of women leaving businesses, going to work and others where “situational awareness” becomes critical to keeping themselves safe. Moreover, she demonstrated several new safety products now sold by the organization that give women an advantage in the event they are threatened or attacked.
Here are the key safety tips presented by Damsel in Distress:
Always have your mobile phone and keep it fully charged
Have a “buddy” – “the buddy system is not just for kindergarten.”
Avoid alcohol – it will impede your judgement.
Never get in a car with anyone who has been drinking.
Trust your own judgement – “if it feels wrong, it generally is.”
Plan your outing – make sure you AND your parents know where and with whom.
Have a Plan B – have a plan to get home if your initial plan goes awry.
Never leave with someone you just met and alert friends when you leave the group.
Always stay together with your group and ALWAYS let your parents know when you are coming to be late, even just 10 minutes.
In other action, Chamber Chairwoman Dawnette Palmore thanked the members for the success of their first ever “Heroes Appreciation Luncheon,” inviting Judy Klabouch of Green Street Interiors, who individually thanked many of the businesses within the Chamber thanked contributed the event’s success.
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) is excited to announce that the seventh annual King & Queen of Hearts Campaign and Coronation Gala will look a little different this year! No longer will candidates be competing against each other, rather LAEF will appoint, through a nomination process, a King and/or a Queen annually who will officially be crowned at the Royal Ball & Coronation. This year’s Royal Ball will take place on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.
Past Royal Court members, along with the LAEF Board of Directors and Emeritus Directors, will submit nominations. Nominations should consist of an individual or couple who demonstrates amazing support to Los Al kids, are well known and well respected in the community, exhibit longevity of service and are LAEF supporters. Once tallied, the LAEF Board of Directors will officially make the selection. Once crowned, the King and/or Queen will serve as the LAEF royal ambassador for the year!
“We are all very excited to roll out our new nomination and appointment process this year and thrilled that LAEF will have the opportunity to celebrate a deserving individual and/or couple while continuing to raise funds for the kids of Los Al,” said Carrie Logue, LAEF Executive Director.
LAEF is honored to be one of the strongest resources for the Los Alamitos Unified School District and to continue fundraising efforts with this signature event. The theme of “King & Queen of Hearts” is a connection to the popular “I Heart Los Al” district campaign.
The 2018-19 campaign raised over $214,000 and crowned George and Linda Sagen, Los Alamitos residents and parents and grandparents to Griffin Graduates, as the King & Queen of Hearts. This brings the total raised through the King & Queen campaigns over the past 6 years to over $850,000! Proceeds will continue to support STEAM project preparation classes, STEAM fairs on all campuses and the district-wide STEAM showcase, as well as elementary school Media Center Teachers and innovative STEAM opportunities at secondary schools. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
The Grand in Long Beach will host the February 7 gala where LAEF will honor the appointed King and/or Queen as well as continue to raise funds for district STEAM programs through silent and live auctions. Nominations have been received and are currently being tallied. Please mark your calendars for February 7 and look for the big King and Queen announcement to come very soon!
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF impacts all students by providing significant funding for STEAM teachers and instruction, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources. For more information, visit www.LAEF4kids.org or call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424 today!
I recently attended one of the Los Alamitos Fiscal Sustainability meetings. There was a lot of information presented in a pretty short period of time. It has taken me a few weeks to let it sink in and to offer my humble take on the matter.
While impactful since its inception over 40 years ago, I would offer that putting the blame on the effects of Prop 13 are not valid. It is just part of the fabric of the California tax milieu. And please note that it has been beneficial in helping an aging population being able to stay in their homes. And as was pointed out, new, younger home owners will positively impact the local property tax base.
Other causes were also noted, including public employees benefits, but they did not just kind of happen or just showed up recently. They have been in place for many years and thus I would offer that the reactions of our city administrations, over the last 20 years, are really at the heart of the current situation.
I guess the bottom line is that we are not here due to following California mandates. It’s pretty simple, we are here because there is more money going out than coming in. And it has not been dealt with effectively. Although I remember watching many annual City financial forecasts that apparently, did not reflect the true picture of the City’s long-term ability to pay its bills.
And because of this I, as a tax payer and homeowner, may be further burdened by the fixes proposed: a parcel tax, a utility users’ tax, and a further cutting of city services. And guess what, I’m willing to bet that these actions have already caused the value of my home to go down. Which leads me to the question of why do I have to take such a big hit for poor management?
All the causes were presented as external, and completely out of the City’s control. Yet, all the fixes are on me and negatively impact the quality of my life. I am not comfortable with that logic. I get it, it’s a bad situation, and the folks leading the City are doing their best to plug the holes. But City staff, elected and paid, were put into place to deal effectively with these matters. I respectfully put the burden back on them to go back to the drawing boards and give us more options.
Los Alamitos Race Course will host its inaugural Honoring Our Veterans Night At The Races featuring free admission, family friendly activities, live racing and more on Saturday evening, November 9 starting at 5 p.m.
The patriotic-themed evening designed for families and the community at large will honor select veterans from the region and be filled with all the pomp and circumstance befitting these heroes. The evening’s festivities will kick off with the pageantry of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Honor Guard accompanied by the unfurling of an oversized U.S. Flag provided by Sunburst Youth Academy with accompanying music by a brass quartet from the 40th ID Band. A special tribute will also be given to the American Legion celebrating 100 years, along with recognition for each branch of the military.
There will be face painting for the kids.
The event will also have static displays of military vehicles, equipment and historical timepieces, photo opportunities for veterans through the Faces of Freedom project, exhibits featuring the California Guard Military Museums and Veterans Photography Project, inspirational rock painting with OCRocks USA plus a variety of service agencies providing information to veterans and active military personnel. There will be live music throughout the evening.
Military and community families will enjoy the added entertainment of pony rides, face painting, and carnival-type games – all for free – until 9 p.m. The evening will include a full evening of Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing.
Los Al Race Track to honor active duty service members and active duty military.
“We are excited and humbled at the same time to have the wonderful opportunity to honor our military veterans who have given so much to our country,” said Orlando Gutierrez, the marketing director at Los Alamitos Race Course. “We invite the entire community to join us for what should be a great celebration of our Veterans.”
Los Alamitos Race Course has been a part of the community in Orange County since 1947. The racing oval located in Cypress, California now conducts year-round night racing and will offer daytime Thoroughbred racing for two weeks starting on December 5. Follow Los Alamitos Race Course on Twitter and Instagram @losalracing and on Facebook @losalamitosracecourse. For more information on Honoring Our Veterans At A Night At The Races, please call 714-820-2800 or visit losalamitos.com.
The Huge Haunted Maze returns to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Cypress, on October 18, 19, 25, and 26, from 6:30 to 9:00pm. This scary and fun event is perfect for all ages.
For seven years, Keith Stewart has been building this attraction for the local community. “I love designing and creating the maze. This year people will have to walk through the spooky corn field to get to the haunted farmhouse,” says Stewart.
This year, the maze features 6,900 square feet of twists and turns making it one of the largest outdoor haunted mazes in Orange County.
The Boy Scouts of Troop 657 participate in the design, building, and scare nights. Scouts use these service hours towards merit badges and rank advancements.
The haunted maze is designed for all ages. There is even a “NO SCARE” option available for the scaredy-cat in the bunch. During the “NO SCARE” option, the participant is given a light stick and the scarers become part of the background.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church is located at 4321 Cerritos Ave in Cypress. A $5 donation is suggested.
The nation’s only nonprofit military think tank is preparing to honor two Orange County attorneys for their “long history of support” of veterans and active duty service members.
Top military and political officials are expected to gather at the group’s annual event, to be held Oct. 26 at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach.
“It’s a challenge to adequately express how supportive Wylie and Ashleigh Aitken have been to the military and veteran communities over the past two decades,” said Dr. Dwight Stirling, of Cypress, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Law and Military Policy.
Earlier this year, Stirling’s think tank gained national attention after the former military prosecutor was invited to testify before a Congressional committee seeking to allow active-duty service members to take medical malpractice claims to civil courts.
Ashleigh Aitken
Stirling was called in as an expert witness to testify before Congress on a bill proposed by California Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier, to amend the Feres Doctrine. Stirling said support is growing in Congress to amend the 70-year-old Feres Doctrine, a Supreme Court mandate that prevents active-duty service members from taking any legal claims to civil court.
Stirling, a reserve JAG Officer and senior military prosecutor, founded the CLMP to strengthen the legal protections of those who serve the nation in uniform. He is the nation’s only Feres Doctrine scholar, recently receiving his doctorate from Pepperdine University.
According to Stirling, Orange County “Super-Lawyer” Wylie Aitken and his daughter Ashleigh Aitken, also an attorney, have worked pro bono and “tirelessly” for many years to provide a variety of legal services to service members and veterans.
In addition, Stirling said the Aitkens have been instrumental in the establishment of Heroes Hall Museum on the Orange County Fairgrounds and they are working to establish a respectful military cemetery for the county.
Moreover, Stirling said when Ashleigh Aitken was President of the Orange County Bar Association, she worked diligently to create a permanent “Veterans and Military Committee” to curate and funnel a variety of benefits and support services to veterans and those serving in the active-duty military.
“This is an opportunity for many in the legal profession and the military community to thank the Aitkens for their generous support of veterans and service members over the years,” said Stirling.
Tickets for the unique gala are still available. Contact Marcia Marinovich at (949) 715-9127.
The Center for Law and Military Policy is a military think tank dedicated to the preservation and strengthening of legal rights for those who serve the nation in uniform. It’s founder, Dr. Dwight Stirling, has testified before Congress and is working with elected and military officials to address issues related to the protection of legal rights of service members, the guard and reserves. Stirling joined the California National Guard after 9/11 and became a senior military prosecutor before founding CLMP. The Center’s Advisory Group and Board of Directors includes top legal experts, former JAG officers and subject matter experts from a variety of educational and military disciplines. The unique think tank is developing strategies and solutions to mitigate lingering problems such as military medical malpractice, military sexual assault, inadequate and problematic military housing and a host of other issues confronting those who serve our nation in uniform. The Center for Law & Military Policy is a IRS registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Representatives of the Youth Center in Los Alamitos attended the Rossmoor Woman’s Club’s October luncheon to talk about how their program serves 3,000 children and teens each year in Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach and surrounding communities. A number of comprehensive programs provide music education, after school activities, summer camps, tutoring and more. RWC, a charitable and social organization based in Rossmoor but open to all, is a longtime donor to the Youth Center, which has provided service in the area since 1952. One program that captured the audience’s attention is the “Every 15 Minutes” program the Youth Center organizes every other year at Los Alamitos High School to dramatize for students the dangers of drunken or distracted driving. In the photo, Rossmoor Woman’s Club President Maggie Paul, from left, with the Youth Center’s General Manager Julie Rubin, CEO Lina Lumme and Camp S.H.A.R.K. and After School Program Director Jamie Harris.
Early in September, Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry had the honor of representing the city at Southwest Regional Leadership Day. Organized by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Mayor Berry joined local elected officials from the Southwest for this invitation only event.
Activities included a White House tour followed by strategic briefings and discussions highlighted by a surprise visit from Vice President Mike Pence. Presentations by Senior Administration Officials including Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll stressed the importance of working together at all levels of government. Topics discussed included combatting the opioid crisis, facilitating infrastructure development, promoting shared land stewardship, driving economic development through deregulation and improving disaster recovery and resilience.
“It was a privilege to represent the City of Cypress at the federal level and introduce others to our incredible community. To hear that the president and administration are committed to building and fostering relationships with state and local leaders around the country was certainly encouraging. I am so grateful to have have this opportunity,” said Berry.
Mayor Berry finished off her DC visit with a VIP tour of the Capitol courtesy of 47th District Congressman Alan Lowenthal’s office.
Star of stage, screen and concerts plans individual “journey” for audience
If you’re in the audience when Betty Buckley takes the stage, you can expect to be taken on an individual journey for which, you can be assured, she has invested much preparation and thought.
The legendary performer is preparing to open the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Cabaret Series, Oct. 17-19, in Costa Mesa with a special mix of new songs and tunes selected from her most recent albums.
“Every concert is like a journey,” said the Tony Award winning entertainer as she prepared for a three-night engagement in Southern California, who said she is planning an entertaining evening designed to tug the individual heartstrings of everyone within the sound of her voice.
Though the multi-award-winning Buckley is recognized for her work on the stage, on television, films, and even now on top streaming shows, she is also recognized as having one of the more remarkable voices in the industry.
At 15, more than five decades ago, the popular entertainer became a star after moving to New York from Texas. She remembers getting the role of “Martha Jefferson” in “1776” on Broadway the day she arrived and has not since looked back.
At 35, twenty years into her career, the world took notice of Betty Buckley’s voice as she hit the “note heard around the world” as she hit the searing high note in “Memory” as Grizabella in the original production of CATS on Broadway.
Variety immediately dubbed her voice as “a powerhouse voice” and “the voice of Broadway by New York Magazine.”
Her performance in CATS earned her a Tony Award and throughout her career, her work on stage earned for her other Tony nominations, Oliver Award nominations and her recordings have earned Grammy nominations.
“My band consists of four incredible musicians headed by my brilliant musical director and pianist, Christian Jacob. We will present some repertoire from ‘Story Songs,’ our newest album, ‘Hope’ and a few new pieces,” said Buckley.
“My goal is to allow the audience to free associate with the elements” of entertainment, said Buckley, noting that her goal on stage is to allow every member of the audience to take away what is meaningful to them in the messages delivered by her work.
“I sing what I believe my audience wants to hear and needs to hear,” said Buckley. In an interview, Buckley says she does spend a great deal of time thinking about the nation’s mood and psyche and tries to develop appearances to give audiences messages of hope.
In fact, according to the Washington Post, Buckley agreed to perform a much-heralded engagement of “Hello Dolly” this past summer “to make America happy again.” Buckley, a Texas native, is off stage a really deep thinker and is unafraid to speak her mind. “I do think individually about each show,” she says.
Her award-winning career has included television, film, stage and concert performances, and her talent
Buckley says she began performing as a child in her native Texas and is now seared into the American entertainment consciousness with a career filled with memorable roles and 18 solo albums.
Buckley arranges her performances to allow the audience to “free associate with elements” of entertainment, noting that every member of the audience should be able to allow their own experiences and expectations take away what is meaningful to them.
“Each performance is different,” she said, adding that each show is “almost like a guided meditation. “I’m not on stage to encourage them to believe or not believe, but to allow them to enjoy based on their own experiences.” While Buckley is unafraid to touch on a variety of emotions using various elements of music, she said her overriding message left with audiences is one of “personal inspiration.”
Buckley’s unique entertainment approach has her in demand six decades after first setting foot on a stage. In fact, Buckley said this week she returns to the Samueli Theatre at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts after spending four months in New Orleans filming her role in the hit series “Preacher.”
Her film roles include Miss Collins in Brian De Palma’s classic “Carrie” (1976) and Country Western singer Dixie Scott in Bruce Beresford’s “Tender Mercies” (1983.) Ms. Buckley received a Saturn Award nomination for her most recent film “Split” directed by M. Night Shyamalan which was one of the top 10 International Box Office Hits of 2017.
On television, Buckley most recently co-starred in Season 3 of the AMC Hit Series “Preacher” (2018). She also played Abby Bradford in “Eight Is Enough” (1977-1981) and received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her work in both “Bobby and Sarah” (1984) and “Taking a Stand” (1989.) She also had recurring roles on HBO’s “Oz” (2001-3) and “Pretty Little Liars (2012) and most recently on “Supergirl,” “Chicago Med,” and HBO’s “The Leftovers,” and “Getting On.”
In 2017, she was honored with the prestigious Julie Harris Award by The Actor’s Fund and in 2018 The Sarah Siddons Award for outstanding performance in a Chicago Theatrical Production. In 2009 she received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award in Theater and was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2007.
She has been awarded two honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts for her contribution to the Musical Theatre by Marymount College and The Boston Conservatory of Music. In 2012 she was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Buckley has been a teacher for over 45 years in Song Interpretation and Scene Study.
Buckley says, even after all these years, she loves teaching the craft to others almost as much as practicing it. “I want to pass on the beauty of the tools I’ve learned,” she said, adding her secret is always being “relevant to the moment.”
Her upcoming concerts at Segerstrom promises a rare opportunity for a personal session with an entertainer who has enjoyed an amazing career both for her raw talent and for using it in ways to make us all feel a little bit better about life.
Single tickets for Betty Buckley go on sale August 25 and start at $89. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings of 10 or more, please call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.
Although a brain tumor has finally taken her life, the legacy of strength, grace and courage demonstrated by Morgan Johnson Gruenebaum during her short life could serve as an example, and potentially a cure, for generations to come.
The 33-year-old Seal Beach native died Sept. 25 following a 22-month battle with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain cancer for which there is no known cure.
To fully appreciate the remarkable poise and dignity with which Morgan accepted her fate, it is helpful to also understand the unsuspecting beauty and fullness of her life before the devastating diagnosis and disease that claimed her life.
Morgan and her husband Ben at their idyllic Malibu wedding.
Destiny seemingly always held a special place for Morgan since she was born in Old Town Seal Beach on October 14, 1985 to Wendy and Gary Johnson (Johnson is a former public works director and city engineer for the city of Seal Beach).
The oldest of three girls, she attended SunNFun, McGaugh Elementary, Oak Middle and graduated from Los Alamitos High School in 2003.
As a youngster, Morgan was always active, participating in Girl Scouts with her mother as Den Mother and her sisters always seemingly in tow.
Morgan was a southern California beach girl who, even as a teen, wanted to make a difference. As a junior lifeguard during summers, she patrolled the beaches for anyone in danger. Eventually, she used her mastery of the water to become a standout on the Griffin girls swimming and water polo team.
She was talented as well. Morgan sang in the world-famous Los Alamitos Show Choir and it became obvious that this girl was determined to make something of her life.
Four years after she graduated from Los Al, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Loyola Marymount University. Morgan, a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, made history at the age of 29 by becoming the youngest member to graduate with an Executive Master’s in Business Administration (EMBA) from Loyola Marymount.
Moreover, the faculty at Loyola Marymount was so impressed with Morgan they made her a mentor for incoming students, a role for which she volunteered for many years.
The Johnson family, including her parents Gary and Wendy and her sisters Taylor and Haley.
By then, however, her career in the aerospace industry was well established and her personal life was filled with love as she married Benjamin Gruenebaum in August of 2010. They enjoyed then what seemed like a fairytale wedding in Malibu.
By age 30, she was living an exemplary life. She was a major executive with Raytheon Aerospace and enjoying life with husband Ben and their goldendoodle, Bailey at their El Segundo home.
Against this optimistic backdrop, Morgan was one day driving to her Raytheon office in El Segundo when she seemed to notice problems with her vision. She immediately contacted her eye doctor and scheduled a visit.
When her optometrist determined there was no visible eye problems, it was recommended that she have an MRI (magnetic resonance image) performed at a local hospital. She agreed and, at age 31, in a matter of days, her life was turned upside down.
Doctors noticed a mass inside Morgan’s brain and upon immediate surgery, found a tumor the size of a lemon in her brain. Thankfully, says the family, their Seal Beach neighbor, Dr. Kevan Craig, stepped in immediately to provide the family with professional assistance.
“It was very sad,” said Dr. Craig, who told the Sun he did everything he could to help.
On the family’s behalf, Craig contacted the Head of Neurosurgery at UCLA Linda M. Liau, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Co-Director UCLA Brain Tumor Center to schedule Morgan’s immediate surgery to remove her initial tumor in December of 2017.
While the family held out hope the tumor would be benign, they tragically learned after the surgery that it was, in fact malignant. Her initial treatments went very well, however, and Morgan soon went back to work.
As a Raytheon Aerospace business development manager, Morgan threw herself back into her work. Though she could no longer drive, she took rideshare to work almost every day, and her family jumped in to drive anytime she needed it.
Raytheon promoted her, gave her a bigger office and life was good again. Since Morgan had been in remission for nearly a year, doctors were surprised and thought this was a very good sign.
Without any warning, however, Morgan soon began to lose more of her vision. At first, she kept it to herself but then confided with her family. Her cancer had come back.
This time, the tumor was woven “like a spider’s web” throughout Morgan’s brain. So tragic, in fact, that her own doctors reportedly cried more than she did when they learned the sad and final truth about Morgan’s cancer and her ultimate fate.
Her most recent diagnosis was in February of this year, and Morgan would never return to her new corner office as she agreed to experimental surgery and treatments to save her life.
Sadly, after she died, Raytheon invited Morgan’s family to see her new office and according to Haley Johnson, “we were shocked.” Only then did the family learn that Raytheon Aerospace had not touched it since Morgan’s February re-diagnosis. It was left exactly as it was seven months ago when Morgan left it for her doctor’s visit.
“The white board was still scribbled with her notes, her papers still on her desk, her project files intact,” said Johnson, her younger sister. She said Morgan’s family photos were clearly lined up on the desk and they served as a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
Raytheon executive Karina Arroyo said of Morgan, “I have worked with Morgan for the past 13 years. In this time, I have had the honor of witnessing her blossom from a young college grad, into a phenomenal woman. She was graceful, powerful in thought, and infectious with her creativity. Her divine light will forever live in our hearts. “
Hard to imagine that just seven months ago, she was on a rocket ride at Raytheon. Now, the company is preparing to host a celebration of her life.
Throughout her ordeal, Morgan endured three brain surgeries, two rounds of radiation, chemotherapy and numerous types of experimental treatments in a proud, yet futile battle in to save her own life.
Though deeply saddened by her death, almost immediately Morgan’s family and friends began to find comfort in the aura of joy and goodness created by the way she lived her life…and gracefully accepted her fate.
“Morgan’s laugh was a contagion of genuine joy that embodied the quintessential positivity that she brought this world. May the echoes of her laughter be heard in our hearts to remind us of her kindness, love and the memories we had with her,” said her husband Ben.
“Morgan and I had been best friends since childhood. She was that selfless friend who would drop everything to be by your side. She was fiercely loyal, thoughtful, and kindhearted,” said Hilary Goulding, her best friend since kindergarten.
“But what I will always remember and cherish most is the fun we had as we grew up together, from children to teenagers to young adults. She was full of life and had a smile that lit up the room. I remember sitting in our freshman dorm room together, talking about absolutely nothing and laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces. She was that friend. The friend everyone wishes they had.”
Another childhood friend, Andrea Furr, said Morgan “was the epitome of strength and grace. She had a heart of gold and the purest soul. I was lucky to call her my friend and will carry her in my heart forever.”
Even during the darkest days toward the end, Morgan demonstrated enviable joy and courage. Accepting her own fate, Morgan began working on a new project that would outlive her.
“Even though Morgan initially understood that her chances to survive this brain tumor were very limited, she handled every day with grace, kindness and positivity until the very end. She was more concerned about how everyone else would handle this traumatic loss,” said her sister Haley.
“She never lost her beautiful smile, her grace, her poise and determination to make a difference. In fact, while she was giving blood for her treatment, she laid her other arm out to give blood to research to find a cure for other children.”
In fact, Morgan left a statement to summarize her own “forever” project in her own words.
“My tumor has successfully taken in a few mice and they think it’s the first research facility with my tumor type! It’s apparently relatively rare, only 5% of brain tumor cases are typically found in pediatrics (late teens) vs adults. They’ll be using them to study the specific mutation and test it against treatments. Glad to hear I’ll be helping not only myself but future people with my tumor type!”
Her family is determined to follow through with Morgan’s last wishes to ensure they are fulfilled.
“Morgan’s wish was that her suffering was not in vain so that each trial would help not only herself, but the next person diagnosed with this rare cancer. We are immensely grateful for any contribution to Morgan’s incredible legacy and hope this will be a source of hope and a cure for this and future generations,” the Johnson family said in a statement.
To honor Morgan’s legacy, the Johnson family has established the Morgan Gruenebaum Fund for Glioblastoma Research with a goal to raise at least $100,000 by October 1, 2020 and continue to add to the fund thereafter in her name.
Morgan’s legacy will significantly advance progress in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with a preference to support research focused on pediatric and rare GBMs. Funds will be used to support research, clinical trials, and patient care.
Already, another young man diagnosed with the same rare condition is already receiving the benefit of the trials and research Morgan allowed to be performed on her before the tumor did its heartbreaking work.
Morgan is survived by her husband Ben, her parents, Gary and Wendy and her two younger sisters, Haley and Taylor.
Even faced with the prospect of losing her own life, Morgan Gruenebaum found a way to make a difference, not for herself, but for generations unborn touched by this devastating disease.
Editor’s note: Donations can be made to The Morgan Gruenebaum Fund for Glioblastoma Research through the UCLA Foundation. https://giving.ucla.edu/neurosurgery/morganG
If readers want to make a donation by check. Please make the check payable to The UCLA Foundation and in the “Memo” line write The Morgan Gruenebaum Fund.
Checks can be sent to: UCLA Neurosurgery Development
Wasserman Building
300 Stein Plaza, Suite 562
Los Angeles, CA 90095-6901
A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, at the Raytheon Employee Park in El Segundo.
Raytheon has also announced they will match any employee contributions to the Morgan Gruenebaum Fund.
Over 40 restaurants will be showcasing their food at the 19th Taste for Los Al which will be held this Saturday, October 12 at The Shops at Rossmoor.
The event takes place from 6pm to 10pm at the Shops at Rossmoor and tickets are still available online for $50 at tasteforlosal.com. They will also be available at the gate for $60.
Over 2800 tickets had already been sold by over twenty Los Alamitos High School booster clubs as of the end of last week and organizers expect at least another 300 will be sold. The clubs include large athletic groups (football, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, golf, tennis, track, cross country & volleyball, song & cheer and volleyball) to performing arts (bands, vocal music, dance and drama) and even academics (Model United Nations).
Clubs raise money through ticket sales, and if they wish, through event activities such as the silent auction, raffles, gear sales and more. Since 2001 the event, organized and hosted by OUR Los Al, has raised nearly $3.5 million to support activities at Los Alamitos High School.
A big change at this year’s event is that the very popular Silent Auction will be mobile bidding only. “We have done lots of research on this,” noted event chair Larry Strawther. “Most of the elementary schools and some big local non-profits are already doing it and the reports for the most part have been positive regarding ease of use and monies raised. ” The online aspect will allow early viewing of the auction items prior to the event. Just text T4LA to 243725 on your smartphone to set up a viewing account.
The restaurants benefit from a chance to showcase their food, but also being able to do it at one event, one location instead of at thirty or so small events.
The 44 food stations marks the most for any Taste. Two returning restaurants, Hof’s Hut and the Yucatan Grill, have participated in all nineteen Tastes.
This year will also feature nine first-time participants — Angelina’s Pizza, Hortencia’s, Melissa’s Produce, Prep Kitchen Essentials, Taco Surf, Yalla Mediterranean, and three Long Beach restaurants: The Attic, Jade, and the Breakers Roadshow (a food truck showcasing the food of the new restaurant that will open in the famed Breakers Hotel in Long Beach which is currently being renovated).
Anyone seeking more information can visit tasteforlosal.com or email taste4losal@gmail.com.
The complete list of restaurants providing food includes the following: (as you know, always subject to change).
LOS ALAMITOS
A La Waffle
Angelina’s Famous Pizza
Brew Kitchen Alehouse
Griffins’ Grill
Hof’s Hut
Hortencia’s
Katella Deli & Bakery
Madera’s
Mama’s Comfort Food
Polly’s Pies
Shenandoah at the Arbor
Taco Surf
Thailusion
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos
ROSSMOOR / NORTH SEAL BEACH
Chick Fil-A
Islands Restaurant
Macaroni Grill
Old Ranch Country Club
Peet’s Coffee
Pick-up Stix
Prep Kitchen Essentials
Santa Fe Importers
Sprouts
Yalla Mediterranean
SEAL BEACH
Bogart’s Coffee House
Mahe
320 Main
Walt’s Wharf
Yucatan Grill
LONG BEACH
The Attic on Broadway
Breakers Roadshow
The Eldo
Grocery Outlet
Jade
Long Beach Firefighters Grill*
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
Parker’s Lighthouse
Sideyard Café
Simmzy’s
Twice-Baked baking Co.
CYPRESS
India Grill
GARDEN GROVE
On the Rocks
Also participating are Marisa Foods (which supply the sausages for the Firefighters Grill) and Melissa’s Produce who will have a chef providing entrees using their product.
Courtesy photo
A photo from last year’s mouthwatering Taste of Los
Los Alamitos Race Course will host its annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 26. Admission is only $3 and kids 17 and under are admitted free. Los Alamitos features free general parking.
The Carnival will feature a fun-filled evening of activities for the entire family, beginning at approximately 6 p.m. Staged in the grandstand apron in front of the finish line, the Halloween Carnival provides a safe, enclosed place for children from around the area to enjoy an evening of fun activities. The Halloween Carnival is held in conjunction with the live horseracing program.
The Halloween Carnival will feature tons of fun-filled activities including more than 20 carnival games, including a lot of new games for this event, game prizes, Halloween Derby racing game, pony rides, arcade games, candy for all the children, photography booth.
The carnival will be highlighted by the popular costume contest in the Los Alamitos winner’s circle area. First place in each of the categories will be worth $200, second place $125 and third $100. Everyone that participates in the costume contest will receive a goody bag filled with candy. Game tickets will be available the night of event for only 25 cents each. Age categories include 2 & under; 3 & 4 year olds; 5 & 6 year olds; 7 & 8 year olds; 9-11 year olds; 12-14 year olds; 15 and up. The winners of each divisional category will qualify for the grand prize.
“We have many fun and new games in the carnival area and the costume contest is always one of the big highlights of the event,” said Orlando Gutierrez, the track’s marketing director. “This is always such a fun night for the entire family.”
The annual Costume Contest attracted approximately 350 participants, making it one of the largest costume contests in Orange County. Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress and the Los Alamitos Youth Center.
The evening’s activities will also feature live Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing. Los Alamitos Race Course hosts the premier quarter horse race meeting in the world with live year-around racing taking place on a Friday through Sunday night basis. Los Alamitos Race Course also hosts daytime Thoroughbred racing for two weeks starting on December 5. For more info please call 714-820-2800.
Cypress College is the recipient of a $2.8 million federal Title V grant intended to improve graduation and transfer rates. The U.S. Department of Education awards the grants to colleges and universities across the country as part of the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.
Title V grants are highly competitive — 43 recipients were selected for funding across the country from a pool of 223 formal applications in the 2019 cycle. The 5-year grant will bring $2,773,406 to Cypress College to help fully implement the Guided Pathways model — a transformational approach to operations designed to eliminate barriers students encounter in their educational journey.
Recently ranked as the top community college in California, Cypress College operates on a belief that we owe it to our students to continually be our best so they can be their best. Congruent with this philosophy, the college’s grant focuses on clarifying the path from admission to completion.
“Receiving this grant validates that work that we are doing at Cypress College to genuinely walk this educational journey in tandem with our students,” said Cypress College President JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D. “I am proud of the work we do and of our commitment to student success. True commitment to helping students means that we are always looking for ways to improve. I am thankful to our employees who worked tirelessly to develop the Title V grant proposal. Receiving this grant means more students will achieve their goals.”
Based on evidence, the Guided Pathways model shows great promise in improving students’ graduation and transfer outcomes. Cypress College’s project incorporates three components and five distinct strategies, which were selected to address friction points that contribute to identified problems experienced by students. These strategies are organized around the Guided Pathways pillars to follow best practices established by leading community colleges.
Cypress College’s Title V project, titled Enhancing the Student Experience through Guided Pathways, will benefit the current 16,000-plus students, along with thousands of students who will follow in future years. Every student who attends Cypress College will have an improved institutional structure that facilitates achieving completion.
In alignment with the Guided Pathways goals, this Title V project will shorten the amount of time students need to complete their programs of study, improve their chances of university transfer and degree or certificate attainment, and reduce the cost of instructional materials by eliminating those items that don’t move them closer to their goals.
In fall 2018, 49% of the 16,042 enrolled Cypress College students were Hispanic, and 65.5% of these students received financial aid; nearly half of all students are first-generation college students. This means the long-term results are likely to positively impact the most vulnerable communities in the college’s service area.
About Title V:
The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. These grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability. Title V is a component of the U.S. Higher Education Act.
District provides no-cost help in finding mental health services
The Los Alamitos Unified School District has partnered with Care Solace, a company that assists students and families in finding mental health and counseling services. The company provides a free, easy-to-navigate screening website that matches families with the services they need that are covered by their insurance. A no-cost 24/7 concierge phone line is available for those needing additional assistance in setting up an appointment to get help. In addition, the website features a direct link to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for use in a crisis.
The partnership is aligned with the District’s goal of “ensuring an inclusive, safe, healthy and substance-free environment for all students,” said Grace Delk, Director of Special Education and Mental Health for Los Alamitos Unified. “Research indicates that one in five children will experience some type of mental health concern. We hope this resource assists families in finding the help they need as quickly as possible.”
Care Solace was founded in 2016 by Chad Castruita, son of former Los Alamitos High School principal Rudy Castruita. In a recent podcast, Chad Castruita said that his own struggles with substance abuse when he was younger and his family’s difficulties in finding effective help for him inspired him to create Care Solace.
The company works with more than 50 school districts, serving about a million students and their families and guardians, according to Castruita.
When Los Alamitos Unified community members visit the web site at www.caresolace.com/losalfamilies, they are greeted with a short, step-by-step questionnaire to determine whether they need substance abuse or mental health services, how fare they can travel for care and whether they have insurance.
The site than presents a list of caregivers best suited to deal with their concern and contact information for making an appointment. Users also can email or call Care Solace, and a company concierge will assist in making an appointment with the chosen caregiver.
The Care Solace site has been used more than 1,200 times by Los Alamitos Unified community members, resulting in about 300 appointments for care, mostly for issues of alcohol or marijuana abuse or depression and anxiety, according to Delk.
The Care Solace website offers a screening tool to determine what services are needed.
Courtesy photoLos Alamitos Unified Eases Access to Care
The Annual Los Alamitos Race on the Base is celebrating its 39th year and is all set to take place on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22, 2020. Register early!
Early Bird price deadline is October 13th.
All Military, Police and Fire personnel receive a Hero Discount of $5.00 off with code HERO2020.
(Note that you will be required at Packet Pick-Up to present your Military, Police and Fire identification to verify eligibility for this discount.)
Participate on behalf of a charity and help raise funds for a great cause.
Race on the Base events include the Southland Credit Union Glow in the Dark Donut Run on Friday night, February 21 for all ages! New this year, the Jr. Reverse Triathlon will be held on Friday, February 21st. Saturday, February 22 events include the Honoring Our Fallen 5K Run/Walk, GORUCK 5K Rucking Division, 10K Run/Handcycle/Wheelchair, and the 95.9 The Fish Reverse Triathlon. Anyone around the world can also participate in the Honoring Our Fallen Virtual 5K Run/Walk. The race is held throughout the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos and features helicopters, planes and military vehicles with music throughout the course. The event also features a commemorative technical race shirt for all participants and volunteers, 2-day vendor expo, free race clinics, and finisher medals. Please visit www.raceonthebase.com or call (562) 430-1073 for more event details.
On a recent weekend, AYSO commemorated “Silent Saturday.” The spirit of Silent Saturday is to allow the players to go out and play soccer without instructions being yelled at them by parents and coaches. AYSO 154 Regional Commissioner Christen Jackson says, “It was amazing to be able to watch and hear the kids play on their own, making their own decisions and really showing what they know. The kids love it and have a ton of fun. We encouraged parents and coaches to make signs and poster to encourage the players.”
As the holidays approach, Kid’s Night Out offers parents a viable solution for a few hours allowing them to prepare, shop or simply take a break while their kids are entertained for an evening. The next Kid’s Night Out is Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos. They are always on the third Friday of each month.
During a fun-filled evening at “A Halloween Party,” kids will get to create paper bag pumpkins, Q tip skeletons and tissue paper candy corn. There will also be activities like “Biting for Donuts,” playing musical chairs and a costume party.
Popcorn will be served along with a movie shown, the choice of Casper, Monster House or Mikey’s House of Villains. Pizza, soft drink and snack are included in the $18 cost and siblings can get in for $13. To sign up your child for Kid’s Night Out, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org. The Youth Center is located at 10909 Oak Street in Los Alamitos.
The Orange County Fire Authority recently invited Cypress Mayor Pro Tem Rob Johnson (center), La Palma City Councilman Nitesh Patel (right) and other local elected officials to observe and partake in an exercise and experience a small part of what an OC firefighter’s day looks like.
The Carnival will feature a fun-filled evening of activities for the entire family, beginning at approximately 6 p.m. Staged in the grandstand apron in front of the finish line, the Halloween Carnival provides a safe, enclosed place for children from around the area to enjoy an evening of fun activities. The Halloween Carnival is held in conjunction with the live horseracing program.
