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Cypress College breaks ground on new center for vets

Brooklynn Wong
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Cypress College breaks ground on new center for vets

By Brooklynn Wong

Cypress College will soon have a new resource center to service its large demographic of students who are military veterans.

Last Friday, ground was broken on a new center that will be a new and improved version of the current Veterans Resource Center on campus.

Measure J, which was passed in 2014, will make this undertaking possible.

The bond measure is a 20-year construction program with the goal of improving facilities across the North Orange County Community College District.

$574 million will be provided over that time to build the Veterans Resource Center, renovate Cypress College’s Fine Arts Building and expand its library, among other projects.

According to Cypress College’s website, this new Veterans Resource Center will provide state-of-the-art counseling facilities for student veterans, a patio and outdoor area, and computers and access to other technology. Assistance will be provided for navigating the college process of financial aid, applications, career development and veterans benefit information.

The overall hope of staff is that this facility and the services and help offered within, will aid veterans in their transition from the military to civilian and student life, and create a sense of community amongst Cypress College’s veteran demographic.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held, where Cypress College President Dr. JoAnna Schilling, and local politicians including Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, addressed those in attendance.

Brooklynn Wong
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Bishop Vann dedicates and blesses statue of the Blessing Venerable Nano Nagle

By Rosemary Lewallen

Bishop Kevin Vann dedicated and blessed a statue of the Venerable Nano Nagle on St. Patrick’s Day at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress. Nano Nagle founded the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ireland and was a pioneer in Catholic education. She was born in 1718 in Cork, Ireland and died on April 26, 1784. Nano Nagle was declared venerable on Oct. 31, 2013 by Pope Francis. The celebration also honored the loving service of the Presentation Sisters at St. Irenaeus.

High school students at JFTB school build rockets and dreams

David N. Young
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High school students at JFTB school build rockets and dreams

by Senior Airman Crystal Housman, California National Guard Public Affairs

Students in the STARBASE Los Alamitos STARBASE 2.0 program counted down from five and turned their eyes toward the sky, March 13, over Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, California, during the second set of practice launches for their entry into this year’s Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) competition.

The program’s middle-school-aged aerospace engineers are vying for a chance to take their custom-built rockets to Virginia for the TARC National Finals Fly Off in May. TARC is the largest rocketry competition for middle school and high school students nationwide and U.S. winners go on to a worldwide competition.

“It’s a really big deal and we’re really hoping to get there,” said seventh grader and second-year competitor Gina Rodeghiero, 13, of La Habra. “If we can take it to the next level that would be amazing.”

Rodeghiero and her teammates began designing this year’s competition rockets in September using computer aided design software and a rocket simulator. By January, she said, they were in the building phase.

To make the national competition, the team will first have to record a pair of successful qualifying rocket launches that shoot into the sky, deploy multiple parachutes and safely land without cracking the raw eggs encapsulated inside.

If the eggs are intact and the flight is deemed a successful qualifier, the launch is then scored by TARC judges based on its closeness to predetermined altitude and total flight duration targets set forth for the competition.

This year’s theme commemorates the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space program’s Apollo 11, which made the first lunar landing in June 1969.

According to the 2019 TARC handbook, competing rockets must carry three eggs as payload, which is symbolic to the three astronauts – Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins – who made the historic mission. The rockets should target an altitude of 856 ft., it outlines, in honor of the time, 8:56 p.m., that Armstrong first stepped on the moon as recorded by clocks in Houston, Texas, where NASA personnel were tracking the mission.

TARC targets and rocket specifications change each year, said Rodeghiero, who plans to pursue an engineering career in rockets or robotics.

“It’s a lot more challenging,” she said. “Last year we had two eggs which didn’t weigh that much, and this year we have three eggs. Last year we had one parachute and this year we have three parachutes.”

This year’s rockets must split apart after launch and land in two sections with at least two parachutes on the part carrying the eggs, the handbook dictates.

Packing and deploying multiple parachutes has been a new experience for the team, Rodeghiero said, but they are figuring it out.

“It’s trial and error. We come up with an idea and then we try it and then we learn from the mistakes,” she said.

After parachutes tangled during the first practice launch in early March, the team reversed how it loaded them into the rocket’s body. During Wednesday’s second practice launch, the parachutes came down more even more tangled.

“The changes were not good,” Rodeghiero said, “but we learned from it.”

In addition to the parachute system, the teen rocket scientists are also dialing in which rocket motor they will use for competition, how much additional weight they will place inside the body, and they are making body modifications to give the rocket’s altimeter more ventilation so it can give a more accurate reading.

“Everytime you gain something in one place you give it up someplace else,” said Tim Ziesmer, a STARBASE Los Alamitos instructor who also serves as the rocketry team’s coach. “Every advantage is a disadvantage.”

The team has until the first week of April to conduct three official qualification launches in front of TARC judges and at least two must be successful to be scored. The lowest two of the three scores are submitted for national fly off consideration.

Qualifying launches receive points for every foot of altitude they fly over or under the target goal and also receive points for every second they fly more or less than a three second flight duration window of 43 to 46 seconds.

Much like golf, the lower the score, the better.

The top 100 teams with the lowest qualifying launch scores from around the country receive invitations to the National Finals.

“With TARC, if you win, you’re right there at the finals,” Ziesmer said.

In 2016, STARBASE Los Alamitos fielded an unofficial team to try rocketry and determine if building a TARC program was a realistic goal. In 2017, one of the team’s rockets exploded on the launchpad and only one qualifying launch was recorded.

Last year, one of STARBASE Los Alamitos’ two teams missed the top 100 cutoff by one point.

“If we had .6 seconds better [flight time] or three feet better [altitude] either one would have put us in the final 100,” Zeismer said. “We were that close.”

It is rocket science, after all, and both the team and its coach keep coming back for more.

“I love the challenge,” Zeismer said. “When you build a rocket from scratch and you hit that button then it takes off and it works… there’s just nothing like it.”

Rodeghiero believes the team has a good chance at making nationals this year.

“I think we do,” she said. “We just need to be sure to stay focused and put in the time and work for it.

STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that focuses on inspiring youth to gain an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The program, which primarily delivers hands-on STEM education to elementary school students at campuses around the country, also offers a voluntary afterschool 2.0 program for STARBASE graduates to further pursue STEM interests.

STARBASE Los Alamitos is one of three STARBASE programs in California and one of two STARBASE campuses facilitated by the California Military Department’s Youth and Community Programs Task Force.

 

Youth Center Keyboard and Guitar Concert

David N. Young
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Youth Center Keyboard and Guitar Concert

Pictured is Youth Center Music Instructor Valerie Zahn with her keyboard students recently at The Youth Center Keyboard & Guitar Concert at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos. Parents were delighted to hear their children perform in one of two concerts held per year as part of The Youth Center Elementary Music Program.

Congressman Lowenthal applauds passage of HR 1, Redistricting Reform Act

David N. Young
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Congressman Lowenthal applauds passage of HR 1, Redistricting Reform Act

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) recently applauded the passage of H.R. 1 in the House of Representatives. H.R. 1, the For the People Act, is a comprehensive voting rights, election security, and anti-corruption legislative package. This important legislation incorporates the Congressman’s Redistricting Reform Act, a bill co-led by Congressman Lowenthal, House Administration Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Julia Brownley, and Rep. John Sarbanes which would require states implement independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional districts, thus removing politicians from the process and lessen the possibility of partisan gerrymandering.

“I am thrilled by the passage of the For the People Act, H.R. 1. This broad sweeping legislation is the most important piece of legislation to pass out of the House in a nearly a decade. Our democracy must be fair, secure, and representative of the people. This legislation will go a long way in restoring the faith and confidence in the voters that their voices, and votes, are heard. It is for these reasons that I’m angry Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel has stated that he will not even hold a vote on H.R. 1. Voters feel disenfranchised by a system that is dominated by gerrymandered districts and dark money, while remaining fearful that voter systems can be hacked or sabotaged. The American people deserve more from their government.”

The Redistricting Reform Act language in H.R. 1 is a key component to protecting the voice of the people in the process. The Founders built the House of Representatives to be the chamber closest to the people, and therefore, must be accountable to the voters. For far too long, politicians from both parties have used gerrymandering to draw their own districts, choosing who will be voting for them. Requiring States to implement independent redistricting commissions, similar to California and Arizona, will restore the peoples voice in the process and make politicians accountable to the voters.

Congressman Lowenthal has been a longtime champion of redistricting reform and fought to end the practice of gerrymandering. The first bill he introduced in Congress, the Let the People Draw the Lines Act which, like the Redistricting Reform Act, required states to implement independent redistricting commissions to end gerrymandering of Congressional districts and give citizens more direct control over the redistricting process.

In 2015, Congressman Lowenthal led the bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court supporting the right of citizens to establish independent redistricting commissions in Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

In September 2017, Congressman Lowenthal also led the bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court for Gill v. Whitford regarding extreme partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin, and later that year, he joined with colleagues in sending a bipartisan Member of Congress amicus brief in Benisek v. Lamone regarding extreme partisan gerrymandering in Maryland.

On Friday, he introduced a bipartisan amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in two pending gerrymandering cases before the Court that could stop the undemocratic partisan gerrymandering of political districts.

Trump Administration offers former mayor Troy Edgar a key post

David N. Young
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Trump Administration offers former mayor Troy Edgar a key post

Former Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar has been nominated to become the chief financial officer of Homeland Security, the Trump administration has announced.

Edgar, attending the Youth Center Gala on Saturday, confirmed the nomination.

The former Los Al mayor said that he was “beyond humbled to receive the nomination,” yet realized the challenges ahead.

“The agency has a $60 billion budget,” Edgar said. “That in itself is kind of daunting.”

The former three term Council member and former mayor of Los Alamitos said he had known since November, when the federal government initially began an extensive background check that he said “went all the way back to high school.”

Edgar said he was notified only a few days ago that he had been cleared to proceed.

“The confidence bestowed upon me by the president is a recognition of over 30 years experience in the private sector and I look forward to starting my role as soon as the nomination is approved by the Senate,” Edgar said.

Edgar is the president and chief executive and founder of Global Conductor Inc, and has worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, Boeing and was chief financial officer for the Military Transport Aircraft Product Support division of the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company.

He also is a U.S. Navy veteran and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from USC.

A resident of Los Alamitos, Mayor Troy Edgar was elected as a City Council member in 2006, and served as mayor in 2009 and 2012.

He, his wife Betty and their three sons live in the Greenbrook neighborhood of Los Alamitos.

Edgar boarded a plane for Washington early Sunday for a trip to Washington, where he is expected to begin the process of confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

The former mayor said upon leaving office he was most proud of the budgetary reforms he introduced while serving in Los Al and that he was most disappointed by not being able to convince the unincorporated area of Rossmoor to become part of Los Alamitos.

As mayor, Edgar visited President Trump along with other Orange County officials after initiating a mini-revolution against SB 54, a move which has prompted a legal challenge for the city that is currently working its way through the courts.

Edgar continues to defend the action, saying issues critical to local sovereignty are at stake.

 

Good Shepherd church explores mentor relationship building

David N. Young
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Good Shepherd church explores mentor relationship building

Both Laurie Short and Brooklyn Lindsey led women of different generations from Good Shepherd and within the community in a time of worship, connection, and fellowship, as they explored what a mentoring relationship looks like.

The evening started with boomers versus millennials playing a cross generational game of ‘Name that Sitcom’ as well as identifying household items from the past, and current high- tech devices.  The game highlighted the similarities and differences in the culture each grew up in.

Laurie explored how mentoring relationships lead to steps in ‘Your Bigger Life’, whereby outreach efforts become part of a bigger picture.  These connections have ripple effects that yield benefits for those that belong to the generation both before and after us, as well as to the mentor.

Brooklyn discussed the theme of vulnerability as we take risks when we step out of our comfort zone and reach out to others.

And finally, Del Black, a representative from Good Shepherd, discussed the church’s past- history of mentoring programs and where we envision the future: Every Woman Connected and finding their place in the chain of faith.

Time was allotted for small group discussion among participants that explored the benefits and obstacles of their own experience with mentoring.

The She Grows Conference is the most current launch of intergenerational women at Good Shepherd.  Moving forward, the church will now host other events such as Mugs and Muffins on Saturday, April 6th from 9:30-11:30 am and the Women’s Spring luncheon on Saturday May 4th.  Contact Ca***@**pc.org for questions.

 

 

 

Cypress mayor honors longtime volunteer

David N. Young
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Cypress mayor honors longtime volunteer

Cyp

On March 14, Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry surprised long-time volunteer, Rosemary Carda, for her generous dedication to the Cypress Senior Center.  Mayor Berry presented Ms. Carda with a certificate of recognition as a thank you to her many years of volunteer service at the Senior Center.

Rosemary Carda has been a volunteer at the Senior Center since 2011.  She plays piano every Thursday, entertaining guests at the Senior Center lunch program with a variety of favorite tunes.  Ms. Carda first began playing piano in 1970 and spent 25 years playing at Cameo Wedding Chapel and 11 years at Knott’s Berry Farm Chapel.  Ms. Carda also professionally performed at a wedding for President Ronald Reagan’s family.

“I am honored to recognize Rosemary and her heart for service.  She is such an asset to the Senior Center and our community.  Her beautiful music brings so much joy to our lunch program participants,” said Mayor Berry.

Carpenter Center to present “Catch Me If You Can”

David N. Young
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Carpenter Center to present “Catch Me If You Can”

Musical Theater West (MTW) brings the incredible true story, turned hit film, turned Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Catch Me If You Can to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center March 29 through April 14.  Created by the “dream team” of  song writers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Smash, Mary Poppins Returns)  and librettist Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime), Catch Me If You Can delivers a the high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught.

Teenager Frank Abagnale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, he successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when his lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, the chase is on to make Frank pay for his crimes.  The production was nominated for four Tony Awards with Norbert Leo Butz winning for Best Actor.

Catch Me if You Can features Broadway talent and regional favorites.  Jacob Haren (Frank Abagnale Jr.) comes direct from Broadway’s The Book of Mormon where he is appearing as Elder White, a role he will be returning to after his run with MTW.  He reprises the role of Abagnale Jr., after earning critical acclaim in the Moonlight Stage production.  His additional credits include Rock of Ages (Las Vegas), Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse, world premiere), and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe).

Fans of Bad Santa 2 will recognize Jeff Skowron (Agent Carl Hanratty) for his co-starring role as Dorfman opposite Billy Bob Thornton.  Broadway credits include?Enron, How the Grinch Stole

Christmas, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, High Society and The Boy From Oz.  At MTW, Skowron was last seen as Jigger in?Carousel?and Edward Bloom in?Big Fish.?Most recently, he earned critical acclaim for his role as the entire D’Ysquith family in 3D Theatrical’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.  Among his  numerous awards and nominations include his work in 3D Theatricals?Parade (Ovation Award) and The Producers?(Ovation nomination); McCoy Rigby’s  South Pacific (Ovation Award) and Pride and Prejudice (Ovation Nomination) and?Les Misérables (Ovation Nomination); and The?Wallis Annenberg’s Into the Woods (LA Drama Critics Circle Nomination).

Katie Saper makes her MTW debut.  A seasoned actress, she earned a San Diego Critic’s nomination for her standout performance as Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees (SDMT).  Additional credits include productions of Looking For Christmas (The Old Globe), Crystal-Kingdom City (La Jolla Playhouse), The Houdini Box (La Jolla Playhouse workshops), Sunset Boulevard and Titanic (Moonlight Stage Productions), and A Little Night Music (Cygnet Theatre).

The show is under the direction of Larry Raben (MTW’s Sunset Boulevard and Nice Work if You Can Get It; Off-Broadway’s Falling for Eve), with choreography by Peggy Hickey (Broadway’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Anastasia and MTW’s Elf as director and choreographer); and music direction by Dennis Castellano (MTW’s White Chirstmas, Bright Star and Carousel). Rounding out the cast is Rebecca Spencer (Carol Strong), Doug Carfrae (Roger Strong), Michael Corbett (Frank Abagnale, Sr), and Sandy Bainum (Paula Abagnale).  The ensemble features Richard Bulda, Jonathan Sangster, Jeffrey Scott Parsons, Annie Hinskton, Bailey Blaise, Claudia Baffo, Isabella Olivas, Jenna Lea Rosen, Jennifer Knox, Katie Barna, Lauren Decierdo, Calvin Brady, Evin Johnson, Graham Keene, Louis Williams Jr. and Simoné Sassudelli.

This production is made possible thanks to the support of Season Sponsors: Ackerman Family/Evalyn M Bauer Foundation, Kathy Baker Campbell and KC Wilson, Ken & Dottie Reiner, Don & Marlene Temple and The Port of Long Beach; Associate Producers: Dr. David R. Federick and Jasmine P. Cálzada, The Schulzman-Neri Foundation and John & Kathryn Wavell; with Youth Performance Underwriters: Don Black & Judy McNulty Black, Pat De Rouen, and Dr. Ron & Sylvia Hartman.  Paul Garman serves as Executive Producer/Director of Musical Theatre West.

Public to have rare opportunity to visit Navy base, ship

David N. Young
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Public to have rare opportunity to visit Navy base, ship

The public will have a rare opportunity to visit a U.S. Navy warship and meet her crew as the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station celebrates 75 years of support to the fleet.

The ship will be open for weekend public visiting March 23-24, with Saturday tours given from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday tours provided from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Displays of other Navy and Marine Corps equipment will also be available.

The name of the ship will be released upon her arrival.

The event is free of charge and no reservations are required.  Cameras are permitted.  No open-toed shoes or sandals will be allowed, and walking shoes are highly recommended.  No backpacks or handbags will be allowed onboard.  The ship is not equipped for handicapped access.  It is illegal to possess Marijuana or any THC-containing product while on U.S. military bases.

Public entry will only be available via the station’s Liberty Gate, located on Seal Beach Boulevard, 200 yards south of the Pacific Coast Highway intersection.  No access will be available from the station’s Main Gate.

Additional information and live updates can be found on the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Facebook page.

Established on March 21, 1944 as a U.S. Naval Ammunition and Net Depot, the base has had a long and proud history of stewardship, safety, and support to the Pacific Fleet.  Following the end of World War Two the station was placed into a reduced operating status but was soon reactivated in 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War.  Since that time the base has seen the advent of guided missiles and other precision weapons and supported the Apollo moon rocket program and the creation of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach is now the Pacific Fleet’s premier ordnance loading and storage installation and is the only weapons station port within 1,000 miles of the fleet concentration in San Diego.  The base provides munitions for a majority of the fleet’s surface ships, and services approximately 40 U. S. Navy vessels annually.

 

Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy

After School Sports program to begin March 25 in Los Al

David N. Young
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After School Sports program to begin March 25 in Los Al

The Los Alamitos Recreation & Community Services Department’s next session of the Memorial Care Miller’s Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach After School Sports Program will begin the week of March 25 at all elementary school sites in the Los Alamitos Unified School District.  Grades TK – 5th grade will be able to participate is sports such as flag football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball right after school for an affordable cost of $32 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. Visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation to see what sport is offered at your child’s elementary school.

 

JFTB National Guard soldiers return home from Afghanistan deployment

David N. Young
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JFTB National Guard soldiers return home from Afghanistan deployment

By Capt. Jason Sweeney, California National Guard

Nearly 100 Soldiers from the California National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division, based at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, returned to U.S. soil March 1 at Fort Hood, Texas, after successfully completing a train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan.

The Soldiers will spend about a week on Fort Hood out-processing before returning home to family and friends in California.

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Reading said it felt good to have completed the mission and be back in the United States. Reading was part of an eleven-man team from the 40th Infantry Division sent to fill critical operational positions in northern Afghanistan at Camp Marmal, located near Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, also known as Train, Advise, Assist Command-North commanded by the German Army. He said he worked long hours at a high op-tempo seven days a week while serving in an intelligence shop on the camp.

He said he is looking forward to reuniting with his family in the next few days. How will he celebrate once he returns home to California? “Tacos and margaritas,” he said.

The 40th Infantry Division returns from a mission that was historic in several ways. It was the first combat deployment for the Division headquarters since the Korean War in 1952. In addition, the first rotation of 40th Infantry Division troops arrived in Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in 2017 shortly after celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Division’s founding.

“The 40th Infantry Division was part of a historic moment in Afghanistan,” 40th Infantry Division’s Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Smiley said. “The 40th ID’s contributions helped to shape the first ceasefire in the 17 years of this campaign. The Taliban is now discussing a potential peace for the future of the Afghan people. This contributes to protecting the national security of the United States and the homelands of our Coalition Partners.”

Smiley said that in the past, the National Guard traditionally served as a strategic reserve; however, this deployment demonstrates that the Guard has transformed into an operational force fully integrated with the active-duty Army. “We’ve made a significant leap from a strategic reserve all the way now to divisional-level operations directly contributing at any time and any place to meet the nation’s security requirements yet remain in a reserve status.”

The Afghanistan deployment consisted of two back-to-back nine-month rotations, the first led by 40th Infantry Division Brig. Gen. John Lathrop, who took command of Train, Advise and Assist Command-South (TAAC-South) in October 2017. The second rotation, led by Smiley, arrived in Afghanistan in June 2018.

For both rotations, the 40th Infantry Division was the command element for TAAC-South, based at Kandahar Airfield and tasked with a primary mission to train, advise, assist and enable the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police; jointly known as the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF).

During the deployment, TAAC-South was responsible for over 10,000 Coalition Forces and controlled kinetic and non-kinetic operations in four Afghan provinces: Uruzgan, Daykundi, Zabul and Kandahar where the majority of the Afghans are Pashtun, home of the Taliban.

Smiley said he was proud of the work his Soldiers did with their coalition partners and with the 205th Afghan National Army Corps based in southern Afghanistan. “The Afghan Security Forces made many improvements, increasing their capacity and capability to execute offensive operations successfully,” he said.

“The 40th Infantry Division were good and brave partners to the 205th Hero Corps,” said Lt. Gen. Eman Nazar, 205th Afghan National Army Corps commander. “While they were with us, we did many operations together we wouldn’t have been able to do without their support. We will forever be partners and friends.”

The 40th Infantry Division’s Col. Kris Kough led a team of advisors and served as the senior advisor to Lt. Gen. Nazar on the second rotation. “Our Military Advisor Team advised the 205th Corps staff,” Kough said. “We worked with our Afghan partners, giving them recommendations on how to perform their warfighting functions more efficiently, not necessarily the American way, but in a way that works for them, giving them tactics, techniques and procedures to help them improve their processes. For my team, it was important that we worked on sustainable Afghan solutions for them.”

Kough said his team helped the 205th Corps improve casualty evacuation, logistics and combat training.

“It’s good to be back on American soil, but bittersweet,” Kough said. “For most of us, we enjoyed interacting on a daily basis with our Afghan partners. We developed relationships and friendships. It’s kind of hard to walk away from that, but it’s time to come home and time for a new team to take over.”

The 40th Infantry Division’s Col. Daniel Markert served as the TAAC-South Director of Operations during the second rotation. “In the current mission set in Afghanistan, what you want to be able to do is put advisors at the point of need,” Markert said. “We put together Expeditionary Advisory Packages (EAPs), which took some resources—it took planning, rotary-wing lift, theater response forces, security forces—general support assets. We’d set up with mortars, artillery and be out on the EAP for roughly five to 10 days. We got real good effects by going to more austere locations, a little higher risk, but much more effective in actually getting the Afghans better. And by better, I mean they’re able to better integrate their indirect fires and armed helicopters. The 205th Corps, the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police are better now than when we got there.”

Master Sgt. James Fox is one of the Division’s engineers and served as a logistical support advisor during the second rotation. Over the deployment, he worked with the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police to replace destroyed vehicles.

“The Afghans are a great people,” he said. “Their world and their culture are very different from ours. By going in there and making an effort to understand them, we were able help them move forward and improve.”

Fox said they were able to bring in 150 new vehicles that increased the effectiveness of Afghan National Security Forces.

During the deployment, five Soldiers from the 40th were awarded Combat Action Badges. Smiley received a Purple Heart when he was wounded in an insider threat attack on Oct. 18.

Smiley was taking part in a Key Leader Engagement at the Kandahar governor’s compound with U.S. and NATO Forces Commander in Afghanistan Gen. Austin “Scott” Miller and several officials. While Miller and Smiley were walking in an entourage, a gunman open-fired with an AK-47, killing Kandahar’s top police general, Abdul Raziq, and Kandahar’s intelligence defense chief, Abdul Momin, and wounding several others. Smiley was shot in the arm and through the leg.

Smiley said the incident was over in seconds. “Our force protection measures were in place and worked and the attacker was immediately eliminated.”

“I have a unique perspective as a senior leader to have been wounded and treated by our tactical medical system—from the combat lifesaver on scene, to the MEDEVAC crew picking me up, to the MEDEVAC taking me to the doctors in the surgical ward and then moving me to Germany and then finally to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. I have an immense appreciation for the caliber and the quality of that medical care. I saw firsthand not just what they did for me, but what they do for everyone.”

Smiley said the incident did not distract his Soldiers from their mission. “The 40th Infantry Division remained focused on our overall objectives. We continued military operations in support of creating conditions for an Afghan political settlement, which will protect our vital national interests.”

Kough said the incident was shocking to the TAAC-South team, but said he was proud how they were able to stay on task. “Our Afghan partners stepped up to the plate, TAAC-South stepped up to the plate, and we were able to maintain security and drive on.”

Kough and Smiley both said the extensive train-up period prior to deploying effectively prepared the team to continue moving forward with their mission despite such an incident. Training the year prior included multiple Warfighter exercises over several weeks in Germany, France and Poland.

Smiley is still recovering from his wounds but is on his feet and back on duty and was at Fort Hood to welcome his Soldiers home as they deboarded the airplane.

“A year is a long time to be gone,” Smiley said. “We are excited for the homecoming, return to civilian life and thankful for a job well done.”

Los Al Race Track hosting Thoroughbreds for training, exercising

David N. Young
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Los Al Race Track hosting Thoroughbreds for training, exercising

Officials open facilities to assist Santa Anita in time of need

By David N. Young

Los Alamitos Race Track in Cypress has agreed to host Thoroughbreds for training there for while Santa Anita’s racetrack works through a host of inspections and other concerns following a rash of equine fatalities in recent months.

Los Al Race Track official Orlando Gutierrez said on Friday that approximately 50 Santa Anita Thoroughbreds were currently training at the Cypress track.

“We’re doing everything we can do to assist,” said Gutierrez. Santa Anita announced last week that there will be no racing or training at their track until further notice while track consultant Dennis Moore conducts a study on the surface.

Los Alamitos is currently running its night-time meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds on weekends, Gutierrez confirmed.

The action come following the much-publicized death of 21 horses at Santa Anita, prompting the temporary closure while officials try to determine what caused the rash of equine fatalities.

Los Alamitos vice president Jack Liebau told popular racing publications that the local track can accommodate as many as 350 Thoroughbreds based at Santa Anita if they need a place to train.

And, if necessary, he said that the number could increase with the use of temporary stalls used for horse sales.

Some trainers based at Santa Anita also have stables at Los Alamitos and San Luis Rey Downs and are expected to send horses there to stay and train. Other trainers are sending horses to train at Los Alamitos and then shipping them back to Santa Anita, according to Los Alamitos track officials.

He said Los Alamitos conducts a Quarter Horse yearling sale each October and houses those prospects in temporary stalls, which could be used if the stable area reached capacity.

If it becomes a long-term issue, Liebau said Los Alamitos could make those stalls available.

Further, he said Los Alamitos is not planning to run Thoroughbreds during the day while Santa Anita is closed for racing, adding that Los Al has three daytime Thoroughbred meetings each year. The first of those this year, a three-week meeting, is scheduled to begin June 27, four days after the end of the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting.

According to Bloodhorse, another racing website, Los Alamitos Race Course owner Ed Allred has presented an offer to the California Horse Racing Board to run races at his Cypress, Calif., track should the suspension of racing at Santa Anita Park continue for an extended period of time.

One day after Santa Anita suspended racing and training to assess the safety of its main track, Allred announced that he has offered a “contingency plan” to the CHRB as well as the Thoroughbred Owners of California. Santa Anita’s decision to suspend racing and training indefinitely was made hours after Lets Light the Way was fatally injured during training—the 21st equine fatality of its meet, which began Dec. 26.

 

La Palma residents overwhelmingly pleased with the city, survey says

Brooklynn Wong
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La Palma residents overwhelmingly pleased with the city, survey says

By Brooklynn Wong

La Palma has just received a “really good report card; the kind of numbers you hope to get” from its residents, said research consultant Dr. Timothy McLarney last week.

McLarney’s firm, True North Research, Inc., is routinely hired by cities and other organizations to evaluate performance and assess needs.

In November and December, a survey was conducted amongst La Palma residents to get an idea of things like how happy they are with La Palma as a place to live and work, and whether city staff is accessible and effective.

And the results? They were among some of the most positive McLarney has ever seen in such a study.

He presented the findings at the March 5 La Palma City Council Meeting.

There were two phases of surveying. First, a certain number of the city’s adults were randomly selected. They were invited via mail, email and phone to take the survey. They had the option to take it online or over the phone, and it was made available in English, Spanish and Korean.

336 people took the survey in this phase.

Next, the survey was made available to any resident that wanted to take it.

In total, 492 individuals took the survey.

The full report is available on the city’s website, but here were some highlights:

-As a place to raise a family, 95% of people said La Palma is “excellent” or “good”

-The majority said La Palma is an “excellent” or “good” place to retire

-When asked what they like most about the city, common themes that came up included the safety/low crime rate, the quiet/family-friendly/small town atmosphere, and that the city has its own police and fire departments

-When asked if the city government could change one thing, what it would be, 35% said they could not think of any changes. McLarney said this was the “ideal answer.”

-When asked if they are satisfied overall with the job the city is doing, 86% said yes, 9% said no, and 5% said they were unsure.

-There was overwhelmingly positive feedback on fire and police service, and on street maintenance.

-95% of individuals who have had interaction with city employees say staff is “accessible, professional and helpful.”

-87% are satisfied with the city’s efforts to communicate with residents, which McLarney called “exceptionally high.”

-57% said the city is moving in the right direction, 8% said it is not, and the rest were unsure.

One more specific area that was explored in the survey was the nature of City Council representation and elections. Currently, all City Council members in La Palma are “at-large,” meaning they represent the entire city. Each seat does not represent a specific district.

The survey asked whether people are satisfied with citywide election of council members. 70% said they are, while 18% said they would prefer if election was by district.

The few areas in which those surveyed were not satisfied were with the selection of places to work in the city, to shop and to dine.

A recurring theme was that the city needs some economic development. Many said that the city would do well to revitalize some of its many run-down, old commercial properties and begin introducing a better variety of restaurants, stores, movie theaters, entertainment options for adults and local businesses that would provide jobs.

Along with revitalizing old commercial centers, those surveyed cited top priorities as being improving street medians and expanding services and programs offered to seniors.

But the conclusion was, according to McLarney, “high levels of satisfaction across the board.”

After Dr. McLarney presented these findings at the meeting, one resident raised the question of whether surveying this small amount of people (what amounted to 2-3% of La Palma’s nearly 16,000 residents) gives an accurate estimate of how all residents feel.

McLarney assured the man that yes, “It’s not how many you choose, it’s how you choose…it seems counterintuitive but in fact that’s how it works,” saying these results are statistically reliable.

LAUSD mourns passing of Dr. Robert Briggerman

David N. Young
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LAUSD mourns passing of Dr. Robert Briggerman

Longtime educator, former Principal of Weaver passes after brief illness

The Los Alamitos Unified School District on Friday announced the death of Dr. Robert Briggerman, the principal of Robert L. Weaver Elementary in Rossmoor, following a brief illness. He was 54.

“It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that our beloved Robert Briggerman, affectionately known as ‘Dr. B’, has passed away,” said a statement issued by Dr. Sherry Kropp. She said Briggerman’s condition was diagnosed in November, after which there were “periods of time in which he was getting better.”

“Unfortunately, he took a turn for the worse this week and passed away from heart failure (Thursday) night at Long Beach Memorial.

“This is a devastating loss for our entire Los Al family.  He was our dear colleague and friend, and we will miss him greatly. We are still in shock and beyond heartsick,” said Kropp.

According to LAUSD, Briggerman began his career as a Spanish teacher at LAHS, was an assistant principal at McAuliffe, and a principal at Lee. For the past three years, he was the Principal at Jack L. Weaver Elementary School in Rossmoor.

Briggerman “cultivated life-long friendships throughout our District, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said Kropp.

A lifelong educator, Briggerman wrote that “the staff at Weaver believes that ALL children can learn and succeed. Our signature instructional practices provide students with a rigorous academic experience.”

His philosophy and strong commitment paid huge dividends for Weaver’s students. Weaver Elementary, in Rossmoor, ranked No. 1 in Orange County on the most recent tests of both English language arts and math, Principal Robert Briggerman announced at a 2017 meeting of the Los Alamitos Unified School District board.

“Fresh on the heels of being named a 2017 National Blue-Ribbon School for raising achievement levels of all students, Weaver posted scores that showed an average 94 percent of students in grades 3-5 met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts, and the same percentage tested at that level in math,” he said. Briggerman said then that results place Weaver at No. 3 in California in both areas.

Briggerman thanked both the school staff and the parent community for “working so hard to make this happen and never stopped trying to improve.

“Does that mean we don’t have any work to do? Of course not. Until we reach 100 percent, we still need to reach out and meet the needs of those families that we still need to serve,” he said.

 

Los Al Griffins blow past Cerritos

David N. Young
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Los Al Griffins blow past Cerritos

Griffins Down Dons

Los Alamitos defeated Cerritos in three straight sets in a non-conference game Thursday night at Los Alamitos. The Griffins have an overall record of 15-5. Pictured above, Los Al #5 Jake Maffett drives one past Cerritos #8 Oliver Schulten. The Griffins play a key match at Huntington Beach High on Friday, at 6 p.m. Photo by Dave Peeters

 

Pulver to take reins of LAUSD April 19

David N. Young
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Pulver to take reins of LAUSD April 19

Dr. Andrew Pulver, who has been selected as the new Superintendent of Los Alamitos Unified School District, will take over on April 19, 2019, the district announced this week. He will succeed Dr. Sherry Kropp who has led the District for the past eight years.

Dr. Pulver has served our community for 20 years with grace and integrity in numerous roles as a leader. He began his career in Los Alamitos Unified as a teacher at McAuliffe Middle School, and was promoted to and served as Assistant Principal at McAuliffe Middle School, Principal at Lee Elementary, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for our District. In each of these roles, he has demonstrated compassion, dedication, and a commitment to students, families, staff, and the community. He is well respected across the state and Orange County for promoting a collaborative culture that supports ongoing learning, reflective practices, creativity and a spirit of excellence.

Diana Hill, President of the Los Alamitos Unified School Board, said Dr. Pulver was selected because he “is an outstanding educational leader with a proven track record of successfully leading exemplary programs and services for students, while enhancing relationships and building positive teams.  He not only has the background and professional capacity we need, but he also cares deeply for this District,” Hill said. “We look forward to working with him in continuing the tradition of improving student outcomes in academic, athletics, activities and the arts while providing open communication with staff, parents and the community.”

Pulver reacted to his appointment, saying, “I am blessed and humbled to serve the Los Alamitos Unified School District. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Education, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and community members to provide an unparalleled foundation for our students. I am inspired to be part of a district that is responsive to the needs of students and families and work alongside such a dedicated and passionate group of educators and staff. Ours is an exemplary district, and we will continue that spirit of excellence and commitment to students for many years to come!”

Pulver earned his Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University, a Master’s in Educational Administration from Alliant International University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. He has served as an Adjunct professor for USC’s Rossier School of Education doctoral program and directed and taught the Association of California School Administrators Personnel Academy for the past four years. Pulver has been recognized as the District’s Principal of the Year and as the Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year for the State of California. He also received the PTSA Honorary Service Award in 2008 and again in 2015.

Picture Courtesy of Dave Locke Photography

Precious Life Shelter to host screening of “Unplanned”

David N. Young
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Precious Life Shelter to host screening of “Unplanned”

Documentary portrays transformation of Abby Johnson

Precious Life Shelter and AudioGirl Ministries invites the community to attend the premiere showing of the new film Unplanned. Unplanned is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation.

All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Her passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose even led her to become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in.

Until the day she saw something that changed everything, leading Abby Johnson to join her former enemies at 40 Days For Life, and become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in America.

Tickets for the March 28 premiere of Unplanned at the Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 & IMAX Theater are $15 each and can be purchased at:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eg5wah3u4c460cf3&llr=5hhjisfab

Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin promptly at 7 p.m. With ample free parking, the theater is conveniently located at 7501 Carson Blvd. in Long Beach (at the 605 Freeway). Those unable to attend the premiere can view the uplifting film throughout the weekend.

Founded in 1982 when Theresa and Dan Sherrin took four expectant homeless women into their home, the non-profit shelter has helped hundreds of homeless pregnant women to become self-reliant members of the community.

Los Al Chapter of NCL hosts fashion show

David N. Young
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Los Al Chapter of NCL hosts fashion show

The South Coast Chapter of National Charity League, Inc.  based in Los Alamitos, hosted LA Story, the Chapter’s annual fashion show March 3. Over two hundred guests enjoyed seeing the latest in LA fashion, shopping from curated boutique vendors and celebrating NCL’s mission and vision.

Featuring the latest in LA Fashion by Cason Couture of Huntington Beach, NCL’s Senior and Junior Ticktockers rocked the runway featuring a broad range of styles from Coachella Boho to Hollywood’s Red Carpet.

“Our LA Story Fashion show is a way to showcase and celebrate our lovely young women and their efforts in NCL towards Community Service, Leadership Development and Cultural Experiences”, said Sandra Livingston, Chapter President.

Seen at the Scene: Sandra Livingston, President NCL, Inc., South Coast Chapter, Kelly Sullivan, Immediate Past President, Sheila Totorp, Incoming President, and South Coast Chapter Board Officers: Nicole Roberts, Lori Grace, Cammie Cassiano, Tracy Lazar, Thao Ngo, Lori Giacomini, Gina Youngs, Suzie Smith, Noreen Curry, Christy Luckey, Jennifer Robbins, Lauren DeNinno, Jessica Panzica and Vanessa Widener.

The South Coast Chapter of NCL, Inc. is a mother daughter organization committed to philanthropy and service to 18 non-profit entities in the Los Alamitos and Long Beach areas.  Last year the South Coast Chapter performed over 25,000 service hours at local philanthropies and donated over $100,000 back to our community, including awarding 37 financial scholarships to local high school senior young women.

For additional information visit: https://www.nationalcharityleague.org/

 

Courtesy photo

 

Rossmoor Community Festival slated for May

David N. Young
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Rossmoor Community Festival slated for May

This unique event will be held on Sunday May 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rush Park, 3021 Blume Drive, Rossmoor.  Where else can you spend the day and experience the rides, games, many vendors, food, live entertainment, a dog parade and car show all in one place? There are still openings for vendors and sponsors. Don’t miss this opportunity! Our website http://Rossmoorfestival.com has on-line registration for vendors, sponsors, entertainment, car show, dog parade and volunteering. For more information call (562) 799-1401 or send an email at in**@**************al.com.  This annual event is co-sponsored by the Rossmoor Homeowners Association and the Rossmoor Community Service District.  See you there!!!

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