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Youth Center’s ‘Every 15 Minutes’ packs powerful impact on high school student

Laurie Hanson
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Youth Center’s ‘Every 15 Minutes’ packs powerful impact on high school student

By Laurie Hanson

Students experience death without dying in the “Every 15 Minutes” event recently at Los Alamitos High School (LAHS). With life-like lessons, they learn the consequences of drunk and distracted driving in a community-wide effort through The Youth Center’s bi-annual event and the local community.

Their day began on Jan. 31, with students being pulled from their classes as part of the “living dead,” while their classmates hear their obituaries, and see their empty desks with only a photo and rose in their place.

Students witness the crash scene with Orange County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Alamitos and Seal Beach Police onsite. Heavy rains and thunder do not stop students from witnessing the accident scene. Ambulances and Forest Lawn hearses standby as fire personnel extricate casualties. The remaining victims standby, helplessly watching their friends and waiting to see the outcome before being taken away from campus to an undisclosed location for 24 hours. There they write goodbye letters to their parents, as their parents write their farewells at another location. They do not see each other until gathering at a school-wide assembly the next morning at the LAHS Gym.

Student Danny Bird, the drunk driver, was arrested, taken to jail, and then appeared in Orange County Municipal Court before a judge. Parents gather for the proceedings, hoping the judge will grant leniency due to the defendant’s young age and him having killed his best friend passengers. For a time, accused drivers remain in a holding tank, isolated and away from family. It’s their first real taste of life behind bars.

During rain and thunder, a group of 28 Los Alamitos High School students in the Every 15 Minutes Program stand by their tombstones they designed for the two-day event. The program teaches the life-like consequences of drunk or distracted driving, and impacts 3,600 students at the high school. It’s brought bi-annually by The Youth Center in Los Alamitos and California Highway Patrol, in a coordinated effort with several community partners
Courtesy photo

“I never want to put my parents through this experience”, shared Los Alamitos High School student Danny Bird, who was the drunk driver. “It’s definitely puts things into prospective and makes you think twice before making this choice [to drive intoxicated or not].”

On the other side of town, personnel at Los Alamitos Medical Center’s emergency room work feverishly to save two other LAHS students Amber DeMarco and Anika Piburn, victims of this senseless tragedy.  Later that day, funeral arrangements carried out for the 27 victims by Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cypress, where family and classmates gather to say their last goodbyes. Many can be heard outwardly weeping because their loved ones are no longer with us.

Day passes into night, and night into the next day where the entire LAHS student body gathers for an assembly in the high school gym, watching a powerful film of the entire day proceeding. Joshua Jahn, a speaker at the assembly, shared the story about losing his wife, young son, and an 11-months old baby girl to a drunk driver who hit his wife’s car. Jahn shares his story with students around the world in hopes that it will save lives. He asked the students to think of his family when they are faced with the choice of driving intoxicated or not. Not a dry eye

Pictured is Los Alamitos High School student Grace Coil, a victim of a drinking and driving accident in a mock crash, placing her tombstone at the Los Alamitos High School graveyard during The Every 15 Minutes Program recently held at LAHS. Courtesy photo

in the entire place remained.

The power of experiencing the consequences of driving under the influence or distracted driving hits like a ton of bricks by the end of the “Every 15 Minutes” event on the second day. The event is named “Every 15 Minutes” from a statistic that every 15 minutes someone is killed by drunk drivers in the United States. And, it’s a lesson not likely forgotten by the 3,600 students at LAHS.

‘We cannot bring this program to our community alone”, shared Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “Los Alamitos Police Department, Seal Beach Lions, and Los Alamitos High School planned this two-day program for the entire year. To help us bring the reality to students, more than 27 community partners joined in to bring this powerful life-changing experience to local students.”

This program is mainly funded by the CHP and The Youth Center with a big help from Lion’s Club and Los Alamitos High School, said Lumme.

 

Robert and Janice Dominguez to co-chair community campaign

Laurie Hanson
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Robert and Janice Dominguez to co-chair community campaign

By Laurie Hanson

Husband and wife co-chairs Robert and Janice Dominguez of Long Beach team up to bring a passion for service and diverse experience to this year’s Community Support Campaign, which kicks off on Feb. 12th at 6 p.m. at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos.

With 35 years in public service throughout Southern California and Fresno County, 8 ½ years spent as city manager for Los Alamitos and 4 years as city manager for Placentia, Robert has seen the value of youth programs directly within the community.

“Cities and law enforcement have learned to encourage youth programs in their cities,” said Robert, who has taught in the Graduate Center for Public Policy at Cal State Long Beach for the last 30 years to present. At one time he served for 8 years on The Youth Center Board of Directors, and he has been active in the Rotary for 37 years.  For the last 10 years he’s been on the board of directors for Music Theatre West and Business Consumer Alliance. He is Senior Advisor for city managers in the Gateway Cities and South Bay areas in Los Angeles County.

Janice met Robert while he was an intern in the City of Lakewood, where she ran their printing department. They married and she was a stay at home mother to their two sons, Joel and Jared, during which time she volunteered in the local schools. Both she and Robert were active for more than 15 years in the Cub and Boys Scouts while their sons were growing up.  One of their sons, Joel, is now a psychologist for Kaiser Permanente, and their other son, Jared, is a mechanical engineer.

After raising her sons, Janice went back to school and got her Registered Veterinarian Technician license, later volunteering at the Wetlands and Wildlife Center in Huntington Beach caring for animals affected by oil spills. Her license is the equivalent to being a registered nurse. She has also volunteered at the Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (SPCA), and has been a foster mother to kittens for two years. She currently is a member of the Women’s Club in Seal Beach, and now travels in her retirement.

“It’s not just babysitting,” said Janice. “Youth programs teach life skills and are a vital part of the community.”

“We want to educate people about what The Youth Center does and speak about the children who have been raised with it,” said Bob. “The longevity of The Youth Center says a lot about their programs, and how they successfully engage young people. They have been around before the city was here.”

Bob has read when someone does fundraise, they have to ask at least 10 people to contribute. He feels the other part of fundraising is to simply outline what The Youth Center does for children and their families.

“I want to inform people exactly where their contributions are going and it’s 100 percent for services and not administration,” he added.

While he was on The Youth Center Board of Directors, Bob saw programs grow, thought it was a lot of fun and felt it was very fulfilling. Both he and Janice were asked by Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme to be this year’s campaign chair-people. They have known Lumme from the time she started as an after-school program staff member under former Executive Director Tom Stretz, feeling she enthusiastically embodies the very spirt of The Youth Center.

“We couldn’t turn her down,” said Bob.

“Lina is amazing,” added Janice. “She’s come a long way in her life. We both definitely feel inspired by her.”

Bob and Janice hope to improve and top what was fundraised in last year’s Community Support Campaign.

At the closing of this year’s Community Support Campaign, The Youth Center will be holding their inaugural A Night of Inspiration Gala celebrating 1 million hours of service to youth since 1952 on March 16 at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. If you are interested in raising or contributing funds for their award-winning programs and/or attending the gala, please go online to www.theyouthcenter.org or call the office at 562-493-4043.

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Center fundraiser successful thanks to man

Laurie Hanson
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Youth Center fundraiser successful thanks to man

By Laurie Hanson

Many volunteers, corporations and other organizations played a key role in the successful outcome of The Youth Center’s tree lot . The award-winning nonprofit raised more than $90,000 for their various programs, of which $20,000 was donated by Ganahl Lumber in Los Alamitos.

Among those who donated time are Molina Healthcare in Long Beach, Clarion Corporation in Cypress, Golden State Water Company in Los Alamitos, Cottonwood Church in Cypress, Los Alamitos Baseball, and Los Alamitos High School Wrestling. Youth volunteers from various local middle and high schools in Los Alamitos and Cypress totaled to more than 500 youth working the lot this year.

“The great part about the tree lot is that our local kids help us during the season,” she continued. “Having the kids we serve give back to us is very rewarding!”

Corporate volunteers helped make the 2018 Youth Center Tree Lot a success this last year. The nonprofit raised $90,000 for their various programs including their after school, tutoring, and music programs.

Funds raised from The Youth Center Tree Lot will be going towards an entire year of the After School Program, in which more than 170 children are currently enrolled daily. Scholarships for families in the music program and tutoring program will also benefit, according to Lumme.

“Without this fundraiser, keeping doors open for our After School Program would be challenging, to say the least,” said Lumme. “With a great need for supervised activities, homework help, and keeping kids active our expenses grow each year. We are blessed to have amazing support from Ganahl Lumber for the past 19 years. With the new location of the tree lot, thanks to the City of Cypress, we continued our tradition of supporting kids.”

Partnering with the Youth Center this year were the City of Cypress, Ganahl Lumber, Golden State Water Company, Jason’s Jewelry Design Gallery, Valley Vista Services, and Southern California Edison. Sponsors were Pacific Premier Bank, Leone Electric, Ganahl Lumber, ServPro, Shaw & Blasi LLP, Edward Jones and Patron Property Management, Inc.

With more than 500 local youth volunteers, The Youth Center’s tree lot was successful this past year. Profits will go towards funding a year of their After School Program, and scholarships for their tutoring and music programs.

“This is truly a holiday tradition in our community and I thank our partners, sponsors, volunteers and especially our Board of Directors, who take on an extra project during the busiest time of the year to help our local youth,” said Lumme. “Bravo to all!”

The Youth Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that’s been in Los Alamitos since 1952, whose mission to transform children’s lives one family at a time. They are funded through grants, minimal program fees, contributions from the local community, and do not receive any State or Federal funding.  For more information about The Youth Center, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org. If you’d like to make a donation, please contact their office at 562-493-4043.

Photos courtesy of the Youth Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Los Al standouts inducted into Hall of Fame

David N. Young
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Three Los Al standouts inducted into Hall of Fame

Despite the rain outside, the Los Alamitos Museum was completely full with family, friends and citizens who wanted to witness the induction of three standout residents whose accomplishments will be forever enshrined in the museum’s Hall of Fame.

Marilyn Poe, the Vice President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees served as moderator as she introduced each of the inductees.

The city’s museum honored Jake Nix, a pitcher for the San Diego Padres, Rachel Fattal, a member of the 2016 Gold Medal Olympics water polo team and Nikki Monninger, a bass player for the music group Silversun Pickups.

“All of these individuals have grown up in Los Alamitos, attending Los Alamitos schools and gone on to national fame,” said Susan Bell, a spokesman for the museum.

Nix said he loves Los Alamitos and is fortunate to be able to play in nearby San Diego for the Padres. “I have a home here and I come back almost every weekend,” he said.

Nix also thanked the community for their support, saying the “support system” in Los Alamitos was an incredible asset.

Monninger, whose bass guitar (one of them) will soon be on permanent display, said she was “humbled” by the show of support from the community.

“It’s something I never expected,” said Monninger, but was tremendously honored by the recognition. Poe said jokingly that Monninger’s bass guitar was so heavy, “I don’t see how she does it.”

Fattal, an Olympic gold medalist, reportedly said she too was honored by the community recognition.

The three now join dozens more that enjoy the “Hall of Fame” status and photos and other mementos of their illustrious careers will soon join the others in the permanent display. Now

 

Courtesy photos:

 

 

 

 

Night Among the Stars awards scholarships to youth

David N. Young
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Night Among the Stars awards scholarships to youth

By Laurie Hanson

Eleven philanthropic youth volunteers from nine local nonprofits were recognized at The Youth Center’s 7th Annual A Night Among the Stars awards ceremony on Jan. 26 for their amazing commitment to give back to their community.

The night was filled with moving stories of the many causes the students have dedicated their free time to over the last year or more — causes involving raising awareness and funds for Crohn’s Disease, tutoring elementary and middle school students, protesting gun violence and advocating for gun control locally in Washington, D.C., creating social media campaigns about the dangers of texting and driving, and giving hope to children and teens who struggle with difficult challenges, just to name a few. The event packed room was inspired by every nominee’s effort to make this world, challenged by so many difficult issues, a better place. As shared by Lina Lumme, Executive Director of The Youth Center, “It’s easy to give up and do nothing. These Stellar Volunteers give their time and talents to give us all a brighter future by making a difference in our community.”

Nominees acknowledged for this year’s awards included:

Kaylie Matthews – Rossmoor resident – The Youth Center

Vivian Ramirez – Anaheim resident – Grateful Hearts

Darren Deutsch – Long Beach resident – Los Alamitos High School

Valerio Guercio – Los Alamitos resident – Casa Youth Shelter

Julia Dillenbeck – Huntington Beach resident – Village Bible Academy Leo Club

Rebecca Gomez – Seal Beach resident – Seal Beach Leo Club

Rory Lowdermilk – Long Beach resident – Girl Scouts

Rosslyn Lyell – Bellflower resident – LAVP & Girl Scouts

Hallie Alcantar – Seal Beach resident – Be the Good

Cheryl Godbee – Cerritos resident – The Youth Center Leo’s Club

Madison Godbee – Cerritos resident – The Youth Center Leo’s Club

The nominees were honored by Los Alamitos Mayor Kusumoto, Bellflower Mayor Santa Ines, Los Alamitos City Councilman Richard Murphy, representative Ryan Billings from Assemblyman Tyler Diep’s office, Rossmoor Community Services District (RCSD) President Joe Mendoza and RCSD Board Member Bill Kahlert, Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Karen Kuns, Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Dawnette Palmore, LAUSD Board of Education member Karen Russell and Andrew Pulver with LAUSD, Los Alamitos High School Principal Gregg Stone, and The Youth Center’s Board of Directors.

The Youth Center awarded Stellar Volunteers Darren Deutsch, Rory Lowdermilk, and Rebecca Gomez with a $500 scholarship and Viviana Ramirez was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos for her “Courage in Volunteering”.

For more information about The Youth Center, please visit www.theyouthcenter.org.

Los Al pump station slated for long awaited overhaul

David N. Young
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Los Al pump station slated for long awaited overhaul

By David N. Young

After decades of complaining, a College Park north resident learned on Tuesday that the long-suffering Los Alamitos pumping station may soon be getting an upgrade.

Richard Vardeman, whose home is literally next door to the pumping station, appeared at Tuesday’s Los Alamitos city council meeting to once again complain again about the pumps.

Vardeman began his presentation wishing the new council well, then asked them to consider taking care of some persistent problems such as sidewalks, repainting street lane markers, etc.

His main target, however, was the ailing pump station near his home, which he then questioned by openly wondering about their “capacity to prevent flooding.”

Vardeman said the city dodged a bullet when recent rains, though hard, were not as bad as predicted. “Thank goodness,” he said.

Since floods came within inches of his home in late 1990’s, Vardeman said he has been appearing before the Los Al council seeking a replacement for the now 50-year-old pump.

Vardeman and his neighbors have lived in this track of homes near Fenley Street for more than 50 years, and the pump station was apparently a condition required of the developers to build in the low area.

In times of extreme rain, the pumps are designed to accelerate the flow of water from the area into Coyote creek and to a lesser extent, Carbon creek.

The pump station was apparently installed by developers as a requirement for them getting approval to develop a low or flood prone area. Since the development was accepted into the system, the pump and station has become the responsibility of taxpayers and is maintained by the city.

City engineer Dave Hunt acknowledged after the meeting that the existing pump was installed more than five decades ago and long since outdated.

Because of the pump’s widely acknowledged operating problems, Hunt said the city has a installed temporary pump in at the pumping station until repairs can be made to the original.

Hunt said the department has $100,000 in this year’s budget to fix the pumps so he assured Vardeman that funding has been approved. Since the pumps are five decades old, however, Hunt said parts and design will likely require extensive updating and modifications from his staff before bids can be requested.

The age of the pump and station “has caused our staff considerable grief,” Hunt acknowledged, but he believes the final design should be ready for bid by spring.

Barring any major complications, Hunt said the pump modification/replacement should be complete by the end of this year.

“I’m hopeful,” said Vardeman after the meeting. “This time, I am really hopeful.”

Courtesy photo of city of Los Alamitos

Los Al struggles might require drastic steps

David N. Young
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Los Al struggles might require drastic steps

Letter to the Editor

I have been involved with and have appreciated Los Alamitos, since my kids started pre-school in the mid-‘90s. Home, school, shopping, and a bit of local involvement, have all been positive. I have not agreed with some of the decisions by our local leaders, but the streets were pretty safe, there were plenty of trees, and we have had some really nice neighbors. But when those earlier decisions stated to affect the quality of life kind of issues. I overlooked them because the value of my house kept going up.

Over the past many years, I have heard our city leaders talk endlessly about the deteriorating infrastructure affecting a diverse milieu of public goods and services.  How long have folks complained about traffic (too much) and parking (too little), yet we have a giant condominium project breaking ground, and it will not be too much longer until we have a hotel within a block of the high school.

A cursory look down the streets in my neighborhood will reveal trees missing in front of at least 1/2 of the properties. The number of City sponsored programs is getting smaller and smaller. While they are a suburb department, the LAPD has been understaffed for quite some time. The city hall is in need of long neglected, maintenance actions, and should in fact find new quarters, but the money to address a fix or a move does not exist.

And if all that was not enough, at the last City Council meeting we heard about the realities of the City personnel pensions and medical benefits.  The bottom line is that within 6 years, the City of Los Alamitos will be bankrupt.

I am not criticizing our local leaders or city personnel; they are doing the best possible job given the limitations within which they must operate. What I am saying is that it is time to make changes based on the economic and social realities of a tiny, tax-poor, municipality in California. And that is to form a new, larger, city with one of our geographic neighbors, or perhaps have one of them simply absorb us. Remember, the important issue is a continued quality of life, not the name of the city on your address label.

Elliott Singer

Los Alamitos

 

Los Alamitos Elementary Makes “Soup-er” Donation to Youth Shelter

David N. Young
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Los Alamitos Elementary Makes “Soup-er” Donation to Youth Shelter

By Robert Ostmann

Students at Los Alamitos Elementary collected 1,735 cans of food in a service project to benefit nearby Casa Youth Shelter. Casa provides temporary shelter and support for runaways and youths in crisis with the hope of reuniting them with their families. Looking for a way to give back to their community, the 50 fourth- and fifth-graders in student government at Los Alamitos Elementary came up with the timely idea of the “Soup-er Bowl” food drive — a contest to see which grade level could bring in the most cans. As the drive ended just before Super Bowl weekend, the students had more than doubled their goal of 800 cans. Student Government meets every other week to plan events like Red Ribbon Week, Peace Week, and other school community events. Pictured

Courtesy Photo

Area cities receive failing grades from American Lung Association

David N. Young
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Area cities receive failing grades from American Lung Association

Staff Report

An annual report issued this week by the American Lung Association showed no Orange County municipalities received A grades in their efforts to control tobacco.

According to the report, California overall leads the nation in efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use, scoring an A grade for its smoke-free air policies, and B grades for funding of tobacco-prevention programs, state tobacco taxes, access to services to help people stop using tobacco and having a minimum age of 21 for the purchase of tobacco.

But the report cites emerging threats, particularly the popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping, as particularly disturbing. Lung Association officials said there was a 78 percent increase in high school e-cigarette use between 2017 and 2018 nationally.

“The tobacco industry continues to find creative ways to hook new generations of smokers by marketing and selling new products,” according to the report. “Local tobacco-control efforts have remained diligent in taking common sense approaches and pushing necessary policies to address new challenges.”

In Orange County, the following cities received “C” overall grades based on a review of four areas – smoke free outdoor air, smoke-free housing, reducing sales of tobacco products and addressing emerging issues such as flavored tobacco products.

Although some Orange County cities did receive “on the rise” grades, Los Alamitos, Cypress and La Palma all received “failing” grades based on results from these four categories, according to the report.

 

 

Valentines Day for Care Center Residents is Every Day in Feb. at St. Irenaeus

David N. Young
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Valentines Day for Care Center Residents is Every Day in Feb. at St. Irenaeus

By Rosemary Lewallen

St. Irenaeus Health Ministry members asked parishioners to pick Valentine cards hand decorated by Junior High Peacemakers and deliver them personally any day during the month of February to residents of four of the Care Centers that St. Irenaeus’ Health

Lira Balediata, Valentine Outreach

Ministry serves. These facilities are: Sunrise Assisted Living in La Palma; Harvest Retirement in Buena Park; Genesis in Anaheim and Healthcare Center of Orange County in Buena Park. There were 100 Valentine packets distributed. The card and the friendly visit will put a smile on the faces of those residents who receive them and let them know that they are not forgotten, but are an important part of our parish.

Monica Kovach, Facilitator of the Health Ministry Board, and Grace Francis, Chair of Care Facilities Ministry, thank the students who made the Valentine’s Day cards and all of the caring parishioners who agreed to deliver them during the month of February. This Valentine’s Day Outreach could only be possible with the generous response of St. Irenaeus parishioners.

For more information about the Valentine Outreach at St. Irenaeus Church, please contact Monica Kovach 310-490-6113.

Photos and I.D. by Rosemary Lewallen

Donna Kriesel at Valentine TabDonna (Kriesel) & Ken (Francis) at Valentine Table (background)

 

LAUSD gets new School Resource Officer

David N. Young
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LAUSD gets new School Resource Officer

Shawn Watkins has been assigned to serve as School Resource Officer for the Los Alamitos Unified School District. Although he has worked as a patrol officer for Los Alamitos since 2016, Watkins’ position will be funded 45 percent by the city, 30 percent by the school district and 25 percent by Seal Beach.

Watkins will serve as a direct liaison between the school district and the Los Alamitos Police Department, participate in Parent Information Nights, serve on the district’s Safety Committee, attend campus activities to provide law enforcement support and conduct presentations to students on various safety-related topics.

Before coming to Los Alamitos, Watkins served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Culver City police. In addition to patrol, he has been a Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and Homeless Liaison Officer. A graduate of the University of Delaware. Watkins is married with two children and enjoys surfing, golf, jiujitsu and weightlifting.

 

Courtesy photo

 

 

 

 

Rossmoor Elementary Chief Cook named district Employee of the Year

David N. Young
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The woman responsible for putting food on the trays for students at Rossmoor Elementary has been honored as a Classified Employee of the Year by the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

Imelda Hernandez, who has worked for the district for eight years, “cooks and serves, but she also brightens the room with her warm smile,” said Celeste Calubaquib, Food Services Director for the district.

Hernandez works two jobs, Calubaquib said, “but when she comes to us, she always is ready to take care of our children with tender, loving care. She makes them feel special, she remembers their birthdays and when they are having a not so happy day, she tries to brighten them up.”

Amy Belsha, Rossmoor principal, also praised Hernandez for her positive spirit and “doing what it takes every day.”

In congratulating Hernandez on her award, School Board President Diana Hill said, “Years will go by and you will think back at how many different lives you touched.”

Hernandez thanked her family and coworkers. “I wouldn’t be here without their support,” she said. She also thanked a group of Rossmoor students in attendance at the award presentation for “remembering their lunch (ID) numbers every day. And don’t forget to take fruits and veggies.”

 

Courtesy photo

 

Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry calls citizens to service

David N. Young
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Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry calls citizens to service

Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry delivered the State of the City address and presented Business of the Year awards at the Cypress Community Center last week.

Mayor Berry’s speech detailed many of the City’s accomplishments in 2018, including the results of a resident survey about city programs and services. Mayor Berry reported that 92 percent of residents are satisfied with the City’s performance and 90 percent are happy with Cypress’ quality of life. Other important accomplishments shared by Mayor Berry included the Valley View median restoration project, the new traffic signal at Cypress High School, and acquisition of land for a new park at Cerritos Ave and Lexington Drive. Mayor Berry also highlighted the many dedicated nonprofit organizations; service clubs and community volunteers whose contributions help Cypress thrive.

The Mayor also presented annual Business of the Year awards to three Cypress businesses for their commitment to giving back to the community.

The recipient of the BRACE Business of the Year Award was Trident University International. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Cypress, Trident University provides an exceptional online educational experience for its students – diverse adult learners including current and former members of the military family. Trident’s community service projects focus on supporting active-duty military, veterans and their families. Most significantly, Trident co-sponsors an annual Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express event – a fun day at Knott’s Berry Farm for the children and spouses of service members who have died on active duty since 9/11. The event focuses on bringing hope and new happy memories to the families of the fallen and provides them an opportunity to connect with other families going through a similar experience.

Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry, Right at Home Owner Vernon Atwood, Cypress City Manager Peter Grant

The AGENT Business of the Year Award was awarded to Right at Home. A trusted quality home care provider, Right at Home is based in Cypress and serves portions of Orange and Los Angeles counties. Owners Vernon and Grace Atwood have been members of the Cypress community for more than 20 years. Right at Home is a generous sponsor of the Cypress Senior Center, donating nearly 6,000 cupcakes for monthly birthday celebrations at the Senior Center’s lunch program and regularly collaborating with local experts to bring important educational presentations to the Senior Center.

The recipient of the SPIRIT Business of the Year Award was Kimmie’s Coffee Cup. Kimmie’s opened in Cypress in 2014 and quickly became a favorite community gathering place for breakfast and lunch. In Cypress, Kimmie’s partners with Cypress High School football and the California Highway Patrol to host an annual holiday toy drive for children.

Pictured from left, Cypress Mayor Stacy Berry, Kimmie’s Coffee Cup Owner Kim Vinson, Cypress City Manager Peter Grant

Mayor Berry concluded the event with a call to action, challenging residents and businesses to continue exploring new ways to be of service in the community in 2019.

A video of the Mayor’s speech will be posted on the City’s website at www.cypressca.org. Submitted by the city of Cypress.

Courtesy photos

Garcia receives Chamber “Citizen of the Year” award

David N. Young
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Garcia receives Chamber “Citizen of the Year” award

By David N. Young

Art Garcia, a well-established Los Alamitos restaurateur, finally received his “Citizen of the Year” award this week as the Chamber held its monthly networking breakfast.

Among other community activities, Garcia is best known for his annual feeding of a steak dinner with all the trimmings to gravely disabled vets in the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Long Beach on Christmas Day.

“Thank you very much,” said the soft-spoken businessman, saying he appreciated the recognition by the Chamber but gave all the glory to God. “This is God’s opportunity to reach out to our veterans,” he told the Chamber.

Ironically, the meeting was held at Maderas Steak and Ribs in Los Alamitos, a fine dining restaurant Garcia has long operated. He’s been in the business between Long Beach and Los Al for more than four decades.

In accepting the award, Garcia said he ended up with more donations than required so the effort begins this year with money in the bank. And, while he fed 90 veterans this year, Garcia said he “found another wing” of the VA hospital so he will try to raise enough volunteers and money to feed 210 veterans this year.

Garcia recounted later his visit with one veteran who had served in Korea, Vietnam and the Iraq Gulf War. “He was in so much pain,” said Garcia, saying he felt helpless but empowered just knowing the man appreciated the recognition and dinner at Christmas. Garcia said he thanked the man for his service and the man told him “I’d do it all again.”

Just a week ago, said Garcia, a discharged veteran showed up at his restaurant “just to shake my hand” and say thanks. “That’s what it is all about.”

Los Al Mayor Pro Tem Richard Murphy along with representatives of Assemblyman Tyler Diep and Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steele were also there to offer recognition to Garcia.

In other action, the Chamber;

  • Heard tax professional Roger Mayeda advise Chamber members to ask about some serious changes in the federal income tax code following the Congressional passage of tax reform. Many of the changes are now in effect and could have significant impacts and potential savings for businesses, he said. Also, he said, there are many areas of incongruence between the federal code and the state of California so tax filers should exert extra diligence this year.
  • Listened to a presentation by Richard Heim, a former tech entrepreneur now selling Aflac insurance. He demonstrated the differences between monetary and benefit compensation and said with all of the changes in healthcare benefits over the past decade, Aflac offers unique ways to increase compensation without affecting the bottom line of a business.
  • Heard Emeline Noda, representing the city of Los Alamitos, give an update on the upcoming “Race on the Base.”

 

Courtesy photo

 

 

Rise Up Athletics rebrands with athletic innovation

David N. Young
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Rise Up Athletics rebrands with athletic innovation

Rise-Up Athletics, formerly known as Kidnastics, held a grand re-opening ceremony this past Saturday, and the week-long celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony with Los Alamitos Chamber officials earlier in the week. Rise-Up Athletics (formerly known as KIDnastics) has been rebranded with a variety of innovative athletic programs. For more information, email of****@*************cs.net.

Rise-Up Athletics now offers a variety of innovative athletic programs for all ages, including TOTnastics, KIDnastics, GYMnastics, GYMstars, NinjaStars, TUMBLEstars, Tumbling, among others.

Members of the city council, Los Al Chamber of Commerce and supporters joined the Rise-Up team for an official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the firms transformation.

In addition, Rise-Up Athletics also includes their newly rebranded all-star cheer program formerly known as HSC, which is under the direction of Cheryl Vuong, the head coach of the National and World Championship Los Alamitos Cheer teams since 1996.

Rise-Up Athletics is a competitive cheerleading program for girls and boys (5+), which teaches all skill levels and even offers half-yearly teams along with competitive travel teams.

R.U.A is a great training ground for any future high school cheerleaders or anyone interested in the ever-expanding sport of cheer.

R.U.A is preparing for another successful season and would love to include your athlete in the fun! For enrollment information, email of****@*************cs.net.

The facility is available for private parties and private lessons are available.

Courtesy photo

 

 

Jen Rohdenburg Real Estate Joins the King & Queen of Hearts Campaign!

David N. Young
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Jen Rohdenburg Real Estate Joins the King & Queen of Hearts Campaign!

Jen Rohdenburg, a local real estate Broker Associate with Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, joined the Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s (LAEF) King and Queen of Hearts campaign for the first time this year by sponsoring the event at the Duchess level of $5,000. LAEF is extremely grateful to Jen Rohdenburg for this generous contribution.

Jen Rohdenburg, a Seal Beach resident with two children in the district, has also joined LAEF’s Royal Court as a candidate, along with her husband, Paul. Jen and Paul are excited to help LAEF, an organization that does so much for their own children, along with all the children in the Los Alamitos School District.

A UCI graduate, Jen has 10 years’ experience in real estate sales and finance. Since 2013, Jen has been a Real Estate Broker, using her industry knowledge, problem-solving, communication, and negotiating skills to provide unparalleled service in the Seal Beach luxury market. Jen is always looking to enhance the real estate experience for her clients. Driven by a pure passion for people, business, and real estate, Jen has built a reputation on generating consistently stellar results with concierge-caliber customer service. Partnering with Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty has allowed Jen and her team the very best in marketing capabilities with local expertise, and a global reach. For more information, please visit www.jenrohdenburg.com.

Proceeds from the King & Queen of Hearts campaign supports STEAM Fairs on all campuses and a district-wide STEAM Showcase this spring on April 6. (STEAM = science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math). It also supports elementary Media/STEAM teachers and innovative STEAM opportunities at our middle schools and LAHS. For additional information on LAEF, please call (562) 277-6876, or visit www.LAEF4kids.org. To learn more about the King and Queen of Hearts campaign, visit www.LAEF4Kids.org/kingandqueen.

 

New Facilities Director on job for LAUSD

David N. Young
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New Facilities Director on job for LAUSD

Christopher Knowland Jr. has begun work as the Director of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation for the Los Alamitos Unified School District. Knowland replaces retired director John Eclevia.

Knowland began his career as a project engineer/assistant inspector serving multiple school districts during their construction and modernization programs. He later worked as a project manager for a general contractor who exclusively performed projects requiring approval from the Division of State Architect (DSA) — the same agency that oversees school projects. He then started his own corporation as a consultant in facilities and construction management for school districts. In his career, CJ has been involved in over $300 million in school construction projects including a new K-8 School for Capistrano Unified School District, several pool projects, natural gas fueling stations, and a $15-million performing arts center.

Knowland received his Bachelor’s degree from California Baptist University and was an All-American Collegiate Athlete and All-American Academic Collegiate Athlete in wrestling.

 

 

 

 

Cypress takes league crown win 10-0 record

David N. Young
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Cypress takes league crown win 10-0 record

The Cypress High boys basketball team finished the season defeated in the Empire League with a 10-0 record. Last week the Centurions topped Kennedy 69-40 and then closed out the regular season with a 94-66 win over Crean Lutheran.

The Centurions earned a first round bye in the CIF-SS Division 2AA playoffs. Cypress was ranked No. 6 in the CIF-SS division poll on Jan. 28. They will host the winner of the Beverly Hills/Saugus game on Tuesday, at 7 p.m.

Cypress #1 Anthony Tello – slam dunk

Photos by Dave Peeters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypress #10 Tyler Lum drops in a 3 pointer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypress #0 fights for a rebound against Kennedy #35

 

 

 

 

 

Cypress #2 Christian Kim goes up for a layup

Youth Center’s ‘Every 15 Minutes’ packs powerful impact on high school student

Laurie Hanson
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Youth Center’s ‘Every 15 Minutes’ packs powerful impact on high school student

By Laurie Hanson

Students experience death without dying in the “Every 15 Minutes” event recently at Los Alamitos High School (LAHS). With life-like lessons, they learn the consequences of drunk and distracted driving in a community-wide effort through The Youth Center’s bi-annual event and the local community.

Their day began on Jan. 31, with students being pulled from their classes as part of the “living dead,” while their classmates hear their obituaries, and see their empty desks with only a photo and rose in their place.

Students witness the crash scene with Orange County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Alamitos and Seal Beach Police onsite. Heavy rains and thunder do not stop students from witnessing the accident scene. Ambulances and Forest Lawn hearses standby as fire personnel extricate casualties. The remaining victims standby, helplessly watching their friends and waiting to see the outcome before being taken away from campus to an undisclosed location for 24 hours. There they write goodbye letters to their parents, as their parents write their farewells at another location. They do not see each other until gathering at a school-wide assembly the next morning at the LAHS Gym.

Student Danny Bird, the drunk driver, was arrested, taken to jail, and then appeared in Orange County Municipal Court before a judge. Parents gather for the proceedings, hoping the judge will grant leniency due to the defendant’s young age and him having killed his best friend passengers. For a time, accused drivers remain in a holding tank, isolated and away from family. It’s their first real taste of life behind bars.

“I never want to put my parents through this experience”, shared Los Alamitos High School student Danny Bird, who was the drunk driver. “It’s definitely puts things into prospective and makes you think twice before making this choice [to drive intoxicated or not].”

On the other side of town, personnel at Los Alamitos Medical Center’s emergency room work feverishly to save two other LAHS students Amber DeMarco and Anika Piburn, victims of this senseless tragedy. Later that day, funeral arrangements carried out for the 27 victims by Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cypress, where family and classmates gather to say their last goodbyes. Many can be heard outwardly weeping because their loved ones are no longer with us.

Day passes into night, and night into the next day where the entire LAHS student body gathers for an assembly in the high school gym, watching a powerful film of the entire day proceeding. Joshua Jahn, a speaker at the assembly, shared the story about losing his wife, young son, and an 11-months old baby girl to a drunk driver who hit his wife’s car. Jahn shares his story with students around the world in hopes that it will save lives. He asked the students to think of his family when they are faced with the choice of driving intoxicated or not. Not a dry eye in the entire place remained.

The power of experiencing the consequences of driving under the influence or distracted driving hits like a ton of bricks by the end of the “Every 15 Minutes” event on the second day. The event is named “Every 15 Minutes” from a statistic that every 15 minutes someone is killed by drunk drivers in the United States. And, it’s a lesson not likely forgotten by the 3,600 students at LAHS.

‘We cannot bring this program to our community alone”, shared Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “Los Alamitos Police Department, Seal Beach Lions, and Los Alamitos High School planned this two-day program for the entire year. To help us bring the reality to students, more than 27 community partners joined in to bring this powerful life-changing experience to local students.”

This program is mainly funded by the CHP and The Youth Center with a big help from Lion’s Club and Los Alamitos High School, said Lumme.

Courtesy photos

 

Expect night operations over JFTB next week

David N. Young
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Expect night operations over JFTB next week

A visiting U.S. Army aviation unit will conduct training exercises and night flight operations at Los Alamitos Army Airfield (LAAAF) from Feb.3 thru Feb. 9.

The exercises are designed to maintain overall operational readiness and proficiency of the aviators and support personnel and will include periods of increased air traffic.

Residents living near Joint Forces Training Base may hear aircraft arriving and departing outside of normal airfield operating hours and increased aircraft noise during the hours of darkness throughout the training period.

Efforts will be taken to minimize inconvenience to our neighbors during evening hours.

For additional information, please contact Col. (CA) Richard Lalor at (562) 795-2096 or via email at ri******************@**il.mil, or Senior Airman Crystal Housman at (805) 458-3825 or via email at cr*******************@**il.mil.

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