A documentary film produced by the daughter of a Los Alamitos man who is the film’s central character, got red carpet treatment Sunday at its Father’s Day premiere in Downey.
“The Honor Project,” produced by Emily Hibard of the Hibard Group, is a film that documents the fatherhood stories of area men set against her and her dad’s roadtrip to the Arctic Ocean.
The film was premiered for the cast, crew and their families during a four-hour ceremony held at Desert Reign Church.
George Hibard Jr., whose roadtrip to the Arctic Ocean was profiled in last week’s Event-News Enterprise, was the film’s honored guest and whose humor and unique drive served as the film’s central character.
Emily Hibard said she not only wanted to produce the “Honor Project” to pay tribute to her own father, but that she also wanted to honor the fatherhood stories of other men and their philosophies of raising their families.
Larry Rodrigez, a Downey pastor who was interviewed for Hibard’s film said he was indeed “honored” to be interviewed in the film.
“Too often today all we see in movies and on tv are the ones who don’t do the right thing,” he said, adding that “the vast majority” of dads are totally dedicated to their families. “I’m very happy that Emily decided to do this film,” said Rodriguez.
The sixty-five-minute documentary film wove parts of the Hibard’s story of traveling to the Arctic Ocean throughout a series of profound interviews with the other fathers. Hibard said following the “Honor Project” premiere, she plans to make the documentary available to commercial markets and for other charitable purposes.
Los Alamitos Race Course held its inaugural Salute To First Responders Event on Saturday night with over 1,200 people attending the free community event at the Katella racetrack. A K-9 demonstration, free games, pony rides, fire truck rides, plus a Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred horse racing program made for a fun evening full of activities.
First Responders and various local agencies were celebrated and thanked in the winner’s circle throughout the night for always being there for us in our time of need. State Senator Ling Ling Chang of the 29th California district provided certificates of recognition for each of the participating agencies. Los Alamitos Race Course also presented the agencies with an award. City of Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry, Stanton City Council member Alyce Van, and Los Alamitos City Council member Dean Grosse were among the dignitaries in attendance.
Among those recognized were representatives of the Cypress Police Department led by Chief Rod Cox. Community Services Officer Julie Marquez, the voice behind the popular PC the Patrol Car, accepted the recognition awards of the Cypress Police Department. Others recognized included Brian Barraza of CARE Ambulance, having served nearly two decades as an Emergency Medical Technician, Field Training Officer and Operations Manager. Brian was acknowledged for his ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure.
Corporal Edgar Valencia of the Garden Grove Police Department conducted a series of entertaining police K-9 demonstration in the winner’s circle with the well-trained police dog Vader. First, Vader showed his obedience and detection skills. Then, Vader thrilled the crowd by displaying his power and ability in the criminal apprehension demonstration. Vader showed that he’s one K-9 you don’t want to mess with.
Officer Dwayne Graham accepted the awards on behalf of the California Highway Patrol, while volunteers Neil Kurtizky and Erenea Perry were on hand representing the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Representatives from Orange County Fire were also recognized.
As for the activities, PC, the remote-controlled card, was a hit as he interacted with the children while dashing around the track’s grandstand apron throughout the night. In addition, children of all ages were able to get a closer look at the Sheriff’s Department Humvee before moving on to check out the CHP’s classic 1961 Dodge Polaris and the 2016 Dodge Charger. CARE Ambulance/EMT demonstrated proper CPR technique to those in attendance.
Among the other highlights, the California Fire Museum was on hand with various eye-catching firetrucks parked at the front entrance of the track. Families were also able to climb aboard the firetruck to take a fun ride around the track’s parking lot. California Fire Museum estimated that they had over 300 riders throughout the night. Many of the children also took home free plastic firefighter hats, while supplies lasted.
Inside the park, many of the top jockeys at Los Alamitos volunteered to enter the dunking booth and waited to see if anyone had the accuracy needed to hit the target and dunk the jock. With the city of Cypress having a great baseball tradition, it was not surprising to see many of the jockeys splash into the water after the target was hit with a perfect strike. It was all about smiles, not only at the dunking booth, but throughout the park. Face painter Susan Hubbard-Smith was probably the busiest person of all, as she had a steady line throughout the night. A couple of inflatable games, including a bungee basketball game, provided more fun to go around.
As for a few side notes of the night, there was a large group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin that visited Los Alamitos Race Course on this night, specifically to see what this event was all about. The reason they attended? Nearly all of them worked in agencies that provide first responders services in Milwaukee. In the winner’s circle after one of the earlier races of the night, Thoroughbred horse owner Danny Chavez presented a donation to one of the participating agencies.
“I wrote a check before I came to the track and if I was fortunate enough to win the race I decided I would make a donation to a First Responders group,” Chavez said. “It was a thrill to win the race (with a horse named Wit And Wisdom) and it was made even more special to have a chance to share some of the winnings.”
The staff at Los Alamitos Race Course has already started to make plans for a second Salute To First Responders event in 2020. For more information on Salute to First Responders, please call 714-820-2690 or visit losalamitos.com. Follow Los Alamitos Race Course on Twitter and Instagram @losalracing and on Facebook @losalamitosracecourse.
What kind of man comes home and tells his wife of 42 years to pack the SUV as he puts the kayak on top, throws in the ice chests and prepares to embark on a 7,000-mile road trip to the Arctic Ocean?
If you know George Hibard, Jr., of Los Alamitos, you may not at all be surprised to learn that’s exactly something he would do.
A conversation with Hibard quickly highlights a unique character akin to a modern Renaissance man, seemingly inclusive of equal measures of philosopher, inventor, comedian, adventurer, historian, and yes, a businessman.
Hibard is the second-generation operator of the family business, Spiral Paper Tube & Core (Pico Rivera), built by his dad George, Sr. His dad was a talented and ambitious machinist who served in World War II who went to the USC School of Business at night following his return from the war.
Hibard and his daughter Emily set to make history as the first every father/daughter duo to kayak the Arctic Ocean.
“My dad designed and built much of the early equipment” for the business, said Hibard, which uses complex technology to create paper tubes and cores, used in everything from school supplies to toilet paper.
Once he took the reins of the business in the 1990’s, Hibard added his own inventions to the product line, including paper edges that can today be seen protecting the edges of almost every pallet wrapped in plastic to be shipped.
Hibard is an unassuming and energetic man, eager to discuss interesting historical and cultural topics as much or more than business. With his family, he has traveled the world, from pole to pole, land and sea, from the steppes of Mongolia to the icebergs of Antarctica.
He and his wife Sarah have three daughters (Summer, Emily and Darci), which Hibard jokingly calls “Bonanza in drag.” Now, Hibard is beaming about a new granddaughter as well. Although he has cajoled and traveled with all of them at one time or another, middle daughter Emily slowly emerged as the most adventurous type.
They moved to Los Alamitos from Downey, said Hibard, to raise the family. “I love Los Alamitos,” he said. “Absolutely love it.”
Driving to the Arctic Ocean from Los Alamitos
Emily recalls once when she and good old dad once crossed the Andes Mountains and eventually kayaked in Antarctica, dad insisted on paddling around a two-story iceberg, even though she heard the guide expressly say it would be dangerous. “I heard it differently,” he shoots back with a bit of wry smile.
Almost finished circling the iceberg in their kayak, Hibard said they were startled with the sound of a massive boom, as the iceberg cracked and began disintegrating around them. “Stroke,” Hibard shouted to Emily, “stroke,” meaning for his daughter to “stroke” the paddle quickly so they could escape the danger of falling ice.
Though very deliberate, Hibard is obviously a driven man who is equally comfortable in his business as he is living on the edge of life, where he finds adventure and fulfillment. Life, he knows, is forever fleeting and he wants to make the most of it.
“I love to explore people and cultures,” says Hibard, never meeting anyone in the world with which he did not enjoy a meaningful conversation.
Following the Andes adventure, however, something on YouTube caught his interest.
For several years, Hibard said he has watched, and listened on YouTube to Merven Gruben, the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, coax the national government to build a road from Inuvik. Tuktoyaktuk is a tiny hamlet on the edge of the Arctic Ocean in Canada’s Yukon Territories and a new highway would travel by road all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
In addition to his love for adventure, Hibard says he has always been fascinated with the Eskimo culture, how they learned to adapt, survive and thrive living in an icy culture, so he watched intently.
Three years passed and the Canadian government appropriated $300 million to connect the country by road to the Arctic. Once the road was finally opened, this was a challenge too tempting for George Hibard ‘s sense of adventure to resist. Imagining himself thundering down the road over permafrost and ice, he said to himself, “let’s do this.”
His idea came about the same time daughter Emily had announced the “Honor Project,” a documentary film honoring a number of local fathers for Father’s Day and certainly wanted to do something special for her own father. According to Emily, she thought there would be no better way to immortalize her adventurous father, and so the family’s road trip was on.
Hibard and his wife Sarah in the Arctic.
Ironically, Emily is not only the most adventurous, she is the only daughter not totally involved in the family business. Emily has founded the Hibard Group, producing a variety of film and media projects.
So, while she began shooting interviews with other dads to be featured in the “Honor Project,” dad and mom prepared to hit the road.
In another twist of fate, Hibard’s close friend, longtime traveling buddy and Bellflower businessman Christopher Wren, had just finished having an off-road sport utility jeep customized for rugged duty. Tragically, months before Wren’s retirement and completion of the SUV’s customization, Hibard said Wren was diagnosed with leukemia, then suffered a stroke, rendering him incapable of driving at all.
Wren moved to Mexico with his wife and threw the keys to the specially built SUV to Hibard, telling him to “wear this thing out.”
“It was the perfect vehicle for the Arctic,” said Hibard so they began packing.
While Emily stayed back to complete the local filming for the Honor Project, a determined dad and mom hit the road in August of 2018, determined to drive 3,500 miles from Los Al (and back) to the edge of the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean near Tuktoyaktuk.
In addition to survival gear, food, etc., Hibard packed enough gas cans to propel him 180 miles if, while in the Yukon Territories, they would not be able to get gas from one of the few stations along the way. “Yukon is extremely remote,” he says.
To put it in perspective, Hibard says the Yukon has the same area of territory as the Republic of France, yet it is populated by a mere 40,000 people. “Remote, very, very remote.”
Emily documented the entire saga for a documentary film.
Long before dealing with ice in the Yukon, however, they had to endure an endless stream of putrid smoke. Tons and tons of it. In the late summer of 2018, California endured hundreds of wildfires, the worst of which was located in the Mendocina National Forest, which sits right along the interstate route towards the Canadian border. “It was apocalyptic,” joked Hibard, “miles and miles and miles of smoke.”
For almost a month, Hibard and his wife Sarah took their time driving though the USA before reaching British Columbia, stopping often to relax and rest from the toxic smoke.
Once in British Columbia, there was no escape from the smoke as fire reporting statistics indicate that British Columbia suffered 600 wildfires last summer. Just to reach the Yukon, George and Sarah had to drive through near sickening smoke for almost 2,000 miles before reaching the Yukon territory.
Finally, however, they joyfully arrived in Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital city, where Emily flew in from Los Angeles to join them. They repacked the SUV, including Emily’s camera gear, and hunkered down for the final stretch, driving through the Arctic Circle with a goal of kayaking in the Beaufort Sea.
After arriving in Inuvik, where the more famous Dempster Highway meets the new highway to Tuktoyaktuk, the shivering cold began to bite.
Conditions worsened but father, mother and daughter kept driving towards the Arctic Ocean.
The cold was more than offset by the incredible vistas of the Canadian Yukon, said Emily, as the muddy SUV rolled closer and closer to the Arctic Ocean.
The Hibards were prepared to sleep in the SUV, but fortunately, they were always able to get one of the few rooms at the sparsely located inns along the newly opened Arctic highway.
According to Emily, her dad spoke to “everyone” because almost everyone traveled to this part of the world “was here to do something really cool.”
Almost 3,500 miles from Los Alamitos, the Hibards, driving Wren’s SUV, pulled into the Tuktoyaktuk, and wouldn’t you know it, Hibard ran into Mayor Gruben himself. No joke. “Of course, I spoke with him,” says Hibard.
Navigating highways from Los Alamitos to the Arctic is no picnic.
Emily was busy shooting film for the documentary as they finally arrived at the water’s edge in Tuk. It was below freezing, but she put the camera down to help her dad assemble the kayak.
“Mom was SO nervous,” said Emily, as “mom was having nightmares that they would not return from this kayak adventure in the Arctic.” Nevertheless, they persisted and began their effort to kayak in the Arctic. George Hibard is not a man to be denied.
For three hours, Hibard faced bitter cold, whipping winds and frozen fingers as he struggled to assemble the kayak, which had been folded to fit on top of the SUV.
He and Emily had agreed to wear dry suits, which are sealed to prevent water from touching the body as opposed to a wet suit, which fills with water then is heated by the body for underwater diving.
Then came snow flurries as conditions worsened. Emily said, “mom was getting more nervous, if that’s possible.”
They were rushing to assemble the kayak and prepare themselves for the dangers of the Arctic kayaking experience when dad noticed Emily had put her drysuit on backwards. OMG, she had to take it off and put on correctly.
“I did refuse to wear my skirt,” said Emily, which connects an occupant to the kayak itself. She was worried that if, for any reason, the kayak did turn over, the freezing water would not allow an escape and her mom’s nightmare would come true.
They were almost ready.
Then, some guy walks up and tried to speak with Hibard. “He was trying to give me some Walrus to eat raw. I thanked him but told him it was not going to work. That was another 20 minutes gone.”
Readying again, Hibard prepared himself, he noticed his drysuit shoes were on the wrong feet. They were so anxious to get it done, he said “what the hell, we’re going; this is good enough.”
They found a place along the shore where it was safe to launch the kayak and soon, they were in the freezing water, by golly, they were, after driving through fire and ice, doing it; kayaking in the Arctic Ocean after driving all of the way from Los Alamitos, California.
With mom “too nervous to even snap pictures”, Emily and her dad paddled the kayak away in the Beaufort Sea.
Finally, kayaking in the Arctic.
Even though Emily was paddling, dad was obviously having a great time as his daughter tried to both paddle and shoot film for her documentary film. She documented the entire experience and will honor her adventurous father with the “Honor Project” documentary.
In addition to another rewarding experience, they had now also been rewarded with the Los Al father and daughter becoming the first known such pair to kayak in the Arctic Ocean, even if Hibard set the record with shoes on the wrong feet.
Emily has submitted the feat to the Guinness Book of Records, and she has now finished editing the “Honor Project” film, which promises a “family friendly red-carpet premier” in Downey this Sunday on Father’s Day.
Perhaps for the Hibard clan, it’s going to be another Father’s Day hard to forget. For George Hibard, Jr., however, he’s likely back on YouTube looking for his next adventure.
The California National Guard announced this week that Fountain Valley native Brig. Gen. Laura Yeager will be installed June 29 as the first-ever woman to lead a major infantry division of the United States Army.
Not only will Yeager be the first female to lead a U.S. Army Infantry Division, the former UH-60 Blackhawk pilot will lead the much storied 40th Infantry Division, based on Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
According to newly installed base commander Col. Nick Ducich, the installation ceremony for the Yeager’s will have the best of the U.S. Military on display, including full dress regalia and the pomp and circumstance appropriate for this historic occasion.
In addition, Ducich said Friday that base officials have also been told to prepare for a visit from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
He said Yeager’s promotion was great news for the California National Guard and a major step forward for the U.S. Army. The installation ceremony will be among the largest and most regal the base has ever hosted. The public is invited to attend.
According to the release,Yeager will take command from Maj. Gen. Mark Malanka, who is retiring.
Yeager currently commands the Joint Task Force North, U.S. Northern Command at Ft. Bliss, in Texas. She began her active-duty military service in May 1986, receiving her commission as a second
lieutenant from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at California State University, Long Beach. She completed military helicopter training in 1989, and upon completion served as a pilot.
Yeager left active duty after eight years when her son was born, but later continued her military career in the California Army National Guard.
In 2011, Yeager deployed to Iraq as the deputy commander of the Cal Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade. There, she served as battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, and brigade commander of the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The 40th Infantry Division was formed in 1917, its soldiers having fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It soldiers also have deployed to Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and many other locations around the world.
In March, the division headquarters returned to the U.S. after completing a train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan.
With more than 42 years in education at area school districts, Dr. Gregg Stone is saying goodbye to the principal’s office at Los Alamitos High School this week to make way for incoming principal Chris Vlasic.
“It was time to retire,” says Stone, adding that he informed incoming Supt. Andrew Pulver immediately after Pulver’s appointment that he preferred to retire.
Stone, who spent more than a decade as an Assistant Principal at Los Al before being named principal, said he told Pulver that he would still be willing to substitute or contribute from time-to-time in the future.
He is a native of Long Beach and began his career teaching English at Millikan High School and coaching. After 15 years there, he spent a handful of years at Capistrano Valley High before deciding he wanted to return to the Los Alamitos Unified system, where he spent the remainder of his career.
“We were living in Seal Beach. We thought about moving to south county, so I wanted to have a job there, but after a couple of years, my wife and I decided we liked Seal Beach,” and wanted to stay, he said. He said he and his wife Chris have lived in the Seal Beach home for more than 30 years.
He soon acquired the position of Assistant Principal at Los Al High school and worked in the LAUSD system until being named principal.
Stone was selected among a crop of candidates that applied to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Dr. Brandon Martinez.
Stone said it has been an honor for him to serve as principal, having presided over many memorable
moments in education, sports, the arts and other pursuits. In his relatively short tenure, Stone left his own mark, having watched scholarships increase, presiding over sporting excellence and even having civil rights icon Dr. Terrence Roberts address the students in a memorable night for parents and students.
Stone, who spent more than a decade developing instructional and curriculum standards before being named principal, said he thinks there are many factors that contribute to the high school’s continuing excellence in many areas.
Stone credits administration and staff, and says he was gratified to serve as principal to cap his long educational career. Los Al High is the pride of the district and was heavily supported by Dr. Sherry Kropp, now also retired, and the LAUSD Board.
Asked what makes the high school a standout, Stone said perhaps it was simply its continued demonstration of excellence in all areas (athletics, education, art, etc.)
One advantage for the high school, thinks Stone, is that LAUSD is a K-12 system, meaning all schools in the district – and only schools within the district – feed into the high school. Thus, he said, they are focused on the same mission and goals. “This creates a seamless transition,” he added.
Most other high schools are required to onboard students from other middle and elementary school districts, he said. Although Los Al Unified is not the only K-12 district in California, it has worked well here. “It gives the students a seamless transition throughout the system, said Stone.
Another advantage, he said, is location. Although Los Al High is located with a metropolitan area, Stone says the district retains a “small-town” feel. “The community and the schools are very much one entity,” he said.
The school and the system are proud of the expansion of the school’s advanced placement rating, said Stone, as the school has been able to significantly expand both the scope and size of the AP testing.
Almost a thousand students took over 2,000 AP tests in the recent round, he said, adding that in addition to the higher number, the state College Board had acknowledged the maintenance of an exceptional “pass” rate as well.
This results in hundreds of free credit hours for college bound students in major educational disciplines and now, said Stone, even the arts.
“I don’t know that you can find many schools that have all of these strengths,” said Stone, “we provide excellence in many areas. Across the board, I think, we are able to find niches to allow students to excel in so many ways.
The Rossmoor Community Services District announced the appointment of Mr. Jeff Barke as the newest Director of the Rossmoor Community Services District. At its regular meeting of June 11, 2019, President Ron Casey administered the Oath of Office to Jeff Barke who was then formally sworn in as a member of the Board.
Barke’s selection comes after the resignation of Director Bill Kahlert in May.
At its May 14, 2019 regular meeting, the RCSD Board voted to appoint a new board member to fill the vacancy rather than incur the expense of a costly election. Barke was unanimously selected as the new director after the recruitment and consideration of all qualified candidates.
“We are excited to have someone as talented and accomplished as Jeff Barke on the board. As a 22-year Rossmoor resident, former Los Alamitos Unified School District Board Member (2006-2018), and Reserve Deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, he is definitely committed to serving the community,” said Casey.
“Jeff is a successful medical executive and family man who cares about Rossmoor residents. I am confident that he will be a great asset to our Board, our District and our community.” He added.
According to Barke, “I am excited and honored to be a part of the Rossmoor Community Services District Board of Directors. I believe my past experiences and current relationships will prove to be an asset to the District. I have learned to be an effective servant leader by building relationships and finding common ground without compromising my values. I love Rossmoor and want to help keep it a clean and safe family neighborhood that is the envy of Orange County.”
Barke will serve as a RCSD director until the next regularly scheduled election in 2020. Following the election, the person so elected would then serve the remainder of former Director Kahlert’s term until 2022.
Regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Rush Park auditorium, 3021 Blume Drive in Rossmoor, CA 90720. You may also view televised versions of the meetings on local channel LATV-3.
The city of La Palma’s fiscal year 2019-20 budget has been adopted, as of last week.
Though some questions remain, and not every City Council Member was on board, the city is in good standing, and has a small excess that it will put towards various improvements around the city.
It is estimated that there will be $11.8 million in city expenditures in the new year, with police services being the biggest chunk of that.
The city estimates to spend $8.3 million on capital improvement projects, $1.6 million of which will go towards rehabilitating medians, something the Council has discussed and wanted to do for a long time now.
Other capital improvement project ideas discussed included new medians, citywide security, City Hall improvements, city yard improvements, pavement improvements, and arterial street rehabilitation projects.
The city currently estimates having $1.3 million in general fund unassigned fund balance.
One question mark has been how long Marathon Petroleum, a big player in the city’s economy, will continue conducting its business there.
Administrative Services Director Sea Shelton, who presented the budget, said she has received no recent updates from Marathon regarding this, but their presence for the duration of the next fiscal year appears to be secure.
In the end, the Council voted 3-1 to adopt this budget.
Council Member Gerard Goedhart was the lone abstention, saying the city needs to be “very very conservative about adding stuff,” and that he was not in favor of some of the new ideas various city staff members had proposed that would affect the budget, such as a community parade and an event called International Day.
Mayor Marshall Goodman was absent. Mayor Pro Tem Peter Kim and Council Members Nitesh Patel and Michele Steggell voted in favor of the budget.
The Cypress School District is pleased to announce that A.E. Arnold, Clara J. King, Margaret Landell, Steve Luther, and Juliet Morris Elementary Schools have been named to the 2018/19 Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll for high levels of achievement and student success.
Sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence, the Honor Roll program is part of a national effort to identify high performing schools and highlight successful practices that improve outcomes for students. Schools receiving this distinction have consistently demonstrated high levels of student academic achievement over time and have reduced the achievement gap among student groups.
“It’s our mission in the Cypress School District to inspire and empower every student, every moment, for every opportunity. Our teachers and staff are committed to meeting our students where they are, nurturing their gifts and talents, and helping them achieve success. We are extremely proud of all our schools, and we are honored to have their accomplishments and good work recognized by the business community,” said Anne Silavs, Superintendent.
The Campaign for Business and Education Excellence utilizes data from the Educational Results Partnership to identify Honor Roll schools. The organization charts the pathways that lead to academic and career success. Through national research, they have identified a common set of success factors in high performing schools. These include clear, specific learning objectives aligned to college and career readiness; evidence-based instructional practices; a system-wide mission of promoting college and career readiness for all students; data and assessment systems to monitor student performance; an investment in human capital; and the distribution of resources to support student success. It is their goal to ensure that more students are equipped to enter the workforce with the skills today’s global economy demands.
“The Honor Roll is the only school recognition program in California based solely on objective achievement data,” said Marilyn Reznick, ERP’s board chair. “Schools don’t even know they’ve earned the honor until we tell them. Our goal is to guide other educators to data-informed best practices for raising student achievement.”
The annual Honor Roll award is made possible by support from numerous businesses and organizations, including the Campaign for Business and Educational Excellence, Macy’s, Wells Fargo, Enterprise Holdings, and the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Twenty-two members of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) gathered at the Panda Inn in La Palma on Thursday, May 30, 2019, to thank past board members for their service and to install new board members for 2019-2020. Prior to the installation of new officers, members enjoyed a Chinese dinner with a choice of assorted chicken, shrimp and won ton soup or a vegetarian soup, and different entrees including walnut shrimp, beef broccoli, crispy spicy chicken, spicy eggplant with tofu, ginger sesame asparagus, noodles with vegetables, white or brown rice and fortune cookies with icing.
Pictured at the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Installation Dinner on May 30th are Installing Officers, Sondra Cohen, at left, and Tobi Balma, at right, with President Harriet Moses in the center. (This photo was taken by Norma Williamson).
After everyone had finished their meal, Installation Officers Tobi Balma and Sondra Cohen began the Installation of Officers for 2019-2020. Tobi asked President Harriet Moses and members of her 2018-2019 Board members to stand. Tobi thanked them for their service to the branch. Harriet took the opportunity to present her personal souvenir gift to each of her elected board members. They were souvenirs from her recent trip to Africa. Many of the members of the 2018-2019 Board are continuing to serve on the 2019-2020 Board.
Since Harriet Moses was elected for a second term as president, and because she loves to travel,
Tobi and Sondra planned a humorous and creative installation program theme of “The La Palma-Cerritos Branch Tour in 2019-2020” with Harriet Moses as Tour Director. Tobi and Sondra presented Harriet with an umbrella, so that she could be seen, as she led the members on the tour, and energy pills, so that she would have energy for her job as president throughout the year.
Each of the other elected officers was presented with some items to help her fulfill the responsibilities of her office. President-Elect Beverly Zwick received baby booties as she took “baby steps” while she learned more about her role. She also received a hearing aid and magnifying glasses so that she would look, listen, and learn skills so that she would be able to fill in as President when necessary.
Pictured at the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Installation Dinner at Panda Inn in La Palma on May 30th, are Installing Officers Sondra Cohen, at left, and Tobi Balma, at right, wishing Congratulations and Best Wishes to the newly installed members of the 2019-2020 La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Board. (Photo by M.C. Borja Van-Zitter).
The remaining Board members all received some practical items to help them with their job responsibilities. Program Co-VP’s Diane Hutson and Karen Cox were given a colander and two stretch bands to help them sift through ideas and stretch for suggestions for programs next year. Membership VP Sue Solomon received a flashlight to help her search for new members and to find past members who may have gone astray.
AAUW Fund Co-VP’s Faith Herschler and Barbara Powell are new members on the 2019-2020 Board. They received a shovel, so that they could dig deeply into pockets, and a pail to collect money for the AAUW Fund. They also received a back scratcher, to use as they reached out to people for help. Faith will share these items with Barbara when she returns from her vacation in Europe.
Repeating as Secretary and Treasurer for 2019-2020 are Christine Taxier as Secretary and Marilyn Forsstrom as Treasurer. Christine received a pencil, pen and notepad for taking notes, and Marilyn received a ledger and a box to hold the funds she will be collecting. Both Christine and Marilyn have done outstanding jobs as Secretary and Treasurer. Members appreciate their many years of service.
After all the new board members learned about their respective duties and accepted their symbolic gifts, Tobi Balma congratulated all the new board members for serving as board members in 2019-2020.
Tobi thanked everyone for coming to the Installation Dinner. She especially thanked Program Co-VP’s Beverly Zwick and Brenda Hicks for making reservations and selecting the wonderful menu prepared by Panda Inn in La Palma. There was so much food that some members were able to take hme leftoves to enjoy another day!
All members of the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW are invited to come to the Annual Planning Retreat on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Heritage Park, 18600 Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the house at the park. Members are asked to come prepared with ideas and suggestions for programs and activities for the branch to consider in 2019-2020. For more information, contact President Harriet Moses at 714-994-1487.
AYSO Region 159, serving the communities of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor & Seal Beach, recently celebrated its 40th year of providing World Class Soccer to the kids of the local communities.
Chartered in February of 1979, Region 159 has been a leader in what have become the guiding Philosophies of AYSO, in support of our kids playing soccer and having fun: Good Sportsmanship, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Everyone Plays, Positive Coaching, and Player Development.
Over the years, the parents, players and families have changed; but the purpose of AYSO remains strong and is continuing to be led by all of us as volunteers: parent coaches and team leaders, family referees and field personnel.
All of the families that have passed through AYSO over the past 40 years have memories of their kids playing soccer: learning, making friends and having fun. What is exciting to observe these past few years, is the players of years past now participating with their children and grandchildren. There are three generations of AYSO families on the fields today in Region 159.
Much had changed and electronic devices ‘hover’ over our kids today; but on game day, it’s about passing the ball and having the after-match snack.
Please continue to share the soccer experience and join the 2018 (repeat) Platinum Region of the Year, along with the 2017-2019 Section 11 Region of the Year.
The 12 year old LAYB All Star team won the Newport Harbor Tournament by outscoring its opponents 66-15 over 5 games.
Each of the boys on the roster had at least 2 hits in the tournament. LAYB beat Dana Point 14-4 in the semi-finals and Newport Harbor 9-4 in the championship game. Strong pitching and defense, as well as clutch hitting, once again allowed the boys to claim victory. Back row (left to right) Matthew Leveque, William Morales, Coach Matt Hammond, Blake Waddle, Manager Chris Leveque, Shay Tipton, Ryan Soto, Manoah Faupusa, Coach Bill Waddle, Adrian Perez.
The largest 1 day Youth Flag Football Tournament in the United States was held on Saturday, June 1st and McAuliffe Middle School. The tournament known as the Friday Night Lights (FNL) Flag Football “Tournament of Champions” features the top teams from each of the 22 FNL leagues across the state of California…..from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. 114 teams and over 900 kids competed for the coveted “Best of the Best” FNL TOC trophy. At the end of 12 hours of play……..4 teams were crowned FNL TOC Champions:
Action for the largest ever youth flag footbsll tourney
1st/2nd Grade = Murrieta New Orleans Saints
3rd/4th Grade = Murrieta Hawaii Rainbows
5th/6th Grade = Murrieta Iowa Hawkeyes
7th/8th Grade = North County Coast (Carlsbad) Washington Huskies
It was a great day of competitive Flag Football with an estimated 4,000 people watching the action. Courtesy photos
Celebrate wellness with us and learn how to create a healthier lifestyle by attending the FREE Health Expo, sponsored by MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, on June 22, 2019 from 8:00am-1:00pm. The Health Expo will feature a variety of health related vendors including Yoga, self-defense, holistic healing, CPR/First Aid, chiropractors, Reiki, physical therapists, cancer retreats, CrossFit, home health care and more! Exhibitors at the event will provide information on healthy living for children, families and seniors. In addition, demonstrations and speakers will be scheduled throughout the day to educate and entertain!
The Lestonnac Free Clinic will host their second annual FREE Health Fair on June 22, 2019 from 9:00am-1:00pm. They will offer dental extractions and fillings to the community. Additionally, they will provide medical services such as blood pressure screenings, glucose screenings, and acupuncture.
Both of these events will be held at the Los Alamitos Community Center, 10911 Oak St., Los Alamitos. Parking will be available at Oak Middle School, adjacent to the Community Center.
For additional information, please contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430-1073 or visit us online at www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation.
Recently Los Alamitos Medical Center recognized Beck as one of its longest serving nurses. She was recognized for 45 years of service! Lindy has worked in almost every hospital department except for the OR and OB. She has been in the GI Lab for the past 16 years at Los Alamitos.
The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department invites youth ages 11 to 17 years old to join the Los Alamitos Volunteer Program (L.A.V.P.), sponsored by Southland Credit Union. The program is designed to assist tweens and teens in acquiring valuable job skills and earning volunteer hours by offering opportunities to get involved in the community. Participants will give back to their community by being a volunteer that enhances City’s programs and community wide special events by supporting City staff in day camps, park programs, pre-school, youth sports programs and at special events such as the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.
For the first time ever, members of L.A.V.P. will have the opportunity to receive a scholarship through the City of Los Alamitos. Eligibility requirements include the following:
Be a member of the Los Alamitos Volunteer Program for a minimum of two completed years
Must have a minimum of 100 hours volunteered as a member of the L.A.V.P. program
Must be in good standing with the L.A.V.P. program
Submit a scholarship application that includes the following:
An essay explaining what he/she will do with the scholarship to further their education
Last semester of their report card. Must have a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0
One letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer, or volunteer coordinator
Applications will be submitted beginning on September 1 with a deadline for all application and all other requirements being October 11, 2019. Three scholarships will be awarded annually.
Gold Scholarship – $750.00
Silver Scholarship – $500.00
Bronze Scholarship – $250.00
For additional information, please contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department at 562-430-1073 or visit us online at www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation
Rossmoor-Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated plans to welcome Penny Lambright, founder of Patriots and Paws. Lambright will speak at their next regular meeting.
Lambright is expected share about her inspirational organization, which is dedicated to serving active and veteran service men and women.
Also during the June 15 breakfast meeting, former Cypress City Mayor and associate member of the club, Leroy Mills offers the first of several presentations focused on the 2020 election. Mills, who has been involved with politics since 2006, will share data and opinion about local, state and national issues.
Held at the conveniently located Cypress Courtyard by Marriott (5865 Katella Avenue at Valley View), the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. with a patriotic buffet breakfast. The cost is $25 for members and $28 for non-members. With the focus on the military and taking place the day after Flag Day, members and guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.
Located in Anaheim, Patriots and Paws provides items these men and women might need for their home. It could be a couch, a dining room table or even a soup ladle. The person contacts the organization with their “wish list” and depending on what has been donated, the organization makes the wish list come to life. If they don’t have what is requested, the recipient will be notified at a later date when that item has come in.
The RLA club, which serves northwest Orange County cities and greater Long Beach, welcomes like-minded women and men who want to impact local, state and national politics. Reservations can be made at: RossLosalRWF@gmail.com. RossLosalRWF@gmail.com.
Can the enduring and global success of Postmodern Jukebox be testament to audiences finding an evening of joy and escape from the chaotic complexity of modern life?
With nearly 2 million Facebook fans, 450 million YouTube views and hundreds of sold out shows on six continents, there is obviously some magic in the attraction of an entertaining stage show entitled Postmodern Jukebox.
To be sure, there are a variety of potential explanations, all subjective, but its creators believe it is a yearning for the simplicity of yesteryear; a simple retro escape from today’s troubled times that evokes heartfelt emotion from its audience.
According to the show’s creator Scott Bradlee, “the audience takes a journey with us.” Postmodern Jukebox has risen from its humble start in 2009 to a top marquee act around the world. Like days of old, Bradlee said the show uses vintage “craftsmanship” to induce a return to a style more typical precision of the roaring 20’s.
“We want them to escape reality and join us for the most sensational 1920s party this side of The Great Gatsby. We want them to experience what it was like to be at the New Years’ Eve show that Sinatra would have hosted in the 1940s. We want them to feel the excitement of hearing the greats of Motown live and up close. Our goal is to give our audi ences their favorite show again and again and still have it feel like the very first time,” said Bradlee.
Following a sold-out European Tour, Postmodern Jukebox opens their U.S. Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 Tour at Segerstrom Center June 15.
“We work on pairing the right talent with the right material to create an amazing experience for the audience,” says Bradlee. “The sensational show is meant to prepare the world for a new decade,” says Bradlee.
For Olivia Kuper Harris, it is perhaps the right role at the right time in her career. Lured from the Lone Star state with an abundance of acting and vocal talent, this experienced jazz singer revels both in the elegance of the show and her ability to improvise on stage.
Harris is a great example of the “right talent” that Bradlee recruits to perform the Postmodern Jukebox. His goal is to fill the stage with emerging talent able to transport audiences back to an era where “vintage” reigned supreme, yet with retro-laced modern tunes.
“PMJ was perfect for me,” says Harris, noting that even though she is a relatively new addition to PMJ, she has been a jazz singer for most of her life. After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University, she moved to L.A. to build an entertainment career.
Harris has also received notice for her acting ability, called by the New York Times a “real star” for her role in “The Playroom,” currently streaming on Netflix.
There’s no question, however, that the roots of jazz flows through her veins, and she relishes her role on stage with Aubrey Logan and the talented PMJ cast. “No show is ever the same,” she says, as the performers often improvise their vintage performances of modern classics.
According to selected reviews, Harris has drawn cheers for her scatting on Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” and, says another, “of everyone who performed, her intonation sounded closest to the Mid-Atlantic accent heard in old movies, lending authenticity to her “vintage” covers of modern songs.”
“Singing is the way I express myself,” she says. Post Haste Media describes her voice as “alternative pop with a splash of jazz blended with a bit of neo-soul, blended together by a voice that can plead, seduce, energize and amuse.”
Audiences even “sing along with us,” said Harris, adding that PMJ sometimes feels like a “rock concert. It’s definitely a throwback moment,” she said, adding that fans love the vintage dress and style.
“Every show is vintage and always unique,” admits Harris, however one thing is certain. Audiences are pulled into the once in a lifetime experience, acknowledging fans say “they’ve never seen anything like it.”
For June 15 tickets, call ticket services at (714) 556-2787 or visit www.scfta.org. VIP packages are available.
When famed choreographer Mark Morris returned to the United Kingdom with Pepperland, his new production based on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, he was at first terrified of the audience reaction.
The production, which first premiered at Liverpool’s Sgt. Pepper at 50 festival in 2017, takes inspiration from the familiar songs but then expands the music and dance into unexpected directions with new composition and choreography.
Mark Morris, founder of Mark Morris Dance Group photo by Beowulf Sheehan
“I can’t describe it,” said Morris, when asked about Pepperland. “I didn’t know if it was going to work or not,” says the always precise and often irreverent choreographer. Especially in Liverpool, he said, and for people all over the world who believe they know all things Beatle, this is an explosive interpretation of their work, not a rehashing of it and Morris admits being a bit uneasy before it opened.
Audiences, however, loved it and the show has toured ever since. It makes a stop at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts June 14 and 15.
Although the evening length music and dance extravaganza is based on Sgt. Pepper’s, Morris warns fans that even though the show includes “Penny Lane,” they should not expect a trip down memory lane. But he says, the show works for fans who either loved – or hated – the Beatles.
To be clear, the entire show is reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper. The colors from the album cover match exactly the costumes designed by Elizabeth Kurtzman. The original score by composer Ethan Iverson interspersing arrangements of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “A Day in the Life,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Within You Without You,” and “Penny Lane” along with six original Pepper-inspired pieces intended especially for Mark Morris’ profound understanding of classical forms: Allegro, Scherzo, Adagio, and the blues.
According to critics, “this colorful new piece resounds with the ingenuity, musicality,wit, and humanity for which the company is known.”
Both on stage, and even in practice, Morris demands live music. Plain. Simple. Nothing recorded. His company, Mark Morris Dance Group, soon to celebrate its 40th anniversary, has worked with many of the same musicians for decades.
Morris has always loved music and has done shows around the world, some of which featured him conducting the orchestra. While Morris is known worldwide as a choreographer, he is an accomplished conductor and music arranger as well.
He says the music for Pepperland was composed to reflect the enormous impact the album had on popular culture when released. As a boy, Morris said he saw the Beatles with his sisters, describing it as little more than a “screaming nightmare.”
However, when the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper in 1967, Morris said it impacted the world and himself as well. “The music for Pepperland, arranged on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is important to me because of the enormous impact the album caused in popular culture at large,” says Morris.
Therefore, at the inspiration of Morris, the forces of music and dance collide on the exciting Pepperland stage. Like the wave making album, Morris has created a “shopping trip” of musical dance interpretation.”
The Beatles used the studio to create an album that literally “could not be performed live. That’s exactly why I agreed to do this and all I can say is people who attend will come away entertained – and surprised.”
For tickets, call ticket services at (714) 556-2787 or visit www.scfta.org. VIP packages are available.
“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Chris Vlasic has been selected as the Principal of Los Alamitos High School beginning July 1. Mr. Vlasic started his educational career in Santa Ana Unified as a secondary math teacher and boys’ basketball coach at both Valley High School and Godinez Fundamental High School.
In 2010, he joined the Griffin family serving students and staff in a multitude of roles: math teacher, girls varsity basketball coach, athletic director, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), and assistant principal. For the past five years, Mr. Vlasic has served as a Director supporting a variety of areas including safety, student services, educational services and human resources, according to the press release.
Pulver said Vlasic “is a collaborative leader with an immense amount of Griffin pride. He cares deeply about LAHS, the staff, families, and students and is committed to the success of every Griffin. Mr. Vlasic grew up in Garden Grove, graduating from Pacifica High School and earning All-State honors as a high school basketball player.”
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and helped the university win a National Championship as a member of their basketball team. He later received his master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University.
Vlasic lives locally with his wife of 15 years, Maria, daughter Jocelyn (13), and son Brandon (11). Jocelyn and Brandon both attend McAuliffe Middle School and are looking forward to being future Griffins. In his free time, Mr. Vlasic enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, working out, and walking his golden retriever, Curry, said the release.
Further, Vlasic will be formally recognized by the Board of Education as the new LAHS Principal on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30 pm in the Board Room.
“We will schedule a Meet and Greet for the Griffin community prior to the start of the new school year,” said Pulver.
Students of Los Al High School apparently put together their own tribute to Dr. Stone, thanking him for his service. The edited video is available on YouTube.
Volunteers from several local community organizations banded resources to serve a plate of hot food seasoned with a generous dish of gratitude as the 11th Military Police HHC unit prepared to deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The event was organized by Lisa Flores, the Family Readiness Coordinator for Joint Forces Training base in Los Alamitos, where the 11th MP unit is based.
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, gamed notoriety during the Gulf Wars as the United States sought to find a remote location to harbor some of the most notorious suspected terrorists after they were captured.
The United States retained a 45-square mile possession near Guantanamo Bay at the southernmost end of the island which it initially leased from the “new Republic of Cuba” in 1903.
Over the years, the U.S. Naval Base has served many refugees, detainees and other needs and was selected by U.S. military officials for the GITMO detention camp
The first “detainees” from Afghanistan began arriving at “GITMO” in 2002 and today, approximately 40 of the worst suspected terrorists are still housed there as officials have not agreed on a location or reason for release.
After departing May 29, the group had a two-day layover in Texas where the unit’s military readiness was checked out by military officials before flying to Cuba, where they have now successfully deployed.
Although the group is based at JFTB, Lt. Col. Steve Ostrendar said the deployment will include other specialists from “around the nation” with other skills in order to fulfill the mission.
Major Daniel Alix said the brigade will be responsible for shoring up the security around the base, accessing local infrastructure and other similar items needed to keep the detention center secure.
Both commanders said the U.S. Army Reserve Unit included some active-duty and others not normally attached to the unit because of the sensitivity of their mission. Many of those deploying had seen combat duty before while some had not. “It’s the first time leaving the states for many of them,” said Alix.
Many volunteers from community organizations from Cypress and Los Alamitos, including the Los Alamitos Chamber and the Los Al Kiwanis Club and the Bob Hope USO were on hand to serve the troops and wish them well.
“It was an honor for us to be asked to participate,” said Maureen Ahrens, Orange County Manager of the Bob Hope USO. The USO provided each deploying service member with a swag bag of personal items, including handwritten notes from the children of UCI Medical Center nurses, who prepared the gift bags.
Chartered in February of 1979, Region 159 has been a leader in what have become the guiding Philosophies of AYSO, in support of our kids playing soccer and having fun: Good Sportsmanship, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Everyone Plays, Positive Coaching, and Player Development.
